Best Fat Tire Electric Bike
Eric Jacobson Sep 27, 2023 9:28 PM
The apparent superficial similarity between fat-tire electric bikes and regular mountain bikes is deceptive. There's little doubt that their tires are significantly wider... But what benefit does the rider receive from using big off-road tires as opposed to conventional mountain bike tires?
OVERVIEW
Like traditional mountain bikes, fat-tired electric bikes have a sturdy frame and wide tires, but their electric propulsion system adds to their utility. Whereas on a standard motorcycle a fatter, thicker wheel would cause the rider to go slower due to increased frictional resistance and wind resistance, on a motorcycle equipped with a throttle or PAS system, the meaning of "fat tires" is completely transformed.
Here, we'll show you the best fat-tire electric bikes we provide and explain why they're the best option for you. Here is why we think fat tires are the future of off-road e-biking, based on the recommendations of EBC Riders and other top review sources.
Do you want to be able to ride your bike all year round, regardless of the temperature outside? Then you need a fat-tired electric bike. These bikes are excellent choices for riding in the snow, sand, and other challenging environments.
And if you happen to live in a region with plenty of hills, you'll be happy to know that these are also useful because they make it possible to scale terrain that would be too challenging otherwise. This article serves as a comparison of the top fat tire electric bikes currently available. Here, we'll define "fat tire ebike" and discuss why these bikes are so fun to ride. Then we'll let you know which option best suits your needs!
AOSTIRMOTOR Electric Bike 750W 48V 13AH Fat Tire Ebike with Rack and Fender, 26 ‘’4.0 inch E Montainbike, Electric Bicycle for Adults.
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Heybike Ranger Electric Bike for Adults Foldable 20" x 4.0 Fat Tire Step-Thru Electric Bicycle with 500W Motor, 48V 15AH Removable Battery, Shimano 7-Speed and Dual Shock Absorber (White)
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Jasion EB7 2.0 Electric Bike for Adults, 500W Motor 20MPH Max Speed, 48V 10AH Removable Battery, 20" Fat Tire Foldable Electric Bike with Dual Shock Absorber, and Shimano 7-Speed Electric Bicycles
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- Prime
VELOWAVE Prado S 750W Fat Tire Electric Bike for Adults, 48V 15Ah LG Battery, 20" x 4.0 Step-Thru ebikes for Adults, 28MPH Electric Bicycle Shimano 7-Speed (Matt Black)
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VELOWAVE Electric Bike Adults 750W BAFANG Motor 48V 15Ah Removable Larger Battery 26'' Fat Tire Ebike 28MPH Snow Beach Mountain E-Bike Shimano 7-Speed Black/Gray
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Heybike Mars Electric Bike Foldable 20" x 4.0 Fat Tire Electric Bicycle with 500W Motor, 48V 12.5AH Removable Battery, Shimano 7-Speed and Dual Shock Absorber for Adults
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ECOTRIC Electric Bike 500W Foldaway E Bike 20" Fat Tire Folding Electric Bicycle 36V 12.5AH Lithium Removable Battery Beach Snow Mountain Bike Moped for Adults Commute E-Bike UL Certified
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YinZhiBoo SMLRO Electric Bike E-Bike Fat Tire Electric Bicycle 26" 4.0 Adults Ebike 1000W Removable 48V/13AH Battery Shimano 21-Speed Shifting for Trail Riding/Excursion/Commute UL and GCC Certified
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ECOTRIC 26” Fat Tire Electric Bike Powerful Adults Mountain Bicycle 500W Motor 36V/13AH Removable Lithium Battery Beach Snow Ebike Shock Absorption - 90% Pre Assembled
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Speedrid Electric Snow Bike Fat Tire Electric Bike 26" 4.0, 500W Powerful Motor, 48V 10Ah Removable Battery and Professional 7 Speed
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VIVI 26 Inch Electric Bike, 500W E-Bike, Fat Tire Electric Bike Snow Bike, 48V 12.5AH Removable Li-ion Battery EBike, 25MPH 7 Speed E Bike for Men, 4.0 Width Tires Beach Bike Electric Bike
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Aostirmotor Folding Electric Bike 20 inch Fat Tire Electric Bicycle with 500W Motor 36V 13AH Removable Lithium Battery,ebike for Adults
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Last update on 2023-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Benefits of Fat Tire E-Bikes
✓ Tire Surface Area - The added surface area of a fat tire ebike means that it has a lower likelihood of sinking in soft terrain, such as mud, snow or sand. A lot of hunting electric bikes, fishing ebikes and beach cruisers are able to glide over thee softer debris because of the wider surface area.
✓ Off-Road Capability - The tires on a fat tire electric bike also has thicker treads and strong rubber walls. As a result, fat tires are often used for all-terrain riding, and sometimes downhill racing (full suspension models). The off-road thicker tires allow the tire to skip over sharp rocks, channel through mud and streams while keeping a smooth and balanced rider feel.
✓ Comfort - The same way a mountain bike is more comfortable than a road bike with soften suspension and a comfier seat, the same applies to fat tire ebikes. With more elastic rubber tires and a wide comfortable seat, fat tire ebikes have a soft and smooth feel for all riders.
✓ Maintenance - Fat tire electric bikes are built to withstand unusually rough terrain, most off-road riding and also hunting conditions and variations of temperature. The tire maintenance of a fat tire ebike is certainly less than that of a regular road or mountain bike.
Why you should trust us
We have evaluated over ten fat tire electric bicycles from the industry's most prominent manufacturers that sell directly to customers. Even if none of them are flawless, we have examined each and every one of them. We have attempted to test these fat tire ebikes in every possible environment, from the assembly process to off-roading.
How and where we tested
We count ourselves extremely fortunate to call Fort Collins, Colorado, home because it is consistently ranked as one of the most bike-friendly communities in the country. If you have a passion for riding your two-wheeled beast, Fort Collins is a fantastic place to live because the city has more than 200 miles of dedicated bike lanes and 50 named routes for enjoying your bike, regardless of whether it is electric or old school.
We put each of these fat e bike options through their paces on a variety of terrains, including streets, trails, and even around our neighborhood.
What’s the best eBike?
The good news is that whatever it is that you're searching for in fat tire electric bikes, you'll probably be able to find one that's a good match for you. People also inquire, "Which electric bicycle is the best?" And everything relies on that. Sincere to God, it does. For further information, please refer to our eBike Guide.
The greatest electric bicycle is the one that suits your needs and preferences the most. An aluminum frame or a sophisticated suspension can be desirable to some people. When it comes to the others, you might choose range, something that's lightweight, or even a fat-tired electric bike that folds up (yes, they make those). There is an overwhelming number of choices available, so it is important to do as much research as possible before making a decision.
Why fat tires?
The RadRover 5 was the first eBike I ever tested. I anxiously got the eBike and drove it around in -0 degree weather (yes, you read that correctly – evidently it is temperate reported when the actual temperature is between -1 and -.05, which rarely happens).
To be honest, I had no idea what Fat Tires were used for (except for looking cool) until I tested the RadRover 5. Why do so many bikes have fat tires these days?
The answer is simple. The fat tires make the bike more stable and much easier to ride over rough terrain like sand or snow. But the fat tires make them even more stable on concrete, too.
Big. Stinkin’. Tires.
Why do so many bicycles these days have such oversized tires? The solution is straightforward. The fat tires give the bike increased stability, which makes it much simpler and more comfortable to ride over rough terrain, such as sand or snow. However, this also contributes to the vehicles' increased steadiness on the concrete.
Because of the enormous volume of the tires, you may run air pressures that are so low that they hardly register on the gauge of a standard air pump. They are able to roll over obstacles such as snow, sand, dirt, wet roots, boulders, and other terrain that would normally be inaccessible due to the buoyancy that the product produces.
Those who are addicted to cycling and will not let anything keep them inside are likely to find the fat bike to be a very enticing option. The most challenging terrain is no match for the superior grip and traction offered by fat tire bicycles. These bicycles are designed to carry their riders across any terrain, be it icy slopes, slushy walkways, or even wet stones.
The electric fat tire bikes, why?
To tell you the truth, riding an electric bike gives you the impression that you are nearly invincible. A large tire e bike makes you feel even more superhuman.
After putting a large number of fat tire and non-fat tire electric bikes through their paces, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the RadRover 6 is my favorite daily driver electric bike. This fat tire e bike has enormous chunky tires that are 4 inches in diameter and can handle anything that I throw at it. Riding a bicycle with these wide tires is undeniably more enjoyable, regardless of whether one is traversing metropolitan streets or rural paths.
When you put together the oversized tires, an electric motor, and a front suspension fork, you end up with a ride that is simply plain enjoyable. It makes no difference whether you're driving on pavement or offroad; you're going to have a huge smile on your face either way. That is without a doubt the case.
There has to be downfalls to fat bikes, right?
The downfalls for a fat tire bike, especially electric, are small.
The overall size
Fat Tire Electric bikes are heavy. They just are. There’s no getting around how heavy a fat tire electric bikes can be. In fact, all electric bikes are heavy.
The good news is that you won’t notice it as much when it is electric.
The riding noise
When I’m riding fat tire electric bikes the noise is slightly hire than non-fat tire eBikes, that’s for sure. Off road, you won’t notice a difference at all. However, in concrete enviroments, you might notice it a bit. Emphasis on a bit.
This is not a deal killer by any stretch of the imagination, but it isn’t perfect.
Sizing issues with fat tire electric bikes
Due to the fact that she is just 5 feet and 2 inches tall, my wife has not been able to ride any of the fat tire electric bikes that we have evaluated (although we haven't evaluated any step-through models that would be suitable).
Even though she wants a smooth ride, she has little interest in traveling over more rugged terrain. To be fair, she does want a pleasant trip. Her everyday ride is a Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 (for a review of this electric bike, see our RadWagon 4 Review), and she has not experienced any problems with it.
If you are of a shorter stature, you might have some difficulty riding a fat-tire electric bike due to the fact that the tire size makes each bike significantly larger, nearly to the point where it seems ludicrous.
Which fat tire eBike is right for you?
To decide what fat tire eBike is right for you, you need to take a couple of things into consideration. The first is probably the most important.
Your Height (and weight)
Simply put: no matter which aluminum frame you select, you need to make sure that your eBike is suitable for your height (and weight).
How you’re going to use your eBike
All of the bikes on this list have a front suspension fork. Some even have a rear suspension.
Some bike nerds (not me… yet) will tell you that fat tires AND a front suspension fork are overkill on a mountain bike, especially an electric mountain bike.
But I’d have to disagree. If you are trail riding, sure, you’ll see the difference between a rigid fork and suspension fork – but I even see a difference riding in the neighborhood. Long story short, look at suspension forks.
Additionally, it is highly likely that you will require a rear rack for your bicycle. Not only are rear racks useful for transporting items, but I also put a gear bag on mine in case I need to fix the brakes, fill the tires, or just hold a lock in case I lose it. On our list of essential accessories for electric bicycles, a rear rack comes in at number one.
Racks on the rear of a bike just provide the rider more options for how they can use their bicycle. If you have one, you won't feel any sadness.
Max Speed and Classification
The vast majority of the electric bicycles in this area fall under the Class 2 category. This indicates that it is capable of reaching a top speed of 20 miles per hour when assisted by the motor in either the pedal assist mode or the pure throttle mode. Although the motor's output is limited to 20 mph, the bicycle is still capable of traveling at speeds in excess of 20 mph if the rider takes use of physical forces like as going downhill or pedaling more quickly.
The majority of these electric bicycles are also capable of being programmed to function as Class 3 electric bicycles, which are electric bicycles that are capable of reaching a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour while operating in pedal assist mode or when utilizing the throttle. Learn more about the various eBike Classifications by reading more.
Adjusting this, on the other hand, is not something we would recommend doing because doing so may void the warranty and render the e-bike illegal in many jurisdictions and situations.
What class of fat tire ebike should you get?
I recommend that you get at least a Class 2 eBike. Class 2 eBikes have a motor (either mid-drive or rear hub motor) that powers the eBike up to 20 MPH – either through pedal-assist or a throttle. Most bikes reviewed have a half-twist throttle, but others have a thumb throttle.
I, personally, prefer a half twist throttle, but it’s not a deal killer either way when looking at one of these electric fat bike options.
The Motor: Rear Hub or Mid Drive
Perhaps the only other opinion on this page is this one.
There are many who will only ride with a mid drive motor and will argue that a rear hub motor won't hold up as well. A fat tire e bike with a mid-drive motor tends to be more expensive and harder to get, but I haven't used one to pedal up hills or light trails for thousands of miles.
Some people argue that mid-drive motors are the most organic option because they supplement your regular pedaling with an extra "oomph," but I believe that a rear hub motor is sufficient for most riders.
The rear hub motor on our best fat tire electric bike, the RadRover 6, is so well-tuned to the bike's riding style that it gives the impression of a mid-drive motor. There are no flaws in the torque sensor. There were no spikes in intensity.
That's great when you're just cruising around the street, but it gets old quickly when you start descending steep hills or putting in an off-road performance.
When to get a mid-drive motor
The Quiet Kat eBikes feature a mid-drive motor.
There’s a reason the Fort Collins Police Department uses mid-drive TREK eBikes: it’s because they last a long time. We’ll be reviewing more fat tire mid drive motor bikes in the near future to give you our true take.
The long story short is this: if you are going to be riding your eBike for 20+ miles a day, it might be worthwhile to spend the extra dough on a mid-drive eBike.
If you are looking for a bike to take out on the weekends, then a rear hub motor will work just fine.
Service-ability
I'm going to let you in on a little secret regarding the majority of electric bikes (and the majority of fat bikes that aren't electric, too): they all consist of components that are quite similar to one another, if not the exact same components.
Yes, the vast majority of mountain bikes are virtually identical to one another, even down to the mechanical disc brakes. However, how many different manufacturers produce mechanical disc brakes? Not many!
The same holds true for the electric bike motors. How many individuals are involved in the production of electric bike motors, rear hub motors, or fat tires? Not many.
The vast majority of electric bikes are constructed using the same kinds of parts. That has both positive and negative repercussions.
It is a fortunate fact that the majority of e-bikes can be serviced at any neighborhood bike store.
It's a problem because the majority of e-bike batteries have very tiny variations from one another. Although this cruiser and the RadWagon 4 appear to have batteries that are comparable to one another, these batteries are not compatible with one another.
If you are extremely concerned about the lifespan of the battery, it is best to stay with a renowned brand such as Rad Power Bikes, which has received a significant amount of funding from respected investors. If you want to be sure that your investment of more than one thousand dollars remains in good working order, then you should talk to someone more like Rad power bikes.
Fat Tire Electric Bike: How fat?
Almost every fat tire electric bike we’ve tested has 4 inch wide tires. The KBO Breeze has slightly less-wide tires and aren’t considered a fat tire bike for this best fat bike roundup.
Most had incredibly similar tires to the RadRover 5 and 6 – Kenda Juggernaut 26″ x 4″ tires.
The Snapcycle fat tire e bike we reviewed were still the same 4 inches wide, but were only 20 inches around. Most fat bike tires are 26″ around and 4″ wide.
IN CONCLUSION
The KBO Breeze is a good example of a mid-size semi fat tire electric bike that also has a front suspension, which means that it can be taken off road, although it is not recommended for extreme mountain biking. For more information, read our full review of the KBO Breeze and our step-by-step review of the KBO Breeze.
Both the RadRover 6 and the Aventon Aventure are examples of electric bicycles that are manufactured by companies that are fixated on the idea of providing riders with an enjoyable riding experience. As a result, both of these e-bikes are of an exceptionally high quality.
I would suggest making certain that your bike has at the very least the following components:
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It is physically possible to ride it (many fat tire bikes are very large)
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A Motor with a Minimum of 500 Watts
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Pedal Assist in Addition to a Throttle Control
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Can be easily serviced (either through a program such as Rad Power Bikes Certified Dealers or Velofix – if a bike manufacturer has partnered with Velofix, there is a good chance that it can be serviced).
