One of the essential components of a fixie bike is a fixed gear crankset. However, if you’re building up a fixed gear bike, you should probably be aware of the various parts vying to be a part of your bike build. Having the best single speed crankset on your fixie bike allows you to have a smooth ride; it also reduces the need for regular maintenance.
Trying to figure out some of the best single speed cranksets can be quite challenging, and you must select a good quality single-speed crankset. Moreover, various brands and styles may run into.
Notwithstanding the information in this guide will help you make the right decision. We’ve carried out in-depth research on the best single speed crankset currently available in the market.
You will also get to know the difference between single speed cranksets and fixed gear. What’s the optimal gearing ratio? What about track components?
10 Best Single Speed Crankset
SRAM Crank Nx Eagle Boost 148 12s W Direct Mount 32t X-sync 2 Steel Chainring (Dub Cups/Bearings Not Included) Crankset
The NX crank set is engineered for complete chain control. Each tooth’s profile is programmed to function quietly, securely and efficiently alongside. In addition, the eagle technology offers an expanded, optimum gear range which makes you fast on the flats and gives you enough control on the climbs, unleashing your speed on the descents.
It features a uniform approach to bottom bracket fitment, better sealing against contamination, and forward and backwards compatibility. However, everyone can now enjoy its new measure of performance and durability.
Pros
- Quality crankset for the price.
- Shorten the cranks and increase the cadence.
- Less peddle stroke.
- Pretty awesome and easy to install
- Works great and economical.
Cons
- The chainring size included may not be correct.
Read Also,
- Best Mountain Bike Kickstand
- The Best Platform Pedals for Road Bikes
- Best MTB Chain Guide and Bash Guards
SHIMANO XTR Hollowtech 2 11/12 Speed Mountain Bicycle Crank Set – FC-M9120-1
The Hollowtech II crank arms is produced to bring your drivetrain into the future with a light and stiff design. It is quite easy to change the direct-mount chainrings with just a single key release, which allow you to feel things out with your new 12-speed configuration and giving you the perfect chainring ratio you need.
The Shimano M9120 is built with a beef and robust design, suitable for riders who are charging hard and having personal encounters with rowdy sections of trail that give your crankarm the occasional bash. Besides, the M9120 crankarms boast a wider Q-factor that lands in at 168mm, This wide Q-factor increases stability when you are descending at high speeds and offers a better chainstay clearance for beefier 148-millimetre Boost spacing in the back.
The Shimano XTR M9120 Crankset is produced mainly for bikes with a boost of 148-millimetre rear axles, with its 52-millimetre chain line reflecting the outboard move to accommodate Boost axle spacing.
Pros
- The Product is easy to install
- It is quite dependable and durable.
- The product is engineered to deliver exceptional results.
Cons
- The chainrings are difficult to remove
RaceFace Narrow Wide Cinch Direct Mount Chainring
RaceFace is a high-end product in the single speed crankset market. The RaceFace does not only have incredible looks, but it also has great quality and performance. They use the reputed 7075-T6 aluminum to guarantee the strength and durability of the product. It is compatible with 9, 10, 11 and 12 speeds.
Besides, the narrow, wide-tooth profiling provides ultimate chain retention. The product features a stiff 4mm plate thickness to transfer loads without flexing. It attaches as part of the RaceFace Cinch system, allowing the easy switch between DM rings/spiders. It is made of CNC Aluminium, utilizes RaceFace proprietary spline design.
Pros
- Installation was straightforward.
- Great cinch system.
- The chainring is durable.
- Lightweight and firm.
Cons
- Race face is not compatible. Make sure you check compatibility before purchasing the product.
Sram Road Apex 50-34T Chainset with GXP Bottom Bracket
The Apex Crankset provides maximum stiffness with less weight. PowerGlide chainrings are great with long-lasting finishes. The Apex may be an entry level crankset, notwithstanding it is light enough for an enthusiastic cyclist (it’s lighter than Shimano’s counterpart).
It is well constructed and durable and also great for less expensive equipment. In addition to the crankset (crowns and cranks), the bottom bracket was also included.
Pros
- Quite stiff as any alloy crank Sram makes despite the price.
- Great value for the price
- also included the bottom bracket
- The shifting is great.
- Easy to install
Cons
- The side thread may not be durable
SHIMANO FC-M640 Zee 10 Speed Crankset
The Zee features a nice wide q-factor, but make sure you know your bottom bracket shell width before purchasing! They come in two spindle lengths, so if you’re getting these for a 73mm BB shell, you want to get the 83mm spindle. Same price as the standard. It comes with bearing cups and spacers.
Also, the cranks provide a very smooth and solid feel both on-road/off-road excursion’s, and it’s equally competent. This came with spacers for the crank and spacers for pedals and a new bottom bracket.
The Zee crankset is fantastic, especially for the price; complete with a bottom bracket, it goes together fairly easy. Overall this is a well made and good looking crankset. Highly recommend it as one of the best.
Pros
- Durable and strong
- Aggressive style
- Easy to install
Cons
- The instructions may be quite difficult to understand
CDHPOWER Single Speed Crankset for Mountain Road Bike Fixed Gear Bicycle Folding Bicycle(Square Taper, Black, Sprocket)
The CDHPOWER single speed crankset features a forged alloy crank arms with solid carbon steel chainring. However, the CDHPOWER is compatible with 9/16-inch pedals and quarter-inch chainrings. And the brakes are fluid since it has pedal crankarms that are 165mm long.
Moreover, the CDHPOWER crankset is lightweight and doesn’t cause snags on bicycles’ speed when installed. The Product also features a complete package on the left and crank arm and the chainring. It is extremely durable, long-lasting and pretty easy to fix.
Pros
- The design and aesthetics are beautiful.
- It is easy and convenient to install the product.
- Quality Product
- The product is sturdy and extremely durable.
Cons
- It is quite hard to ride up the mountains terrain with this chainring.
SRAM Red Gxp 11Sp 175mm 52/36T No BB Wheel
The SRAM RED Gxp technology uses a large, hollow cross section all the way to the spider; It provides maximum stiffness with minimum weight. The chainrings feature a thick construction and extreme shift timing pins and ramps used for shifting alongside the Yaw front derailleur.
In addition, its hidden bolt pattern gives rise to better use of carbon fibre to further improve stiffness and shed weight. Being a legend in its time, the SRAM RED crankset comes with refreshed graphics to complement the new SRAM RED tap componentry.
Additionally, the SRAM RED crankset features a completely hollow construction all the way to the spider. As always, for seamless, flawless performance and Yaw compatibility, pair this crank with X-Glider chainrings.
Pros
- High quality.
- Good stiffness
- Lightweight.
GANOPPER 170mm Crankset 30T 32T 34T 36T 38T Single Speed Mountain Bike Cycling Road Bike Crank Arm Set
The Ganopper Single Speed Crankset is a very reliable product. It has a simple yet sturdy design that is great for delivering good results. This product has an alloy crankarms length of 170mm and a chainring weight of 41g(0.09 lbs).
It is suitable for 9s, 10s, 11s Mountain Bike crank set, Easy to refit 1x Singlespeed Mountain Bike, Road Bike Crank Set etc. And compatible with 9/16 inch pedals, 1/2″*1/8″ chain work well on this crankset. The Ganopper crankset provides maximum stiffness, durability. Moreover, it is incredibly lightweight and convenient for the user. made of 7075 Alloy Aluminum
Pros
- Designed of Stiffener
- Durable and lightweight
- Great value for the product.
- Made of high quality materials.
Cons
- The hub may not be strong and durable.
US Stock¡¿ 104 BCD 32T 34T 36T 38T Mountain Bike 170mm Crankset, Aluminum Alloy MTB Crank Set Round Oval Narrow Wide Chainring Bottom Bracket Bolts, fit Shimano, FSA Gaint
The Crank and Chainring are Made of aluminum alloy, lightweight, stylish, flashy styling, high axial strength and compatibility. It has an arm length of 170mm, Crank related holes distance of 74m, and fits 7-12S chains Single, Double, and Triple Speed Chainring.
Feels solid when you’re pedaling hard; the bearings are smooth and doesn’t make a sound even when a big guy(300lbs) is climbing a hill. Moreover, the Decks sprocket is of very high quality.
The product appears good, with a beautiful anodized red finish and nice rolling bearings on the bottom bracket. Easy installation at the moment and looks sturdy. It also comes with a one Year Warranty and a 100% Money Back Guarantee.
Pros
- lightweight and easy to install
- stylish appearance
- high strength axle
- strong compatibility
VUNDO 170mm Single Speed Mountain Bike Crankset for MTB Hollowtech Ⅱ Complete 3 Piece Set 32T 34T 36T 38T 104 Bcd Chainring 68mm 73mm BSA Bottom Bracket Suitable 1x 7 8 9 10 11 12 Speed
The Vundo crankset features 3D forged alloy crank arms with solid steel chainrings. However, Vundo is compatible with Most Mountain Bikes and Dirt Bicycles. Moreover, the Vundo crankset is lightweight and doesn’t cause snags on bicycles’ speed when installed.
The Product also features a complete package on the left and crank arm and the chainring. It is extremely durable, long-lasting and pretty easy to fix, with an attractive look and made of aluminum alloy.
In addition, it comes with external cups sealed bearings, smooth movement, dustproof and waterproof. The integrated spline hollow axle has a 24mm diameter 120mm length; 104/64mm BCD fit single, double, triple chainring.
Pros
- Easy install.
- Perfect fit for your bike
- Strong and durable
- Lightweight
- Great design for a fair price.
Things to Consider When Buying the Single Speed Crankset
Gear Ratio & Tooth Count
Understanding the gear ratio for a fixie is very simple. However, the teeth count represents the gear ratio of the crankset. Examples of teeth counts are 32T, 36T, 44T, etc. the higher the number of teeth count, the harder it will be to push the bike, but you will gain more speed with a higher number of teeth counts.
So if you are a daily commuter, it is advisable to go with a smaller tooth count; it makes paddling easier.
Crank Arm Length
There are various cranks on the market today with different crank arm lengths. The cranks arm length is important because it is directly related to the knee pain and secondly speed.
A longer crank arm will enable you to go faster and paddle with less effort. At the same time, a shorter crank arm will enable you to ride at a faster cadence and reduce the risk of a pedal strike.
In addition, the crank arm is the major reason for occurring knee pains so, if you have knee pain, make sure you pick shorter crank arms.
Types of Single Speed Cranksets
There are two major types of crank
Square Taper Single Speed Crankset
This is the most common type of crank, effortless to install, and almost all fixies have a square taper crankset and a cartridge bottom.
Integrated Single Speed Crankset
These cranks are lightweight, pretty cool and more durable due to the large external bearings.
How to Replace your Fixie Crankset
For more info on installing a fixie crankset on your bike check here.
Frequently Asked Question
Are Expensive Cranksets Worth it?
An expensive crankset might have better quality materials for its chainrings, and hence the chainrings might last longer than a cheap crankset. Upgrading the crankset gives you several benefits, and it also performs better.
How Do I Know Which Crankset to Buy?
A key consideration when buying new cranksets is the crank length. Most cranks for road and MTB use are 175mm long, but riders with legs shorter or longer than the average may feel more comfortable on cranks that better match their measurements. so, it is advisable to take proper measurements before purchasing
How Can I Remove A Single Set Crankset?
The first thing to do while removing a crankset is loosening the top bolts to unscrew them. Then retract the bolt that runs through the crank-puller and remove it also. After removing the bolts, you will be able to remove the crankset without stress. Next, just unscrew every bolt that attaches the crankset to the bike.
Conclusion
For a cyclist, a bike without the best single speed crankset can be so frustrating the quality of the various parts of the bike has to meet a certain standard. If one component is lacking, it will bring down the joy of the whole riding experience.
Therefore, when buying a single-speed crankset, ensure to buy the entire set and not individually. The whole crankset is designed to work together. However, we have listed some of the best single speed cranksets in this article, hoping it can help you get the perfect one for yourself.