We literally had to pull our hair while searching for the best single speed freewheel. It was more like Po (in Kungfu Panda) is getting all the way up the stairs; yes, it’s that hard.
Not all of them deserved to be called ‘best.’ The ones that are actually good had sky-high price tags.
We tried to make sure we can save you from breaking the bank. Plus, we wanted something with a smooth texture, great bearing, excellent comfort, and amazing durability.
Now, we intended to get at least ten products, but we ended up with 5.
Anyways, since you gotta do what you gotta do, here are the top 5 Single Speed Freewheels. We won’t say all of them are super-great, but they offer you great things at an affordable cost. Let’s jump to the reviews.
Who Are Freewheels For and Why?
Freewheels are the components that allow your pedals to stay stationary even when you hit top speed. They are a no-brainer for newbies. Let’s take a look at the reasons why.
Quick Installation
For starters, single-speed freewheels are super easy to install. Slipping one of these into your bike is as easy as walking. It just takes a bit of manual labor.
This means that you don’t want to spend hours setting up your bike with one of those complicated, chunky mechanisms.
Easy-to-Ride
The single-speed freewheel is as simple as it gets. You don’t have to deal with the complications of multiple gears. You don’t need to learn to shift between gears because you’ll only have one, to begin with.
In other words, it is the plug-and-play equivalent of bikes. You hop on and ride to your heart’s content.
Coast Your Heart Out!
For those of you who don’t know what coasting is, this is the act of going forward without pedaling. It comes in super handy when going uphill or down a slope. Freewheels allow you to coast like it’s no one’s business.
Without coasting, hills are a nightmare; you need to pedal at lightning speeds and trust us when we say that is not easy.
5 Best Single Speed Freewheel Reviews
Now that you know whether a single-speed freewheel is the right cog set for you, let’s take a look at the best products on the market.
1. SHIMANO SF-MX30 Single Speed Freewheels
We start the list off with a product that might just be the best single speed freewheel. Let’s begin by talking a little about the brand.
SHIMANO needs no introduction; they are the kings of the bicycle industry. Whether it be top-notch components or the bikes themselves, SHIMANO cannot be beaten.
The Japanese Giants have been in the industry since 1921; this immense experience means that they’ve pretty much mastered the art of making bicycle components, and this product is an excellent example of that.
SHIMANO SF-MX30 is the closest thing to a perfect freewheel. It is a jack of all trades with no real flaws to pick out. If we dig deep, we can find one, however.
Its design could use some work. Sure, the chrome option looks okay, but it’s nothing special. We expect more from a company that has been in the game for so long.
But other than that, it’s all smooth sailing. And by smooth, we mean really smooth. These freewheels allow you to glide across the streets literally. It is pre-greased, so there will be no hiccups even if you forget to lube it up.
Furthermore, the options offered regarding the number of teeth are a great sweet spot between controls and smooth, with 16, 17, and 18 tooth models all being available.
You can’t question a SHIMANO product’s durability. That’s one of the benefits of going with such a big brand. The product definitely lasts you a while. The steel body does its job well.
Pros
- Super smooth texture allows for easier gliding
- Multiple options let you stay in your comfort zone
- Fantastic durability increases the shelf-life of the product
- Great control makes this a great item even for beginners
Cons
- Uninventive design fails to add that extra oomph to your bike
Verdict
The value champion excels in every single department except design.
2. Diamond Single Speed Bicycle Freewheel
In sharp contrast to the previous brand, we have Diamond—a tiny company (especially in comparison to SHIMANO) with unknown origins.
This company is so small that it is hard to trace back where it was founded, but don’t let the company’s size fool you.
This is a phenomenal product, especially for its price. Despite lacking the assurance of a big brand name, the Diamond Single-speed freewheel not just meets expectations but exceeds them massively.
At first glance, this freewheel doesn’t look all that impressive. The bronze tint looks awkward and not too appealing to our eyes.
Perhaps what we love most about this product is the options; you can choose between a 14, 16, 18, and 20-tooth setup. It means that you have complete control over just how much force you need to input to make those pedals go.
But variety isn’t all these single-speed freewheel offers, as the cold-forged steel body is beyond durable. You can put one of these babies on your bike and literally forget about it.
The installation is super easy, speaking of fixing things onto your bike. Even if you mess it up, the new and improved removal notch pattern allows you to take this component quickly.
Finally, this is a quiet freewheel. Many similar products out there make an unbearable amount of noise, but luckily, this component makes almost no sound.
That is a big perk for those of you who frequently commute, as the sound can get rather annoying.
Pros
- Excellent durability allows you to use the product even under harsh conditions
- Several variants let you decide which one you want
- Easy installation and removal help save time
- Very quiet and will therefore not be detrimental to your hearing
Cons
- It looks boring if you’re someone who prioritizes appearance
Verdict
If you are not too concerned with aesthetics, you can consider this great, quiet, and long-lasting freewheel.
3. Single Speed Bike Freewheel from ZUKKA
Our third pick goes to a pretty popular freewheel from also a well-known brand named ZUKKA. If you are in the automotive industry for so long, then you probably have heard the name.
And we can guarantee that this particular model won’t let you down, especially if durability and stability are what you are concerned about!
First off, this single-speed bike freewheel is highly able to give you a faster traveling speed no matter where you are running your bike, thanks to the 18-teeth decent size it comes with.
If the chain of your bike is approximately ½-inch x 1/8-inch, this one is going to make a perfect match we believe.
Durability matters? Well, it has got you covered then! The material it gets is top-notch iron that is capable of ensuring high performance, long-lasting service, and maximum heat resistance.
Did we mention anything about its weight? Okay, this one weighs no more than 5.7 lbs, making it nothing but a cinch to install, and at the same time, disassemble on your personal bike.
It also has earned a great value on account of its internal thread, ensuring stable rotation, and of course, a close connection with your bike no matter whether it is a city bike, tricycle, cruiser bike, or anything else!
But we have unfortunately found it a little noisy! Yep, it sometimes creates an unnecessary noise that you will notice while riding your bike. But except for this issue, we loved it from top to bottom.
Pros
- It gives you a faster traveling speed with its effective 18-teeth
- Highly compatible with a chain of ½-inch x 1/8-inch
- Top-quality iron makes it durable and capable of taking heavy loads
- Installing and disassembling is a snap due to its lightweight structure
Cons
- Found it a bit noisy, which might make your riding unpleasing at times!
Verdict
This one might be your go-to freewheel if you are looking for a product that combines both durability and lightweight design.
4. CyclingDeal Single Speed Freewheel
We have another company making a splash in the freewheeling industry in the name of CyclingDeal. This is a very interesting company. Since its inception in 2005 (yes, it’s that new), the company has operated entirely online.
The Australian firm has no physical stores and prides itself on quick delivery and customer satisfaction. Both of these hold up according to reviews. Although it’s far from a goliath, it certainly isn’t small.
We’ve spoken a lot about the company but what about the product? Well, CyclingDealdoesn’t just deliver (pun intended), but it does so in style in this instance with a beautiful product.
Its steel body is not just simple, but it also looks stylish with a sheen that puts other similar products to shame. This is one of our favorite products if we are speaking strictly in terms of aesthetics.
By the way, the steel body isn’t just for show. The hardened steel used in this freewheel is of the finest quality, and you can rest assured that you can use this product for years to come.
The ball bearings are also of great quality. Let’s be honest: how many times have we wished that our bikes were ten times as smooth as they actually are? You certainly won’t face this issue with this bad boy.
Unfortunately, the only downside would be how loud this thing is. We wish it were a bit quieter, but you can hear the pedals in action every time you ride your bike.
Pros
- Beautiful design lets you ride in style whenever, wherever
- Durable build guarantees long years of service
- Smooth bearings help make cycling feel like a breeze
- Compatible with most cycles and can most likely be used universally
Cons
- Very loud, so it can be quite a hassle to deal with
Verdict
A sturdy and efficient freewheel for those who don’t mind a little noise coming from their cycle.
5. SEQI Single-Speed Freewheel
SENQI really is SHIMANO’s biggest competitor on this list. The Japanese goliath surprisingly isn’t well-marketed as we struggled to find a website for this enormous brand.
Nonetheless, their products speak for themselves as no one beats them when it comes to bicycle components. Sure, SHIMANO gives them a tough fight, but there is no outright winner.
The case is no different in terms of freewheels as this product is simply sublime. Let’s start with the design; remember how we were swooning over CyclingDeal’sdesign earlier? Well, this trumps it.
The gold body just looks royal, and we don’t see a single reason to hate it.
But a lot of you aren’t here for the fancy and showy products, and we respect that. This product will satisfy you too. First and foremost, this is one of the sturdiest products on the market.
You simply can NOT doubt its durability. Few products can match its impressive life cycle. The CNC machined body ensures this durability is uniform, and the cold-forged steel takes care of the rest.
As we stated earlier, SENQI is one of the frontrunners when it comes to bike components, so you can be certain that this provides you with maximum efficiency. It is a smooth device that can really hold on its own against rugged terrains.
The downside would be the limited options. The number of teeth ranges between 12, 14, and 16. None of these options are for someone who wants optimum control.
Pros
- The super stylish body really ups its aesthetic game
- Unrivaled durability helps the bike survive even in the roughest of terrains
- Smooth operation makes sure that you can glide past all obstacles
- Uniform quality thanks to CNC reinforces the component’s smoothness and durability
Cons
- Three-pawl engagement isn’t as good for control as multiple teeth
Verdict
A great well-rounded device, albeit with limited options. A must-check for those looking for the best single-speed freewheel.
Final Verdict
So, there you have it; a guide to finding the best single-speed freewheel and our recommendations. Our favorite pick would be the SHIMANO SF-MX30 Single Speed Freewheels. It is a classic example of why Shimano has been dominating the industry for so many years now.
What to Look for Before Buying Single Speed Freewheels
We’ve narrowed down the search for you as much as possible, but you still need to make a choice. To help you with that, we’ve created a buying guide.
The Price
Here’s the thing; bike components are not cheap. At least, the good ones aren’t. So, we totally understand if you are on a budget. All the products on our list certainly pack a bang for their buck.
If you are looking to cut costs, we prefer not to go for the SHIMANO and SENQI products as the brand name does bump up their price quite a bit.
The Material
The material should be your top priority as it determines three other factors: durability, comfort, and efficiency. These three factors can determine the quality of your riding experience.
Durability
First off, the suitable material makes your cog set super strong. Although freewheels don’t sustain nearly as much damage as the other components of your bike, it is not immune to the hands of time.
Getting a sturdy freewheel does not just ensure that you can use the product for years to come but also guarantees your safety. You won’t find your bike breaking down in the middle of nowhere.
Comfort
Secondly, the material is a pretty important deciding factor on how “comfortable” your freewheel is. What do we mean by a comfortable freewheel?
Good material can give you comfort in two ways when you are cruising around town; firstly, you get peace of mind, and secondly, you get a lighter bike.
The first one is mainly psychological. We already discussed how the right material makes your bike durable.
This durability makes you satisfied with the product’s lifetime and gives you confidence in using it without worries. That’s quite the morale booster in our books.
Secondly, the material determines the weight of your bike. A lighter cog set results in a lighter bike that is easier to ride. It doesn’t take a genius to understand this much.
Efficiency
A heavy bike is a nightmare to ride. You need a lot more strength to push the pedals, even if it is just for a relaxing stroll. As we established earlier, lighter components make lighter bikes.
Lightweight material gives you a set of freewheels that weigh nothing. So, a light cog set makes your riding experience much smoother. You can ride more with the same amount of effort.
It’s safe to say the material makes or breaks (pun intended) a freewheeling set. All these freewheels are made of steel. This material strikes the perfect balance between these three factors.
Compatibility
You can get the best bargain of the century and the strongest and lightest material on the planet, but none of that matters if the freewheel isn’t compatible with the chain of your bike.
To check the compatibility, you should find the length of the chain on your bike and match it with the product. You can still ride the bike if the chain doesn’t line up exactly; it just won’t perform too well.
Frequently Asked Questions
That’s a toss-up between SHIMANO and SENQI. Both of them are huge names in the bicycle industry and continue to assert their dominance in this field as well. You can’t go wrong with either brand.
If you are an experienced rider, you probably don’t. You could opt for a more advanced cog set or switch to a fixie without any issues. We highly recommend that newbies use them, however.
No. You need to switch gears in races, and a single-speed freewheel is not up to the task, especially on tracks where fixies are the preferred type of bike.
Changing or installing a single-speed freewheel requires a bit of manual labor. Simply prop out your old freewheel with your freewheel tool and apply lube before affixing the new one.
That depends entirely on how high quality you want your freewheels to be. Cheaper products are lower quality more often than not.
Conclusion
Overall, we hope this article helped you find the perfect single-speed freewheel for your future biking adventures. Remember, riding isn’t about the fancy components and the expensive gear; it’s about the passion. If you have that, then we guarantee you that these products will only fuel your fire.