bike frames for road singlespeed
#1
bike frames for road singlespeed
Hi everyone,
I noticed a lot of singlespeed frames are steel and on the heavy side. Are there any aluminum ones out there? Why are so many of them steel? Thanks,
Dave
I noticed a lot of singlespeed frames are steel and on the heavy side. Are there any aluminum ones out there? Why are so many of them steel? Thanks,
Dave
#2
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Steel is cheap, durable, and easy to make a decent quality frame out of. As for aluminum frames for road use that are SS-specific, Wabi Lightning comes to mind. There are tons of aluminum track frames out there you could use, but not many that are designed for road use for several reasons. One, single-speed road riding is very much a niche market. Two, carbon is pretty much taking over as the preferred material for road bike frames these days. Three, you could take any aluminum road bike frame and set it up as a single-speed.
edit- Actually, turns out that Wabi is steel now.
edit- Actually, turns out that Wabi is steel now.
#3
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You can readily find aluminium track frames with front and rear brake mounts. Put a freewheel on the back and you have an aluminium single speed. Unless you're really fussy about geometry, then your options may be more limited.
#4
Senior Member
If aluminum is important to you, the Charge Plug 1 has an aluminum frame and fork, and looks more like a hipster fixie than a track bike. I don't say this as a bad thing. Just stating the facts. They came up in my extensive search for my first fixed gear, but I couldn't justify the price.
#5
Senior Member
Aero aluminum track bikes are not that great for road riding. I know because I have one. Now, that does not stop me one bit because the bike is fast as hell. It does not have a rear brake mount or bottle cage bosses. It's stiff. It is really not compliant. It isn't made for the road, it's made for the track. Would I recommend one? 12/10 says hell yes.
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Aero aluminum track bikes are not that great for road riding. I know because I have one. Now, that does not stop me one bit because the bike is fast as hell. It does not have a rear brake mount or bottle cage bosses. It's stiff. It is really not compliant. It isn't made for the road, it's made for the track. Would I recommend one? 12/10 says hell yes.
#9
Senior Member
Considering that OP mentioned weight...how come no one has gotten around to telling him that crappy alu frames can be heavier than decent steel frames, yet?
#10
frame change
Hi,
Thanks for the replies.. I currently have an '87 Schwinn Letour frame for my singlespeed, but the problem is that it's too small. I'm about 6', and have a 57cm frame for my regular road bike, and have too much of a drop between the handlebars and the seat. The goal is to go with a frame that fits better, and has a higher handlebar height. The fork is threaded, and the handlebars are attached with a threadless adapter, but it is set at the maximum height already. Track frames are probably not good for me due to geometry. The reason i'm looking at aluminum is cost. Took a look at the wabi frames, and the lighter steel ones are really up there... I think aluminum is a better bang for the buck. My goal is maybe around 3 or 400 for the frame.
Dave
Thanks for the replies.. I currently have an '87 Schwinn Letour frame for my singlespeed, but the problem is that it's too small. I'm about 6', and have a 57cm frame for my regular road bike, and have too much of a drop between the handlebars and the seat. The goal is to go with a frame that fits better, and has a higher handlebar height. The fork is threaded, and the handlebars are attached with a threadless adapter, but it is set at the maximum height already. Track frames are probably not good for me due to geometry. The reason i'm looking at aluminum is cost. Took a look at the wabi frames, and the lighter steel ones are really up there... I think aluminum is a better bang for the buck. My goal is maybe around 3 or 400 for the frame.
Dave
#11
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The Wabi Classic frameset including the headset is only $400, and it is not heavy at all. It also has two sets of waterbottle mounts as well as fender mounts.
Wabi Classic Frameset - Wabi Cycles
Wabi Classic Frameset - Wabi Cycles
#12
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And you can build a light steel bike if you choose your parts carefully. Someone here used to have a Kilo TT that was around 16 lbs if I remember correctly. If you're set on aluminum and don't want to use a track frame, I'd look at road frames. It'll be kind of a pain if you want to set it up for fixed gear (no room for adjustment in the dropouts), but you could set one up single-speed easily.
Example: Nashbar Alloy Road Frame
Note - I haven't looked at the geometry or weight on that frame, just an example.
Example: Nashbar Alloy Road Frame
Note - I haven't looked at the geometry or weight on that frame, just an example.
#13
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If you clean perfect lines aren't a big deal to you, then look into converting a aluminum or steel road bike frame. Gives you many more choices, and you can also sell the components/parts you do not like and recoup your money. And can be made very light.
And as Iam Sam eluded too, assuming aluminum frames are always lighter is not accurate. Have you held or worked on a quality steel frame? If you like the oversized look of aluminum tubing, then that would be different.
Either way good luck and keep us posted!
And as Iam Sam eluded too, assuming aluminum frames are always lighter is not accurate. Have you held or worked on a quality steel frame? If you like the oversized look of aluminum tubing, then that would be different.
Either way good luck and keep us posted!
#14
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Using an aluminum road frame with vertical dropouts will require some sort of chain tensioner, which is an added complication that I'd rather avoid. Also, the dropout spacing will not be 120mm, which is the norm for track wheels that are used with singlespeed freewheels. Affordable aluminum and steel track framesets designed for road use are readily available, so I see no reason not to go that route.
As to weight differences between aluminum and steel framesets, this is largely due to steel frames being typically paired with steel forks, whereas aluminum frames are typically paired with lighter carbon forks.
As to weight differences between aluminum and steel framesets, this is largely due to steel frames being typically paired with steel forks, whereas aluminum frames are typically paired with lighter carbon forks.
#15
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If weight is a concern then why not carbon?
At one point I was considering an Ali Express chicarb for about $490 shipped.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016...208.4.8.hvvdAU
-Tim-
At one point I was considering an Ali Express chicarb for about $490 shipped.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016...208.4.8.hvvdAU
-Tim-
#16
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For $160.00, entire Giordano bike:
https://www.amazon.com/Giordano-Rapi...FW4?th=1&psc=1
also, State has the "Black Label" 6061 frame w/ full carbon fork in many colors for $319.00 w/ free ship:
https://www.statebicycle.com/collections/frames
https://www.thecoolist.com/best-single-speed-bikes/
https://www.amazon.com/Giordano-Rapi...FW4?th=1&psc=1
also, State has the "Black Label" 6061 frame w/ full carbon fork in many colors for $319.00 w/ free ship:
https://www.statebicycle.com/collections/frames
https://www.thecoolist.com/best-single-speed-bikes/
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Last edited by 1989Pre; 11-08-16 at 05:09 PM.
#17
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For $160.00, entire Giordano bike:
https://www.amazon.com/Giordano-Rapi...FW4?th=1&psc=1
also, State has the "Black Label" 6061 frame w/ full carbon fork in many colors for $319.00 w/ free ship:
https://www.statebicycle.com/collections/frames
15 Best Single Speed Bikes for Riding Anywhere
https://www.amazon.com/Giordano-Rapi...FW4?th=1&psc=1
also, State has the "Black Label" 6061 frame w/ full carbon fork in many colors for $319.00 w/ free ship:
https://www.statebicycle.com/collections/frames
15 Best Single Speed Bikes for Riding Anywhere
#18
Senior Member
For $160.00, entire Giordano bike:
https://www.amazon.com/Giordano-Rapi...FW4?th=1&psc=1
also, State has the "Black Label" 6061 frame w/ full carbon fork in many colors for $319.00 w/ free ship:
Bike Frames & Forks : Bike Accessories | State Bicycle Co.
15 Best Single Speed Bikes for Riding Anywhere
https://www.amazon.com/Giordano-Rapi...FW4?th=1&psc=1
also, State has the "Black Label" 6061 frame w/ full carbon fork in many colors for $319.00 w/ free ship:
Bike Frames & Forks : Bike Accessories | State Bicycle Co.
15 Best Single Speed Bikes for Riding Anywhere
#19
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Guy brought one of those Giordano bikes into the shop one day. What a piece. Heavy as all get out. Wheels were totally out of true. Something wrong with the headset, oh, and it was fresh out of the box. Kid ended up spending almost another $100 in repairs to the shop to just get it working correctly.
I hope the adjustments were all minor. It really pays to be able to do these things for oneself. Tell them to join Bike Forums!
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#21
steel frame
Steel frames are really nice. I just changed the front gear on my Schwinn Letour (now singlespeed) from 52t to 45t, and it's a lot easier to pedal. It is also my smoothest riding bike (got an aluminum road bike with carbon fork and a steel mountain bike with no suspension). I just don't know if I'll be able to handle it's geometry long term. The way the tubing is, the front of the bike is kind of low, so that's what lead me to looking at different frames.. Plus you gotta love the way they can shape the aluminum (got teardrop shaped tubing on my other road bike). Although, i'd like to get another 7k miles out of this Schwinn Maybe i'll eventually wind up with a wabi frame. I noticed some bikes have a aluminum or metal insert in the rear wheel dropout, can anyone comment on how durable wabi's pain is? I haven't seen the metal insert on the wabis.
Dave
Dave
#22
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You generally won't see dropout inserts on steel frames like Wabis because they're not necessary. Dropout inserts are made of steel and they're used on alu and carbon because they give your wheel nuts something tough to grab onto that won't be easily deformed when you tighten down those nuts. Steel frames don't need them because they're already made of steel.
#23
inserts
You generally won't see dropout inserts on steel frames like Wabis because they're not necessary. Dropout inserts are made of steel and they're used on alu and carbon because they give your wheel nuts something tough to grab onto that won't be easily deformed when you tighten down those nuts. Steel frames don't need them because they're already made of steel.