Fat Tyre Electric Bikes

Go where most bikes can't go with an Aventon fat-tyre electric bike. Designed to provide grip & stability on sand, snow, dirt, and other loose terrain, these fat tyre e-bikes all come with suspension, powerful motors, supportive pedal assist modes, excellent balance, and a comfortable ride.

It’s fairly self-explanatory what makes a fat tyre electric bike a fat tyre electric bike, but in case you needed clarification, fat tyre electric bikes have fat tyres that are noticeably larger in width and height than normal bike tyres. 

Usually, a fat tyre is considered something above 3-4 inches in both width and height. Diameter of the wheel can vary, however, with smaller-wheeled bikes such as the folding Aventon Sinch still being considered a fat tyre ebike despite its 20-inch wheels. 

Increased Shock Absorption

Fat tyres have much larger surface areas than standard bike tyres, so impacts are spread out over a much wider area. This gives a much more comfortable ride, and when coupled with good suspension like that found on the Aventon Aventure and Aventon Aventure.2, you can have a very smooth experience.

Increased Grip

At any given time, there is a much greater area of connection between the tyre and the ground below. Fat tyres have a much larger point-of-contact than standard bike tyres so they offer far better grip in a variety of situations than a standard bike tyre. This makes them not only better, but also safer, for riding on loose or wet terrain. 

They also offer better traction as a result, so wheel spinning or skidding while braking are less likely. 

Versatility

Wide tyres also have a distinct advantage over standard tyres when it comes to surfaces such as sand and snow. Where a standard bike tyre could ‘sink’ through the loose terrain and become very hard to pedal, a fat tyre ebike spreads its weight out over a larger surface area that allows the bike to ‘sit’ on top of the terrain. This prevents the bike from becoming bogged down. 

For this reason, fat tyre electric bikes are popular with beach-goers and surfers along with people who spend a lot of time in Australia’s more snowy areas. 

They are generally better for off-road due to their extra grip, stability and traction, but they still perform just fine on tarmaced areas. 

Powerful Motors

Fat tyre electric bikes are generally built to take a degree of punishment, so are heavier as a result. This means that riding low-powered fat tyre e-bikes can be a less-than-pleasant experience. Always check that the motor power is enough to carry the bike’s weight. For example, the Aventon Aventure.2 weighs 35kg, but it’s powered by a 750 W motor that can push it to 45 kph. 

Frame Construction

This is a little harder to spot to the untrained eye, but frame geometry and welding plays an important factor in how a fat tyre electric bike weights. As mentioned in the point above, fat tyre e bikes need to be capable of withstanding impact from unstable surfaces without breaking or losing overall stability. Look for smooth welds and forged areas of the frame (areas that haven’t been welded together, such as the top & downtubes of the Aventon Aventure’s frame). 

Hydraulic Disc Brakes

The more powerful motors present on fat tyre e-bikes present faster top speeds, but that increases the need for equally powerful stopping power. Don’t settle for less than disc brakes. 

Suspension

If you’re planning on using your fat tyre e-bike offroad, always go for one with suspension. They make great vehicles for adventuring when standard bikes may struggle, but suspension just adds that extra comfort you want. While the tyres are capable of handling more impact than their standard counterparts, that’s not their primary function. As a result, it’s better to go for suspension as well.