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More and more these days, you see bike riders going around town on fat tires. In the last five years, sales and use of "fat bikes" (bicycles with 75–120 mm-wide tires) have skyrocketed in the United States. These bikes provide riders with access to new terrains, such as snow-covered trails and softer ground conditions that would be hard to ride on a regular mountain bike.
They are just one of two growing bike trends in the U.S. The New York Times reports that the pandemic has more people relying on electric bikes or e-bikes for transportation. While estimates vary, industry analysts predict that the number of e-bikes purchased by Americans in 2020 was approximately half a million.
The real trend is the combination of these two cool bike styles, though. Electric bikes with fat tires open up a whole new world to those who ride for fun or transportation. What are some of the best fat tire electric bikes for 2022?
Why Fat Tires Matter?
Fat tires on bikes are not that different from the ones you see on monster trucks as far as purpose goes. Their primary purpose is traction. Having fat tires on a bike means better grip regardless of the terrain, but why does that matter?
Weather
If you are someone that rides your bike back and forth on city streets, maybe that doesn’t have much meaning for you. You probably do just fine with regular bike tires – until the weather gets bad.
For some, bad weather isn’t a reason not to bike ride. Fat tires give them the opportunity to ride in almost any kind of weather. Fat tires are less likely to slip on a wet surface – more tread means more traction. They also hold their own in the snow, ice, and mud.
Maintenance
You are less likely to experience a flat while riding on fat tires, too. Fat tires don't require much inflation since they provide a high level of comfort at low tire pressure. The pressure can drop to as low as 15 to 10 psi and possibly even lower.
Bikes with fat tires generally require less maintenance, too. Fat tires are rigid enough that the bike itself requires fewer elements that need regular maintenance, like shock absorbers.
Improved Balance
Whether you are riding a bike for the first or the 500th time, balance is usually a challenge. Since fat tires have more surface contact, they help balance the bike while you ride.
Fun
Fat tires make bike riding fun. In part, because they are fun to look at – the comical proportion gives you something to talk about as you move. Also, they take you places you couldn’t otherwise go, and they do it in style. Muddy trails, snow, sand - fat tires make riding on unstable surfaces possible.
Why Go Electric?
Maybe you are sold on the fat tires, but not sure why you need an electric motor. Put simply; an electric bike will take you farther than most people go on their own power. The days of worrying about balancing out your ride, so you have the energy to get back home are over when you own an e-bike.
Also, you may ride more, making an electric bike a good fitness tool. Bike riding is a low-impact aerobic exercise that is good for your heart. Even on an electric bike, more rides mean more pedaling and more exercise.
They keep you riding, too. One benefit of having an electric bike is getting a little push when you are facing a hill or high winds. You simply turn on pedal-assist and keep riding. On a regular bike, you might have to turn around.
The Fat Tire Electric Bike Power Combo
There are clear benefits to both fat tires and electric motors on bikes, so why not combine them. Fat tires allow you to ride on terrain that is challenging. The electric motor adds even more power as you move through snow, mud, or hilly areas. It is a comfortable way to ride whether you commute each day or just go out for fun on the weekends.
Best Rated Fat Tire E-Bikes for 2022
Some fat tire e-bikes are better than others like any bike, though. Consider five of the top-rated fat tire e-bikes for 2022.
2. Aventon Aventure - Four and a Half Stars
The Aventon Aventure has a few features that make it stand out, as well. That starts with its powerful 720W Bafang rear hub motor and 720Wh fully-integrated battery. Big motor and big battery mean a heavy bike, though. The Aventure weighs in at 73 very heavy pounds. It does have a full-color LCD, metal fenders, a Shimano Acera gear, and hydraulic brakes, though, making it an impressive option if you don’t mind the weight.
The LCD display syncs with Aventon’s mobile app. You can sync your rides to the Aventon app to share them with your friends. You may even connect your smartphone through a USB.
The downside to this bike is its weight. You’ll find this e-bike is heavier than other similar models.
Features of this e-bike include:
- The full-color, backlit LCD display
- 720Wh battery
- 720W Bafan rear hub motor
- Front suspension
- Fenders
- Integrated lights
- Pedal assist and throttle modes
- Shimano Acera gear
- Hydraulic brakes
- 300lb weight capacity
3. Rad Power Bikes RadRover 5 – Four Stars
Like the Aventon Aventure, the RadRover 5 from Rad Power Bikes comes with a big rear hub motor. That is both a pro and a con. A big motor does give you more power, but it is also heavier. The e-bike weighs in at 69 lbs.
This is the flagship bike from Rad Power, so it has some impressive features like a 48V, 14Ah lithium-ion battery that gets 45 plus miles on a single charge.
With this fat tire e-bike, you also get 4-inch puncture-resistant tires along with a large backlit LCD screen. The throttle set up makes it easy to take off quickly, even if you are carrying a heavy load. Reviewers state this bike also has a comfortable saddle, making long rides easier.
The biggest downside to the RadRover 5 is its lack of diversity. It comes in only one frame size. Reviewers also state the mechanical disc brakes don’t have the stopping power you get with hydraulics.
Features of this e-bike include:
- 750W motor
- 48V, 14Ah lithium-ion removable battery
- Long battery life
- Extra fat tires
- Upgradeable battery
- Backlit LCD screen
- Front and rear lights
- Removeable battery
- Fenders
- Adjustable kickstand
- 275-lb weight capacity
4. QuietKat Ranger – Three and a Half Stars
If you are looking for an e-bike with an outdoorsy feel, this might be the one for you. The QuietKat Ranger is made for the back roads. It is built for those who want transportation while hunting or camping.
It has an SRAM 7-speed gearbox, Tektro mechanical disk brakes, and a built-in rear rack, giving it a total carrying capacity of 325 lbs. You may also pick between 750W and 1,000W motor configurations, which is common in the emerging hunting e-bike market. That kind of power is helpful on rough terrain or while towing stuff, but keep in mind that local and state rules may limit e-bike motors to 750W, so pay attention to where you ride.
The Ranger also has a quiet motor, which fits in with the whole hunting concept. Despite that quiet, this e-bike can take you just about anywhere you want to go. It has enough torque to haul a trailer, too.
The Ranger also offers a newer model with a small motor. The Ranger 5.0 has a 5oo watt hub-drive motor if you find 750 or 1,000 watts a little too aggressive.
The Ranger is available in three sizes (S, M, and L) and can be customized with a variety of attachments like racks and trailers. It has a 556.8Wh battery for a reasonable range and weighs 65 lbs.
Features of this e-bike include:
- Choice of motor sizes – 500, 750, or 1,000W556.8Wh battery
- Lifetime frame warranty
- Impressive torque
- 7-speed drivetrain
- 325 lb. weight limit
- 5-levels of pedal-assist including pedal, throttle, or walk-assist modes
- Mozo coil suspension fork
- Tektro mechanical disc brakes
Reviewers did have a few complaints, however. First, they state the battery is a little small, considering the large motor options. Also, they state the frame paint scratches off easily. That is a problem considering this is a bike meant for difficult terrains.
5. Biktrix Juggernaut Classic - Three Stars
In fifth place is Biktrix’s Juggernaut Classic. This fat tire e-bike offers a 750W mid-drive motor along with a sizeable 840Wh semi-integrated battery. The Juggernaut also has all the features you'd expect from a fat-tire e-bike, such as a rear rack and fenders, lights, and an LCD display.
Features of this e-bike include:
- 750W mid-drive motor
- 840Wh semi-integrated, upgradeable battery
- Dual piston hydraulic brakes
- Shimano 9-speed transmission
- Integrated front light
- 265 lb maximum weight capacity
You can find out more about the benefits of fat tire e-bikes by visiting the SixThreeZero website today.
