PSA - Watch Before Buying a Fat Tire Ebike
Posted by Inciteful_Analysis@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 49 comments
TailHappy has done extensive reviews, he knows what he is talking about. Don't buy the hype.
The Truth about FAT Tire Ebikes: Sidestep the Bullshđź’©
mickeyaaaa@reddit
PSA Don't buy a SUV, they corner like crap on the racetrack.
My point is one isnt better than the other, its about where your priorities lie. Safety and comfort vs efficiency....among other things
Milters711@reddit
Video makes lots of good points, but I love my fat tires.
I rely on it year-round in upstate NY with a fair bit of snow, ice, rain and terrible road quality.
If I lived in a larger urban area or dryer/warmer climate then I would go with normal tires.
Surly Pugsley + Bafang middrive
OgreTrax71@reddit
I’m a big guy (6’7”, 345 lbs), and after going fat tire, I can’t go back. It just feels so much more stable, especially around corners.
bustex1@reddit
It seems that the range is reduced by 10-20% allegedly for fat tires but “Modern tire technology has narrowed this gap through advanced rubber compounds and tread patterns. High-quality fat tires now include low-resistance center treads with more aggressive side patterns, giving reasonable efficiency on smooth surfaces while maintaining off-road capability.”
If you’re not lifting the bike and don’t mind how fat tires handle doesn’t seem like a lot of downsides.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Using the same technology, fat tire bikes will always have more rolling resistance. Even worse, wider tires generate substantially more noise. The extreme weight also severely limits rack choices in transportation. It's more than just a numb steering feel; The bikes are genuinely difficult to maneuver on single track trails. But the ads show them as conquering all manners of rugged terrain which is complete BS.
bustex1@reddit
Thought noise was really dependent on tire pattern. Those off road tires are SUPER noisy compared to road tires no matter the size. Sure they have more resistance but if you can’t make a trip because of a 10% lack of range you probably need a whole different bike not tires.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Yes, tread patterns make a huge difference in noise. knobby off-road patterns generate more noise. But even with identical tread patterns, a wider tire will make substantially more noise.
bustex1@reddit
Yes I think the point I’m making is the range is supposedly 10-20% range impact. For fat tire bikes that can go 40 miles and the rider only needs 10 miles it makes little difference for them to go to the skinny tires. I’m not arguing fat tires are in any way more efficient.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Sure, if you aren't getting anywhere near your range limit, and the motor is doing most of the work to keep you at speed, the rolling resistance becomes moot. But the extra noise is still annoying.
bustex1@reddit
Weird how the video doesn’t mention noise at all.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
If that's the case, he missed it.
bustex1@reddit
Again you seem to have this agenda against fat tire bikes. Nobody said they make less noise. Unusual the guy who “knows what he’s talking about” missed such a “annoying” detail.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
You seem resistant to the obvious fact that a wider tire makes more noise despite my Googling it for you. You can run along, you are wasting my time.
Top-Watercress5948@reddit
You’re wasting your own time because you want your subjective view to be validated as fact, which isn’t happening and is why you’re being downvoted. Literally nobody here gives a shit how many more decibels louder a 4” tire is compared to a 2” tire. There are pros and cons to both depending on application, and for street riding which the vast majority of us here are doing, fat tires have more pros unless you have little baby ears that will bleed from the sound of tires contacting pavement. Get over yourself.
ThriftianaStoned@reddit
I dont know what this noise you keep bringing up is as I've owned 2 fat tire electric bikes, and they were both whisper quiet.
mld321@reddit
I run these:these
Inflated to 35 psi, super quiet and low rolling resistance. No one hears me coming :D
lifesatripthenyoudie@reddit
I get your points, and some are valid, but it's all subjective to the individual. Coming from a lifetime of riding dirt bikes, I have no problem getting my class III FS 26x4 fat tire around single track at any speed. It's 80 pounds with the dual 17Ah batteries on it but I can get 60 miles on a charge, all off-road and with hills. And I can easily lift it onto the hitch rack I found which is wide enough and rated for the weight.
In many cases you don't need a fat tire, and you do make some sacrifices with them, I agree. But in my case, and many others as well, it's still the way to go; no regerts!
Top-Watercress5948@reddit
It’s almost as if each tool has its own use for specific jobs. So tired of elitists in this sub claiming their opinions reign supreme. Guess what fat tire e-bikes are great for? Riding around town. Guess what slim tire e-bikes are great for? Tails and tighter maneuvers. Guess what’s the best ebike? The one you’re like that fits your specific needs. Not everybody is riding rugged terrain. Some people exclusively ride on city streets. What a wack post.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Using the same technology, fat tire bikes will always have more rolling resistance. Even worse, wider tires generate substantially more noise. The extreme weight also severely limits rack choices in transportation. It's more than just a numb steering feel; The bikes are genuinely difficult to maneuver on single track trails. But the ads show them as conquering all manners of rugged terrain which is complete BS.
whatsmyname81@reddit
My son would only accept a fat tire ebike when I bought him his own. I wanted to just buy another Aventon Level 2 for him since we've had such a good experience with the two our family shares already, but nooooo lil homie needed fat tires or nothing, so I went for it because I didn't realize how much different it would be to work on than my other bikes.
I work on my own bikes, most of which are just regular bikes (I'm primarily a road cyclist, also do a little gravel), and I've worked on plenty of bikes for friends as well (road, gravel, mtb, bmx) but that fat bike is the bane of my existence. I had to set it up tubeless because changing the tubes out was such a production. Standard tire levers don't work well with tires that size. It's heavy. The battery life is hot garbage compared to the Level 2's so we had to add a second battery. It's almost impossible to fit in the racks on the front of city buses, and is harder to lift into them. I do not enjoy this thing.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Level 2 is such a nice bike too. What a shame. I've had excellent results with Slime sealant in inner tubes. Can go over a year without a flat instead of one every week.
whatsmyname81@reddit
I always forget about that since it adds weight (road and gravel cycling prioritizes lightness, which is why tubeless became so popular in those spaces, and therefore my go-to thing) but it's actually a great idea for ebikes. They're heavy anyway so the difference slime makes is negligible. If I set them up with tubes again at any point, I'm definitely going to do slime. Maybe when he takes this thing to college, I'll set it up that way.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Yep. And all those expensive accessories for road bikes that cost 3x as much to shave off a few grams are pointless on ebikes. Or for that matter paying extra for XTR components which are primarily just lighter.
whatsmyname81@reddit
For sure!! I put all my cheap heavy bottle cages and stuff on the ebikes when I got lighter ones for my road and gravel bikes. lol
Exciting_Turn_9559@reddit
Fat tire bikes are to ebikes as pavement princesses are to trucks.
Fashion is the main reason people buy them, not utility.
nobullshitebrewing@reddit
That fkhead can take my Rift outta my cold dead hands. Shitty streets are more than enough reasons for fat tires. Do 80 and 90 miles runs easily. I dont care about weight,, I'm not picking up and driving my bike anywhere.
I dont care what some hippy dont like
shambahlah2@reddit
I love mine. The crack and seams in my city on the streets and paths are killers on regular tires. I’ve fallen 4 times on regular 1.75” tires. Zero times on 4.8”.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Fair. But 1.75" is like a gravel bike tire. An ordinary MTB tire that's 2.5" is unlikely to have too many issues.
gottatrusttheengr@reddit
XC riders with 2.2" tires happily do 3ft drops lol
IdidntWant2come@reddit
legit, but I mean shouldn't this be common knowledge if you are going to be cycling? It just surprises me how people do not have a basic understanding of anything. Physics... But in this cases ebike they just think they can hop on and go forever without ever doing anything. Like it doesn't even cross their mind to that it's a machine that requires some maintenance and or adjustment from time to time. Sorry off topic but yeah bigger heavier etc has pros and cons..
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
I think the marketing departments of the major brands mislead new ebike buyers with the offroad ruggedness image of fat tire ebikes. When in reality, they are horrible on actual mountain bike trails.
bbshdbbs02@reddit
I wouldn’t ride my fat tyre 26 inch ebike anywhere but the road because it’s horrible off road due to the budget suspension.
Oghemphead@reddit
Have you tried deflating the tires? My Ozark trail ebike has a terrible front suspension but deflating the tires seems to make a huge difference running 11 psi.
bbshdbbs02@reddit
The tyres say 20 maximum so I run 17psi or thereabouts.
Oghemphead@reddit
Try running 11 or 12 time it makes a big difference. I had zero confidence mountain biking with a higher PSI.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Yes, for many brands/models, the suspension is just a checkbox item offering no real improvement.
bbshdbbs02@reddit
It works to smooth out the odd bump in the street here and there but that’s it. Not much travel in the forks.
snowy_vix@reddit
They don't advertise fat ties for mtb trails, though? Every ad i see for them is for hunters, fishers, and bikepackers.
Plus I like my fat tire for the fact I have to deal with several rail crossings
BodSmith54321@reddit
There is a reason real mountain bikes are not fat tire. Fat tire adds a little more cushion and better in snow and sand (if that is your thing). You are much better off spending more on a better fork than fat tires for off-road.
Objective-Yam3839@reddit
What do you do if you already have a fat tire bike? Conversion seems like more trouble than it’s worth.Â
BodSmith54321@reddit
Enjoy it! It’s still fun.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Yes, agreed. Although the extra cushion does not begin to compensate for jarring induced by the uncontrolled mass.
OK_Compooper@reddit
I have a Super73, a RadRover and a RadCity. The last has the thinnest tires. Yes, it's easier to ride around, especially with motor off. But with motor on, it all disappears. The RadRover is more fun to ride for me: on street, paved bike trails, hardpack bike/walking trails (plenty around here) and cutting across grass when I need to. I just have more fun on the fat tire bike.
If I'm not pedaling too much, the Super73 is the one that makes me smile like a kid every time I'm on it. And it's not bad for the odd flat pedaling. I ride with my son on it to the local parks, or to get pastries, and it's fun. He loves the dirt trails. Team fat tire all the way.
DoubleOwl7777@reddit
fat tires have their use, namely sand, snow, mud and deep gravel. but 90% of fat bikes out there arent used in these conditions. its just to cater to people that think "oh its burly, it must be so good" when it really isnt. there is a reason why bikes that are actually used off road dont have fat tires.
martymcgoo@reddit
I cycle around Fife in Scotland and am 60 yrs old,the roads are atrocious and pothole-tastic and fat tyres along with front and rear suspension make it easy on my old ass and back.I won’t be going down any trails apart from the odd small dirt track out of town.Theres something to be said for all types of e-bikes,horses for courses as they say.Happy cycling and wear a helmet chaps!
cajunjoel@reddit
You gotta take issue with the guy doing the review. He seems to be an off-roader who has a specific need for his e-bike, you know, one that most of us don't need. Fat tires aren't for him. Fine. But spending 13 minutes disparaging a design choice that might be helping get people into e-bikes and out of cars is not really helpful.
My Sinch 2 that I got two weeks ago has ginormous tires. I commute to work on it. I charge the battery daily. You know? I frickin' love riding it. And you know what else? I'm not crammed into a subway car like a sardine. I'm saving tons of money over the long haul. I'm having fun. I'm outside.
Fact is, there is no "truth" about this. Just personal preference and, sadly, what sells.
kamaka71@reddit
If you want a decent electric fat bike, buy a real fat bike and a 120mm bbshd and build it yourself. Bonus points for tubeless.
stormdelta@reddit
Yeah, I struggled a lot on whether to go with fat tire or not when I did a recent upgrade, and ultimatedly opted out of it in part for the reasons in the video.
I was doing DIY, and the other issue I ran into is that fat tire parts from reputable vendors were a lot more expensive in addition to being much heavier. And a lot of fat tire frames made it difficult to use the gear ratios I wanted unless I looked for e-bike specific frames that cost even more.
I also test rode a number of bikes, and honestly fat tire vs larger MTB tires really didn't make a big difference in ride comfort, especially at lower PSI.
Chillwindow@reddit
I ride in the city with tram/metro lines so I can ride without worry I'll hit one and fall.
When folded, I can fit mine in the back of my estate/wagon car without the seats folded down.
I had a 29er hardtail, the fat tires and full suspension makes it so much nicer to ride than other bikes.
Yes it's heavy but I do find it nice to ride and practical.
The only issue is the supply of the rear wheel parts are scarce and you don't have a choice of big brands or cheap, most parts are cheap.
This is my experience of my 20 inch fat tire bike.