Fat tire bikes aren’t just for the cover of a great beer but rather a specialized cycle built for snow, sand, or loose dirt. The frames of fat tire bikes use a unique geometry to provide the best clearance while allowing for wider tires with excellent grip. Now that you want one, these are the best fat tire bikes for the money.
There’s a price range for everyone. The high-end, performance-minded models incorporate technology and materials worth the upgrade. On the other hand, several mid-range options offer a blend between entry-level models and luxury bikes. There’s even something for the new rider who’s not looking to spend serious money!
Why Cycles Big Iron
Why Cycles produces one of the most elegant fat tire bikes on the market with the Big Iron. They craft the frame using titanium. The head tube, bottom bracket, and several machined parts all across the body also use titanium. The Big Iron also has an ENVE Carbon Fat Fork and a CaneCreek 40-Series headset.
The Why Cycles Big Iron is a 27.5-inch bike with 4.5-inch tires. It retails for $5,149, but the Big Iron has no trouble taking your cycling to the next level in such an advanced package. Plus, with heritage from Alaska, Why Cycles knows a thing or two about fat bike riding.
Giant Yukon 1
Giant’s Yukon 1 is more affordable than the Big Iron but no less fun. It features an alloy aluminum frame. The fork comes from an aluminum composite with an alloy steerer and 150 mm of travel. SRAM Eagle NX parts make up several other components like the rear derailleur.
With the Yukon having oversized headset bearings, this fat tire bike has unbelievable control on the trail. The 27.5-inch wheel size, the Yukon 1 fits right in with bikes twice as expensive and eats up the trail. Giant prices the Yukon at $2,400.
Borealis Crestone Eagle 12-Speed
The Creston is Borealis’ flagship model, and it’s easy to see why. It’s composed of carbon fiber to reduce weight. The advanced geometry of the fat tire bike allows for specialized performance in snow and sand. Borealis gives buyers a range of tire sizes from 26-inch to 29-inch and up to 5-inches wide.
While the Crestone Eagle 12-Speed starts at $3,300, the level of customization is unreal. Everything from fork, brakes and components, to seat post and color, has options for customization. Regardless of how you ride, there’s a Crestone Eagle for you.
Framed Minnesota Carbon
Famed’s most famous fat tire bike is the Minnesota. For 2022 the bike received a carbon fiber upgrade to reduce weight and performance. It also got an upgraded Shimano 1×10 drivetrain to better traverse an ascent and heart-pumping descents.
The Minnesota Carbon starts at $1,900 and is worth every penny. 27.5-inch wheels are standard, as are the 4-inch wide tires. Still, with the carbon fiber’s weight reduction, the Minnesota Carbon handles like the precision machine it is.
BRocky Mountain Blizzard 10
Rocky Mountain doesn’t play games with the Blizzard 10, giving it aggressive geometry to slay the trail. The Blizzard 10 boasts almost 6-inches of ride clearance for medium riders, making snow or sand look like a plain meadow day. It also helps that Rocky Mountain hides the lines in the frame to keep the look clean.
The Rocky Mountain Blizzard 10 comes in at $1,600 and provides riders with an aluminum frame with 100mm of travel. It’s affordable and one of the best fat tire bikes for the money. Plus, Shimano shifters and rear derailleur help select the perfect gear for every terrain imaginable.
Kona Wo
Koda produces a fat bike, the Wo, that incorporates a simple frame design with conservative geometry for a well-rounded and highly-rated ride. The Kona Wo fat tire bike uses 6061 aluminum alloy for the frame and Shimano Deore parts for the shifters, rear derailleurs, and MT/RT parts for the brakes.
Kona prices the Wo at $2,000, and the frame features an internal headset that is easy to adjust for the perfect ride height. It also has a tapered head tube for reduced weight, improved strength, and excellent handling.
Mongoose Malus
Not every fat tire bike has to cost thousands of dollars. For the new fat-tire riders looking for an affordable way to get into the sport, the Mongoose Malus offers an excellent experience. The Malus uses a steel frame to reduce costs. Still, aluminum alloy makes up many other critical components like the cassette and head tube. It has 26-inch wheels standard and is a perfect fit for smaller riders.
Mongoose is known for BMX biking, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have fun on the fat tire bike. You also don’t need a specialty shop to buy one, as you can get a Malus at Target or even Amazon. The Mongoose Malus runs for $500 and is the perfect way to get into fat tire biking
Lectric XP 2.0
Sometimes you need a little extra push to enjoy riding a fat tire bike. That’s where the Lectric XP 2.0 comes in handy. This electric fat tire bike comes in class I, II, or III eBike classifications with varying degrees of pedal assist for up to 28 MPH travel. The tires are only 3-inches wide but provide the most outstanding cross between handling and grip. Plus, the XP 2.0 folds up for easy transportation.
The price is even better than the Lectric XP 2.0’s specs. Lectric starts pricing for the XP 2.0 at $999, making it an affordable way to get into fat tire biking. The XP 2.0 is an excellent go-anywhere bike with an electrical helping hand.
Final Thoughts on the Best Fat Tire Bikes for the Money
Fat tire bikes are a great way to pedal through the winter months or enjoy a beach ride. You don’t have to spend a fortune to find a great fat tire bike, but if you do, you’ll end up with an excellent machine worth every dollar.
