Well, most of the singles are built on track or road frames, which means that you have to work with narrower tires and rims. That leaves you with choices coming mainly from road bike territory, hence the use of road rims and Presta.
Also, this kind of setup could look sick on a pretty low budget (you can grab nice set of aluminium wheels for less than $200 easily), so it’s a win-win in terms of looks and being safe for budget.
And the last bit – a lot of people nowadays go for a single speed for city riding and they want their bike to stand out somehow. They buy cheap bike and have some budget to make it more looks-focused. It’s somehow a trendy thing to do lately, given the popularity of fixed gear and this kind of aesthetic.
EdZep689 on
The deeper rims are to attract buyers — style points, with many colors that they would coordinate with other parts of the bike. The fixie-SS boom bikes of the early 20-teens used them a lot. Most were value bikes (like my Purefix Original Series), and the wheels were not so great.
The Prestas… they are ok. It was a bit jarring to me when I got my first Presta bike. I drilled a few MTB wheels out for Schrader. Later, I wished I hadn’t done that. I guess because Prestas are available in many lengths, so easier to fit deep rims. Maybe it took hold because quality wheels were usually Presta. And, it got to the point where Prestas became the expectation for any quality bike.
wallonthefloor on
Deeper rims are more durable
Dapper_Special_8587 on
Never thought about it honestly, I just think it looks cool
SewBrew on
It’s mostly aesthetics. Track bikes often have deep rims for aerodynamics. Once upon a time fixie kids started riding track bikes on the street with deep rims. Looks cool, became a thing.
It is generally true that all other things equal, a well built wheel with a deep section rim is more durable than a well built wheel with a box section rim. Velocity Deep Vs, for example, are nearly impossible to wack out of true. But I really don’t think this is a consideration on all the $200 department store fixies that come stocked with cheap aluminum deep section rims.
De-Das on
Because æro
arch_gis on
Its easy to find deep v’s for a reasonable price and they last.
Practical_Iron_5232 on
If you can’t be a wide strong boi wheel, you gotta be a tall strong boi wheel otherwise you’re a weak boi wheel.
I have no advice on presta, probably the same reason, strength when narrow. I’m schrader lyfe tho
garten69120 on
Pls don’t use SS as a short version of single speed 🙁
kohltrain108 on
Typically you can get an extra 10 style points for every additional 5mm of rim depth. Obviously there are exceptions.
Ceftracious on
You’re usually rather fast on a SS, deep section rims are more aero and help.
3Chart on
Well …in reality that would be because of way more factor (none of which is aero):
1. For the required rim internal width of 13-15 mm, those are cheap and durable, hold up well to 7-8 bars of pressure and deal with potholes rather well.
2. They have a huge loading capacity for some rims made for skinny tyres
3. Inertia is best when having a single speed, it means MORE SPEED. Just do not ask how they feel when brakes are applied.
negativeyoda on
Throwback to people riding track bikes everywhere 20 years ago
jasongetsdown on
Back when fixed gear riding was blossoming as a niche subculture among messengers and art school kids most people were riding old road bikes that were converted to fixed gear. The raw materials were junk bikes with worthless components that you would just strip off and discard.
The coolest of the cool kids did have actual track bikes and aero wheels. If you didn’t have the means or the access for those you could at least repaint a beater and slap on some deep V wheels to catch some of the vibe.
Also, they’re bomb proof. I’m still riding the Velocity deep V wheels I bought twenty years ago.
Any-Zookeepergame309 on
Because SS is all about how your bike looks, not how it rides….because most only get ridden one km to the nearest coffee shop or dispensary.
Zealousideal_Heart51 on
It’s both leftover aesthetics from the fixie fad, but also actual leftover parts from the fixie fad. You can see the fixed cog on the closest bike.
This year I bought a $15 wheelset from a lady clearing out her garage, stripped the Dura Ace cog and lockring, and gave the wheels to my friend… for his SS townie.
18 Comments
Looks very zoom, don’t it?
Well, most of the singles are built on track or road frames, which means that you have to work with narrower tires and rims. That leaves you with choices coming mainly from road bike territory, hence the use of road rims and Presta.
Also, this kind of setup could look sick on a pretty low budget (you can grab nice set of aluminium wheels for less than $200 easily), so it’s a win-win in terms of looks and being safe for budget.
And the last bit – a lot of people nowadays go for a single speed for city riding and they want their bike to stand out somehow. They buy cheap bike and have some budget to make it more looks-focused. It’s somehow a trendy thing to do lately, given the popularity of fixed gear and this kind of aesthetic.
The deeper rims are to attract buyers — style points, with many colors that they would coordinate with other parts of the bike. The fixie-SS boom bikes of the early 20-teens used them a lot. Most were value bikes (like my Purefix Original Series), and the wheels were not so great.
The Prestas… they are ok. It was a bit jarring to me when I got my first Presta bike. I drilled a few MTB wheels out for Schrader. Later, I wished I hadn’t done that. I guess because Prestas are available in many lengths, so easier to fit deep rims. Maybe it took hold because quality wheels were usually Presta. And, it got to the point where Prestas became the expectation for any quality bike.
Deeper rims are more durable
Never thought about it honestly, I just think it looks cool
It’s mostly aesthetics. Track bikes often have deep rims for aerodynamics. Once upon a time fixie kids started riding track bikes on the street with deep rims. Looks cool, became a thing.
It is generally true that all other things equal, a well built wheel with a deep section rim is more durable than a well built wheel with a box section rim. Velocity Deep Vs, for example, are nearly impossible to wack out of true. But I really don’t think this is a consideration on all the $200 department store fixies that come stocked with cheap aluminum deep section rims.
Because æro
Its easy to find deep v’s for a reasonable price and they last.
If you can’t be a wide strong boi wheel, you gotta be a tall strong boi wheel otherwise you’re a weak boi wheel.
I have no advice on presta, probably the same reason, strength when narrow. I’m schrader lyfe tho
Pls don’t use SS as a short version of single speed 🙁
Typically you can get an extra 10 style points for every additional 5mm of rim depth. Obviously there are exceptions.
You’re usually rather fast on a SS, deep section rims are more aero and help.
Well …in reality that would be because of way more factor (none of which is aero):
1. For the required rim internal width of 13-15 mm, those are cheap and durable, hold up well to 7-8 bars of pressure and deal with potholes rather well.
2. They have a huge loading capacity for some rims made for skinny tyres
3. Inertia is best when having a single speed, it means MORE SPEED. Just do not ask how they feel when brakes are applied.
Throwback to people riding track bikes everywhere 20 years ago
Back when fixed gear riding was blossoming as a niche subculture among messengers and art school kids most people were riding old road bikes that were converted to fixed gear. The raw materials were junk bikes with worthless components that you would just strip off and discard.
The coolest of the cool kids did have actual track bikes and aero wheels. If you didn’t have the means or the access for those you could at least repaint a beater and slap on some deep V wheels to catch some of the vibe.
Also, they’re bomb proof. I’m still riding the Velocity deep V wheels I bought twenty years ago.
Because SS is all about how your bike looks, not how it rides….because most only get ridden one km to the nearest coffee shop or dispensary.
It’s both leftover aesthetics from the fixie fad, but also actual leftover parts from the fixie fad. You can see the fixed cog on the closest bike.
This year I bought a $15 wheelset from a lady clearing out her garage, stripped the Dura Ace cog and lockring, and gave the wheels to my friend… for his SS townie.
What’s wrong with presta?