Best Single-Speed E-Bikes to Buy in 2024: Streamlined Low-Maintenance Design
A single-speed eBike is a winner when it comes to maintenance, reliability, cost, and the overall ease of your daily commute.
With just one gear, there is no need for shifting and the speed of the bike is set by your pedaling and the motor. When you combine a single-speed bike with the electric component of an eBike, you get the extra power needed to get to your destination faster and in better shape with low-cost, energy-efficient, emission-free transportation.
With a fixie eBike, you have the added advantage of not needing brakes as your backpedal allows for sturdy braking.
Belt Drive vs. Chain Drivetrains
There are many Pros and Cons to take into consideration when choosing between a belt drive and a chain drive. Belt-driven bikes are cleaner, quieter, and lighter, with less maintenance required and more durable than their chain-driven counterparts.
Best Belt-Drive Ebikes of 2024: Low-Maintenance E-Bikes Without a Chain
The slight downside is that they are more expensive than chain drive bikes, with fewer gearing options (Which is not the case here) and limited tire or rim sizes to choose from. It all boils down to personal preference in the end, although long term you are looking at saving money with the servicing of a belt-drive bike.
- Clean
- Quiet
- Light
- Less maintenance
- Durable
- Won’t stretch out over time
- More expensive
- Less gearing, except the internal gearing hub
- Limited tire or rim size
Best Single Speed eBikes of 2024
#1 Rad Power Bikes – RadRunner 2
The most customizable e-bike on the market
MSRP: $1,499
- 750W Mid-Drive motor
- 672Wh battery
- Range: 45 miles
- Max Assisted Speed: 28mph
- Bike Weight: 65 lbs
The RadRunner is a single-speed utility eBike by Rad Power Bikes and is an urban machine with off-road capability. It comes with a powerful 750W geared hub motor and a 672Wh battery to support it, with a range of up to 45 miles. The main appeal of this bike is its ability to support 330 different accessory combinations from the Rad Power selection.
The RadRunner 2 has powerful Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes so you get some added options for safety. The bike is sold fully equipped with a long rear rack, integrated lights, and a kickstand, to make any job a breeze.
#2 Lectric XP Lite
MSRP: $799
- 300W hub motor – 720W peak power
- 48V battery
- Range: up to 40 miles
- Max Assisted Speed: 20 mph
- Load Capacity: 275 lbs
- Bike Weight: 46 lbs
What makes the Lectric XP Lite stand out is that it’s a class 2 bike, meaning it’s powered by a throttle as well as a pedal assist system (PAS).
The 300W hub motor offers enough power for daily urban riding while the 48V battery delivers up to 40 miles of range. This single-speed electric bike still packs a mean punch when it comes to power and is one of the most affordable of its kind.
With strong mechanical disc brakes and a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph, it allows for safe and comfortable cruising in urban areas. As a downside, however, the XP Lite does not come with many accessories, except from front and rear lights, so you’ll have to retrofit anything else you need, depending on your style of riding.
#3 Ride1UP – Roadster v2
Customer rating: 4.7 / 5 out of 220+ reviews
MSRP: $1,095
- 350W hub motor with 40nm torque
- 252Wh battery
- Range: 20-30 miles
- Max Assisted Speed: 24mph
- Load Capacity: 275 lbs
- Bike Weight: 33 lbs
The Ride1UP Roadster V2 minimalist eBike makes for a great commute through urban areas and paved surfaces, with the 350W pedal-assist motor giving you a smooth and quiet ride.
Even when hitting the max assisted speed of 24mph (38km/h) you can barely hear the motor. With a somewhat short range of up to 30 miles (48km) and an adequate 40nm of torque, Roadster v2 is the ideal bike for casual city commuting and recreational cruising.
The weight is also quite low at only 33 lbs (15kg), so it’s light and lean like a regular single-speed cruiser – easy enough to carry up a flight of stairs or into an elevator.
#4 Vvolt – Alpha
Comfort-focused belt-drive e-bike
MSRP: $1,399
- Class 1 eBike
- 350W Acer hub motor
- 375Wh battery
- Range: up to 40 miles
- Max Assisted Speed: 20mph
- Gates CDN quiet belt drive
VVolt‘s Alpha single-speed e-bike is a comfortable and convenient choice for any new e-bikers or those looking for a great urban runaround.
A Gates CDN is the standout feature of this bike. This combined with a single-speed internal gear hub means this bike runs smoothly, quietly, efficiently, and requires almost no maintenance.
Using a 350W rear hub motor and a 375Wh battery riders can expect ranges up to 60 miles and top speeds of 20mph. Additionally, this bike has comfortable Kenda city tires, hydraulic disc brakes, and upright geometry which make riding comfortable and controlled in all conditions.
#5 Priority Bicycles E-Coast
Single-speed comfort bike packs a ton of practicality and style
MSRP: $2,000
- 500W hub motor
- 576 Wh battery
- Range: 20-60 miles
- Max Assisted Speed: 20 mph
- Bike Weight: 56 lbs
The E-Coast by urban e-bike specialists Priority Bicycles is their answer to a highly functional cruiser bike with a low-maintenance single-speed drivetrain.
The components that give this bike its charm and versatility are the extra capacity rear pannier rack, fenders, integrated LED lights, heavy-duty kickstand, and durable aluminum frame which is available in step-over and step-through variations.
Despite its cheap price, the E-Coast has a powerful 500W motor and a 576 Wh battery that offers a 60-mile maximum range.
Finally, hydraulic disc brakes and 3″ wide balloon tires give this bike the ability to ride comfortably and safely, like a much pricier e-bike.
#6 Electra – Cruiser Go! Step-Through
Comfortable and stylish single-speed
MSRP: $1,550
- 250W hub motor
- 250Wh battery
- Range: 16-40 miles
- Max Assisted Speed: 20mph
- Bike Weight: 44-49 lbs
The Cruiser Go! by Electra is a vintage e-bike that lives up to its name with super-comfy cruiser geometry that makes you want to ride all day.
Weighing 44-49lbs, a 250W delivers snappy power for max speeds of 20mph over distances between 16 and 40 miles thanks to a 250Wh battery. Riders can choose from three levels of pedal assistance from this system.
The most notable feature of this bike is the comfort optimization thanks to Flat Foot Technology, soft touchpoints, saddle suspension, and relaxed geometry. Finally, the Cruiser Go! has mechanical disc brakes, comfortable 2.35″ balloon tires, and mounts for fenders and rack if necessary.
#7 State Bicycle Co. 6061 E-Bike Commuter
Stylish and fast urban commuter ebike
MSRP: $1,499
- 250W rear hub motor
- 360 Wh battery
- Range: 24 – 100 miles
- Max Assisted Speed: 20 mph
- Load Capacity: 330 lbs
- Bike Weight: 38 lb 13 oz
The State Bicycle 6061 ebike commuter is an entry-level electric city bike with simple electronics and a decent range. It has a 360 Wh battery and 250W rear hub motor that gives incredibly smooth power transfer, so you can to any place in your city quickly.
The battery is fully integrated and provides up to 100 miles of range in PAS level 1 or up to 24 miles in PAS level 5. The 6061 Ebike Commuter has a large and modern LCD screen integrated into the stem that shows you all of the most importnat information about your ride.
Finally, you can rely on large-rotor mechanical disc brakes and 700C tires to ride safely and comfortably along city streets while commuting.
#8 Aventon – Soltera
MSRP: $1,299
- 350W hub motor
- 345Wh battery
- Max Range: 61 miles
- Max Assisted Speed: 20mph
- Bike Weight: 41 lbs
The Aventon Soltera is a simple eBike with a single-speed drivetrain and punchy electronics for quick and agile city riding.
At only 41 lbs, it’s pretty light for an eBike, making it easy to carry upstairs or onto the train during your daily commute. The 345Wh battery is seamlessly integrated into the frame for a stealthy look. This battery provides a pedal-assistance range of up to 61 miles, more than most other bikes in this price range.
The 350W hub motor gives you the power you need to iron out moderate hills and with a max assistant speed of 20mph, it makes the perfect commuter bike around any town or city.
#9 QuietKat – Pioneer
Affordable single-speed hunting e-bike
MSRP: $1,999
- 500W/750W hub motor
- 461Wh battery
- Range: 14-29 miles
- Bike Weight: 61 lbs
The Pioneer is a minimalist single-speed hunting e-bike by Quietkat. It features a choice of 500W or 750W hub motors and a fast-charging integrated 461Wh battery that lasts up to 29 miles of riding.
The 4″ fat tires and mountain bike geometry allow riders to go off-road with confidence and control and this bike also comes with Tektro mechanical disc brakes that provide great stopping power.
Other notable features include the LCD handlebar display so you never have to worry about running out of power mid-ride and a 325lb payload capacity and you can personalize this bike to carry huge cargo loads with a range of accessories.
#10 Engwe – T14
Best cheap single-speed mini ebike
MSRP: $600
Engwe-bikes.com
- Class 1
- 350W hub motor
- 480Wh battery
The T14 is a cheap folding ebike with a single-speed drivetrain, perfect for urban riding.
A punchy hub motor and proportionally large battery mean you can get close to 50 miles of range out of the T14 in ideal conditions.
This bike has fenders, integrated lights, and a rear rack to make life in the city easy. In addition, the folding frame means you can carry the T14 onto public transport or store it at home in a small space.
Single-Speed E-Bikes Buying Guide
Why single-speed eBikes are getting more popular?
With things moving at a much faster pace than twenty years ago, those who choose to commute with a one-speed electric bike definitely have the advantage of time and efficiency.
Fewer gears mean less time wasted on servicing your bike, which ultimately means less money spent, which all adds up to a hefty amount in the end. Single-speed eBikes are seen as somewhat of a simplified upgrade to the traditional eBike, which may explain their recent rise in popularity.
Lower Price
There is a big financial relief when choosing a single-speed eBike.
For one, gearing mechanisms affect the price significantly as they are made with more hardware using more expensive materials. They can also be quite sensitive and need to be replaced over time, with the extra cost of servicing playing a big role.
Less Complexity
Gears are a complication within themselves as they require correct setup and regular servicing to stay fully operational.
Slight misalignment causes them to stick, grind and make a lot of annoying sounds. A single-speed eBike is a lot less complex than a bike with gears. With no shifters, derailleur systems, or transmission cables to worry about, you have no need to service, repair, or replace any of these components. Cycling is made easier as there is no added thinking going into your commute, purely the experience.
Reliability
With no calibrating gears to worry about, a lot less maintenance is needed, ultimately putting your mind at ease about the reliability of the whole setup.
A single-speed eBike can be more reliable than the traditional bicycle because there is no slipping of gears when going up a hill, causing a loss of momentum when you need it most. The much simpler setup and single-speed feature allow for minimum time and attention as the bike does the thinking for you.
Reduced Weight
The reduced weight as a result of no gearing components is also an added bonus. Fewer gears mean fewer parts, which means less weight to carry. Cables, cassettes, and derailleurs all add weight and integrated geared hubs have many internal components which weigh a lot more than a single-speed motor.
Best Single-Speed & Fixie Bikes of 2024: Top Streamlined and Stylish Choices
Simpler Packaging
For cyclists who love to travel and who simply cannot get to their next destination by bike, packaging a single-speed bike for a flight is a lot simpler. There’s no need to protect fragile parts like derailleurs so packing your noble steed for transportation is a lot easier without the added stress of something breaking or trying to secure all the fragile parts into limited space.
Can Single-Speed eBikes Handle the Hills?
Let’s talk about hills – can single gear electric bikes handle them?
No sweat – literally.
With no gears to strain your brain, the bike does the thinking and pushes upward for you, allowing you to reach the top with ease yet still benefiting from the journey and the experience. The eBike driving system is designed to assist in most conditions by sensing the current resistance, whether it’s caused by the rider’s weight, effort, wind, and of course, hills.
As long as the bike has power left to give, a single gear electric bike will provide that forward thrust even on some particularly steep hills.
Conclusion – Should You Buy a Single-Speed e-Bike?
Single-speed eBikes are still a niche market but they’re becoming more popular by the day. We see this through an ever-growing demand for these bikes as they are easier to manage, with lower maintenance due to fewer components than a traditional bike. Single-speed eBikes are a good choice for the budget-conscious as they are simpler, more reliable, and more cost-effective.
They also make great urban commuters with that extra pedal assistance when faced with resisting elements like hills, so you get to your next destination in better condition. Sweating through your work clothes and being covered in chain lube is not always a great look especially in a corporate environment.
Share this on:
