Sole Bicycles The Three Speed City Cruiser
Looks Like a Single Speed. Climbs Like It Has Gears. Because It Does.
"Your friends think it is a single speed. Then you shift into low gear at a red light and spin up the hill they are walking."
The Sole Bicycles Three Speed City Cruiser hides three gears inside the rear hub where nobody can see them. No external derailleur hanging off the frame. No cables running along the tubes. No adjustment. Just clean lines and the quiet ability to crush the hill your single-speed friends have to walk.
The Shimano Nexus internal hub shifts at any speed. Even stopped. Pull up to a red light in high gear, click down to low, and launch uphill when it turns green. 700c x 35mm tires, upright position, cushioned saddle, and four frame sizes make this 3-speed city bike fit like it was built for you. Because with four sizes, it was.
"Most city riders overthink gearing. You do not need 21 speeds. You need three: one for hills, one for cruising, and one for when you are late. The Nexus hub delivers exactly that in a package that looks like a single speed and rides like one too — minus the suffering on inclines. The wider 35c tires are the other quiet advantage here. They soak up rough pavement without slowing you down."
BUILT FOR RIDERS WHO
- There is a hill between you and wherever you are going and a single speed does not cut it
- You want a daily commuter that needs almost zero maintenance — no derailleur adjustments, no cable tuning
- You care about how your bike looks parked outside the coffee shop as much as how it rides
- You need a real size range because "one size fits most" has never fit you
THE GEARS ARE IN THERE. YOU JUST CANNOT SEE THEM.
Shimano Nexus Internal Hub
Look at the rear hub. No derailleur. No jockey wheels. No cables. The Shimano Nexus 3-speed lives entirely inside the hub shell. From five feet away, this looks like a single speed. The result is a clean city bike with the aesthetics of a fixie and the climbing ability of a geared bike.
Hi-tensile steel frame with TIG-welded construction takes city abuse without complaint. The 46:18 gear ratio with 1/8" KMC stainless steel chain is efficient and nearly silent. Alloy dual pivot hand brakes give you controlled stopping without the drama.
ZERO MAINTENANCE. ZERO EXCUSES.
The Commuter That Never Calls In Sick
No derailleur to adjust. No cables to stretch. No chain slap when you hit a pothole. The sealed internal hub and stainless steel chain mean this bike asks almost nothing from you between rides. Wipe the frame, check the tire pressure, ride. That is the entire maintenance schedule.
The 700c x 35mm tires split the difference between speed and comfort — fast enough to keep pace with traffic on the flats, wide enough to absorb the cracks and potholes your city has been "fixing" for years. Alloy dual pivot brakes give you predictable stopping in wet or dry. This is a bike you can ride every day without thinking about it.
WHY THIS BUILD MATTERS
That Hill Stops Being a Detour
Most city riders avoid hills or walk their bikes up. The Nexus low gear drops your effort enough to spin up moderate inclines seated. That opens up shorter routes, more neighborhood options, and zero excuses to skip the ride.
Clean as a Single Speed
No derailleur hanging off the dropout. No shift cables running along the frame. No jockey wheels collecting road grime. From across the street this looks like a single speed — which means it looks like it belongs locked up outside any coffee shop or office in the city.
Actually Fits You
Four frame sizes from 46cm to 58cm cover riders from 4'10" to 6'4". A properly sized frame means less back strain on long rides, better control in traffic, and a bike you actually want to ride every day instead of one you tolerate.
| Frame | Hi-Tensile Steel, TIG Welded |
|---|---|
| Fork | Crown Hi-Tensile Steel, 1" Threaded |
| Drivetrain | Shimano Nexus Internal 3-Speed Hub |
| Gear Ratio | 46:18 |
| Chain | 1/8" KMC Stainless Steel |
| Crankset | Alloy 170mm, 46T, 5-Bolt 130 BCD |
| Brakes | Alloy Dual Pivot Hand Brakes |
| Tires | 700c x 35mm |
| Rims | Machine/Double Walled 700c |
| Bottom Bracket | Sealed Bearing Square Taper 68 x 115mm |
| Seatpost | 25.4mm x 300mm |
| Weight | ~35 lbs |
What is an internal gear hub?
All the gearing lives inside the rear hub shell. No external derailleur, no exposed cables, no chain drop. Think of it as gears that are invisible and maintenance-free. You shift with a twist grip on the handlebar.
Can it handle hills?
Moderate city hills, yes. San Francisco hills, you want more gears. For most cities, three speeds covers everything. Low gear for the steep parts, middle for cruising, high for flat-out rides.
What sizes are available?
Four: 46cm fits 4'10" to 5'4", 50cm fits 5'4" to 5'8", 54cm fits 5'8" to 6'0", 58cm fits 6'0" to 6'4". Pick the one that matches your height and the fit will be right.
Does it have hand brakes?
Yes. Alloy dual pivot hand brakes with hinged alloy levers. Squeeze and stop. Predictable and controlled.
How heavy is it?
About 35 lbs. Solid enough to feel planted at speed. Light enough to muscle up a flight of stairs.
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Sole Three Speed City CruiserArrives partially assembled. Front wheel, handlebars, pedals, and seat need attaching. About 20 minutes and you are cruising.
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AccessoriesPedals, reflectors, and every tool you need. Nothing extra to buy.