Fat tire e-mountain bikes are becoming increasingly popular, thanks to their versatility and ease of use. Have you ever felt the thrill of whizzing through rugged terrains, feeling the wind in your hair and a surge of adrenaline coursing through your veins? If not, then it’s time to hop on a fat tire e bike and experience a whole new level of adventure.
On trails around the world more people are turning to these big burly beasts, but why are we seeing that trend at the moment and what are the benefits?
In this review, we’ll lay out all you need to know about fat tire e-MTBs and highlight which styles of riding they are ideal for.
Although they’re highly versatile, they aren’t for everyone, so you must be clear about what you want from an e-MTB before pulling the trigger on a purchase.
Time to get stuck in.
What is a fat tire e-MTB?
A fat tire electric mountain bike has wider tires than conventional e-MTBs, in some cases nearly double the width.
They traditionally have a width of around 90mm to 130mm and the bikes are often much heavier.
The tires are made of a thicker material than the tire on a normal e-MTB, making them more durable and improving your traction.
It also prevents the bikes from suffering punctures quite as easily and allows you to go out in a variety of different conditions.
Due to the thicker tires, the bikes can also cope with a greater amount of weight, which allows you to ride with larger and more powerful electrical components, plus you can carry extra gear.
They essentially offer a few of the attributes of a motorbike, but are electrically powered, making them more eco-friendly.
Pros of fat-tire e-MTBs?
– All weather/ground conditions – the larger tires allow you to head out into terrain that you simply can’t on a thinner e-MTB tire, such as in the snow, in boggy conditions, and even on sand. The thicker wheel ensures you have greater traction and that allows you to power through mucky conditions with ease.
– Improved balance – the thicker tires make you feel more stable on the trail and they improve balance. This makes the bikes attractive to new riders and people who may be carrying a heavy load, such as camping gear, fishing gear, or hunting equipment.
– Weight carrying capabilities – fat tires are more durable and can cope with much heavier loads on the bike. This makes them ideal for hunting (where you might be dragging a trailer) or camping. A classic brand for this would be Backou, which is often listed as one of the top companies for fat tire E-MTB’s. Heavy-weight carrying capabilities also allow the bikes to cope with heavier electrical components.
– Larger motors/batteries – that extra weight the bike can take opens it up to being equipped with a larger motor and battery. This means the bikes are often faster than conventional e-MTBs and they can offer greater range.
– Smooth riding experience – the thicker tires improve the amount of cushioning you have, so you roll over unsteady terrain with greater ease and it reduces the amount of nasty shocks you get. This provides a smoother all-around riding experience.
– Improved traction – the fat tires often have a very toothy tread and this allows you to grip into the dirt much more easily. As a result, you can get up to speed more quickly and glide through wetter terrain.
Is a fat-tire e-bike the right kind of e-MTB for you?
If you want a bike to offer immense speed and a large range or intend to carry lots of extra weight or head out into really mucky conditions – then a fat-tire e-MTB sounds like a good call for you.
However, if you want your new bike to be light and nimble, then it would be best to look elsewhere. A fat tire e-bike simply doesn’t offer a great deal of playfulness due to its weight and that makes it a poor choice on gnarly downhill-focused trails or in the world of light-weight XC riding.
They can also be quite expensive, so if you’re on a low budget, a fat tire e-MTB might not be affordable. The stronger frame and wheel components and often larger electrical components add extra dollars onto the overall bike price and that could mean fat-tire e-MTBs would be unsuitable for you financially.
Fat-tire bikes are ideal for people who want to head out on hunting adventures, big camping adventures, or want to clock up big ride days on flatter terrain.
If you know you’re going to be carrying lots of extra weight on the bike, need the benefit of extra balance, or want to head out regularly in wet, snowy, or sandy conditions, then a fat-tire e-MTB is the perfect ride.
There are fat-tire e-MTBs tailored to the hunting market, which offer towing components, so you can attach your bike to a trailer and there are fat-tire e-MTBs designed for immense speed.
Think long and hard about what you want from your ride before heading out and making a new purchase.
Final Thoughts
Fat tire e-MTBs are all the rage at the moment because of their immense versatility and benefits for riders of all skill levels.
The machines are allowing riders to head out into terrain they couldn’t do before, in conditions they couldn’t ride in before, and carrying enormous weights, which at one time seemed unrealistic for an electric bike.
With the technology constantly evolving, it’s an exciting time to be heading into the fat-tire e-MTB market and we have now furnished you with all the details you need to know about these powerhouses of the e-MTB world.
Time to saddle up and hit the trails – good luck with your fat tire e-MTB adventures.
