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Buying fat bikes can be very tricky but with the right guide and the right price range, you can definitely find one that is perfect for you. Fat bikes are so much better when you want to experience biking on mud or even snow! If you are seeking this kind of thrill, here are the biggest, best and easily accessible fat bikes you can get today.
Best Fat Tire Bikes 2021
Mongoose Dolomite
Mongoose is a leading bike company that produces not just the best mountain bikes but fat mountain bikes as well. This Mongoose Dolomite is perfect for your terrain-filled riding adventure. It has front and rear disc brakes for quick stopping. Equipped with Shimano 7-speed gear that will help you difficult trails, this bike is just one of the many good choices you can get.
Mongoose Dolomite features:
- Wheels are Schrader type at 26 inches
- Its bike frame is made of quality steel
- Comes with lightweight and adjustable alloy made threadless headset
- Fit to conquer sand, snow, rocks, mud and all terrain all year round
- Made with sport seat and three piece crank — perfectly matched for riders with heights ranging from 5’6 to 6’0 feet
Mongoose Malus
Another addition from Mongoose is the Malus big Tire Bike. Amazingly stylish in silver, this fat tire bike is designed with dark grey rims. With 26” x 4” knobby tires, it is created to help daredevils finish all terrains there is on Earth. It is fun to ride on side hills and is fashionable enough for you to even upgrade its features. This fat tire bike is even friendly for riders with basic mechanical skills.
Mongoose Malus features:
- Responsive Disc brakes
- 4” wide-alloy wheel set
- Fit for long distance rides
- Equipped with Shimano rear gears with 7 speeds
- Attached with beach cruiser pedals and 3 piece cranks
- Cruiser design frame with perfect clearance for any terrain action
Ibiky Fat Tire Mountain Bike
The Ibiky Fat Tire Mountain Bike is a beautiful fat bike at a bargain price. Featuring 4” tires, this amazing bike can handle any type of terrain you throw at it. Its wide tires are also perfect for handling off-road and on-road obstacles.
With powerful 160mm dual disc brakes, you can ride with the assurance that you can stop safely when the road is wet. The Ibiky Fat comes with 21-speed dual derailleurs which are easy to adjust and very responsive. The derailleurs work with click shifters to make easier for you to tackle inclines and hills.
The Ibiky Fat is made of carbon steel frame and alloy wheels. Standing 38” tall, you can ride with confidence that this fat tire bike will stand the test of the elements and will serve you for a long time.
Diamondback El OSO Nino
Looking for a fat bike for your kids? The Diamondback El OSO Nino Fat Tire Bike is made especially for children who want to ride over anything that crosses their way. With a frame and fork made from high tensile steel, this big tire bike is strong enough to prowl across neighborhoods and woods.
The Diamondback El OSO Nino comes with 20” wheels that are 4” wide which allows for a unique riding style. Because of low air pressure, the Diamondback El OSO Nino Fat Tire Bike grabs every traction available making it perfect for riding on the snow, sand, or mud.
This bike comes with a 7-sped Shimano grip shifter that makes your climbs easier. It also sports some powerful disc brakes so your kid can stop safely anytime. If you’re looking for that perfect fat bike for your child, this is it!
Mongoose Aztec
The Mongoose Aztec is designed for riding on different terrains. With super-sized knobby tires, nothing can stop you on your way! These bikes grab every bit of traction available on the ground to provide you with more control on tough trails. More tractions also mean tighter turns!
This bike’s 4” tires also provide more clearance and traction for riding on the sand or snow. The Mongoose Aztec Fat Bike comes with a 7-speed Shimano derailleur with a twist shifter to make your climbs easier as well as front and rear disc brakes so you can stop safely anytime. This bike features a threadless headset and 3 alloy piece crank.
Mongoose Argus Sport
Another awesome fat bike from Mongoose, the Argus Sports Fat Bike is one new riding buddy you’ll not regret buying. Attractive in style and big features, this fat bicycle is easy to pedal and has an appealing color combination that comes in deep orange shade. The quality is unmistakably durable making you feel safer when riding your thrilling trails with it. Its price is affordable for its awesome features and durability.
Mongoose Argus Sport features:
- Built with 4.8” Huge Arisun Big Fatty wide wire bear tires for extreme action on the road
- Weight reduction features provided by tectonic T2 aluminum fork with 135mm spacing
- Comes with Shimano BR- M315 hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors for efficient and easy braking
- Geared with x9 Shimano Alivio drivetrain with Micro shift front derailleur for smooth fat bike gearing for snowy and slitting single-track rides
Krusher Men's Dynacraft Fat Tire Bike
Krusher Men’s Dynacraft Fat bike is for those who want to conquer all. Designed to ride over rough terrains against the elements, this fat bike features a steel frame and robust construction. Perfect for muddy, sandy, and snowy paths, this all-weather fat tire bike sports a single speed, 3 piece crank. There are also front and rear disc brakes so you can stop safely anytime.
The Krusher Men’s Dynacraft sports a mountain bike style handlebar for that awesome steering performance. The seat post is also adjustable and custom rim cutouts are available so you can personalize the bike to your heart’s content.
Mongoose Juneau
Mongoose Vinson
Looking for a ride that you can take through all types of terrain and weather? Look no further than the Mongoose Vinson Bike. It’s 4” tires can handle any terrain you can imagine — sand, mud, snow, rocks, dirt, cement, etc. These knobby tires grab every bit of traction on the ground to give you stability and more control.
The Mongoose Vinson Fat comes with a 4-speed SRAM X4 trigger at the rear coupled with Shimano front derailleurs — giving you a wide, versatile gear range. This fat bike sports an aluminum frame and a rigid fork that can handle rough rides quite easily. It also comes with durable 3-piece alloy crank that requires little to no bike maintenance on your end.
What are the Benefits of Using Fat Tire Bikes
Still not convinced whether a fat tire bike is perfect for you or not? Below are some of the amazing benefits of using a fat tire bike.
1. You can ride under any weather
Unlike your road bikes and mountain bikes, fat tire bikes will not slip on wet concrete or terrain. They also don’t sink in snow or mud. This makes fat tire bikes a perfect all-weather bike that can take you from point A to point B reliably.
2. You don’t need to spend a lot of maintenance
Fat tire bikes may seem pricey but trust me, it’s worth an investment. This type of bike is built like a tank. Compared to your road bikes, there are fewer parts that can get damaged in fat tire bikes.
3. Fat tires provide better balance
If you are a beginner, you might want to look into fat tire bikes as your first bike. Why? The wider surface area of fat tire bikes translates to better traction and balance — making it the perfect choice for learning how to bike. Fat tire bikes don’t go very fast too, reducing your risks of accidents and injuries.
4. Fat tire bikes are comfortable to ride
Most fat tire bikes can support around 10 to 15 psi of pressure. Some models can even go lower. Even at low tire pressure, fat tire bikes are a joy to ride when it comes to comfort and stability. Do you know that fat tire bikes don’t have any suspension systems? The bike’s suspension is built into the tires themselves. At lower pressures, fat tires become squishier and the sheer size and elasticity of the rubber will dampen all the vibrations for you.
5. Bike on all types of terrain
Compare to road bikes that are limited to pavements and asphalt, fat tire bicycles can ride even on the most challenging terrain. This is all thanks to the tires’ improved traction and grip. Mud, snow, sand, stone, asphalt — fat tire bicycles can handle it all!
6. Join competitions designed for fat tire bikes
We have all types of races for mountain bikes and road bikes. But how about fat tire bicycles? Thanks to their increasing popularity, event organizers and sports organizations are now looking to create races meant for fat bike owners. It’s only a matter of time before a fat bike race will be held near you.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Fat Tire Bike
So, you are planning to buy a fat bike? Great! There are lots of fat tire bicycles in the market so choosing one can be a bit challenging. To help you get started, here are some factors to consider:
Wheels
Like mountain bikes, fat bikes also come with 26″, 27.5″, and 29″ wheels. What’s the difference? Smaller wheels are easier to control while large wheels make it easy to roll over obstacles on the road. Large wheels are great for rolling (e.g., cross country rides) or snow. Small wheels are for twisty tracks that require tight turns. If you are over 6 feet tall, go for large wheel sizes as they are more comfortable.
Tires
How fat is fat? Although subjective, fat tire bikes range between 3.8” to 5” wide. In comparison, most mountain bikes come in tires that are 1.95” to 2.5” wide.
Size
There’s no standard rule when it comes to fat bike size and fit. As long as the bike matches your riding style, flexibility, and height — you are good to go! Like standard bikes, fat bike manufacturers have also come up with sizing options that correspond to your height. Hence fat bikes usually come in small, medium, and large sizes. Make sure to refer to the sizing chart of the brand you are eyeing on.
If you fall in between sizes, we recommend going with the smaller size. Here’s a pro tip to find the right bike size for you: stand with your feet flat on the ground and your legs as close as possible. There should be a 2.75” to 3.25” clearance between the top tube and your crotch. This is to make sure that you can pedal as optimally as possible.
Suspension
While most fat bikes come with no suspension systems because the tires themselves are designed to absorb most of the shock and vibrations, there are still a couple of manufacturers who have suspensions built into their bikes:
- Rigid – no suspension.
- Suspension fork – the bikes come with a front suspension system provided by hydraulics or springs. This type of suspension is perfect for downhill rides. In most models, you can lock out the suspension if you prefer to go rigid.
- Full suspension – front and rear shock absorbers enable a smoother and more comfortable ride. Usually available in select models only.
Gears
Fat bikes come in a variety of gears. Depending on the model you choose, you can have a single gear bike or one with 20 or more gears. Gears are only useful for climbing. If your ride has a lot of climbs, we recommend going with a fat bike that gives you the most gear options. Remember that fat bicycles are heavier than mountain bikes. This may affect your endurance and pedaling efficiency.
Frame
This is perhaps the most important part of any bike. Most fat bike frames are crafted from an aluminum alloy which is lightweight, sturdy, cheap, and widely available. There are also pure aluminum frames which are lighter but more expensive.
Some fat bike frames are made from steel, carbon fiber, or titanium. Steel is probably the toughest and cheapest but it’s also the heaviest. If you go cross country a lot and if you have the budget, go for carbon fiber frames that are lightweight, strong, and resistant to the elements.
Brakes
When it comes to brakes, you have two choices. You can use rim brakes which are pads that grip directly on the rims. This type of brakes is cheaper and easier to maintain. The only downside is they don’t have a lot of stopping power especially when wet. They also tend to wear out your rims over time.
Disc brakes, on the other hand, are mounted to the wheel hub of your fat bike. They provide stronger braking power and are more consistent even when wet. The only downside is that they can be quite challenging to service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Choose Fat Bike Frame?
It is highly recommended to find a bike that fits your height. Why? Because choosing a bike with the right frame size can make the ride smoother. In off-road courses, it is ideal to have the right reach to keep balance and agility while taking on challenging paths on your fat bike. You may refer to the table below for your future purchase:
| Rider height in Feet-Inches | Leg inseam in Inches | Suggested Frame Size in Inches/Size |
| 4’10”-5’1” | 24-29” | 14” – XS |
| 5’1”-5’5” | 25-30” | 15” – S |
| 5’5”-5’9” | 26-31” | 16” – M |
| 5’9”-6’0” | 27-32” | 17” – L |
| 6’0”-6’3” | 28-33” | 18” – XL |
| 6’1”-6’6” | 29-34” | 19” – XXL |
How to Select Fat Bike Tires?
Fat bikes that can stand any form of trail — snow, sandy, rocky, or muddy. If you are located in a place where there is more snow than sand or rocks, you can have wide tires of at least 4.8-5” for extreme traction and float. You need to be specific with your target courses to perfectly select the right fat tire bike for you. The key takeaway in buying fat bikes is to look out for the wheel dropout spacing that provides better coverage for a wider bike tire. Ideally in tires that are wider than 4”, there must be at least 190-197 mm spacing between rear dropouts while 150mm must be standard between the front dropouts.
Why use fat bikes?
In buying gadgets, we must consider everything before buying one. Will it be highly useful and relevant in your daily activities? The same thing goes when purchasing fat bikes. It is true that it is for off-road courses and adventures but again, we are on Earth where each place differs in climate and landforms. If you plan to ride lots of climbs and rough roads, aim for one that has a rack so you can bring the necessary tools with you while on tour. If you want to train during winter or a model that will stand throughout a year’s ride, focus on suspension, weight, and wheel compatibility.
Why use fat bikes?
As you travel at lower speeds, climbing hills and finding perfect traction can be difficult if your bike is heavier than the ideal. Older fat tire bikes were designed in a heavier set but, thanks to modern technology — materials, style, design, and parts/components choices made it easier to build fat bikes that weigh like normal bikes. Aluminum and carbon fiber bike frames are dominant in the market at affordable prices.
Don’t let the snow or mud stop you from enjoying biking. Fat tire bikes are built to stand these challenging terrains while ensuring a safe, smooth, and unforgettable riding experience. Grab yours now!
Happy biking!
