Found yourself wondering about 10 speed bike? Fancy getting your hands on one yourself? Then you’re in the right place!
You can probably gather that a 10-speed bike has 10 different resistance settings — referred to as speeds in the name. The sheer number of settings allows you to ride up hills and potentially difficult terrain much easier.
Here are 20 quick answers about 10-speed road bike and 10-speed bmx bike.
Let’s get straight into the details.
What Is a 10-Speed Bike?
What is a 10-speed bike? A 10-speed bike is a form of road bike. It lets you change the resistance the pedals receive by shifting through a special mechanism.
However, it’s important to note that you shouldn’t ride these on grass, dirt, or anything other than tarmac and pavement.
Why? Because the tires won’t cope with it.
Having said all of this, you can get 10-speed BMX bikes that allow you to perform tricks and ride on grassy or rockier terrain.
What features and design elements make a 10 speed bike special?
10 speed bikes stand out due to their unique features and design elements that enhance performance and user experience. These bikes are crafted using lighter materials like aluminum or carbon fiber, making them easier to pedal and maneuver.
Their streamlined design improves aerodynamics, allowing riders to move faster with less effort. Additionally, 10 speed bikes are versatile, suitable for various riding styles including commuting and racing. One of the key distinguishing factors of a 10 speed bike is its low maintenance requirements.
With fewer moving parts compared to other bikes, these models offer simplicity and reliability. The gears on a 10 speed bike are strategically spaced closer together, enabling smoother transitions and efficient pedaling at high speeds, even on challenging terrains.
Furthermore, 10 speed bikes are equipped with disc brakes, providing enhanced stopping power in adverse conditions like wet or muddy surfaces. This feature ensures better control and safety for the rider.
Comfort is another paramount aspect of a 10 speed bike, with features such as padded seats and ergonomic handlebars promoting a comfortable riding experience, even during extended periods.
Overall, the combination of lightweight construction, aerodynamic design, versatility, low maintenance, optimal gear spacing, reliable disc brakes, and rider comfort makes 10 speed bikes truly special and appealing to a wide range of cyclists.
What is the price range of a 10 speed bike?
The price range for a 10-speed bike can vary depending on the type and brand. Typically, a 10-speed road bike can be found in the price range of $200 to $300. On the other hand, mountain bikes, which are generally more specialized and robust, tend to be priced slightly higher, ranging from $300 to $400.
It’s important to note that while these price ranges are common, there are exceptions in the market. You may come across a 10-speed bike priced under $200, especially if it is on sale or a more basic model. Conversely, if you are looking for a high-end mountain bike with advanced features, you might find yourself paying more than $400.
Ultimately, the cost of a 10-speed bike can vary based on factors such as brand reputation, material quality, components, and specific features included.
How fast can a 10 speed bike go?
A 10 speed bike has the capability to achieve different speeds based on the gear it’s equipped with. Typically, the speed of the bike increases as the gear is shifted to higher levels.
It’s important to note that variables such as wind force and the nature of the road can influence the bike’s speed as well. On average, a 10 speed bike has the potential to reach speeds ranging from 20 to 30 miles per hour.
What is the price range of a 10-speed bike?
The price range of a 10-speed bike can vary depending on the type. Typically, a 10-speed road bike is priced between $200 and $300.
On the other hand, mountain bikes, which offer more features, are generally priced higher, ranging from $300 to $400. However, exceptions exist where you might find a 10-speed bike priced below $200 or spend more than $400 for a high-end mountain bike.
Are 10-Speed Bikes Good?
Are 10-speed bikes good? Yes, 10-speed bikes are good simply because they have a lot of range. If you’re climbing a mountain, they’re not the best. However, if you’re just climbing a hill, then you’ll be all set with a 10-speed bicycle.
10-speed bikes are (generally speaking) an OG (i.e. one gear) which makes them far easier and cheaper to maintain.
This is because you’re only dealing with gears on the rear hub and you don’t have to faff around with anything else.
As long as you have a wide range of gears on the rear hub, you’ll be able to get up most hills (bar Mount Everest).
The Top 3 Best 10-Speed Bikes
As you now have quite a bit of info on 10-speed bikes, let’s take a look at the best ones money can buy.
Here are the 3 best 10-speed bikes we´ve found:
#1 Schwinn Phocus 1400 and 1600 Road Bicycle
Unlike some 10-speed bikes that are made solely for one gender, this Schwinn Phocus model is a fab unisex option.
It allows for an aerodynamic experience thanks to the excellent quality drop bars. Although, it’s worth mentioning that it is an entry-level bike.
In other words, if you’re somewhat experienced, you might be looking to upgrade.
Its frame is made from aluminum, but the fork is a custom Phocus 1600 carbon fiber.
This provides an amazingly comfortable, smooth, and enjoyable journey, regardless of the duration.
Alongside this, the Schwinn Phocus gives you a useful quick-release function on the front tire. You can simply remove it and change it.
No fuss, no headaches. Perfect!
The gears are incredibly well-balanced and you’ll never have trouble switching between them.
Whether you’re riding down hills or racing across flat tarmac roads, this bicycle will take good care of you.
The Pros
✔️ The saddle has a quick-release post.
✔️ The front wheel is also quick-release.
✔️ It comes in 2 stylish colors (black and light blue).
✔️ It has very smooth gears.
✔️ The frame is incredibly durable.
✔️ It’s great for taller riders.
The Cons
❌There is only one size available which isn’t that helpful if you’re not tall.
#2 Eurobike Road Bike EURXC550
For those of you who don’t want to be limited to tarmac or pavement, this one will take you far.
Its wheels are a whopping 700cc so they are more than durable enough to cope with tumultuous terrain.
Additionally, the drivetrain and multiple shifting options allow you to climb hills with ease (well, with relative ease).
It’s simple to reduce the cadence, thus decreasing the amount of effort you need to put in to make it to the summit.
The brakes are the most impressive feature though. You can come to a complete standstill in roughly one second. Yup.
It doesn’t matter how fast you’re going, you’ll be able to stop dead.
With all of these amazing bits and pieces, you should expect to pay more for it. You get what you pay for, after all.
The Pros
✔️ It comes with dual disc brakes that allow you to stop quickly and cleanly, regardless of the speed you’re traveling.
✔️ It will come to you 85% assembled. This makes it a lot easier to set up for those of you who have never done so before.
✔️ The gear system is simply flawless.
The Cons
❌You have to pass the tires before you are able to input the handlebar, pedals, saddle, and front wheel.
❌It’s fairly heavy as far as bikes go.
#3 Giordano Libero Aluminum Road Bike
This bicycle is constructed from Claris parts. Interestingly, this one isn’t as expensive as the others that are made from these components.
We’re not sure how they’ve managed to keep the price so comparatively low but we’re not about to complain!
With the Giordano Libero Aluminum Road Bike, you’ll receive a 6061 aluminum frame, great performance, and classic construction.
Put simply, it’s a fab bike for either short or long journeys and for those who have just started cycling.
The Pros
✔️ The fork is made from amazingly good quality high tensile steel.
✔️ The gear shifters are incredibly smooth.
✔️ The frame is amazingly durable since it’s made from 6061 aluminum steel.
✔️ The pivot brakes are made from alloy.
✔️ The tires sport an attractive 32-hole double-wall alloy rim.
The Cons
❌It is quite hard to adjust the brakes.
The Top 3 Best BMX Bikes for Speed
#1 Mongoose Legion L100 Freestyle BMX Bike
Mongoose is a huge brand and is typically the go-to when it comes to buying BMX bikes.
And honestly, we can’t argue with that. The Legion L100 is no exception. It’s great.
The frame is sturdy which supports you excellently while you’re riding.
Moreover, the brakes work quickly when you need to stop, regardless of the speed you’re traveling.
The Pros
✔️ It is fantastic for both beginners and advanced riders. Pretty much anyone will get a lot of fun out of it.
✔️ It’s really easy to assemble. So, no need to worry if you’ve never built a bike before.
✔️ The riding experience is both smooth and fast.
✔️ The tires are reliable.
✔️ The frame is incredibly durable.
✔️ It is fairly lightweight.
The Cons
❌You will need to upgrade some parts if you’re looking for a near-flawless experience.
#2 Schwinn Sting Pro and Predator Cruiser BMX Bike
This one was inspired by the 1983 BMX bike and can take you wherever you want to go very quickly.
Its cool style is good for both younger people and older adults.
Plus, the frame is made with toughness and durability (which is, of course, more important than looks).
Alongside all of this, you get a quality bike for a very affordable price.
It’s a great alternative to traditional 10 speed bike if you don’t fancy paying a premium amount.
The Pros
✔️ The frame is made from excellent quality materials to increase durability.
✔️ It comes in a range of stylish colors.
✔️ The finish is extremely shiny and glossy.
✔️ You have the use of both front and rear caliper brakes. This helps you control the bike far easier.
✔️ It is very easy to assemble. There’s no need to stress if you’ve never assembled a bike before.
The Cons
❌The seat is pretty hard and very narrow. For added comfort, you’ll want to swap this out for something a bit more “butt friendly”.
#3 Mongoose Title 24 BMX Race Bike
Now, if going super fast is the only thing on your mind, the Mongoose Title 24 is the way to go.
This BMX bike is built with racing, and therefore speed, in mind.
With this, you receive a high-quality frame in an easy-to-carry build, durable tires, and fantastic steering performance.
Everything you could possibly need for an enjoyable BMX ride!
The Pros
✔️ It is nice and solid.
✔️ The frame is well put together.
✔️ You will be able to customize it pretty easily.
✔️ Even though it is sturdy, it’s surprisingly lightweight which is fab for speed.
✔️ The choice of colors is great.
The Cons
❌You can’t adjust the seat which makes it rather uncomfortable.
When Were 10-Speed Bikes Popular?
Have you ever heard of the “bike boom”? Well, this occurred in the 1970s and was (you guessed it) due to the rise in popularity of the 10-speed bike!
During this time, baby boomers (as we know them now) were cycling everywhere.
Whether to work or school or the corner shop, the United States and Canada turned into cycle central. Europe got involved in this bike trend too.
The world seemed to go on a two-wheel kick.
If you’re wondering who brought these awesome bikes into being, it was Pierre Michaux.
Why Do BMX Bikes Not Have Gears?
Why BMX bikes do not have gears? When you’re riding a BMX bike, your goal is to be as light and nimble as possible. You’re not (well, you shouldn’t be) trying to get up a hill. Therefore, you don’t need gears.
More gears, more weight, more problem.
BMX competitions are often conducted on flat ground with ramps, verts, and rails.
Here, momentum is more important than power transmission or maintaining speed.
Pedaling is actually a hindrance to pulling off tricks smoothly.
Not to mention that tricks involve spinning the handlebars/frame 360 degrees or more, so extra cables would just get in the way.
Read also: Are BMX Bikes Good For Cruising?
Can You Put Gears On a BMX Bike?
Can you put gears on a BMX bike? Yes, you can indeed put gears on a BMX bike. However, you might encounter some problems if you’re not careful.
1. You might have to open the frame. Why? This is mainly so the bigger hub can fit in its rightful place.
2. BMX frames don’t typically have a derailer hanger. This means that you will need to use an adaptor to mount on the axle.
3. On 20-inch bikes (most BMXs), the derailer sits closer to the ground. Usually, this won’t be too much of an issue though since folding bikes have to keep their derailers close to the floor too.
Is Traveling 20 mph On a Bike Fast?
In a word, yes. Traveling at 20 mph on a bike is fast. However, most adults can reach this speed with a short burst of energy.
Sustaining it is an entirely different matter.
To give you a better idea of whether 20 mph on a bike is fast or not, take a look at the average speeds below:
?Beginner, 10 to 15 miles = 12 mph
?More experienced, 20 to 30 miles = 15 to 16 mph
?Reasonable experience, 40 miles = 16 to 19 mph
?Fairly competent club rider, 50 to 60 miles = 20 to 24 mph
Do BMX Bikes Have Suspension?
Do BMX bikes have suspension? In short, nope! BMX bikes do not have suspension. Why is this the case? Well, those who typically ride BMX bicycles need as much power and thrust as possible.
Obstacles come up quickly when they’re sprinting so they have to be able to maneuver themselves (and the bike) super fast.
When riding a BMX bike, you have to absorb the impact through your legs. Specifically, by bending your knees as you land.
Some of the weight will, of course, be resting on your wrists and hands.
But for the most part, the lower half of your body does the work.
Do BMX Bikes Have Brakes?
Do BMX bikes have brakes? Generally speaking, BMX bikes have one brake. This is usually a hand-operated rear caliper one that allows you to easily control the speed.
Alongside this, it allows you to have more control over how the bike corners, whoops, and jumps.
Contradictory, many freestyle BMX bikes will have both front and rear brakes.
The front one will typically have a cable that runs through a gyro. This allows you to still rotate the front 360 degrees for certain tricks.
But you’re more likely to find BMXs without the front gear anyway.
Read also: What Size Bike Do I Need / Bike Size Chart – 7 Bike Size Guides Explained
How Do I Know If My Bike Is 10- or 11-Speed?
Determining how many speeds is on your bike is pretty easy when you now. Let us explain.
Identify the Parts
Bicycles have two gear sets. One of them can be found by the crank (i.e. the bit that your pedal attaches to) and the other is on the rear wheel (the center of it).
If you’ve ever heard the term “cassette cogs”, this is referring to the back gears.
Do Some Math
Once you’ve identified the parts, it’s time for some math. Follow this:
- Count the gears near the crank (1, 2, or 3).
- Count the gears on the back wheel.
- Multiply the first number with the second number.
- The final value is the number of speeds your bike has.
Why Is a 10-Speed Transmission Better?
Why is a 10-speed transmission better? It is mainly to do with the fantastic range that they offer. While you won’t be able to climb up Mount Everest on a 10-speed bike since they’re usually road bikes.
However, you will be able to cope with undulating terrain, hills, and windy tarmac roads.
Moreover, they are incredibly easy to maintain. This is largely due to the one gear aspect.
In other words, you only have to fiddle around with the gears on the rear hub and you’re finished. There’s nothing else to worry about.
How Much Does a 10-Speed Transmission Cost?
Depending on the brand or shop that you buy the transmission from, you’ll pay a different amount.
Regardless, they tend to be pretty cheap since it’s not like you’re buying an entire bicycle.
How much a 10-speed transmission cost? On average you can expect price between $25 and $100 for a 10-speed transmission. Here are some examples to give you an idea:
- LANXUANR $28.99
- SRAM PG-1050 $54.95
- SHIMANO CS-6700 $60.86
- JGbike HG500 $49.99
- Bibike $24.98
- SHIMANO Deore XT $99.00
As you can tell, the exact price various quite dramatically depending on the brand.
How Fast Does a 10-Speed Bike Go?
This largely depends on where and how you ride it. For those of you who live in seriously hilly areas, you probably won’t be able to get up much speed.
However, if you are in a pretty flat environment then, the speed is more dependent on your fitness level.
On average you can expect speed between 12 mph and 25 mph. As I mentioned earlier, the average speeds are as follows:
- Beginner = 12 mph
- More experienced = 15 to 16 mph
- Reasonable experience = 16 to 19 mph
- Fairly competent club rider = 20 to 24 mph
Read also: Are BMX Bikes Fast / BMX vs Mountain Bike Which One Is Faster?
Can I Convert My 10 Speed Bike to an 11-Speed Bike?
Can I convert my 10 speed bike to an 11-speed bike? In short, yes you can! However, there are some things to consider. You need to make certain that your rear wheel is capable of accepting an 11-speed cassette.
If it isn’t you need to put a separate wheel on an 11-speed hub.
Alternatively, you can purchase an 11-speed rear wheel already made.
Generally speaking, as long as your wheelsets are 10-speed to begin with, you can just buy an 11-speed cassette body, and hey presto, you’re upgraded.
Sometimes, the body on your wheel will look like it’s completely stuck on. But nine times out of ten, this isn’t the case.
Can I Convert My 8-Speed Bike to a 10-Speed Bike?
To tell you the truth, the answer is very much the same as the previous question.
Yes, you can convert your 8-speed bike to a 10-speed bike. Just keep the following factor in mind.
You need to ensure that your rear wheel has room for a 10-speed cassette.
If you realize that it doesn’t have room for this, then you will need to be prepared to put a different wheel on a 10-speed hub.
Or, you can go for the somewhat easier option of buying a 10-speed rear wheel.
Will a 9-Speed Chain Work On a 10-Speed Cassette?
Will a 9-speed chain work on a 10-speed cassette? If your chain is correctly set up, the tension and length will be perfect for the range of gears that are currently on your bike. The problem with adding gears to this is that it won’t be long enough.
Thus, you won’t be able to cover the 10-speed cassette without throwing out your chain’s tension and the smoothness of your gear changes.
Basically, your bike won’t be very fun to ride.
What Gear Is Best For Going Uphill On a Bike?
Riding your bike uphill is going to be harder than riding on a flat road regardless of the gear you’re in.
However, understanding which gear is best for your hill climb is essential to making it up the hill as easily as possible.
Popping your bike into a low gear is vital here. Make sure you do this as you approach the bottom of the gradient so you can climb it with less effort.
The following is the best combination:
- Front Gear — Place it on the small chainring.
- Back Gear — Place it on one of the biggest sprockets (1 to 3).
How Do You Tell What Gear Your Bike Is In?
The easy way is to take a look at the gear shifters on your handlebars. These will tell you the number of gears on both the front and rear cassettes.
If for some reason, these are broken or missing, you can figure out which gear your bike is in by glancing down at your rear cassette.
The closer the chain is to the wheel, the lower the gear your bike is in.
Thus, the further the chain is from the wheel, the higher the gear your bike is in. Simple!
What Gear Should I Bike In On Flat Road?
Technically, your bike will work on a flat road, regardless of the gear combination you’ve put it in.
However, you will have a much better time if you know how to use your gears effectively.
For flat roads and slightly undulating terrain, you are going to want some resistance.
But it’s unlikely that you’ll want so much resistance that you have to work stupidly hard. In this case, you should use the following combination:
- Front Gear — If you have 2 gears here, you should make sure it’s on the small chainring. For those who have 3, put it on the middle chainring.
- Back Gear — You should aim to have it on the middle sprockets. Anywhere from 3 to 6 will work well.
The Bottom Line
You can basically call yourself an expert on 10 speed bike now!
Be careful though, people will probably start asking your advice on everything bike!
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