Has there ever been a time when you saw a fat bike from your car window and thought, “Why don’t I own this cool, rugged bike?”
If you have been mulling over the subject of whether to invest in a fat bike or not or if you don’t know which fat bike to go for, then this is for you.
Simply put, fat bikes are those with 4” to 5” wide tires. These were designed to ride on difficult surfaces like sand, snow, mud, and desert. The wide surface area of the tires helps in increasing the grip and soak up the bumps of thumps of challenging terrain.
Initially, adventure aficionados who loved biking in rugged terrains used to be the few ones who owned a fat bike, but these days, lots of bikers use the fat bike to explore trails and mountains. Fat bikes are even used on urban roads.
And, that’s probably a good thing. With an increase in demand, the manufacturers are trying to design and construct fat bikes that are affordable for the masses and also trying to make them lighter in weight. If you have ever ridden a fat bike before, you would know that they are considerably heavy, and if they got any lighter, it would just make them more perfect.
Comparison Chart
ECOTRIC 500W Electric Bike Adults 26″ Ebike Fat Tire Bicycle 36V Powerful 12.5AH Removable Lithium Battery Fork Suspension Snow Beach Mountain E-Bike Shimano 7-Speed UL Certified (Black)
Qazqa 26 Inch Fat Tire Disc Brakes Mountain Bike, Bicycle for Teens Youths Adults, Men & Women, 21 Speed Gears Cycle Shimano Shifter Full Suspension MTB Bikes, Lightweight Steel Aluminum Frame
DJ Fat Bike 750W 48V 13Ah Power Electric Bicycle, Matte Black, LED Bike Light, Suspension Fork and Shimano Gear,
Mongoose Malus Adult Fat Tire Mountain Bike, 26-Inch Wheels, 7-Speed, Twist Shifters, Steel Frame, Mechanical Disc Brakes, Silver/Red
Best Fat Bikes under 2000 & Reviews
1. ECOTRIC Fat Tire Electric Bike
If you thought finding an electric fat bike that’s affordable and a great ride was difficult, we have some good news for you. The ECOTRIC is a sturdy machine with fat tires that provide premium traction.
The frame is crafted using aluminum, which is durable and lightweight. It comes 90% assembled, but it’s slightly tricky to adjust the bike according to individual preferences.
The 26” by 4” fat tires are ideal for riders who want to explore the snow, sand, or the bumpy terrains. The frame is suitable for tall riders, 5’11” and above.
The bike’s weight is 55 pounds, making it pretty heavy. But, the motor makes up for it. The 500W rear hub motor is quiet and powerful, and it can easily reach up to 20mph.
ECOTRIC features a 36v Li-Ion battery that powers its motor. It lasts for about 50 miles if you use the pedal assist mode, and for 19 miles approximately if you use the throttle mode. The battery is removable, making it convenient to charge. It takes about 5-8 hours to charge the battery fully.
Featuring the Tektro Novela mechanical disc brakes at the front and rear wheels, the braking system is robust and has precise stopping power.
The ECOTRIC has an S900 LCD controller that assists the rider to set his preferences and provides information about the battery charge, speed, odometer, motor watts, and level of assistance.
The bike has five different modes, depending on the amount of power you need your motor to provide you with.
Pros
- Powerful motor that makes hill climbing very easy
- Five modes of assistance
- Inexpensive, compared to other electric fat bikes
Cons
- A lot of time needed to recharge the battery fully
- Braking is difficult in muddy terrain
Our Verdict: ECOTRIC is a fantastic budget electric fat bike. It provides excellent value for money. It makes for a heavy ride, but the powerful motor makes up for it. With five modes of assistance, it caters to all your riding needs.
2. Qazqa 26 Inch Fat Tire Mountain Bike
The Qazqa is constructed using the 6061 aluminum alloy that is lightweight, strong, and durable.
For a fat bike, it is quite light, weighing about 35 pounds. It has super-wide, knobby 26” x 4.9” tires that provide maximum traction on challenging terrains. The tires are bouncy, and they absorb the thumps and shocks of the bumpy trails.
Equipped with a Shimano hydraulic brake system for the front and rear wheels, the Qazqa assures incredible stopping power. Your fat bike requires a great braking system that can lend you maximum control over your bike.
With 10-speed SRAM RD-GX derailleur and SL-GX shifter, the bike promises powerful riding and smooth shifting.
According to the reviews, the assembly is straightforward. However, extensive tuning is required before riding the bike.
Pros
- The hydraulic brake system
- Lightweight, weighing about 35 pounds
Cons
- Extensive tuning required before riding
Our Verdict: The Qazqa is versatile when it comes to riding on varied terrains. It works well on both sand and snow, owing to its fat 4.9” tires. The tires might be bouncier than the 4” ones, but they handle the rough terrain better. The bike is slightly expensive compared to entry-level fat bikes, but the hydraulic brake system is a huge plus.
3. DJ Electric Fat Bike
The DJ electric fat bike is a versatile machine that serves well on urban as well as off-road too. It has managed to pass the UL 2848 tests, which are supposed to have the highest standards for safety and quality.
The bike is constructed using the aircraft-grade aluminum that is sturdy and can handle tricky terrain. It is on the heavier side, weighing about 58 pounds. But, considering it is a fat bike with additional electronic components, it is natural for it to be heavy.
The 26” x 4” fat tires are perfect for maneuvering the surfaces you can’t generally explore with a regular bike. The floatation of the low-pressure tires are great for soft surfaces like sand and snow.
The advantage of fat tires is that they soak up the bumps, and you feel as if you are ‘floating’ on the surface, even without suspension. The Mozo suspension fork adds to the absorption power of the bike considerably, making DJ a comfortable ride.
To compensate for the heaviness, the bike is fitted with a powerful Bafang brushless 750W battery that is quiet and can make your bike go up to 20mph.
Equipped with a 48V lithium battery, the bike can be easily charged on or off the bike. The charging time is about 4 hours, which is lesser than that of most fat bikes.
The Tektro brakes have excellent stopping power so that you can control the beast. The LED display giving information on the battery power, assistance mode, etc., is user friendly, and easy to read.
For smooth gearing, the DJ features a 7-speed Shimano gear, and it can let you choose from the five modes of assistance. Most riders prefer the pedal-assist since it is a good way to workout and saves up battery life too.
Pros
- Has passed the UL tests for safety and quality
- Powerful 750W battery
- Less recharge time of 4 hours
Cons
- Heavy, weighing about 58 pounds
- Not suitable for people with a smaller frame
Our Verdict: The DJ is a fantastic bike that is safe, sturdy, and made with high-quality components. It is equipped with a powerful motor that gives you a push to tour places you haven’t before. The battery life is long and recharges quickly. It can go upto 20mph on the pedal-assist mode and can reach even higher speeds on the throttle mode. Providing great value for money, it’s a bike you can safely invest in.
4. Mongoose Malus Fat Tire Bike
If you are new to the world of fat bikes and don’t want to spend a lot, this is one of the good options amongst the low-budget fat bikes. Mongoose manages to make affordable fat bikes that are also popular amongst novice riders.
Malus has a steel frame with fat, knobby 4” tires with alloy rims that are light and durable. There is plenty of clearance for you to ride on any terrain.
With 7-speeds, Malus has a Shimano rear derailleur. People who own bikes know that Shimano is one of the best in the biking industry.
It has a drivetrain of 1×7 and features mechanical disc brakes in the front and rear, which gives it an immense stopping power.
Although it is quite heavy and weighs about 42 pounds, it’s sturdy, functional, and provides good value for the money.
It’s hard to find a fat bike that is inexpensive and serves its purpose too. With the Malus, you can get your hands dirty with the thrill of fat-biking without burning a hole in your pocket.
You won’t have to lock away your bike in the garage with the onset of winters anymore. You have this beast to conquer any terrain, be it snow, sand, or mud.
Pros
- Easy assembly
- Fitted with a threadless headset for easy adjustment
Cons
- Uncomfortable seat post
- Pretty heavy for some
Our Verdict: A great entry-level fat bike, Malus is sturdy, practical, and an excellent bike to invest in if your budget is tight. The low-pressure inflation that lends the knobby tires its floatation makes for a comfortable ride that absorbs the shocks and bumps of the terrain. If you love the idea of fat biking but haven’t tried before, you should buy the Malus before investing in an expensive fat bike.
5. Addmotor MOTAN Electric Bike
One of the best bikes under $2000, the Addmotor Moton, is designed keeping both the male and female body frame in mind.
It has a low rise top tube that makes it easier for the rider to mount and dismount. It is fit for riders who are 5’6” to 6’5” tall.
Motan has fat, knobby 26” x 4” tires that promise the ‘floatation’ that every fat bike rider demands. The bike works great on challenging surfaces, absorbing the shocks and bumps easily.
Built using the 6061 aluminum frame, this fat bike is sturdy and functional. It weighs about 67 pounds, making it bulky.
However, it has a powerful 750W Bafang brushless motor affixed to the rear hub, which powers the bike and helps it reach speeds up to 30mph. The motor power is something that makes it stand out and supports about 350 pounds of weight.
The 48V 11.6Ah battery provides the bike with the power to go upto 40 to 50 miles between charges. The torque generated even allows the bike to manage a 60-degree ascent. It takes the battery about 3 to 4 hours to charge fully, which is relatively less compared to other e-bikes.
The drivetrain provides 7 gears for its speeding options. The speeds are all well-ratioed and hence provide ample efficiency in high and low gear settings, which can be achieved using a Shimano shifter. All the components are Shimano TX55.
The heavy-duty Tektro dual mechanical brakes provide the bike with precise stoppage and maximum control over this beast.
The bike provides three working modes: Normal bike, an e-bike with full throttle and pedal assist mode. It has variable speed control so that the rider has complete command over the bike.
The bike is fitted with a 5-inch LCD monitor that helps you keep track of the settings. It has a sturdy back rack to carry essentials without any hassle.
Pros
- Excellent torque for a steep ascent
- Adjustable seat post
- Fast speeds of upto 40 to 50 mph
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
- You can’t fully lock the front shock
Our Verdict: The Motan is a great bike that provides value for the money. The powerful battery is a highlight that helps the rider reach speeds up to 30mph. The battery life is long, lasting about 40 to 50 miles and recharges in 4 hours. The bike is comfortable, unisex, and highly functional. What’s best is that the bike can maneuver any kind of terrain, be it on-road or off-road.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Fat Bike
Fat Bikes are expensive, which is why it’s crucial to invest after thorough research, and only after knowing what you exactly want. There are some things you should keep in mind before you pick your fat bike.
Width of the Tires & Floatation
It’s very tempting to own a fat bike with the fattest of tires. But, it’s vital to know what kind of terrain you’d be riding on, to decide on the width of tires you’ll require. Most riders prefer the 4” tires since they are ideal for most terrains. You should go for the 5” ones if you are genuinely going to ride on the harsh terrains most of the time. The fatter the tire, the more the bounce. It can become uncomfortable over long distances.
Weight of the bike
If you’ve decided to invest in a fat bike, you already know they are all heavy. But depending on your frame and body, you need to determine what weight you are comfortable with. A heavier bike is harder to maneuver. Comfort is the most important if you want to enjoy biking.
Motor Capacity
If you want to buy an electric fat bike, the motor capacity is essential. An electric fat bike is heavier than a regular one because of the electrical components. The motor has to be good enough to power the bike for longer distances and give a consistent performance.
Brakes and Gearing
Different brakes work differently depending on the terrain that you frequently ride on. For colder climates, mechanical disc brakes work well. Hydraulic brake systems work better for warmer climates like desert tours. If you want a hydraulic braking system for colder regions, you should go for the ones that use DOT fluid instead of mineral oil.
When it comes to gearing, with the increased weight of your camping essentials and wider rims and tires, a low gear will be more suitable. The gearing needs to suit the diameter of your wheel size.
Final Verdict
Fat bikes are a rage these days. When you leave your home on these big, fat beasts, you are sure to turn heads and get approving glances. You no longer have to lock away your bike in the winter and can easily enjoy a beach-side ride with these beauties.
Fat bikes are a great way to get some exercise and also satiate the explorer in you. Be it those mountain trails that you’ve always wanted to go on an adventure to, or the snow-clad peaks you wanted to ride on; these bikes will serve their purpose well!