Single speed setups are becoming rather popular in the bikepacking space. Are you a sucker for punishment? or sick of derailleur mechanicals? Want the simplicity of a single speed setup? A single speed gravel bike could be a good option. These bikes are perfect if you are looking for a single speed gravel bike for your commute to work or for riding a lap around Australia, like Joseph did in this blog post.
Just quick…..
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Okay, let’s get back to the article…
Salsa Stormchaser
Are you after that ultimate single speed bikepacking rig for those gnarly across country bikepacking races?
Made for those muddy conditions, the Stormchaser was originally designed to excel in the worst weather conditions nature can produce. Made from a lightweight aluminum frame and carbon fork that borrow from Warbird’s stable geometry and added Class 5™ VRS to soak up micro-impacts. With a large emphasis on wet weather conditions while riding this bike. It includes abrasion plates on the fork, plus internal cable routing and fender mounts to protect you and your gear from the elements to prevent wear from mud-caked tires and extra tire clearance to keep you rolling in all conditions.
Clearance for up to 47 mm tires. Weighing at total of 9.5 kg thanks to the alloy frame and carbon fork construction. Powered by a Race Face Ride, 38t crank and either a 17t and 18t cogs with spacer kit. Combined with the stock 700c x 42mm tires. You get a 58.65″ to 62.26″ gear inch range.
They have even come out with an updated 2022 model which is not singlespeed but has front suspension for those even rougher trails.
Van Dessel Country Road Bob
After the company stopped making this bike a few years ago the came back with an updated version in 2020. With a more modern version of the classic eye-catching bike. Thanks to the shiny brushed aluminum finish and green tones. Not to mention all the curvy lines. Making this bike stand out from the crowed. The Country Road Bob comes in five sizes, including a 62cm frame for taller riders. Approximate weight comes in at around 9.93 kg. It comes with 650b x 47 mm tires with clearance for up to 40mm 700c tires if you wish to run larger volume tires.
When it comes to geometry for a 56cm frame, the Country Road Bob features a 440 mm chainstay, 1,045 wheelbase, 50 cm fork/rake offset, and a 1.46 stack/reach ratio. When it comes to gearing the Country Road Bob has a Cold Forged Alloy 38t crank and Shimano Freewheel 20t cassette combined with those 650b x 47 mm tires you get a gear inch of 50.42″
Bombtrack Arise
A full steel gravel bike build weighing in at 11.4 kg with 700c x 40 mm tires and clearance for up to 42 mm rubber. The Arise is a simple, versatile bike, thanks to the single speed setup you don’t need to focus on maintenance. This bike is perfect for commuting or shredding trails. Thanks to the fast, wide tires and flared drop bars for extra comfort on the rougher stuff. You even have the option to run mudguards and a rack, and even the possibility to convert the frame and hub to run an 11-speed drivetrain if you get sick of the single-speed setup.
The XS and Small frames come with 650b wheels for optimised fitting for smaller riders. It comes with the 42T Bombtrack TAF19 aluminium crank and the 16T heat treated crmo cassette. Giving you a 73.10″ gear inch.
Genesis Flyer
All-road adventure single-speed bike, Genesis categorise this bikes as the ultimate foul weather winter bike or sharp stopping city bike. It is the only bike in Genesis line up that focuses on simplicity of the single-speed setup, perfect for minimising maintenance, cleaning and adjustment, leaving you more time to get on with riding. Built with an alloy frame and steel fork. You get a bike with a rather upright riding position with a 1.54 stack/reach ratio, 50 mm rake, 1,035 mm wheelbase. With a Samox AF13 / 42T crank and LMA-A 17T freewheel cassette, combined with the 700c x 37 mm tires you get a 67.68″ gear inch.
Octane One Kode
Octane consider this a road and gravel bike that is just at home as an urban commuter as it is a road adventure bike. With the option to run fenders and racks. If you want to get more out of this bike when it comes to adventure you have the option to add gears and you get an awesome adventure bike, with geared drivetrain compatible you will have to purchase the rear mech hanger which is sold separately. Built around a cromoly frame & fork made from custom butted Tange steel tubes. Clearance for up to 700c x 43c or 650b x 47c tires. It comes with 700c x 40 mm tires.
The Lassco 42t crank and 18t cassette results in a 64.40″ gear inch. With a 1.49 stack/reach ratio, 425 mm chainstay and 1,014 wheelbase.
Terlingua Gravel Bike
Are you looking for a custom single speed gravel bike option. The Terlingua by Chumba is made for long endurance gravel rides and races across a variety of terrains. It’s a high performance gravel bike, with geometry that is also at home sprinting out of corners at your local cyclocross race. Representing the best in modern steel bike design with a low frame weight & a team tested tubeset selected for performance.
Features like stainless steel sliding Paragon Machine Works dropouts w/ replaceable inserts, industry leading compatibility for tire clearance, chainring size and drivetrain styles mean the Terlingua will find a home in your bike stable for years of service. The Terlingua steel comes in a full range of sizes from 50-60cm and fit true to size. Made in USA. With tire clearance for either 650b x 47mm tires (in all dropout positions) or 700c x 50mm tires (in dropout rear position). Find out more about what builds are possible at Chumba USA.
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