If you are a beginner or an all-terrain rider, a fat tire bicycle may be the perfect bike for you. Their soft nature lets you easily cruise through bumps, glaciers, beaches, trails, and more.
With super-wide tires, these bikes can complete feats that standard bikes can only dream about. They can float on sand and snow as well as ride on various terrains.
Here are reviews of the six best fat tire bikes on the market today.
- 1. Best for Budget: Mongoose Dolomite Men’s Fat Tire Mountain Bike
- 2. Best for Racing: Salsa Beargrease Carbon X01 Eagle
- 3. Best for Bikepacking: Salsa Mukluk Carbon NX Eagle
- 4. Best Value: Gravity Bullseye Monster
- 5. Best for Speed: Trek Farley 9.6
- 6. Best Versatile: Why Cycles Big Iron
- Things to Keep in Mind When Looking for Best Fat Tire Bikes
These bicycles also allow even beginner rides to feel confident. Due to featuring low pressure and large width, fat tires allow a bike to have increased stability and traction.
Unfortunately, there are hundreds of options on the market. It can feel overwhelming to choose, especially if you are a beginner. To help you get started, we have researched and tested dozens of options to find the very best.
1. Best for Budget: Mongoose Dolomite Men’s Fat Tire Mountain Bike
Known for manufacturing high-quality bikes, you cannot go wrong with a Mongoose. Just take a closer look at one of their best creations, the Mongoose Dolomite.
The wheels contain an alloy construction and come with 4″ tires. That means that the Dolomite will take you off-road without breaking a sweat.
Keep in mind that the seven-speed Shimano drivetrain will not allow you to take on steep hills, but you will be able to cruise on the beach comfortably.
If you are looking for a quality ride without breaking the bank, the Dolomite may be the option for you.
Pros
- Affordable
- Excellent work out bicycle
- Durable
- Powerful braking system
Cons
- Not ideal for taller people
- Heavy bike due to the steel frame
2. Best for Racing: Salsa Beargrease Carbon X01 Eagle
While one of the most expensive on this list, the fantastic performance of the Salsa Beargrease justifies its high price tag. It features high-quality materials and craftsmanship, including a 27.5″ carbon frame and hydraulic disc brakes.
It also fits right in the definition of a fat tire bike with absolutely enormous wheels. The Salsa’s tires are 3.8 inches in width.
The geometry is quite impressive and features a wide stem, long center, wide bars, creating sufficient moving room, so you maneuver tight trails like a pro.
Pros
- Lightweight
- A perfect all-round fat tire bike
- Premium components
Cons
- Loud design and color
- Quite expensive
3. Best for Bikepacking: Salsa Mukluk Carbon NX Eagle
Salsa turns every stone for excellence. The Salsa Mukluk NX Eagle is a testament to what they can do. It cruises on 26 x 4.8″ wheels and tires which offer sufficient traction and stability, allowing it to float on soft surfaces such as loose sand or ungroomed snow.
Mukluk has an amazing geometry that makes riding in such conditions quite remarkable. The chainstays are short for a reason: to deliver maximum power efficiently. You will also find a low bottom bracket that enhances stability, allowing quality rides all the time, even when riding from an upright position.
What’s more? The frame comes in either carbon or aluminum offerings, so you can choose one that tickles your fancy.
Pros
- High-quality components
- Excellent performance
Cons
- A bit pricey
4. Best Value: Gravity Bullseye Monster
You do not have to spend a fortune to ride a good ride. The Gravity Bullseye Monster has you covered. With 26×4″ tires on 28-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, you can float on snow, bogs, mud, and deep sand without slipping.
Several factors make this bike the ultimate workhorse in snowy, wet, and sandy conditions. First are the Tektro Novela disc brakes that make it strong enough to handle face shocks and bumps.
Secondly, the 16 speed SRAM drivetrain components will allow you to ride fast and effortlessly even though this bike weighs a hefty 35 pounds. It has enough grip, so fear not as you ride on wet and mud surfaces.
The price tag is quite fair for a bike with high-end components and incredible performance.
Pro
- Affordable
- Durable, thanks to its aluminum construction
- Wide tires for excellent traction
Cons
- A bit heavy, at 35 pounds
5. Best for Speed: Trek Farley 9.6
If speed turns you on, you will love the Trek Farley 9.6. This bike will see you moving like the wind with all the stability that you need. Its good looks are just a bonus.
It has 27.5˝ super fat tires for extra traction and stability, allowing you to take any trail confidently. Thanks to the lightweight carbon frame and fork, no gnarly terrain, deep snow, or foul weather can stop you. Let’s not even get started on the 30 pounds weight that makes it a perfect winter shred sled.
The Trek Farley has top-of-the-line components. When coupled with the tremendous hydraulic disc brakes, you have a reliable ride that will unreservedly take you places all year long.
Pros
- High-quality components
- Speed
- Top Farley option
Cons
- Costly repairs
- Uncomfortable
6. Best Versatile: Why Cycles Big Iron
The trails provide the perfect spaces to have fun. Why not take the pleasure a notch higher with the Why Cycles Big Iron? With the 27.5-inch wheels, you are not limited to how far you can take it off-road.
Apart from the titanium frame’s adequate clearance, you get so much more. For starters, every ride is silky smooth with minimal vibrations. The short stem allows perfect handling and steering of the bike. Additionally, the 5-inch tires can take any pressure so that you can enjoy excellent traction. But you can always switch the tire sizes to suit your desires.
No front limits the Big Iron, whether it is a snowy surface or a backpacking voyage. Mounting or dismounting is a breeze, thanks to the standover height.
Why Cycles also throws in a 30-day return guarantee.
Pros
- Adjustable geometry
- Studdable tires
- Superior flotation
Cons
- Big tires and wheels reduce spinning speed
Things to Keep in Mind When Looking for Best Fat Tire Bikes
With so many fantastic options available, you must know what to look out for when selecting the perfect bicycle for you. Here is a buyer’s guide to help you buy a high-quality fat tire ride.
Tires
Obviously, the first thing you will check is the tires. Tire width can range from 3.8 inches to 5 inches, depending on the surface you will be riding the bike on. If you are looking to do longer rides on soft terrains, tires with a smaller width will suffice.
If conquering tough terrains thrills you, you should consider a bike with wider tires. The wide tires bring extra grip to avoid slipping, especially when riding on snow.
Alternatively, you can invest in a cycle that can handle different tire sizes so that you can interchange the wheels based on the terrain you will be riding.
Budget
The best fat tire bike doesn’t come cheap. For a maiden purchase, it would be best if you start with a budget option and use it to learn. Once you identify the kind of riding you love, you can upgrade to the next level.
Suspension
Most fat-tire bikes feature a rigid set-up (no suspension), which might take you some time to get the hang of. This is especially so if your previous one was a mountain bike.
However, some come with suspension, which is necessary if you will be riding the bike on softer terrains. The front suspension will come in handy if you want to explore different terrains with your bike without compromising comfort.
Although the full suspension is not a favorite to most riders, you might want to consider it. It will allow you to ride downhill without the fear of dropping.
Weight
The lighter the bike, the better. If you are on a budget, a heavy cycle might be something you will have to contend with because light bikes cost a little bit more. A lightweight option will be ideal, particularly if you will be taking longer rides regularly.
