Fat tire vs Standard for first e-bike? (Ride1Up Versa)

Posted by Baagley@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 15 comments

Hi all, I’m looking into buying my first e-bike out of college and after a couple days of research the Ride1Up Versa has the most appealing features for myself. The biggest thing that sets it apart to me is the ability to have a passenger, competitive to similar bikes like the Aventon Adventure 3.

I’ve never had a fat-tire bike before and am trying to figure out if my use will justify the extra $100. I live in a town with very, very snowy winters (northern Midwest USA) and would like something to use year-round. Any insight to this would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

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kevendo@reddit

I have ridden a fat tire year round for two years (Northern climate with heavy snow) and think the smaller tires (2.5 inch) would actually be more nimble on snow and ice. Fat tires need lower inflation on ice and you pay the price in battery efficiency. I've looked at the Vorsa myself and may get one as an upgrade. I love my ebike, but something more manageable and powerful without the inefficiency of fat tires would be very nice.

Stick with the non-FT, IMO.

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bipolarpsych7@reddit

Fat tires are only good for heavy off-roading. They make some slicker road tires for fat-tire, but it just isnt worth it. They corner like crap especially at high speeds and theyre a bit heavier. They provide some suspension to a degree, but if youre mainly riding paved surfaces ... not a good choice.

You can buy chains for your standard tires when it snows so you get better traction on thinner snow/ice.

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BodSmith54321@reddit

Get the regular Vorsa. You can put a passenger seat on it as well.

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Famous_Earth_8460@reddit

This guy has the right idea.

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Famous_Earth_8460@reddit

From someone who bought a fat tire ebike, dont. Look for something in the 35mm-40mm tire range and they will do fine in snow. Yes fat tires do a bit better but suck at everything else. The main issue in winter is the ice, which everything sucks on.

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Famous_Earth_8460@reddit

To explain a little further. I live in SE SD. So probably similar winters. My gravel ebike is way lighter, the battery lasts much longer, its faster and I can hit single tracks much easier. The only pro to the fat tire is it is 15%ish better on snow and sand if you deflate the tires quite a bit which further decreases the battery life.

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ALLSID@reddit

Vorsa is such a great bike. I’d skip the fatties.

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sverrebr@reddit

Fat tires allow you to ride on snow provided you reduce pressure a lot.

They pretty much suck on anything else, steering gets a lot more squirrely as the front wheel pulls into turns and it is heavier and wider, which makes it less comfortable to ride. The tires act as bouncy balls not dampers, so they are not a replacement of proper suspension components.

Unless your winter use involves actual riding over deep snow on areas that are not cleared (I.e. off road) studded tires on a normal dimension wheel is just better.

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weregeek@reddit

I'll add that while fat tires float on sandy or snowy surfaces, that in mixed conditions it makes them a hazard. I prefer narrower tires when there's any chance of slush, because wide tires float on the slush and causes a tendency for the front tire to wash. Meanwhile, narrow studded tires cut through to the pavement underneath.

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Baagley@reddit (OP)

alright I’m convinced thank you!

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bacon_and_eggs@reddit

I have the aventure 3. I got an ebike mainly for commuting, I have a 20 mile trip (each way). I know there were probably other options for the distance, but I'm honestly very happy with the fat tire bike. The roads in my area (northeast us) are full of potholes and cracks. Its never a smooth ride. I also like to take different paths like fire roads when I can, so knowing I could ride over anything was key.

it definitely is heavy, but since its an ebike I don't mind it as much.

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