Best Single Speed Bike Conversion Kit

Best Single Speed Bike Conversion Kits in 2022

While the road bikes with all of the advanced gearing and mechanics can be enticing, it’s hard to beat the simplicity of a good single speed bike.

So what can you do if you have a bike frame you love but you want to strip it back to its essence and have it be a single speed bike for a while?

Easy!

In this article, we’ve rounded up and reviewed the best single speed bike conversion kits out there.

Pick one up, grab your tools, and in a few hours you have a completely new biking experience for your existing bike frames. It’s a ton of fun, not too complicated of a project, and super affordable (most of these projects can be done for less than $50!)

Best Single Speed Conversion Kits

Below you’ll find our 5 favorite single speed conversion kits. We’ve tried to highlight the strengths of each kit (simplicity, durability, etc), so think about your priorities for this project and use the reviews below to pick the best fit for you.

Best All Around Single Speed Conversion Kit

CyclingDeal Fixie Bike Single Speed Conversion Kit

CyclingDeal Conversion Kit Fixie Bike Single Speed Compatible with Shimano Sram Cassette Freewheel Hub Adaptor
  • COMPATIBILITY: Convert a multi speed hub to single speed wheel. Compatible with all for Shimano or Sram 7 to 11 speed cassette type hub body, mountain and road. NOTE: It will NOT covert the hub into fixie, so the hub is still a freewheel hub.
  • CHAIN SIZE: The sprocket is compatible with the chain width from 1/2″ x 3/32″ to 1/2″ x 11/128″. ( 7 speed to 11 speed chains). You can use your original chain! With a choice of different sprocket teeth selections, you can always get the perfect pedaling ratio.
  • PERFECT CHAIN LINE: The kit includes a set of single speed spacers, lockring and sprocket.Comes in a range of spacer size’s Allowing to get a perfect chain line. Please watch the video in the listing for more details.

Turning your Shimano or SRAM based gearing system into a single speed wheel variant is pretty simple with the CyclingDeal Conversion Kit.

The CyclingDeal Conversion Kit is a convenient and affordable pick for you if:

  • You need to convert a multi-speed hub into the single wheel speed option
  • You prefer a freewheel hub instead of a fixie hub.

This kit comes with a sprocket that can work any 7 speed to 11 speed chain. This means a chain width between 1/2″ x 3/32″ to 1/2″ x 11/128″ will work well with the CyclingDeal Conversion Kit.

Other parts that are included with this kit are a single-speed spacer, sprocket, and lock ring. It’s easy to dial in your ideal pedaling ratio thanks to the different teeth selections available. Plus, the sprockets made from Cro-mo steel are strong and rigid.

Installing this CyclingDeal Conversion Kit is also relatively easy and should only take a few hours if you know how to use the tools well enough.

Highlights

  • Compatible with 7 to 11-speed chains
  • Speed spacer included
  • Cro-mo steel built-in
  • Freewheel instead of a fixie hub
  • Two-year warranty included

What We Think:

Overall, we loved the CyclingDeal Conversion Kit for its simple installation and the low price tag.

Best MTB Single Speed Conversion Kit

CyclingDeal Bike Single Speed Aluminum Chain Tensioner and Kit

CyclingDeal Bike Single Speed Aluminum Chain Tensioner and Kit
  • This Single Speed tensioner by Cyclingdeal is a product to allow single speed set up to be run on geared bikes without the expensive modification you had to do in the past. This chain tensioner mounts right onto your derailleur hanger to provide a simple, effective and adjustable way to tension a single speed system.
  • Fits 1/8″ single speed chains ONLY. To avoid from chain drop, we recommend to use round and oval shape chains only.
  • Material: Aluminum alloy. 11T Plastic pulley. Weight: 250g. Adjustment tensioner included
  • Top quality. Made in Taiwan. One year warranty

The beauty of the CyclingDeal Chain Tensioner and Kit is that you can easily mount the chain tensioner over your derailleur hanger. This means that after install, you’ll have a simple way to adjust the chain tension over time.

A chain with 3/32 inches width works best along with multi-speed chains. You should use the round or oval-shaped chains for better results though.

The aluminum alloy material makes this kit both rigid and durable and is a highlight of this CyclingDeal Chain Tensioner and Kit. Compared to any derailleur style, the CyclingDeal Chain Tensioner and Kit can take a beating and doesn’t give out or become flimsy over time.

Highlights

  • Single-speed to gear setup conversion
  • Derailleur hanger mounting
  • Single and multi-speed chain fitting
  • Aluminum alloy built-in

What We Think:

Overall, the CyclingDeal Bike Single Speed Aluminum Chain Tensioner and Kit is a simple kit, that shines because of its easy adjustment and nice chain alignment capabilities. We wish the instructions were a bit simpler, but still, it’s a budget-friendly option to try.

Best Fixie Conversion Kit

Cervus Bike Single Speed Fixie Cassette Conversion Kit

Bike Single Speed Fixie Cassette Conversion Kit Compatable Shimano 18T Colors (Blue)
  • Sprocket:CR-MO Steel
  • Teeth: 18T
  • Compatible with 1/2″ x 1/8″ and 1/2″ x 3/32″ single speed chains
  • With 2X10MM 1X5MM 4X3MM Spacers And Alloy Hub Ring
  • Compatable with Shimano and Sram Hubs

If you’re looking for something that will grab some attention, and you definitely want a fixie instead of a free wheel single speed bike, this is what you need to pick up.

The Cervus Conversion Kit comes with spacers and alloy hub rings made of high-quality materials. You can use these for Shimano and SRAM hubs easily. This variant goes well with single speed chains. The width should be 1/2″ x 1/8″ and 1/2″ x 3/32″ to be compatible with this amazing kit.

You can use this for basically any single speed mountain bike conversion, and the quality is really above and beyond considering the price of this pick. The components are very easy to fit and anybody can try it themselves without much installation experience.

Also one really cool feature of this kit: The sprocket splines are elongated more than other sprockets, meaning the chain is less likely to pop off on your box, especially important if you don’t otherwise have any brakes on your fixie at all.

Highlights

  • Single-speed chains compatible
  • Easy fitting
  • Splines are elongated on the sprocket
  • Vivid color

What We Think:

The Cervus Conversion Kit is a very reasonably priced option that can be a smart purchase for your Shimano and SRAM hubs. It’s a nice pick for single speed kit for mountain bikes, with vivid colors and decent construction.

Best Alternative Single Speed Conversion Kit

Bibike Single Speed Conversion Kit

With a great set of spacers included, this colorful and affordable conversion kit from Bibike is worth a shot.

Easy to install and compatible with a wide range of chains and bike frames, this kit will pop on quickly. The spacers included will make it simple to dial in the exact alignment you’re looking for to make sure you have a smooth and fast ride without a ton of work to get there.

What We Think:

Honestly, the bright purple alone makes this a kit worth checking out. Fits lots of bikes, easy to install, what more do you need from the Bibike Single Speed Conversion Kit?

How to Choose A Single Speed Conversion Kit

So, there’s a bunch of these conversion kits, and other than the color style, they all kinda look the same. How do you pick which one to go with?

Brand Reputation

When you are looking for a single speed conversion kit, look for a reputable manufacturer, usually by reading the existing product reviews out there. The more people talking about the kit, the more likely the manufacturer is to produce good stuff that will be easy to use and better quality.

Compatibility

Don’t forget to look at the compatibility of your bike with the kit. Does the particular kit match your existing bike’s specs well to convert it into a single-speed? Last thing you want is to take your bike apart and find out you ordered the wrong sized kit that isn’t actually compatible.

Durable As A Core Feature

These kits are literally replacing the thing that helps you control your wheels, so durability is a must. Before install, examine the parts closely to make sure the welds and seams look high enough quality. And look to the existing product reviews out there to see what other people’s feedback is about the kits before you order.

Easy Installation

A conversion kit should include clear and simple instructions for installing on your bike. You don’t want to be confused later when the kit arrives at your home and then get frustrated and give up with a half assembled bike. One easy thing to do is search Youtube for install videos before you attempt it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best single speed gear ratio?

Usually, most folks prefer a 2:1 ratio. This means the chain ring has double the number of teeth of the cog ring. The chainring is also known as front gear and cog is called the rear gear.

Can any bike be converted to a single-speed?

Fortunately, most of today’s bikes have a common enough frame that can adapt a single gear set up pretty nicely. You just need to match some common specs to find a compatible kit. However, if you have an older bike, then a horizontal dropout version will be your best bet to convert easily.

Are single speed bikes any good?

If your priority is to just hop on and ride instead of being able to go as fast as possible or climb the steepest hills, a single speed bike is what you want. You don’t have to take the trouble of shifting gear or paying much attention to the riding process.

Wrap Up

Biking is fun and a fantastic way to keep yourself in a good shape while commuting to different places. If you have a bike that is compatible with these single speed kits, and a willingness to do an install, give one a shot!