When choosing a bike, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is whether you want a bike with a single speed or multiple gears. The best bike for your style of riding depends on a number of factors including the type of terrain you ride, the distances you ride, and personal preference. To help you decide, this guide lists the pros and cons of riding a single speed vs geared bike.
In this guide, we’ll cover weight, efficiency, speed, climbing ability, ease of use, maintenance, the ride experience, cost, and much more. We’ll also outline the different types of single speed and geared bikes that are available including fixed gear bikes, freewheel single speeds, derailleurs, and internal gear hubs.
I regularly ride both single speed and geared bikes. I’ve always loved the simplicity of a single speed. When touring or riding longer distances, I always ride a geared bike. In this guide, I’ll share my experience. Hopefully, this guide helps you choose the best bike for your style of riding.
Table of Contents
- What is a Single Speed Bike?
- What is a Geared Bike?
- Pros and Cons of Single Speed Bikes
- Pros and Cons of Geared Bikes
- Types of Single Speed Bikes
- Types of Geared Bikes
What is a Single Speed Bike?
A single speed bike has one gear ratio. This means there is one chainring and one rear cog. The chain stays on the same sprockets at all times. You do not shift a single speed bike. To change your speed you simply pedal faster or slower. You can’t change the gear ratio.
The most common gear ratios for single speed bikes are 44/16 and 46/16. In each ratio, the first number represents the number of teeth on the chainring and the second number represents the number of teeth on the rear cog. The gear ratio represents the number of times the rear wheel spins for each complete rotation of the cranks.
The gear ratio is particularly important on a single speed bike. The gearing needs to be low enough for you to be able to climb hills and start from a stop without having to mash down on the pedals too hard. At the same time, the gear ratio needs to be high enough to cruise at a reasonably fast speed so you can get where you need to go without having to pedal too fast.
You can customize your single speed bike’s gearing by swapping out the chainring or rear cog with a different model with a different number of teeth. Switching to a smaller chainring (fewer teeth) lowers the gearing and makes pedaling easier.
Using a larger chainring (more teeth) raises the gearing and makes pedaling harder. Switching to a smaller rear cog with fewer teeth makes it harder to pedal. Using a larger rear cog with more teeth makes it easier to pedal. There are compromises to make when choosing a gear ratio.
Most single speed bikes have a freewheel rear hub. This is a ratchet mechanism that allows the rear cog to rotate backward or stand still relative to the rear wheel. This mechanism allows you to coast.
When you start pedaling and the rear cog starts rotating faster than the rear wheel, the ratchet mechanism catches. Pawls spring up and catch on teeth inside of the mechanism. This prevents the cog from rotating forward faster than the rear wheel. This allows you to start transmitting power to the rear wheel.
Some single speed bikes have a fixed gear hub. These do not have the ratchet mechanism. Instead, the cog is essentially bolted in place on the rear hub. The cog cannot spin independently from the wheel. When the bike wheels are turning, so are the cranks. You can’t stop pedaling and coast while a fixed gear bike is in motion.
Many different types of single speed bikes are available. For example, BMX bikes, beach cruisers, kids bikes, commuter bikes, unicycles, and track racing bikes, are all usually single speed.
What is a Geared Bike?
Geared bikes have multiple gears or speeds. Shifting gears changes the gear ratio. A handlebar-mounted shifter mechanism allows you to easily change gears while you ride. When you shift down, the bike becomes easier to pedal. When you shift up, the bike becomes harder to pedal.
There are two types of mechanism used for changing the gear ratio of a bicycle: derailleurs and internal gear hubs.
A bike with derailleurs has multiple rear cogs and usually multiple chainrings. A typical geared bike has 2 or 3 chainrings and 6-12 cogs on the rear cassette or freewheel. Each cassette cog and chainring has a different number of teeth. Shifting between sprockets with different numbers of teeth changes the gear ratio.
The rear cogs and chainrings both require separate gear changing mechanisms. These are the derailleurs and shifters. Most geared bikes have front and rear derailleurs and shifters. Bikes that only have one chainring and multiple cassette cogs only have a rear derailleur and one shifter.
Handlebar mounted shifters allow you to shift gears as you ride. This is achieved with a tensioned cable that runs from the shifters to spring-loaded derailleurs. You shift up by manipulating the shifter to increase the tension on the cable. This pulls the derailleurs to the next higher gear. You shift down by manipulating the shifter to reduce the tension. The internal springs push the derailleur to the next lower gear.
Shifting gears changes the number of teeth that the chain runs over. This changes the speed that the rear wheel turns in relation to the speed that you turn the cranks. Gear ratios are calculated using the number of teeth on the chainring and cassette cogs.
For example, if you’re riding on a 48t chainring and a 12t cog, the gear ratio is 48/12 which is equivalent to 4. This means the rear wheel rotates 4 times for each rotation of the cranks. This is a high gear. If you shift to a 40t chainring and a 20t cog, the gear ratio is 40/20 which is equivalent to 2. This means your rear wheel rotates just 2 times for each rotation of the cranks. This is a lower gear.
Internal gear hubs use planetary gears that are housed inside of the rear hub to change the gear ratio. Internal gear hubs have anywhere from 2-14 gears.
Bike gears give you a mechanical advantage. When you shift into a low gear, the pedals require less force to turn. You can pedal faster but the rear wheel turns slower. Low gears work well for climbing hills or riding into a headwind. When you shift into a high gear, it takes more force to turn the cranks. You pedal slower but the rear wheel moves further for each revolution of the cranks.
High gears work well for riding fast on flat ground and descending hills. Mid-range gears fall somewhere in between. These work best for cruising on flat surfaces.
Single Speed Bike Pros
1. Single Speed bikes require less maintenance
Single speed bikes have fewer components to maintain. For example, there are no derailleurs, shifters, or shifter cables. There is only one chainring and one rear cog. Single speed bikes have fewer moving parts that can wear out, break, or go out of adjustment.
When you ride a single speed bike, you’ll never have to deal with adjusting derailleurs. You never have to worry about shifter indexing. You never have to adjust or replace shifter cables. Chains also tend to last longer on single speed bikes because the chainline always stays straight. The chain never runs at an angle and rubs against the gears.
A single speed bike is also faster and easier to clean because there are fewer places where dirt can accumulate. The only maintenance you’ll need to do to a single speed drivetrain is clean and lube the chain, keep the tires aired up, check your brakes, and make sure the chain is properly tensioned.
When you ride a single speed bike, you’ll spend less time maintaining your bike and more time riding. You also don’t need to learn as much bike maintenance to keep your bike on the road.
2. Single speed bikes are lighter
On average, a single speed bike weighs around 1-1.5kg (2.2-3.3lbs) less than a geared bike. An average single speed road bike weighs less than 9kg or 20lbs. To compare, a mid-range to high-end road bike weighs 9-11kg or around 20-25lbs.
Single speed bikes are lighter because they have fewer components. There are no derailleurs, shifters, or shifter cables. There is only 1 chainring instead of 2 or 3 and there is only one rear cog instead of 9-12. Eliminating all of these parts saves a considerable amount of weight. The bike simply contains less material.
There are a number of benefits to riding a lighter bike. Most importantly, a lighter bike is easier to accelerate and maneuver because you’re moving less mass around while you ride. Lighter bikes are also easier to transport. This is nice if you carry your bike up a flight of stairs or lift your bike onto a roof rack frequently.
3. Single speed bikes are cheaper
Because single speed bikes require fewer components, they cost less to build. As a result, the retail price is lower.
The drivetrain, in particular, is one of the most expensive parts of a bike. Single speed bikes don’t have derailleurs, shifters, or shifter cables and housing. This saves money because manufacturers don’t have to buy or install these parts. They also only have a single chainrings and rear cog. These are cheaper than multi-gear models.
Eliminating these expensive drivetrain components reduces the price of the bike significantly. You could save anywhere from $100-$500 or more by choosing a single speed instead of a geared bike. For example, an entry-level to mid-range single speed bike might cost $400-$800. A comparable geared bike might cost $800-$1200.
When comparing a single speed and geared bike that cost the same amount of money, the single speed model will likely come with higher quality parts. Because you’re not paying for an expensive drivetrain, you get a better quality frame, wheelset, tires, brakes, etc. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll get a better quality bike for your money if you go with a single speed model.
4. Lower maintenance cost
You’ll also save money on maintenance and repairs when you ride a single speed bike. You never have to take the bike to a bike shop to get the derailleurs adjusted. You never need to buy a new derailleur or shifter after breaking one in an accident. These parts don’t exist on single speed bikes.
It is also much cheaper to replace a single cog or chainring when it wears out. A single sprocket costs less than multiple. Single speed bikes are an excellent option for those who are on a tight budget.
5. Single speed bikes are easier to ride
When riding a single speed bike, you never have to worry about shifting gears. This means you don’t have to remember which chainring and rear cog you’re using. Cross-chaining is never a worry. You never have to think about which way to manipulate the shifter to get to the gear you need. You never have to think about which shifter controls the chainrings and which controls the rear cogs. For new riders, it’s easy to forget which button shifts up and which shifts down and which shifter controls the front derailleur and which controls the rear. You also don’t have to worry about choosing the optimal gear or dealing with cadence changes during shifts.
Instead of thinking about shifting, you can focus your energy on pedaling and steering the bike at all times while riding a single speed. This makes single speed bikes much easier for beginners and children to ride. It requires much less thought to ride a single speed. There is a smaller learning curve to riding a single speed.
6. Single Speed Bikes Give you More exercise
It takes more effort to ride a single speed bike because you can’t use the mechanical advantage of different gear ratios to climb or cruise at high speeds. To climb a big hill, you have to pedal hard. To ride fast, you have to pedal fast. Your average heart rate will be higher and you’ll burn more calories while riding a single speed. If your goal in riding a bike is to lose weight or improve your fitness, a single speed bike is an excellent choice. An average sized person can burn around 500 calories per hour cycling.
7. Riding a single speed can make you a stronger rider
When riding a single speed bike, you often have to use more force to pedal than you would on a geared bike. For example, while climbing a steep hill you really have to mash down hard on the pedals. You can’t just shift down and spin fast. Pedaling with more resistance helps to strengthen your leg muscles. This extra strength allows you to pedal harder. Having stronger legs helps you while riding any bike.
Riding a single speed bike can also help you develop a faster cadence. This is possible because single speed bikes force you to ride in lower and high cadences that your body isn’t used to. For example, in order to keep producing power while descending a hill, you may need to pedal at 120 rpm. Riding at this high cadence helps to develop your muscles and train your legs to move faster. After some practice, you’ll be able to comfortably maintain higher cadences, even while riding a geared bike. Some cyclists also develop a smoother pedal stroke while riding single speed.
Being able to maintain a higher cadence and peddle smoothly makes you a stronger and faster cyclist. These days, some professional road cyclists and mountain bikers use single speed bikes as a training tool. For more info, check out this interesting article about how single speed bikes can make you a faster rider.
8. Single Speed Bikes are Less complex mechanically
Single speed bikes have fewer moving parts than geared bikes. For example, there are no complicated derailleurs or shifters. This means there are fewer parts that can break. There are also fewer parts that need to be maintained or replaced when they wear out. This makes single speed bikes a bit more reliable than geared bikes. There are fewer parts to worry about. The overall complexity of the bike is lower.
One benefit of this is that you don’t need as much mechanical know-how to maintain a single speed. For example, you don’t need to learn how to adjust a derailleur or change a shifter cable. If you don’t know anything about bicycle maintenance and don’t care to learn, you might be better off with a single speed. Your bike will spend less time in the shop.
9. Looks
Single speed bikes look simple and clean. There are no bulky and complicated looking derailleurs hanging off the frame. There are no shifters mounted on the handlebars or shifter cables running along the frame. Single speed bikes have only one chainring and one cog. Many riders enjoy the sleek and simple looks of single speed bikes. The looks really appeal to minimalists.
10. It’s harder to damage a single speed bike
There are fewer parts to damage on a single speed bike. For example, there is no fragile rear derailleur hanging off the frame. There are no complex integrated shifters. You don’t have to worry as much about causing damage when you transport the bike or have an accident. This makes single speed bikes a bit more reliable. If you crash or drop your single speed bike, chances are it will be just fine.
Single Speed Bike Cons
1. Single speed bikes are inefficient
While cycling, your cadence plays a major role in your efficiency. For most cyclists, the optimal cadence is somewhere between 60-90 rpm. Because you’re always riding in the same gear when you ride a single speed, it’s difficult to maintain your optimal cadence. Particularly while riding in an area with uneven terrain.
Sometimes the gear ratio is too low so you end up pedaling too fast. According to this interesting article, pedaling at a higher rpm than necessary causes you to burn more energy lifting your legs up and down. Sometimes the gear ratio is too high and you’re forced to pedal too hard. This causes you to burn energy too quickly. You end up exhausting yourself. This is common while climbing with a single speed bike.
On a single speed bike, you can’t shift gears to adjust your cadence. All you can do is pedal faster or slower, which is inefficient. As a result, you won’t be able to ride as far, maintain as high of average speed, or carry as much weight as you could on a geared bike. You’ll burn more energy and tire out faster.
Of course, your cadence isn’t the only factor that determines cycling efficiency. Aerodynamics, weight, and rolling resistance also play a major role.
2. It is harder to climb hills on a single speed bike
The gear ratio of a single speed bike is higher than the lowest gear on a geared bike. This makes it harder to climb hills with a single speed. You need to apply more force to the pedals to make it up the hill. Sometimes you’ll run out of energy and have to walk the bike. While climbing steep hills sometimes you simply can’t produce enough force to keep the peddles turning. For this reason, single speed bikes are not ideal for riding in hilly areas. You’ll end up riding less and walking more.
There are a couple of techniques you can use to make climbing with a single speed a bit easier. As you approach a hill, build up as much momentum as you can. This momentum can help carry you partway up the hill. While climbing the hill, stand up to peddle. This allows you to use your bodyweight to help you turn the cranks. It can also help to lean the bike back and forth as you pedal. Try to lean the bike away from the foot that is delivering power on the downstroke. Leaning the bike makes it easier to move your bodyweight from one foot to the other. While leaning the bike, you also use your upper body strength to produce extra power. With some practice, you can make it up some surprisingly steep hills with a single speed.
3. Riding a single speed bike can be hard on your knees
This is a controversial point. Some cyclists claim that riding a single speed is no harder on the knees than riding a geared bike. Some even claim that riding a single speed strengthened their legs and reduced knee problems. Others claim to have developed knee pain while riding a single speed bike. I haven’t been able to find any scientific evidence to back up either claim.
Mashing down hard on the peddles can cause knee pain and injuries. According to this article, knee injuries usually happen while riding at an rpm below around 60-75. Pushing down hard on the peddles puts stress on the patella (kneecap). All of the force you use to peddle goes through the weight bearing surfaces in your knee joints. Over time, this can cause pain.
Cyclists tend to mash down harder on the peddles while riding a single speed than a geared bike. Particularly while climbing hills and starting from a stop. The reason is that you can’t downhift into an easier gear while riding a single speed bike. The gear ratio is higher than the lowest gear on a geared bike. If you want to keep riding, sometimes you have to pedal too hard. You end up overstressing your knees. This can cause damage over time.
One solution may be to stand while pedaling up hills. This seems to reduce knee stress while cycling at low cadences. Another solution could be to lower the gearing by swapping out the chainring or rear cog. In this case, you would want to install a smaller chainring or larger rear cog.
If you experience knee pain while riding a single speed, you should stop riding it. As a rule of thumb, if it hurts, it’s not healthy. You could cause permanent damage if you ride through the pain.
It’s also important to consider that the gearing may not be the cause of the pain. Bike fit also plays a big role in comfort. Incorrectly adjusted saddles or clipless peddles can also cause knee problems.
4. Single speed bikes have a lower top speed
On a single speed bike, your top speed depends on the gear ratio and the maximum rpm that you can pedal. The gear ratio on a single speed bike is fixed. This means that the rear wheel makes a fixed number of turns per rotation of the cranks. This is the case because there is only one gear. Your maximum pedaling speed will top out at some point. After all, your legs can only move so fast. On a single speed bike, your top speed is limited by the gear ratio and the speed that you can move your legs.
Your maximum cadence will be the same on a single speed and geared bike. The difference is the gear ratio. Single speed bikes have a lower gear ratio than the highest gear ratio on geared bikes. This is necessary so you can ride in a range of conditions. For example, you couldn’t climb hills if the gear ratio was too high. For this reason, you won’t be able to ride quite as fast on a single speed bike as you could on a geared bike. If you ride with friends who ride geared bikes, you might not be able to keep up in some situations.
5. You’ll need to replace the chainring and rear cog more frequently on a single speed bike
These parts wear out faster on a single speed bike because they are constantly in use. The chain is always rolling over the same chainring and cog because there is only one of each. Over time, abrasion from the chain wears the teeth down.
Chainrings and cogs wear out more slowly on a geared bike because the wear is distributed across multiple gears. For example, a geared bike may have 3 chainrings and 10 cogs. In this example, there are 13 sprockets rather than 2. It takes much longer to wear all 13 out.
Having said this, the chainring and cog on a single speed bike tend to last a long time. The reason is that the chain always remains straight. The chain never runs at an angle. This greatly reduces wear and tear. You can also extend the life of your drivetrain components by keeping them clean and well lubricated.
6. Single speed bikes are less versatile
Single speed bikes aren’t ideal for some types of riding. They work best for commuting, recreational riding, running errands, urban riding, cruising, and other forms of casual cycling. They also work better in relatively flat areas rather than hilly areas.
There are some places you simply can’t ride a single speed bike. For example, some grades are too steep to ride up with a single speed because the gearing is too high. You’re probably not going to use your single speed bike for long-distance bicycle touring due to the inefficiency. You can’t use you single speed for most types of competitive riding. In most disciplines of road cycling and mountain biking, racers ride geared bikes.
You can’t ride a single speed bike in as many places as a geared bike. Single speed bikes have fewer uses than geared bikes. If you only have the budget or space for one bike, you may not get as much use out of it if you go with a single speed.
Geared Bike Pros
1. Geared bikes are more efficient
When riding a geared bike, you can maintain the optimal cadence at all times. Riding at your optimal cadence maximizes efficiency. You can ride further while maintaining a higher average speed without tiring out. For most riders, the optimal cadence will be somewhere around 60-90 rpm. For elite cyclists, it will be 90-120 rpm.
You maintain your optimal cadence by shifting gears. For example, maybe your optimal cadence is 80 rpm. Imagine you encounter a hill and your cadence decreases from 80 to 60 rpm. With a geared bike, you can shift down into an easier gear so the peddles require less force to turn. This way, you can speed your pedaling back up to your optimal cadence of 80 rpm. The bike will slow down but you will continue pedaling efficiently.
When you start descending the hill, your cadence may increase to 100 rpm. You can shift back into a harder gear to return to your optimal cadence of 80 rpm. The bike will speed up and you will continue pedaling efficiently.
Riding at the optimal cadence allows you to maintain maximum efficiency. You’ll burn less energy because you’re not pedaling too fast or too slow and you’re not working too hard. Your heart rate will remain in a reasonable range. You won’t burn out. Cycling efficiently allows you to ride further and maintain a higher average speed without tiring out.
