Why Do Some Electric Bikes Have Fat Tires?

Unless we’re talking about a wallet, being called “fat” usually has unpleasant connotations. But when we’re talking about bike tires–especially electric bikes–it’s an excellent thing to be fat.

Like all wheeled modes of transportation, e-bikes come with various tire widths depending on the bike type and its intended purpose. Not all e-bikes have ultra-fat tires, but those built for trail riding, hunting, beach riding, or cross country have pretty wide tires.

Tires on a standard road bike are narrower than on an electric bike, starting at about 1.25” wide and up from there. E-bikes are heavier than a typical road bike and require a broader, high-quality standard tire of about 1.95” wide. Widths and go up from there to really fat tires of almost 5” wide.

Are E-Bikes With Fat Tires Better?

The fatter the tire on your e-bike isn’t necessarily better. They’re just different with pros and cons, like all bike components.

The Pros:

• A wider tire acts like additional suspension and will give you a smoother ride. Tire pressure can be anywhere from 30psi down to 7psi, depending on the terrain.
• Let’s you be adventurous and gives you excellent terrain options when you ride. Snow, shoreline, and muddy trails are all options for you–but not with skinny tires.
• Fat tires make your e-bike fun and easy to ride.
• Less vibration on your hands and lower back due to better shock absorption.
• Excellent for beginners. Fat tires help with control and balance for newbies helping them gain confidence.
• They are eye-catching and look cool!

The Cons:

• Wider tires will make your e-bike heavier.
• They are less maneuverable and agile.
• Often more expensive.
• When filled with lower air pressure, you will ride slower and drain the battery quicker.

When Should You Consider Fat Tires on Your E-bike?

You need to ask yourself a few questions:

1. What climate do you live and ride in? If you live in a four-season climate with snow and plan to ride in it–you need fatter tires.

2. Do you traverse bumpy, muddy, or uneven roads or terrain? You will feel much more comfortable riding with fatter tires due to the increased shock absorption.

3. Are you spontaneous? Do you like taking the back roads or riding along a rocky coastline? If you don’t want your back ruined, you need fat tires.

4. Do you go hunting or trail riding on your e-bike? You need fat tires.

If you’re a commuter mostly riding on well-maintained asphalt or concrete and ride long distances, standard tires will work better for you. If you have to lug the bike upstairs to an apartment, the extra weight and volume of fat tires will be a problem.

What Are Some Fantastic Electric Bikes With Fat Tires?

If you’re convinced that you need an electric bike with fat tires, we have a few cycles to look at. This is just a starting point. You need to look at more than just tires. The frame size, range, and price are all important factors too.

Here are a few suggestions from our review guide:

AddMotoR MOTAN M-66 R7 – With this sporty e-bike, you get the best of the moped and electric bike worlds. The Kenda Krusade Sport, 20’’ x 4’’ tires will give you a safe, smooth ride when pounding the pavement and also handle beach cruising without making any changes.

Quietkat Ranger – Mountain biking meets electric biking with this rugged beast. This ride sports some fat tires with the Kenda Juggernaut 26” x 4.5” tires. These tires were designed with trail riding in mind and will, in essence, double up on shock absorption paired with the robust suspension system.

iGO Electric Core Extreme 3.0– An entry-level price for an e-bike with mid to premium level equipment can be hard to find, but you found it here with the Core Extreme 3.0. The 26” x 4.5” Kenda Juggernaut Sport fat tires feature extra spacing between the knobs to provide better traction when the terrain is loose. The sporty black rims have cutouts for better compatibility with the motor.

Are you all-in on fat tires now? When you weigh out the pros and cons of fat tires, you will know if they are suitable for your routine destinations and riding style. It’s so freeing being able to ride anywhere at any time. That’s the bottom line with an electric bike sporting wide slick or knobby tires that can take you anywhere from the trail to the beach. Charge up, and get cruising!