Fat tire and folding frame electric bikes have grown substantially in popularity over the years. Nearly every e-bike brand has at least one bike of each type, if not entire collections of them, and buyers seek these specific bikes out to suit their unique riding needs. Fat tire and folding e-bikes seem to fill opposite niches: one provides large, bulky tires that offer great suspension for off-road travel, while the other features a convenient, foldable frame for commuting and storage in urban areas.
Those who want a vehicle both for travel on rough terrain and commutes in big cities may think they need to invest in two different bikes, a daunting idea for anyone on any kind of budget. However, there are bikes that combine the best of both e-bike variants: fat tire folding e-bikes. Today, we’re going to showcase the unique features and benefits of a fat tire folding e-bike and make the case that you should try one for yourself.
The Tires
As expected, these bikes have 4” or wider fat tires designed to glide over sand and snow while absorbing the shock of other rough terrains. However, unlike a standard fat tire e-bike, these tires only have a diameter of 20”, reflecting the tire size of a folding e-bike. This helps keep the bike’s weight and size down for portability while still providing the shock-absorbing benefits of a fat tire.
The Frame
Just like a regular folding e-bike, these bikes have a folding frame that allows the bike to shift into a more compact and portable form. While the fat tires add some weight and a little bit of bulk to the folded e-bike, it still maintains a light enough weight to be carried into buildings and even on some buses and trains.
The Balance
The shorter wheels of a fat-tire folding e-bike reduce the overall height of the bike, making it easier to mount and dismount. At the same time, the width of the fat tires lend more stability to the bike. Both features together make a fat tire folding e-bike easy to maneuver and balance on, especially for shorter riders.
The Versatility
A fat tire folding e-bike can be used on a number of terrains. While it may not handle rocky mountain trails as well as a dedicated off-road fat tire e-bike, its tires allow it to better handle unpaved terrain, rough city roads, and loose material like snow and sand than a regular folding e-bike, lending a fat tire folding e-bike more use than its more traditional counterparts. For riders that want a bike they can use for both city commuting and dirt road exploration, a fat tire folding e-bike is worth considering.
The Availability
There are actually a number of fat tire folding electric bikes on the market. GOTRAX offers two, the F3 and the F5. Both have a 500 watt motor and 48 volt battery, giving them plenty of power and range to go wherever you need, for whatever purpose. Their front suspension combines with their fat tires to create an even smoother ride, while their folding frame makes them easy to take with you on trips or store indoors while they’re not being used.
Although they don’t have tires quite wide enough to be officially classified as fat tires, our F1 and F2 models of folding electric bikes feature 2.6” and 3” wide tires respectively, giving many of the same benefits as fat tires while reducing the weight and bulk of the bike. Their designs were both recently updated, too, so it’s a great time to try them out. If you’re looking for something a little more portable, the F1 or F2 may be the choice for you. GOTRAX has a number of wide-tire folding e-bike options, so there’s sure to be a model that suits both your needs and your budget.
So should you get a fat tire folding e-bike? That ultimately depends on your needs. In our opinion, though, you really should. A fat tire folding e-bike has a number of unique benefits that make it a great fit for all kinds of e-bike riders. If you’re on the lookout for a new bike, or even your very first electric bike, consider giving a folding fat tire e-bike a try.
