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Fixed Gear and Singlespeed Wheels

622 mm 700C - 28/29 inch	630 mm (27 inch)	559 mm (26 inch mtb)

Fixed-Gear Central | Singlespeed Central

Fixed-Gear or Singlespeed?

"Fixed Gear" means a one-speed bike where the pedals move whenever the bike moves. You can't coast on a fixed gear, but it has real advantages. For lots more information about fixed gears, click here. We generally use the term "singlespeed" to refer to a one-speed bike with a freewheel, that is a bike that can coast without the pedals moving. For lots more information about singlespeed "coasties" click here. The wheels shown on this page have three different types of hubs:

• Singlespeed Freewheel hubs have a simple 1.37 x 24 tpi threading. You would screw a singlespeed freewheel onto the hub. The singlespeed freewheel is built into a sprocket, so you need to choose what size sprocket when you buy the freewheel. Freewheels are not included with the wheels, you need to buy them separately. Click here for singlespeed freewheels.
• Fixed Gear hubs have a double thread. There is a normal 1.37 x 24 tpi thread next to the spokes, and then it steps down to a smaller thread that will accept a separate lockring. The lockring is left-hand (reverse) threaded to keep the sprocket from unscrewing itself when you apply backward force to the pedals. Sprockets are not included with the wheels, you need to buy them separately. Click here for fixed gear sprockets.

  Some of the hubs include the lockring, some don't. Click here for fixed gear lockrings.

  Since both singlespeed and fixed gear hubs use the same 1.37 x 24 tpi threading, any fixed gear hub can also be used with a singlespeed freewheel.

• Flip-Flop hubs have freewheel thread on one side, fixed-gear threading on the other side. You can install a fixed sprocket on one side, and a freewheel on the other, or you can install two freewheels of different sizes, turning your singlespeed into a sort of two-speed.

  The most common way to set up a flip-flop hub is with a fixed gear on one side, and a slightly larger freewheel on the other side (usually a 1 or 2 tooth difference.

  The idea is to use the fixed gear most of the time, but to have the freewheel in reserve for longer rides, when you might be all tuckered out and still far from home. The lower freeweheel gear will make the climbs easier, and the fact that it is a freewheel will let you coast down the hills without spinning your brains out due to the lower gearing.

Hub Spacing and Chainline

 

Spacing

The "spacing" refers to the space between the fork ends. Different frames have different spacing in back, anywhere from 110 mm to 135 mm or more. The width of the hub (usually measured from the outer faces of the locknuts) needs to match the frame spacing.

Most of the hubs we sell can be modified to fit wider spacings by adding spacer washers between the cones and locknuts. It is also possible in many cases to adjust the spacing of the frame itself. See my Frame Spacing Article for details.

In general, mountain bikes will have 135 mm spacing, "road bikes 120 to 130, depending on their age, and track bikes 110 to 120 depending on their age. If in doubt, you should measure:

This frame has a spacing of 125 mm

The spacing of a hub is measured from the outside faces of the cone locknuts, where they come into contact with the frame's fork ends. (Most cartridge-bearing type hubs don't have locknuts, so the spacing is measured from the equivalent shoulder surface of the axle ends.) The spacing dimension is commonly referred to as the "O.L.D." (Over-Lock-nut Distance)

 

Chainline

The chainline is the horizontal distance from the centerline of the frame to the centerline of the chain. One of the major advantages of singlespeed and fixed gear bikes, as opposed to bikes with derailer gearing, is that the chainline is straight. This makes for a more efficient drive train (less friction, better power transmission.)

To ensure good chainline, you need to make the front chainline (distance from frame center to the center of the chainring teeth) match the rear chainline (hub center to the center of the sprocket.) Generally you would want to get this within a millimeter or maybe two of the same front and rear.

For details, see my article on Chainline.

If you're using a "road" or "track" type frame, you are best off with a typical "track" chainline of about 42 mm. Most of the "track" hubs we feature will give a chainline in that vicinity.

If you're using a "mountain" type frame, however, 42 mm chainline usually won't work, because most mountain bikes have wider chain stays, so you generally can't fit a reasonable sized chainring that close in. For that reason, singlespeed "mountain" bikes usually use a 52 mm chainline, or in some cases, 47 mm.

 

Stock Fixed-Gear Wheel Sets, 700C Road Sizes (42 mm chainline. unless otherwise indicated):

In addition to custom wheels, we offer stock wheels, machine built unless otherwise indicated:

Wheel Sets (Front and Rear):

Everyday Low Price! Formula/Weinmann WE913 32 spoke $199.95 $189.95/Pair! Formula Fixed/Free Flip-flop hubs Weinmannn DP18 Æro rims (similar to Deep V) Silver Rims and Hubs. 32 DT Stainless Steel Spokes. We struck a deal with our supplier to keep this low price!

Everday Low Price! Formula/Weinmann "Black Beauty" WE914 32 spoke $209.95 $199.95/Pair! Formula Fixed/Fixed Flip-flop hubs Weinmannn DP18 Æro rims (similar to Deep V) All Black (non-machined sidewalls)Rims and Hubs. 32 DT Stainless Steel Black Spokes.

NEW! Formula/Velocity Black Hub/Spokes; Green, White or Gold Deep V Rims Pairs Only $259.95/$269.95

Green: WE926 $269.95	White: WE918 $259.95	Gold: WE924 $269.95
Models with machined braking surface have silver aluminum brake track, not fully colored as shown above.

These use the black version of the Formula flip/flop fixed/fixed hub, (also works with freewheels) 32 black DT stainless spokes and White Velocity Deep-V æro rims.

4 Rim variations:

• Fully powder coated, all-white rim version $259.95
• White Version with machined braking surfaces $259.95
• Green Version with machined braking surfaces $269.95
• Gold Version with machined braking surfaces $269.95

Lock ring not included in price. Dura-Ace lockring

Back in Stock! Black Formula/Mavic CXP22 wheel set WE915 $215.95

Excellent value high-performance wheel set.

• Black Formula high flange fixed/free hubs
• Black Mavic CXP22 Semi-æro rims
• Black DT stainless steel spokes.
• 120 mm spacing, but long axles that can be built up to 126 or 130 by adding spacers.

Lock ring not included in price. Dura-Ace lockring

Back in Stock! Silver Formula/Mavic CXP22 wheel set WE917 $199.95

As above, but Silver hubs, spokes and rims.

Individual Pre-built Wheels:

Formula/Mavic Rear WE900 32 spoke $129.95
Formula/Mavic Rear WE901 36 spoke $129.95

These use the gorgeous Formula flip/flop fixed/free hub (silver only), 32 or 36 DT Champion stainless spokes and Mavic Open Sport rim.

Lock ring not included in price. Dura-Ace lockring

Formula/Mavic Front WE902 32 spoke $124.95
Formula/Mavic Front WE903 36 spoke $124.95

Front wheel, Formula 32 or 36 hole track hub, Open Sport rim, mate to fixed wheel listed above.

Individual Wheels:

Harris Cyclery Hand-Built Wheels

White Industries ENO Eccentric hub with Mavic Open Pro - 700c (622 mm) rim $269.95

White Industries ENO eccentric hubs are beautifully finished, with silky smooth sealed cartridge bearings. Double sided, fixed/free rear hub in your choice of 126 mm or 130 mm spacing, with a 47 mm chainline; 32 holes. Mavic Open Pro rims are an our favorite high-performance road rims, with double walls and eyelets.

The unique White Industries hubs have special eccentric titanium axle ends that allow the hub to move up to 15 mm so you can use them on a bike with vertical dropouts. Hubs are flip-flop, fixed/free, held by Allen bolts.

These hand-built wheels are light, strong and durable.

Lock ring not included in price Dura-Ace lockring

White Industries hubs are designed for 47 mm chainline.

White Industries ENO Eccentric hub with Mavic Open Sport (MA3) - 700c (622 mm) rim $289.95

As above, but with the popular Mavic Open Sport rim.

Lock ring not included in price. Dura Ace Lockring

White Industries hubs are designed for 47 mm chainline.

White Industries ENO Eccentric hub with Sun CR-18 - 700c (622 mm) rim $249.95

As above, but with sturdy Sun CR-18 rim.

Lock ring not included in price. Dura Ace Lockring

White Industries hubs are designed for 47 mm chainline.

27 inch (630 mm) Fixed-Gear Wheels

These use the excellent Formula Sealed Cartridge Hub, DT stainless straight-gauge spokes and Sun or Weinmann aluminum alloy rim.

 

Price Drop! WE274 27 inch Weinmann RM19 Rim, Formula Sealed Cartridge Fixed/FreeHub, 32 Stainless Spokes $99.95 $74.95

The Weinmann RM19 is a single-wall rim with no eyelets, 25 mm wide (19 mm interior width.)

Lock ring not included in price. Dura-Ace lockring

This wheel features the super-smooth Formula/IRO sealed cartridge bearing hub.

Price Drop! WE273 Matching Front wheel: 27 inch RM19 Rim, Formula Sealed Cartridge Hub, 32 Stainless Spokes $79.95 $74.95

This wheel features the super-smooth Formula sealed cartridge bearing front track hub.

Singlespeed Wheels 559 mm (26" Mountain-bike size):

(135 mm spacing , 52 mm chainline. unless otherwise indicated)

Stock Singlespeed Wheels

White Industries ENO Eccentric hub with Sun CR-18 - 26" (559 mm) rim $249.95

White Industries ENO eccentric hubs are beautifully finished, with silky smooth sealed cartridge bearings. Double sided, fixed/free rear hub in 135 mm spacing, with a 47 mm chainline; 32 holes. Sun CR-18 rims are an industry standard with double walls and spokehole eyelets.

The unique White Industries hubs have special eccentric titanium axle ends that allow the hub to move up to 15 mm so you can use them on a bike with vertical dropouts, without the need for a kludgy chain tensioning pulley.

These hand-built wheels are strong and durable.

White Industries hubs are designed for 47 mm chainline.

White Industries ENO Eccentric hub with Silver Sun Rhyno Lite Rim - 26" (559 mm) rim $259.95

White Industries ENO eccentric hubs are beautifully finished, with silky smooth sealed cartridge bearings. Double sided, fixed/free rear hub in 135 mm spacing, with a 47 mm chainline; 32 holes. Sun Rhyno Lites are fairly heavy at 550 grams, but they're super strong, and wide enough to give excellent service with wide, low pressure tires.

The unique White Industries hubs have special eccentric titanium axle ends that allow the hub to move up to 15 mm so you can use them on a bike with vertical dropouts, without the need for a kludgy chain tensioning pulley.

These hand-built wheels are strong and durable.

White Industries hubs are designed for 47 mm chainline.

For conversions to bikes with 27 inch or 700c wheels, see the Wheels section or our Fixed-Gear Central page (fixed/track hubs also work perfectly well with singlespeed freewheels!)

ALso, don't forget the Freewheels and sprockets. We can help you decide what gear combinations to start with. Call or e-mail us!

Custom Wheelbuilding Wheels hand-built by Harris Cyclery We build custom wheels, with care and attention to detail. Standard charges:

• $40 each for wheels with 36 or fewer spokes.
• $45 for 40 spoke wheels.
• $50 for 48 spoke wheels.
• $10 for cutting out and prepping a used hub.
• Butted spokes (DT or Wheelsmith) $1.00 each.

We will re-use your old hubs if you wish, but will not use used spokes nor rims.

If you bring in existing wheels to be rebuilt, add $10 per wheel for cutting the old spokes, cleaning and prepping your hub.

More Singlespeed Wheels from Quality Bicycle Products.

Why should you want a one-speed bicycle
that won't let you coast?
Read all about it!

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