For riders who want to extend their season or explore grounds traditionally unsuitable for cycling, Fat Bike opens up terrain and seasons. Here, we outline the best fat tire bikes of 2021.
The magic of fat bikes is that wide tires drive at low pressure and float on snow and sand, which is different from standard bicycle tires. In addition, high-fat tires are very stable, which can make novices more at ease, and wide and soft tires can also act as a suspension and absorb bumps on roads, trails, glaciers or beaches.
Fat tire bicycles look like mountain bikes with extra-wide tires, but there are usually additional mounts on the frame and fork that can carry bags and bottles for those who want to venture far away. Some also have suspension forks, droppers and other components, such as mountain bikes.
After several weeks of research and months of testing, we have found the best fat bike for every purpose and budget. And, if you need more help, be sure to check out the “Buyer’s Guide” and “FAQ” at the end of this article.
The best bike is the most interesting bike, and Why’s Big Iron serves as the cake. Riding feels like a modern mountain bike-playful, poppy and fast. Titanium Big Iron has 27.5-inch wheels, which are larger in diameter than the 26-inch wheels on most fat bikes. And the gap on the frame can accommodate 5-inch wide tires.
Titanium is almost half the weight of steel, has a better strength-to-weight ratio and excellent shock absorption performance than aluminum, which brings a unique silky feel to riding. Big Iron’s larger wheels (such as the 29er wheels on mountain bikes) absorb rough and uneven terrain better than the smaller wheels on most other fat bikes, although it takes some effort to speed up. The 5-inch tires provide this bike with excellent traction on soft snow and icy roads. When switching between tire sizes, the adjustable rear end allows us to adapt to the geometry.
This bicycle is a practical artwork, very suitable for skidding on the snow-covered monorail to complete the epic bicycle packing task. Just like modern mountain bikes, Big Iron has a wider range of action, with wide and short bars, which can be easily manipulated and provide better ride comfort during long-distance driving.
The adjustable release device adapts to different wheel sizes. And we can adjust the driving experience, from fast, flexible to long-term stability, to adapt to different tasks. The bike has an excellent standing height and can easily get on and off.
The frame design allows us to add a dropper column with maximum travel on Big Iron to simplify the technical terrain. However, there is still enough space to accommodate the frame bag for bicycle packing tasks. Internal cable routing means less maintenance, so no need to worry when we are far from the bike shop.
Why Cycles is so confident that you will fall in love with this bike, so it has a 30-day return guarantee for any reason. It starts at $3,999 and includes options for upgrades and dropper length.
If you mourn the end of the mountain biking season and spend a few days until you can bend into a single track again, then you will love this bike. Les Fat ($4,550) has the geometry and specifications of the most fashionable off-road motorcycle and is the closest thing to the enduro fat bike.
Pivot calls LES Fat “the most versatile large tire machine in the world.” It comes with 27.5-inch wheels and 3.8-inch tires, but is compatible with 26-inch and 29-inch wheels, making it a hard tail for four seasons, monorail, snow, and sand.
Take a look at the tires and you will see that this bike is different. Although most fat bikes have open tread tires with low lugs, Les Fat uses a wider configuration, the most popular mountain bike tire, Maxxis Minions. And, if you need more evidence to prove that this bicycle was made to make people noisy, please peek into the 180mm and 160mm brake rotors. They are the same size as a serious mountain bike.
In the mid-level body we tested, LES Fat was equipped with a 100mm Manitou Mastodon Comp 34 suspension fork. Although 100 mm does not look big, coupled with the inherent suspension of high-fat bicycle tires, but on snow, ice and mud it makes the bumps no longer. It is a fork designed to work perfectly in winter. Even on days when the toes were frozen in the heated boots, the fork never felt sluggish.
The frame of LES Fat is carbon fiber with brazing for three water bottles and a rear frame. Pivot uses a special molding process to eliminate excess material, so the frame is lightweight and precisely adjusted to achieve vertical compliance (comfort) and lateral stiffness (for power transmission). Moreover, we like the low Q factor bottom bracket to reduce our burden.
Suspension forks cannot hold bags or bottles, but our experience is that even without fork racks, there is enough space to store equipment on the hard tail.
This bike can be equipped with standard 29er mountain bike wheels and tires. If you need power while traveling and need some other options to climb hills, it is easy to change the transmission system from 1 to 2 times. For fat bikes in winter, even with smooth 1x, they also have a lot of gears to help us climb steep hills.
Although the 69-degree front tube angle is more like a cross-country bike than an endurance bike, it keeps the front wheel in contact and grips in snowy corners. When you change the wheel size, the Swinger II ejector will simultaneously adjust the length of the rear fork and the height of the lower bracket.
Framed’s Minnesota ($800) is one of the most affordable fat bikes you can buy, and it is a good choice for those who are curious about fat bikes and riders on a budget.
In Minnesota, you can go for a drive, take a tour, and then explore the backyard. No matter where you dream of, Minnesota will not stop you. It has a sturdy aluminum frame and front fork, and is equipped with a recently upgraded 10-speed Shimano/SunRace transmission system.
The 28-tooth front sprocket ring is smaller than the front ring of many fat bicycles, which reduces the gearing of the rear wheel. The geometry is comfortable and non-aggressive, so this bike is best suited for medium terrain.
Most fat bicycles have brackets for bags, bottles, shelves, etc. This has a rear rack mount. Therefore, if you plan to visit, please equip it with straps instead of bolts.
The 18-inch frame in Minnesota weighs 34 pounds and 2 ounces. Although not a high-end car, it is reasonably priced and almost indestructible. This is also a sharp steed. The bicycle has a single structure.
Rad Power Bikes RadRover ($1,599) is an extreme tire cruiser, mainly used for casual walks, beach parties, modified Nordic trails and winter commuting. This affordable and reliable electric bike uses 4 inches of rubber to provide extra power for cruising in sand and snow. It has a 750W gear hub motor and a 48V, 14Ah lithium ion battery. During the test, with pedal assistance, the bike can roll 25 to 45 miles per charge.
It is worth noting that the battery does not last long in a cold environment. Rad does not recommend riding this bike below -4 degrees Fahrenheit, because too low temperature can damage the battery.
RadRover’s seven-speed Shimano transmission system and 80Nm torque geared hub motor provide us with steep hills. Although the bike weighs 69 pounds, it allows us to accelerate quickly and quietly. This is a class 2 electric bike, so it will only help you accelerate by 20 mph. Yes, you can walk faster, and you might do this when downhill. But above 20 mph, the speed must come from your legs or gravity. After riding, the RadRover will charge within 5 to 6 hours after plugging into a standard wall socket.
Some fat bikes are designed for monorails, while other roads are rarely used. On railway trails and paved roads, this is even more at home. The upright geometry makes it an ideal bike for beginners. And because it also has a pedal assist with accelerator, riders who don’t have the stamina to extend the pedal can take risks. RadRover 5′s high-fat tires are very stable and help riders maintain confidence throughout the year.
Although this electric bicycle is not as fashionable as other electric bicycles (for example, Rad does not hide the battery in the tube) and only has one specification, this electric bicycle is practical, fun and affordable. Rad has a large selection of accessories, so you can dial according to your riding style. It comes with integrated lights and fenders. During the test, we added a top test tube bag and a rear bracket.
Although this bike is designed for riding in the snow, it works best in tight conditions. The clearance between the fender and the tire is very low, and snow will accumulate when powdered.
Otso’s Voytek has the geometry of off-road racing and can carry wheels of any size-from 26-inch wheels with 4.6-inch fat tires to 29-inch wheels and large or standard mountain bike tires-Otto’s Voytek is for bicycles Multifunctional tool. It can be used for riding, racing, traveling and various adventures throughout the year.
One of the biggest challenges of fat bikes is that long-distance riding can cause knee injuries. This is because the cranks of many fat bikes are much wider than the cranks of ordinary mountain bikes to accommodate 4 inches and wider tires.
Ossur’s Voytek has the narrowest crank width (called Q factor). The brand achieves this goal through customized eccentric chains, dedicated 1x transmission systems and creative chain designs. The result of this is that the bicycle will not put the least pressure on your knees and hands like the hard tail of a bicycle, because the feet will not open.
One of the reasons why Voytek is such an interesting and responsive ride is its fast, stable and flexible geometry. According to Otso, the top tube of this bike is longer, and the length of the chain is shorter than any fat bike. It is paired with a head tube angle of 68.5 degrees, which is looser than the head tube angle of many fat bikes to improve response speed, stability and racing feel. It also has a 120mm suspension fork, suitable for rugged terrain and riders who choose a second wheelset and run it as a hardtail mountain bike when driving under snow and sand.
This bike has a chameleon-like characteristic, from the adjustment chip at the foot of the rear tribe, the rider can change the Voytek wheelbase to 20 mm, while raising or lowering the bottom bracket by 4 mm. When the chipset is in the forward position, Voytek has a radical, responsive geometry, and has the feel of a competitive hard tail. Put the chips in the rear position, the bicycle is stable and maneuverable, easy to manage in the load or in the snow and ice. The middle position gives this bike an all-round feel.
There are more than ten ways to set up Voytek, and you can use the convenient tools on the Otso website to browse the options. Voytek can run wheel sizes-including 27.5-inch wheels and oversized MTB tires or 26-inch wheels and 4.6-inch fat tires-and Otso’s carbon fiber rigid front fork or suspension, with a maximum travel of 120 mm. Voytek’s EPS molded carbon fiber frame uses internally wired dropper posts.
The basic structure is equipped with a variety of gears on the Shimano SLX 12-speed transmission system. It is the lightest fat bike we have tested, weighing 25.4 pounds and starting at $3,400.
The best bicycle packing experience is when riding a light and stable bicycle, you can flexibly set up your favorite bicycle. This rack-mounted, geometrically adjustable, super configurable carbon fat bike can check all cases.
Mukluk’s high-modulus carbon fiber frame ($3,699) is light and strong, but it won’t ratt your teeth when braking bumps for countless miles along the Alaska highway. The carbon fiber layer makes the bicycle pedal effectively but also absorbs shock. We chose XT-build because Shimano components are sturdy and reliable, which is crucial in extreme weather. If something goes wrong, it is easy to find Shimano parts.
Bicycles have 26-inch rims and 4.6-inch tires, but the tires and wheels can be configured almost any way you want. The 45NRTH customizable tires provide us with incredible traction on every surface from sand to glacier ice. Because we usually ride fat bikes in winter, and our home roads are very cold, we immediately nailed them.
Mukluk is equipped with a full-carbon Kingpin luxury fork, which is lightweight and durable, and comes with accessory brackets for bags and bottles.
The bicycle has two exit position options-one is compatible with 26-inch wheels and 4.6-inch tires, which are included with the bicycle. The second position can accommodate larger wheels. For riders who want more control and a gradual change in the feeling of riding a bicycle, Salsa sells an infinitely adjustable trip kit.
Like Pivot LES Fat, Mukluk’s front tube angle is also very loose, at 69 degrees, and the Q-factor crank is narrow. The cables are routed internally to prevent wind and rain. Although these bicycles are 1x speed, they can also be set to 2x speed or single speed transmission system.
When fully loaded, Mukluk really caught our attention. The short rear fork makes the bike feel energetic, and even if we bring all the camping gear, the low bottom bracket is stable. Coupled with the slight immersion of the top tube, it makes getting on and off the bike easy. Mukluk’s center of gravity is lower than some bicycles. Even in soft conditions, the steering can respond.
Mukluk is equipped with 26 x 4.6 inch tires. For winter riding, we prefer larger wheels and tires, and we plan to exchange equipment on the bike before the next trip. Bonus: When fat tires are not needed, you can use 29er mountain bike wheels and 2.3-3.0 tires to run this bike. According to Salsa, the bike weighs 30 pounds.
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Lighter bicycles require less energy to pedal than heavy bicycles. Bicycles with many mounts allow you to equip bags and bottles for your bicycle packaging adventure. Despite its initial impact on wallets, more expensive bicycles usually have more durable and lighter parts.
You may be able to upgrade a cheaper bike, but it may end up costing more than when you started investing.
Depending on your local terrain, no matter the season, a fat bike may be all you need to absorb the bumps on the trail. Many fat bikes can use multiple sizes of wheels, including oversized mountain bike wheels and narrower tires, which may be more suitable for riding in the absence of snow or sand.
Most bicycles that can take multiple wheel sizes have been adjusted so that you can reposition the rear wheels to maintain a ride feel when switching wheel sizes. If fat tires affect your taste too much, please buy a second wheelset, and then you can change the fat bike according to the season or route.
The biggest difference between a fat car and a mountain bike is the Q factor. That is the distance between the outer surface of the crank arm, which determines the distance between the pedal and the foot when riding. If you have knee pain or knee injury, a bicycle with a lower Q factor may feel better, especially if you plan to ride for a longer period of time.
For many riders, fat tires run at low pressure, so no additional suspension is needed. If you plan to ride in Arctic temperatures, riding as simple as possible will enhance the riding experience. The special suspension fork for fat bikes is designed to work in cold temperatures.
If you plan to ride a fat bike with mountain bike wheels, then the front suspension will make riding on your arms, shoulders and back easier. Suspension forks can be added in the aftermarket of most fat bikes.
If you are riding in a technical field, you can also consider buying a fat bike with a dropper, or adding a dropper to a new or existing fat bike. The dropper will lower your center of gravity and allow you to move the bike below you when it becomes steep or tingling while riding. It also allows you to change position in any terrain.
The wider the tire, the more floats on the snow or sand. However, wider tires are heavier and have more resistance, called drag. Not all bicycles can be fitted with the widest tires. If you want the maximum float, make sure to buy a bike that can be ridden.
If you are going to ride a bike in icy conditions, studded tires make sense. Some tires are studded, you can nail some non-studded tires yourself. If your bicycle is not equipped with studs or stud-capable tires, you will need to replace them when you need to replace ice studs.
For snow and beach riding, running fat tires at very low pressure-we chose to set the tire pressure to 5 psi-will provide you with maximum traction and control. However, if you encounter rocks or sharp roots during driving, running at such a low pressure will make the inner tube of the bicycle tire fragile.
For technical riding, we want to put a sealant inside the tire instead of an inner tube. Ask your bicycle shop whether your tires are tubeless. To convert tires, you need to use dedicated fat tire rim strips, valves and sealants for each wheel, as well as tires compatible with tubeless tires.
There are advantages and disadvantages to the clamp-free pedals and the flat pedals. Plywood-free pedals may be more effective, but if you are riding in soft conditions such as sand and snow, they may become clogged and difficult to pinch in.
Using flat pedals, you can wear standard footwear, including well-insulated winter boots, instead of shoes that are not compatible with buckles. Although they are not efficient, they also allow for quick disassembly, which may be critical for wet conditions.
Buy a pump and its pressure gauge can accurately display at very low pressure. For winter riding and sand riding, you need to try tire pressure to see which pressure provides the best grip and control.
For example, if you increase the weight of your bicycle during a tour, the number will change. A good pump or pump plus a tire pressure checker will help you increase the pressure that your tires should withstand under various driving conditions.
Is there a favorite fat bike we missed? Let us know in the comments below to update this article in the future.
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Berne Broudy is a writer, photographer and adventurer based in Vermont. She is passionate about protection, education and entertainment, and has been committed to making outdoor activities a place where everyone welcomes gear and skills as an adult.
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