If you are a novice bike rider who is perplexed about buying a fat bike or do not know if the investment is worthy, this is for you. A fat bike is intrinsically an off-road bike that will help you maneuver difficult terrain with an ease you can only imagine.
You can ride a fat bike practically everywhere, especially in sand, snow and mud. If you live in rocky, mountainous terrain and have always wondered how to conquer the bumps and snow, a fat bike is the way forward.
Owing to the large tires that run at low pressure, you will feel as if your fat bike floats over soft surfaces like sand. Even without suspension, it will seem that the tires absorb the shocks and bumps of the surface.
If you have been looking to buy a fat bike to finally explore the unknown regions, you might have noticed that they are expensive. For an entry-level fat bike rider, it’s important to invest in the right bike, which is affordable and can give value for their money.
We’ve curated a list of fat bikes that you can look into before buying the perfect one!
Comparison Chart
Mongoose Dolomite Mens Fat Tire Mountain Bike, 26-inch Wheels, 4-Inch Wide Knobby Tires, 7-Speed, Steel Frame, Front and Rear Brakes, Navy Blue
Mongoose Aztec Mens and Womens Fat Tire Bike, 18-Inch Steel Frame, 26-Inch Wheels, 4-Inch knobby tires, Red
Best Entry-Level Fat Bikes & Reviews
1. Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike
What if your budget is tight and yet, you want a taste of fat biking? Mongoose’s insanely inexpensive Dolomite fat bike is a perfect choice for novice riders.
The bike features a standard steel frame, about 17” in size with a neutral riding position. The fork comes with slightly oversized tubing.
For riders of different heights, the threadless headset is adjustable. The frame is suitable for riders who are 5”6’ to 6” tall.
The Dolomite features a basic Shimano Altus rear derailleur with seven speeds, paired with a twist gear shifter, making the gear changes and shifts smooth.
It has front and rear mechanical disc brakes that have decent stopping power. You can always tune it up for better performance.
The bike is slightly heavy, weighing about 48 pounds but at the price that Mongoose offers, it’s a great trade-off.
The bike comes almost assembled, and according to the users, it’s very easy to assemble the rest of it.
The Dolomite has a lot of buyers and good reviews because of its super affordable price range and value for money that it provides. As an entry-level bike, it offers a lot more than one can expect.
Pros
- Provides great value for money
- Threadless headset for easy adjustability
Cons
- Does not work great on fresh snow
- Complaints of uncomfortable seating
Our Verdict: This bike is great if you aren’t sure about fat biking, but still want to try your hand at it. You can upgrade it to your liking and make it more suitable for you to ride. There aren’t a lot of fat bikes available at this price range, and hence, most of the entry-level riders often prefer this.
2. Mongoose Aztec Fat Tire Mountain Bike
We do not know how, but Mongoose manages to deliver great bikes at an affordable price range. It is great for riders who want to explore the territory of fat biking.
The entry-level Aztec has an aluminum body that reduces the weight of the already heavy fat bike considerably. It is durable and lighter compared to steel.
You can ride over sand, snow, rugged and super bumpy terrain, thanks to the knobby 4” fat tires and durable alloy rims. So, instead of being cooped up inside the house in winter, you can get great exercise on this fat bike, which is sure to be a lot of fun, too.
For crisp and powerful stopping power, the bike features dual mechanical disc brakes. It doesn’t matter what terrain you want to explore; you would have full control over your bike at any time.
For smooth shifting and gears, Aztec is equipped with 7-speed SRAM X4 trigger shifters, reliable Shimano/ SRAM X4 drivetrain and a sturdy three-piece alloy crank.
The bike is slightly on the heavier side, weighing about 44 pounds, but it’s an excellent option for novice riders who do not want to burn a hole in their pocket while experimenting with fat biking.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Easy to assemble
- Great value for money
Cons
- Not fun to ride on urban roads
Our Verdict: For bumpy terrain, this is a fun ride that’s easy on the pockets and would help you know if you enjoy the idea of fat biking. People who’ve bought this bike love the gearing and the experience of riding it on the mountains.
3. Elecony Godzilla Fat Bike
This rugged bike is for you if your budget is slightly higher. It’s a great entry-level bike, with a durable and light aluminum frame with hydroformed tubing.
The frame design is on the larger side, making it more suitable for people with a height of 5”7’ to about 6” feet tall.
It features a 120 mm travel RockShox Bluto fork which contributes a lot to the comfort of the bike, along with a smooth-shifting Shimano 2×10 drivetrain.
The high volume, low-pressure tires make the impossible terrain look easy to ride. The tires are 26” x 4.5”, and the bike can handle upto 5” wide wheels.
What’s great about this bike is that it has the Shimano M447 hydraulic brakes which are a notch above the mechanical disc brakes. They have better stopping power and less force is required to apply the lever.
The bike comes 85% assembled, and if you are good with the mechanics of it, it will take you under half an hour to set it up.
Pros
- Works well on fresh snow
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Rims are not tubeless ready
Our Verdict: The Elecony Godzilla is a high-end entry-level bike that people who’ve invested in, have loved. It’s slightly expensive but offers the hydraulic brake system, the Bluto fork and other features that make it a fantastic fat bike to own. It provides great value for money!
Things To Consider Before Buying A Fat Bike
Tires
It is essential to know what kind of terrain you want to ride on. Based on it, you’ll need to choose the tires, whether 4” or 5”. It is vital to measure the rims and select the tire appropriately. The ‘floatation’ of the tire depends on its thickness.
Most riders prefer the 4-inch tires since they work well on a variety of terrains. Although the 5” tires might seem tempting, you should go for them only if you have to ride the snow or sand most of the time. They are more sluggish and bouncy and would become not-so-fun very soon.
Suspension
Suspension in fat bikes is different from that of a regular mountain bike. Due to the thickness of the fat tires, you’ll notice that the bike can absorb shocks even without a suspension. Based on your budget and preferences, you should opt for the best quality suspension that’ll make for a comfortable ride.
Geometry & Frame
The geometry of the bike differs from model to model. Based on your height, body and weight, you should opt for a bike that’s the most comfortable. Most fat bikes are suitable for people above 5”7’ so if you are shorter; it might be slightly challenging to find a fat bike for your frame.
It’s also important to think of the frame material of the bike since it contributes to the weight of the bike. Fat bikes are heavier compared to regular bikes, and the choice of material becomes essential. Steel is heavier than aluminum but also cheaper. So, choose what fits your budget the best.
Brakes
Fat biking aficionados prefer the hydraulic brake system since it provides a lot more stopping power and efficiency than the mechanical disk brakes. But it also makes the bike more expensive.
Final Verdict
Choosing your first fat bike can be a little tricky, especially if you’ve never ridden one before and do not know if you are going to enjoy it. But, if you do enjoy biking, it won’t be a surprise that you’d love the thrill of exploring difficult terrains on a fat bike.
Fat bikes are enjoyable to ride and more comfortable to pedal than they look. It’ll make your dream of bikepacking come true.
And the eyeballs it’ll grab, that will never get old!