Whether you want to build up a fixed gear bike or change a few factory components in your new bike to improve performance, the single speed crankset is an important part to consider. As an essential component of your bicycle’s drivetrain, it can make or break the performance.
The crankset helps in converting the reciprocating motion from the rider’s legs into a kind of rotational motion that aids in driving the belt or chain. This in turn drives the rear wheel to accelerate your performance on any type of terrain.
Unlike the traditional cranksets, the modern ones come equipped with advanced features and a few models will include bottom brackets to better your game. As these components are lightweight, they do not add any extra weight to the bicycle.
That being said, what to look for and what to avoid in a Crankset can be tricky as there are so many different brands and styles to choose from. Furthermore, there are so many things you need to consider – optimal gearing ratio, track components, suitable parts, and so on.
Stress no more, because we have scoured the Internet and reviewed more than a dozen products from different brands to help you choose best crankset for single speed. Read on to find the detailed review of the products carefully selected by our review team.
If you are in a hurry to get your single speed crankset and don’t have the time to read until the end, we suggest the Retrospec Fixed-Gear crankset (learn more). It has a durable build quality, lightweight, and comes with several color options at an affordable price.
1. State Bicycle Co. Fixed Gear/Single Speed Bike Crankset
This solid three-piece forged 6061 aluminum crankset by State Bicycle Co has gained popularity among riders due to its ability to look great on all types of bikes. Available in various colors and 46 tooth count, it provides an excellent manufacturing quality at a low price point.
The complete crankset is made from forged alloy and the arms are made of sturdy 6061 aluminum to give more durability to the product. It comes with a stamped chainring that is 170 mm in length, featuring an impressive ratio of tooth count and chain length.
Compatible with 1/8″ chains, the crankset is best suited to help bikes designed for the less hilly area, to achieve higher speed. Built securely with 5 bolts, these cranksets give the bikers more reliability when riding on any type of terrain. Although the build quality is great, you may sometimes see occasional paint chips in certain areas.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 11.5 x 6.8 x 2.4 inches
- Weighs 1.7 pounds
- Bottom bracket not included
- Fixed Gear/Single Speed Bike Crankset
- 1/8″ – 46 tooth chaining
- Chain arm length 170mm & 734g
User/ Customer reviews
Users give preference to this single-speed crankset by State Bicycle Company as they fit perfectly giving their fixie a complete look. People also rave about how gorgeous this thing looks and feels so strong to hold, making it a head-turner. A few users have said that the chain pitch of the chainring appears to be non-standard.
Conclusion
If you wish to receive compliments for your bike and make heads turn wherever you go, then this State Bicycle Single Speed Crankset is a great choice. Made from lightweight aluminum alloy, this product is not only durable but also improves the performance of your bike. Overall, it delivers good value for money.
2. Retrospec Fixed-Gear Crank Single-Speed Road Bicycle
The second single speed crankset in our list comes from the Los Angeles based Retrospec that believes in fueling your passion for fresh air and love for nature. Every product that comes out of their factory is carefully designed and tested in California to ensure that it’s perfectly suited for your next trip.
This three-piece forged fixed-gear crankset is both burly and lightweight at the same time to provide enhanced reliability and strength on-road. The 170mm crank arm length does not include any overlapping of the crank arm or chainring bolts.
With an innovative crank arm design, the Retrospec single speed crankset promises to give you a more aggressive, faster, and stronger ride. With a standard BCD (Bolt Circle Diameter) of 133, this product fits on the most mountain, road, fixed gear, single-speed, track, and BMX bikes.
Product features and specifications
- Weighs 2.1 pounds
- Three-piece forged crankset
- 170mm crank arm length
- Standard Bolt Circle Diameter (BCD) 133
- All new crank arm design
User/ Customer reviews
Most users have said that these Retrospec single speed crankset fits great and makes their bicycle stand out from others. People are also happy with the variety of colors that complement different bike colors to create an impressive appearance. A few users have warned about the pedal threads stripping out after riding a few hundred miles.
Conclusion
This Retrospec Bicycles Fixed-Gear Single-Speed Crankset is just what you may need to create your fixed-gear bicycle or upgrade an existing bike. If you have some bike knowledge, they are much easier to install by yourself. Overall, we feel that it delivers good performance at an affordable price.
3. Single Speed Crankset 53T 170mm Crankarms
This single-speed crankset comes from the house of Pro-Lite and it’s designed to be compatible with most single speed, fixed-gear, and track road bikes. It features 53T teeth, 170 mm crankarms and 130 mm BCD (Bolt Circle Diameter). It works best with pedal size 9/16″ and chain standard size 1/2″ X 1/8″.
Made from sturdy and reliable aluminum alloy 7075-T6, this forged crankset features a 170mm crank arm length without any overlap of chainring bolt and crank arm. Upon closer review, we feel that this crankset is certainly a set up from the cheap, low weight, and poorly designed chainrings.
The Litepro crankset is best suited for the square taper bottom brackets of shell width 68mm. The spindle length will depend on the bike frame you are using. This crankset does not come with any hardware so you will need to get them separately to do the installation part.
Product features and specifications
- Weighs 1.9 pounds
- 53T (outer diameter:224 mm)
- 130mm (5.12 inch)
- Made from aluminum alloy 7075-T6
- Anodized CNC cutting surface
- 170mm crankarm
- Suitable with standard 1/2″ X 1/8″
User/ Customer review
Most users are happy with the quality built and easy installation of the single speed crankset on a wide range of bicycles. Some cyclists have mentioned that you will need a larger than average chainring in order to maintain a reasonable gear ratio with the smaller wheels. A few customers have warned that when the chainring runs over the teeth engagement, it makes an annoying rattling sound but does not damage the teeth.
Conclusion
This Single Speed Crankset may not be the most high-end model available in the market, but it’s decently designed with adequate features to work with your fixed-gear bike or road cycle. Overall, we feel that the Pro-Lite crankset is a step up from the low-end stock or OEM cranksets. It delivers good value for money.
4. CDHPOWER Single Speed Crankset
The crankset by CDHPOWER comes next in our list and our first impression about it was that it’s incredibly well built. Made from the forged alloy material and equipped with a solid carbon steel chainring, this product is not only extremely durable but also lightweight.
The square taper interface perfectly fits 9/16 inch pedals and requires a chainring of diameter 132mm including right crankarm, left crankarm, and chainring. Although sturdy in construction, the crankset does not take away any climbing ability from the mountain bikes.
This crankset is compatible with mountain bikes, fixed-gear bicycles, and most big box store bikes. We are impressed to find that the crankset is backed by a 12 months manufacturer warranty. Apart from crankset, the CDHpower also offers a good selection of gas bike, gas frame, spare parts, and motor kit.
Product features and specifications
- Weighs 1.3 pounds
- Pedal crank arms: 165mm
- Excluding BB; Net Weight: 515g
- Compatible with 9/16 inch pedals
- Diameter of Chainring: 132mm
- Pedal crankarms: 170mm
User/ Customer reviews
Users who outfitted the crankset with a stock cassette were impressed with the ease of installation and its performance when riding uphill. Some people have said that you may require a square taper crank puller to take out the old crankset in order to install the new one. A few users have warned that there are no guards to protect the leg or pant from accidentally touching the chain.
Conclusion
This is a well-designed and solid set of cranks that enables users to ride with comfort and even climb small hills with less effort. The product comes well-packaged and it can be used with fixed gear bikes and folded bikes. To install in a mountain bike you will need a crank removal tool. Overall, we feel this product offers good value for money.
5. Origin8 Track/SS Crankset
The Origin8 brings for you the perfect single speed crankset for your next fixed gear bike conversion. As the product is available in multiple colors, you can find something to match the color of your bike frame. Made from forged 6061-T6 alloy crankarms are sturdy and well-designed to fit most of the bikes.
Tough as a nail, this product includes a 46t alloy 1/8″ chainring but you must make sure that you install it with a new bottom bracket and not an old 80’s model. The paint on the crankset looks a little cheap, but the overall hard-anodized finish gives it a desirable look.
Mountain bike enthusiasts looking to reduce the weight of their bicycle can opt for these fixie parts to improve the agility and overall performance. Users get to choose from the three different crankarm lengths – 160, 170, and 175 mm. We are happy to find that this crankset gets along well with both modernish themed bikes as well as the vintage-inspired track builds.
Product features and specifications
- Made of 46t alloy 1/8″ chainring
- 42mm chain line
- JIS square taper BB
- Comes with crank bolts
User/ Customer reviews
Bike riders who bought the crankset to improve their game have said that they had no issues installing it and the bike was ready for next trip within minutes. A few customers have warned that the aluminum it is made up of is soft, so make sure you do not use steel pedals or else you may end up damaging the crankset.
Conclusion
This Origin8 crankset is a hard-wearing and good looking, hence it not only improves the performance but also the overall aesthetics of the bike. Suitable for most bicycles from the mountain bike range to vintage cycles, we feel this crankset offers a good price to performance ratio.
#6. Vuelta Pista Track Crankset
This track/fixie crankset comes from the house of Vuelta, a company that has earned a worldwide reputation with over 19 years of experience in delivering performance, quality, and value products. The crankset is well-designed and a perfect fit for 108mm BB Spindle in most of the applications.
One of the most unique aspects of Vuelta products is that they are well-engineered and thoughtfully-designed with attention to details. They use the time-tested manufacturing processes to deliver products that promise long service life with the highest level of performance possible.
Any average home bike mechanic with a good knowledge of bikes can do the installation work using a square taper bottom bracket and some basic tools. Performance-wise, this Vuelta crankset does a decent job and looks highly polished with a pair of black candies installed.
Product features and specifications
- Durable Finish
- Cold Forged Arms
- Includes crank bolts
- 108mm BB Spindle
- 3/32″ chain
- 144 mm BCD
- Cranksets and saddles
User/ Customer reviews
Most users feel this is an affordable and great value crankset that helps them convert an old bike into a better capable one. Customers have said that you can use good quality chainring with these cranksets to upgrade and improve any existing bike to change gears swiftly. Some people have said that the metal alloy feels cheap and does not include any casting marks.
Conclusion
This crankset may not be as good as Shimano, but it is still well-designed and works perfectly with a 7X speed bike. What we like best about this product is that the crank arms fit well and there are no mechanical flaws in the build quality. All in all, this single-speed crankset proved to be a great buy at an affordable range.
#7. DONSP1986 Single Speed Crankset
When you take a look at the DONSP1986 Single Speed Crankset (learn more), you can tell for yourself that this product means serious business. The manufacturers have taken great care to ensure that it has a sturdy construction yet feels lightweight to ensure ultimate strength and reliability on road.
Made from a quality aluminum alloy, the DONSP1986 crankset is compatible with square taper bottom brackets and require pedal crankarms of 170mm for installation. Despite its burly appearance, it does not add much weight to mountain bikes or fixed-gear bicycles, so there’s no compromise in agility.
This crankset is compatible with 9/16 inch pedals and a 1/2″*1/8″ chain to deliver the optimum performance. One complete set includes the right crankarm, left crank arm, and the chainring. You will just need a few bicycle tools to install the crankset yourself if you have some basic knowledge.
Product features and specifications
- Weighs 1.7 pounds
- 44T Teeth
- 110 BCD Crankset
- Square Taper, Black
- Crank Arm Length 170mm
- Bottom Bracket not included
- Compatible with 9/16 inch pedals
User/ Customer reviews
Cyclists who have a 68mm square-taper bottom bracket on their bike has said that this 44t single chainring crankset is ‘plug and play’ for them. Users have also mentioned that the bolts are not riveted, hence the chainring is easily removable using a thin spanner wrench and metric hex key. A few users have mentioned that you need to be careful about the threads as they tend to break easily.
Conclusion
The DONSP1986 is a great-value square taper crankset that comes with a removable chainring. Anyone looking for an affordable single-speed crankset can benefit from getting this one. Although it may not be extremely durable, it has a decent quality that can last you for several miles of use.
#8. Origin8 Pro Pulsion Single Speed Crankset
So, we come to the last product in our list of best crankset and the Origin8 Pro Pulsion takes this place with its strength, quality, and good performance. It is made of durable and lightweight forged aluminum material that comes with a 46-tooth stamped-aluminum chainring.
The black and white color combination and smooth exterior finish of the crankset appearance make it stand out from others. It is compatible with most mountain bikes to improve the performance and make it easier to shift the gears.
As the product well built with secure bolts and a 46-tooth stamped-aluminum chainring, it provides outstanding power transfer and stiffness. The crankset does not come with a bottom bracket, so you will need to order it separately and you need a few tools to do the installation by self.
Product features and specifications
- Includes 46 teeth
- Forged AL6061-T6 crankarms
- 44mm chain line
- Does not include BB
- Stamped alloy 1/8″ chainring
User/ Customer reviews
Most users have said that this crankset is medium to lightweight, hence it works perfectly with mountain bikes. Regular cyclists have mentioned that even after riding for more than 300 miles, they did not notice any signs of wear or unwanted friction with the chain.
Conclusion
This is a great medium-weight crankset for your single speed track bike or mountain bicycle, but you will need a compatible chain and a bottom bracket to make it work optimally. At this price, this product offers great value and overall decent performance.
Buying Guide: Things To Consider When Buying Single Speed Crankset
Ask any cyclist and he will tell you that a crankset is the heart and soul for any bicycle, without which it cannot perform smoothly. While all the above-handpicked cranksets are good enough for anyone looking to build a single speed bike, some user preferences may differ. Here are some essential things that you may need to consider before ordering a crankset.
Types of cranksets
When it comes to choosing a crankset, you will come across two major choices in the market – square taper and integrated. The square taper has the most functional and technically easy design out of the two, making it a common choice for most fixed gear bikes out there.
Anyone who wishes to improve and enhance the overall appearance of the bike may choose the integrated option. Besides making your bike look more elegant, it also reduces weight and adds to durability due to the external bearings.
Tooth count and gear ratio
The tooth count is represented as 32T, 36T, or 44T, and it determines the gear ratio in a crankset. The higher the count, the more difficult it will be to push the bicycle. If you are a daily commuter, we would suggest that you opt for a low tooth count to make paddling easier.
The gear ratio is simple to understand in a fixie as it has only one gear. So, if you are in a hilly area, you will benefit from a lower gear ratio and when you want speed, always opt for a higher gear ratio.
Crank Arm Length
Different cranksets come with different crank arm lengths, and this is important to consider for two reasons – speed and preventing knee pain. If you opt for the longer crank arm, you will be able to go much faster and useless effort for paddling.
When the crank arm length is shorter, you will be able to ride at a faster cadence and lower the risk of pedal strike. However, bear in mind that the power will less compared to the longer crank arms. A person who has knee pain should always opt for a shorter crank arm length.
Knowing what suits your bike
Please bear in mind that not all cranksets are designed in a way to be compatible with your fixie. There are some models that only work with the track bikes that are considered as the best in single speed cycling. Owners of track bikes are not much considered with the external appearance, and their major objective is to go as far as possible.
5 Tips To Help You Find The Best Crankset
Finding that perfect single speed crankset that’s both reliable and affordable is not that tough if you keep a few things in mind. Here are a few tips that can help you:
- Even if you are not a person who prefers big brands, you may end up wasting your time and money if you opt for ‘no name’ brand in certain cases. The crankset is one such product where you need to stick to a well-known company that uses high-quality materials for construction.
- Next, you must pay attention to the chainring tooth count as each model has a different number. This determines how a single speed or fixie will perform ultimately. A few extra teeth can bring a lot of difference when it comes to pedaling uphill or riding on straight stretches.
- The smaller size chain rinds are always more suitable for the hilly areas and steep inclines, while the one with a higher tooth counts is best for flat areas. For average users, we would recommend a ratio of 16 or 17 teeth at back and 42 to 44 teeth on the front.
- We suggest that you always buy the entire crankset and not get it individually unless you have a lot of experience in bike mechanics. Each set constitutes of components that are designed to work in tandem for best results.
- Proper alignment during installation cannot be emphasized enough so make sure you do it carefully and if you lack the experience, get a bike mechanic to do it. Always remember to attach the cranks only to the recommended torque and be aware of the alignment to avoid premature wear.
Related Questions
Are budget cranksets reliable
The biggest benefit of buying the budget or cheap cranksets is that they are affordable. If you intend to use the bike only for daily commute following a known path then it’s reliable enough. However, we would not recommend them for bike trips or mountain biking.
How long does a crankset last
The arms and spindle of a crankset usually last more than 4 years with regular maintenance and care. The chainrings and bottom brackets may need to be replaced in between.
Is a single speed cycle better than gears for beginners
Yes, a single-speed bicycle is much more convenient to ride as the biker focuses on riding instead of shifting the gears. Furthermore, the single speed models are also low maintenance as there are not many moving parts as compared to the multispeed one.
See Also:
8 Best Indoor Bike Trainer Stands
How Do I Know When To Replace Crankset
How Many Gears Does A Road Bike Have
Can Cycling Give You Ripped Abs? Read this First!
