Best Fat Tire Electric Bikes 2023
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Fat-tire electric bikes are a dime a dozen nowadays, but which are the best?
From stable and user-friendly bike path cruisers to high powered bruisers built for hunting and heavy off-road use, e-bikes with fat tires are having a bit of a moment right now. Whatever your reason for wanting a fat tire e-bike, the Electric Bike Report staff of experts and bike geeks have tested some of the best money can buy. And while there are many worthy competitors, we wanted to showcase our choices for the best fat tire electric bikes of 2023 based off of our extensive testing and riding.
Birthed from Alaskan snow and New Mexican sand, the ancestors of modern fat bikes first came about in the 90’s as a means to explore (and race) in terrain unkind to your typical bicycle tire. Think mud, deep sand and soft snow. They’ve had high-points of popularity in recent years, but it wasn’t until the rise of the electric bike that we saw the masses rolling around on fat tires. Motors made the heavy, relatively inefficient bikes more friendly to ride and people seem to like the big tires because they give you a feeling of confidence and stability — not to mention many think they just look cool. Their popularity has exploded, and fat tires have been adopted into nearly every category of e-bike.
So which fat tire e-bike is best for you? That’s a tough question with an answer that differs from person to person. We’ve compiled this list of our picks for the best fat tire electric bikes to help you suss out your best bike based on your specific needs.
While this list is comprised of e-bikes that check in with no less than 3” wide tires, you can also check out our picks for the best overall electric bikes of 2023 if you want a little more variety in tire size.
Our Best Fat-tire Electric Bikes for 2023
- Best Class 3 Electric Fat Bike: Aventon Aventure 2
- Best Class 2 Electric Fat Bike: Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus
- Best Ultra Affordable Electric Fat Bike: Lectric XP 3.0
- Best Fat Tire Electric Bike for Camping: Mokwheel Basalt
- Best Long Range Electric Fat Bike: Himiway Cruiser
- Best Fat Tire Electric Bike for Cargo Hauling: Specialized Globe Haul ST
- Best Fat Tire Electric Bike for Dual Battery Needs: Blix Ultra
- Best Electric Fat Bike for Smaller Riders: Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5
- Best All-Terrain Electric Fat Bike: Himiway Cobra
- Best Folding Fat Tire Electric Bike: Aventon Sinch
- Best Electric Fat Bike for Hunting: QuietKat Apex
Aventon Aventure 2
The Best Class 3 Electric Fat Bike, 2023
A disruptive model when it first came into the fat-tire e-bike world, the Aventon Aventure set a new high bar for what consumers could expect from a sub-$2,000 electric fat bike when it first entered the market, and the followup Aventure 2 built upon that legacy. While many of its contemporaries have caught up in certain aspects, the Aventure 2 still stands out.
It’s not just the 750W Bafang rear hub motor or the 720Wh fully-integrated battery that have us so enamored with this electric fatty, it’s also that Aventon managed to chock it full of little features and extras that are still somewhat uncommon on many e-bikes in this category. It’s got a torque sensor which both allows for a more natural feel, and also gives it better battery efficiency making you go further without a larger, heavier battery. Throw in a full-color LCD display, metal fenders, a full Shimano Altus drivetrain, Tektro hydraulic brakes and, to top it all off, it’s just a really nice riding bike. The handling is sporty without being overly athletic and, though it is a bit heavy, it handles light doubletrack surprisingly well.
It also comes available in a step-over and step-through frames with a selection of good looking colors to choose from (a standout feature in a sea of black and white fat bikes).
The Aventure ships as a Class 2 e-bike, but like most of the bikes on this list it’s easily convertible to Class 3 through an app that paris to your bike, which gives it a top pedal-assisted speed of 28 mph. We’ve tested and even compared this bike head-to-head against some of its biggest competitors, and the results don’t lie: It’s a new breed of affordable electric fat bike.
To put it short, we’re really big fans of the Aventure and we think you would be too which is why it leads off our list of the best fat tire electric bikes of 2023.
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- Unlocked to Class 3, this is an extremely fast and torquey e-bike.
- The full-color LCD display is great and features a percentage based battery readout
- The 720Wh battery is efficiency used for great range thanks to the torque sensor
- It’s got a unique styling for a fat e-bike that reminds us of another Aventon we really liked, the Level.
- At 77lbs (we reviewed a large with the optional front and included rear racks), the Aventure is slightly heavier than many of its peers.
Runner Up Best Class 3 Electric Fat Bike
The Mokwheel Basalt
This beast of an e-bike has the brawn to carry its rider just about anywhere witha strong motor and 450 lbs payload capacity, and can be accompanied by some seriously impressive optional accessories.
Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus
The Best Class 2 Electric Fat Bike, 2023
We’ve long been fans of Rad Power Bikes’ RadRover line and many e-bikes on this list owe some thanks to the Rover for helping popularize fat tires into the mainstream. While there was plenty to appreciate with past iterations of the Rover, the RadRover 6 Plus is a marked upgrade over its predecessors in such a way that it demands to be seriously considered among anybody’s list for the best electric fat tire bikes.
There is a noticeable aesthetic overhaul compared to previous models that is largely credited to the new semi-integrated battery housed in a more modern, angular frame. There is also a unique dual display in the center and left of the cockpit that’s functional and just plain different.
But looks aren’t all that’s new here. Rad also added hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors to bolster the stopping power and keep riders more in control when needing to come to a stop.
In a category of e-bike that’s often singularly-focused on speed and raw power, the Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus takes a different, more measured approach. It’s got a 750W rear hub motor that’s very similar to what you’ll find on many other bikes on this list of the best fat tire e-bikes, but the power delivery from that motor is much more gentle, particularly at low speeds. What this does is give the bike a very predictable and controllable power delivery that’s friendly to new riders or those who want a bike that’s easy to ride, all while still being plenty torquey to help you summit hilly areas.
If you want easily-controllable power from a bike that’s backed by an industry-leading e-bike company, the RadRover 6 plus may be the best choice for you.
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- The 750W motor feels refined – it’s got plenty of torque but it delivers it smoothly.
- The 672Wh battery delivers impressive range even for its size..
- The hydraulic disc brakes performed very well in our testing, and they added it to the newest Rover model while keeping the price relatively affordable.
- While it may be subjective, we really love the new look of the redesigned RadRover.
- The LED screen on the left is noticeably less bright than the center one.
- The cable management feels a bit messy.
Runner Up Best Class 2 Electric Fat Bike
The Blix Ultra
With speed, power, and a myriad of options to add versatility, the Blix Ultra is practical and completely fun to ride.
Lectric XP 3.0
Best Ultra Affordable Electric Fat Bike, 2023
The Lectric XP 2.0 already stood out by proving to be a quality folding bike with a solid spread of features at a very reasonable price. The combined package of integrated features such as the rear cargo rack, lights, suspension, and fenders is something you would only expect to see on more expensive models. Now Lectric has raised the bar even further by packing the new XP 3.0 full of upgrades and new features, while keeping the bike at the same price of around a thousand dollars.
The new Lectric XP 3.0 features a motor with increased peak wattage and torque for better hill climbing, a better gear ratio for ease of pedaling, larger brake rotors for better stopping power, an improved suspension for a more comfortable ride, and optional accessories for increased passenger capacity.
All of that capability on a bike that can fold up and fit behind a seat or in a trunk made it easy to choose the Lectric XP 3.0 for the best fat tire e-bike of 2023!
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- The XP 3.0 only adds to the already great value of the previous model. For the same price, the 3.0 offers upgrades to the baseline integrated features and even adds new ones.
- While the motor on the XP 3.0 is still a 500W rear-hub, it now features an increased 55Nm of torque and 1000W peak output.
- An improved gear ratio and larger high gear result in a more efficient application of rider input.
- Increased brake rotor size – now 180mm instead of 160mm – gives more responsiveness and efficiency braking despite being mechanical instead of hydraulic disc brakes.
- The 3.0’s suspension fork has an increased travel distance at 50mm, making for a smoother ride on- and off-road.
- The weight capacity of the rear rack has doubled to a max of 150lbs, allowing for additional passenger capacity.
- We’d have loved to see the option to operate the XP 3.0 without its key in the bike, but that is one upgrade Lectric has not yet made.
- While the 3.0’s grips are improved, we still would prefer something a bit softer.
Runner Up Best Ultra Affordable Electric Fat Bike
The Velotric Nomad 1
With sleek design, excellent range, and plenty of power for speed and uphill travel, the Nomad 1 offers solid value for its price.
Mokwheel Basalt
The Best Fat Tire Electric Bike for Camping, 2023
Half the fun of camping is exploring the area visited. E-bikes offer campers the opportunity to go farther, see more and not be wiped out at the end of the day. The Mokwheel Basalt is unusual among e-bikes in that not only is it well-suited to off-road exploring, but it can serve as a valuable resource thanks to some of its unusual accessories. As a Class 3 e-bike with a maximum speed of 28 mph, it is terrific for getting around most anywhere.
The Mokwheel Basalt may not look all that unusual at first glance. It features a 750W brushless hub motor that can turn 90Nm of torque, making it suitable for riding steep hills, whether paved or not. The 110mm-travel suspension fork improves control on bumpy terrain and the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain helps both uphill and down. Hydraulic disc brakes offer terrific power even on steep downhills and Chaoyang 26 x 4-in. tires provide the necessary cushion and traction for exploring the backcountry.
What really sets the Mokwheel Basalt apart is its massive 940Wh battery that can power a 1000W power inverter that has the ability to run such essentials as phone chargers, coffee makers, electric grills and laptops. Planning to be gone more than a day or two? Mokwheel also offers a solar charger to keep the juice running to those essentials.
Riders can also choose between a traditional frame and a step-thru design. Because it has a 450-lb. payload capacity, campers who want to go bag dinner can carry it back to camp as well. This is ideal for anyone planning to go camping but still wants electricity.
Not only is it the best fat tire electric bike for camping, it’s just a good fat option period.
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- 750W brushless hub motor has the power and torque necessary to climb hills and deliver riders to a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph for spirited riding
- Comes in both a traditional frame and a step-thru to fit a broad range of riders
- Can power a number of electric appliances while camping with the help of the optional 1000W power inverter
- 4-in.-wide tires and a front suspension fork make for a very comfortable ride
- 450-lb. payload capacity makes it terrific for hunters wanting to bring home their game
- We would like to see a drivetrain with more than 7-speeds to better handle technical terrain
Runner Up Best Fat Tire Electric Bike for Camping
The Aventon Sinch
With its low step-thru frame, big tires and suspension fork, this is a comfortable and easy to ride e-bike perfect for accompanying you on road trips and outdoor adventures.
Himiway Cruiser
Best Long Range Electric Fat Bike, 2023
If any bike on this list has earned a cult following, it’s the Himiway Cruiser.
Loved for its sheer power and massive 840Wh battery, the Cruiser is the brute of the fat-tire e-bike category. While many 750W bikes curb power at low speeds (like when you’re starting from a stop) and roll it on as you accelerate, the Himiway seemingly gives you access to all 750W from the gun. If you’re looking for speed, this bike is a lot of fun.
Backing up that power is a larger-than-average 840Wh battery that gives this bike a great range on a single charge. To be clear: you can find larger batteries on other fat tire e-bikes (even on this best fat tire e-bike list). Heck, some even have dual battery setups. But most of those larger standard batteries will run the price of the bike over $2,000, so the Cruiser hits a sweet spot for us in terms of value and providing long rides. Our Max PAS range test yielded a 44 mile ride before the battery gave out which is a pretty impressive number.
The Cruiser also comes spec’d with a Shimano Altus drivetrain, Tektro Aires mechanical brakes and a fender and light package that’s comparable to other bikes in this category. It does also come stock with a rear rack, which is a nice feature if you’re looking to lug some cargo, and it’s backed up by a 2-year warranty.
Like most others, this bike ships as a Class 2 e-bike but can easily be adjusted to Class 3. If you’re in the market for a rocket ship of an e-bike the Himiway Cruiser might be worth a look.
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- The 48V 17.5Ah battery provides plenty of range. Even for a bigger, stronger e-bike, you can expect many miles on a single charge.
- Super powerful e-bike that you feel the moment you start pedaling. If you are someone who likes power, you are going to like this e-bike.
- The fat tires smoothly roll over surfaces with ease.
- The bike was very stable, even at high speeds and we had high levels of traction on nearly every surface.
- Slight delay in pedal assistance when you start pedaling. There is about a one second motor lag.
- PAS has a lot of power and gets you up to speed quickly, but we would have liked a little more variation in how much speed you get amongst the different assist levels.
Runner Up Best Long Range Electric Fat Bike
The Denago Fat 1
With its 750W motor and huge 921.6Wh battery, this speedy newcomer has proven that it can go the distance.
Specialized Globe Haul ST
The Best Fat Tire Electric Bike for Cargo Hauling
It isn’t a rule, but we often associate fat tire e-bikes with powerful motors and bikes capable of carrying larger riders or payloads. It just so happens that one of the most powerful and strongest heavy-haulers comes from a bike with ‘short’ in it’s name. The Specialized Globe Haul ST (short-tail) has the ability to carry a 419 lbs payload, and a hub motor that’s amongst the most powerful you’ll find anywhere. It was a surprisingly easy choice for one of the year’s best fat tire e-bikes.
There’s a bit to unpack here but we’ll be brief. The bike’s torque-sensor and hub motor combo are one of the best we’ve ridden. Speed and hill climbing power are easily accessible at your feet, but it can give you a mellow ride too.
The 20” X 3.5” Carless Whisper tires have good stability and puncture resistance. Combined with the low center of gravity, it fits a surprising range of riders (4’5” – 6’4”) really well.
The bike has a striking appearance despite its smaller size. The matte paint jobs that Specialized use give it a sharp appearance, while the incorporation of the battery feels like it just ‘fits’ in a way that give it some eye-appeal in a not-so-flashy “steal me!” kind of way.
It’s a bike that debuted to a lot of expectations and it delivered on them and then some. Taller, shorter, thinner, or larger riders all alike will find something to enjoy when riding around on the Globe Haul ST
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- A bike with a ton of good performance. Speed, climbing, braking and handling were all top-tier. It will make hauling things pretty easy.
- The frame is unique so it can fit a lot of riders. People 4’5” – 6’4” can comfortably ride the Globe Haul ST..
- A bike that’s easy to balance on and handle The smaller than most 20” X 3.5” fat tires make for a low center of gravity so it’s easy to operate.
- There is no shortage of accessories to make this bike adapt to whatever you need an e-bike for.
- The throttle made the ride easier and was quite useful, but doesn’t come standard. One can be added at checkout (which we suggest to get).
Blix Ultra
The Best Fat Tire Electric Bike for Dual Battery Needs, 2023
Whether you need to travel extreme distances, haul a fair amount of cargo, bring along an additional passenger, or all three simultaneously – you’ll need the battery power to do it. No other fat tire e-bike is going to cover these bases better than the Blix Ultra, thanks to its dual battery capability.
The Blix Ultra can hold two 48V, 672 Wh batteries for a claimed range of up to 80 miles, which our testing supports. Dual batteries are not uncommon in the world of e-bikes, though they do usually appear on models that are more dedicated to one kind of functionality (such as cargo bikes). Even among Blix’s lineup, the Ultra shares its dual battery capability with two of its more specialized siblings, but it stands apart from them due to its greater adaptability and versatility.
Fat tire e-bikes in general aim to be more all-purpose machines thanks to their ability to travel on rougher surfaces just as well as paved paths. The Blix Ultra raises the bar with a range of optional accessories that expand its cargo and/or passenger capacity, without changing the core elements of the fat tire design. On its own, the Ultra’s 750W motor and PAS system make it a speed demon, but also give it the power and tuning to effectively haul additional weight.
The Ultra’s ability to hold two batteries equals greater range and lasting assistance from the motor even under load. That’s why this e-bike is our only pick for this category!
- Customizability is the greatest feature of the Ultra, with the ability to double its range by connecting two batteries, or adding racks for added cargo/passenger capacity.
- The Ultra connects to the Blix Bike app through Bluetooth, allowing a phone to function as a secondary display, and making it easy to switch from Class 2 to Class 3 mode.
- The 750W motor and PAS system is designed to support additional weight, and can bring the bike up to top speeds quickly even at low settings.
- Unlike other dual battery-capable e-bikes, the Ultra’s suspension fork and fat tires make it possible to travel off-road easily.
- To complement its cargo hauling capabilities, the Ultra’s top tube is functionally a hybrid between high-step and step-thru designs. It gives the bike a more aggressive look appropriate for its speed and power.
- The Ultra’s cockpit is arranged well, so that all of its controls are easily accessible.
- While it helps to keep the cockpit layout compact, the Ultra’s tiny display is not able to display a full scope of information simultaneously.
- The Ultra’s extended wheelbase (for a fat tire bike) increases stability for cargo hauling, but it also makes turns more difficult.
Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5
The Best Electric Fat Bike for Smaller Riders
Finding an e-bike that fits you isn’t just important when it comes to color, riding style, or personality. Proper size and proportion is important to ensure that the mechanics of the human body are used effectively in concert with those of the bike, and use does not result in pain or injury. For smaller riders, finding an appropriately-sized e-bike can be challenging due to the abundance of large, full-size frames on the market, and in some cases, options that do fit may sacrifice features or functionality.
Enter the Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5. This compact, foldable e-bike evolved from the RadMini 4 in some surprising ways, leaning into the fact that it is an e-bike first, and a folding bike second. In addition to a rad-(get it?)-ically different frame design, the RadExpand features quality components, a stout frame, a respectable 672Wh battery with good range, a powerful 750W rear hub motor for speed and hill-climbing, and even a solid rear cargo rack, all at a great price.
For riders within the 4’10” to 5’10” height bracket, this means you won’t have to make sacrifices. The RadExpand 5 is a fully functional e-bike in a fun size, and the fact that it folds for transport or storage is just one additional feature to appreciate.
We do wish the RadExpand had held on to the RadMini 4’s LCD display instead of eschewing it for a simplified indicator panel, but the change doesn’t have any effect on the bike’s actual performance. Bottom line: the RadExpand is a great choice for those looking for a smaller e-bike.
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- Instead of the narrow, somewhat shaky handlebar system on the old model, the RadExpand 5 has a great BMX-style setup that is wider, sturdier, and still able to fold down.
- While it is still relatively heavy for a folding bike, its 62 lb frame does collapse down to a manageable size for storage and transport.
- As a Rad Power bike, you know you’re purchasing a quality product with reliable components.
- The RadExpand features great specs for the price. Its component package of a 672 Wh battery, 750W motor, 7-speed drivetrain, and effective brakes (though they are mechanical) is a good deal on a bike from a tried and tested brand.
- The bike’s handling is responsive, nimble, and smooth, making it great for experienced riders and novices alike.
- As with other Rad Power bikes, the motor input is gradual and intuitive, allowing the bike to always feel under your control.
- The velcro strap included with the RadExpand effectively holds its two halves together when folded, but we’d love to see a more permanent feature installed on the frame.
- While the light-based indicator panel works fine for showing PAS level, lights, etc., we can’t help but feel that a full LCD display would have been better.
Runner Up Best Electric Far Bike for Smaller Riders
The Blix Dubbel
With a rider height range of 5’ 0” to 6′ 2”, the Blix Dubbel offers lots of versatility to a wide range of riders including some on the smaller end of the spectrum.
Himiway Cobra
The Best All-Terrain Electric Fat Bike, 2023
While many fat tire e-bikes are labeled and marketed as all-terrain machines, few actually come with the equipment to back that up. The Himiway Cobra, however, boasts a full four-bar linkage suspension and coil suspension more akin to something you’d find on a true mountain bike. This allows it to handle larger bumps and rougher terrain that would be jarring and difficult for riders on other fat tire bikes with just a front suspension fork.
The Himiway Cobra comes with all the features you’d expect for off-road capability; a torquey 750W rear hub motor with torque sensors for more intuitive control, a massive 20 Ah battery for extended range, 4.8” CST tires for loose terrain, and 180mm hydraulic disc brakes for effective stopping power.
With that said, the Cobra sits at a great price for what it brings to the table, but it’s important to remember that it is a hybrid sort of design and will not compare with a high-end dedicated mountain bike with top-shelf parts. The Cobra is meant as a “gateway” to off-roading, allowing its rider to approach exploring and adventuring worry-free. Think Jeep trails, double-track and fire roads.
As a fat tire e-bike with this extreme capability and affordable price tag, the Himiway Cobra is somewhat in a league of its own, which is why it’s our top pick for this category!
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- For its price of around $2500, the Himiway Cobra offers off-road performance comparable to more expensive, more dedicated e-bikes.
- Even with Himiway’s first attempt at a four-bar suspension, the Cobra is surprisingly functional on more technical surfaces.
- We appreciate seeing the upgrade from the mechanical disc brakes on the Himiway Cruiser to the hydraulic brakes on the Cobra.
- The Cobra performs great on doubletrack and feels comfortable in rougher, off-road environments.
- The 750W motor’s torque sensors make it appropriately responsive and precise for the bike’s natural habitat.
- The (extra) fat 4.8” tires feel super stable when engaging with loose or slippery ground.
- We really can’t say enough about the Cobra’s value!
- We felt the faux leather handlebar grips to be ill-suited to the bike’s need for precise control in more demanding environments.
- A throttle is always a great feature on an e-bike, but we would prefer to see a lever instead of a twist control to avoid accidental activation.
Runner Up Best All-Terrain Electric Fat Bike
The QuietKat Jeep
With the option for a massive 1,000W motor, and a beefy suspension, this higher end all-terrain bike truly lives up to its Jeep branding.
Aventon Sinch Step-Through
The Best Folding Fat Tire Electric Bike, 2023
While some of the other fat tire e-bikes on this page have also had the ability to fold, the Aventon Sinch does it just a bit better, making it a slightly more well-rounded machine. For this reason, it remains as our top pick in this category for the second year in a row.
Aventon’s Sinch is one of the more accessible e-bikes you’ll find on the fat tire market. The low stepover height of the frame and 20” diameter wheels don’t make it as intimidating for smaller riders to try out compared to many beefier fat tire bikes, but even 6’ riders will find joy on this bike too. The fact that it folds down and can be tossed in the back of most vehicles is a serious bonus.
We’re always hesitant to list aesthetic reasons for consideration on a best list as it’s easily the most subjective thing that varies from person to person, but both the green and red frames paired with the tan wall tires help the bike pop without being too flashy so you’ll have pride in riding around on a good looking bike.
But on e-bikes we know that looks fade while performance sustains and we like what the Sinch has under the hood as well. The 500W motor and 672Wh battery pair well to deliver 30-50 miles of range, the 20” X 4” fat tires are versatile enough for fire roads and paved riding alike, and the 45mm RST fork is sturdy while helping absorb some road vibration.
Now since this one is taking home the prize for best folding fat bike, let’s talk about the frame. Its overall construction is solid, and the miles we’ve logged on the Sinch have given us no concerns about the hinge that connects the front and rear half of the bike. Sometimes we see a little more flex there than we like, but that’s not been the case so far with the Sinch. The fact that this feels like a full-sized bike, but is capable of being fairly compact if you need to tuck it away in a corner will be a huge plus for many riders.
- 30-50 mile range makes it a great bike to keep in the back of a vehicle and go exploring with.
- The 500W motor engages well and climbs hills fairly well.
- An angular frame, eye-grabbing colors, and tires that pop – it’s a good-looking e-bike that stands out from many other fat folders.
- It includes a colorful display we don’t often see on affordable e-bikes.
- Not uncommon for a folder, but no way to latch it closed means that picking up a 68 lbs folded bike can feel cumbersome as it tends to want to swing open.
Runner Up Best Folding Fat Tire Electric Bike
The Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5
The followup to the old RadMini, the RadExpand retains a lot of what made the Mini great while adding more comfort, and reducing the bike’s weight. Less weight is a plus with folders.
QuietKat Apex
The Best Electric Fat Bike for Hunting, 2023
While there are plenty of ways that e-bikes enhance everyday lives, they have some serious advantages that change the game for hunters and outdoorspeople. Having a bike that can haul a hunter, gear, move quickly and relatively quietly, all without leaving a scent trail can drastically change your hunting experience for the better. But the best fat tire hunting e-bike has to be the QuietKat Apex.
A true hunting e-bike needs much more than just a camo paint job option (which, yes, the Apex has that option). It needs to really nail a lot of things in its specs, and it needs a host of accessory options. QuietKat made sure to deliver on all fronts.
The Apex spec sheet has just about everything you’d put on your wishlist: an efficient 750W mid-drive motor (with 1000W upgrade option), 768Wh battery, four-piston Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, 150mm inverted air-suspension fork (one of the sturdier options you’ll find anywhere), all-terrain 26” X 4.5” Kenda Juggernaut tires, included rear rack for bags and gear, and a payload capacity of 325 lbs.
And while that package provides a lot of bike, the accessories list is where you really see QuietKat’s history of designing bikes for the hunting crowd. There are single-wheel trailer options for hauling more gear, and a two-wheel trailer for hauling game. Do you want a handlebar mount for taking your bow? They’ve got that. Planning on spending multiple days out in the wild? They have a portable solar charger to keep your battery juiced. That is all just scratching the surface, there is no shortage of options for how you can customize the Apex to your hunting preferences
It’s a premium e-bike offering for sure, so don’t expect to have everything mentioned above for cheap, but if you’re ready to enhance your hunting experience with an e-bike then take a hard look at the QuietKat Apex.
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- The 150mm inverted air fork is a standout feature on this bike. It’s stout on the trails, absorbs impact well, and feels built to last.
- The 750 or 1,000W Bafang mid-drive motor are both workhorses that will help you traverse most any terrain.
- There is a staggering amount of customization options for taking the Apex hunting with you. The optional accessories cover hunters, campers, fishers and all forms of outdoor activities.
- Given the premium pricing, we would have hoped that a suspension seatpost would be standard, although they do offer it as an upgrade.
Runner Up Best All-Terrain/Hunting Electric Bike
The Bakcou Mule
It make sense the Mule has been Bakcou’s best selling e-bike over the past several years — it’s efficient, capable and does exactly what it was designed to do – handle rugged trails efficiently.
How we chose the best fat tire electric bikes
The bikes we’ve reviewed have been put through a rigorous gauntlet of testing meant to paint a picture of how they accelerate, brake, handle and climb hills in the real world. We also put them through a series of range tests to answer the all-important question of how far you can ride them on a single charge.
And for us we consider any tire 3” or wider to meet the definition of fat tire, so that’s what you’ll find on the list below.
To make this list, we evaluated fat-tire e-bikes based on a few key criteria. Mainly:
- Range: It takes a lot of power to spin tires this big, so does the bike have a battery to back up its tread? There’s a reason fat bikes saw a boom in popularity after e-bikes came around. Simply put, they’re inefficient and not super pleasant to pedal without at least a little assistance. Bikes that make this list need to have batteries that will last.
- Quality and affordability: This category of e-bike in particular is flush with affordable e-bikes designed to maximize performance without draining your wallet. It’s also a category where we see lots of first-time buyers. So what are you getting for your money and is it built to last?
- Speed and power: Fat bikes are the brutes of the e-bike world. They typically have some of the larger motors among their peers, and all that power raises some important questions: Exactly how fast can the bike go and what does that power feel like when you’re riding? Is it delivered in a safe and measured way or does the bike leap from underneath you?
- Comfort and efficiency: Because of their sheer size and the weight of their tires, fat e-bikes run the risk of being uncomfortable or downright difficult to ride. These bikes need to have balanced handling, geometry that’s comfortable but pedaling-friendly and a motor strong enough to keep everything rolling.
- Usefulness: Do the fat tires add something to the bike other than looks? Fat tires can do lots of things to a bike, both good and bad. In our opinion, a well executed fat-tire e-bike needs to be more stable, more capable or more comfortable.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the best fat-tire e-bikes – if you survey the e-bike landscape you’ll see what we mean. Considering how many of them there are out there, a comprehensive list of that sort would be very, very long. What this list is, is a compilation of the best fat bikes we’ve tested and bikes we’ve heard about non-stop from our readers, but haven’t gotten to swing a leg over yet. Know of a bike you think should be on this list? Shout it out to us. We’re always happy to look into more options.
Bottom line: Fat tires have made e-bikes more approachable
The hunting, trail-ready, and all-terrain e-bikes are exceptions to that statement, but by and large, your average fat-tire e-bike rider probably isn’t picturing slop, sand and snow as their ideal day out on the bike. Most of these bikes will live their lives putting in miles on paved paths, gravel roads and maybe some very light-duty trails.
So why choose fat tires over a traditional bicycle tire? The answer is simple: Because they feel more stable and are more confidence inspiring, especially to newer riders or those venturing off-road for the first time.
E-bikes have made bicycles far more accessible and appealing to people who before never thought of swinging a leg over a human-powered machine, and that’s a wonderful thing. But these new bike riders have lots of questions and maybe even reservations about traction, capability and whether or not they’ve got enough contact with the ground to keep themselves tire-side-down in corners or under hard braking. Fat tires help with that.
Sure, there’s a whole contingent of outdoorspeople who have very real concerns about floatation and traction, and many companies have delivered bikes that’ll romp through the backcountry with abandon. But by and large, your average fat e-bike rider just wants to feel secure on their bike. Or, if we’re being totally honest, they just think the big tires look really cool (we do too).
Whether you’re a backcountry enthusiast, a rider looking for the feeling of stability or a person who just thinks the big tires look cool, there is something for you here on this list of the best fat tire electric bikes.
Have a bike that you think would be a good contender for our best fat tire electric bike page? Let us know in the comment section below. At the very least, we always want to know what our readers are riding.
Great article! I’m also in Utah and agree with you – it’s great to support businesses here – some great people are here and of course everywhere, but especially here. You mentioned the good rear suspension of the Rockshock Monarch Shock on the Bakcou. I’ve got a custom-made fat tire ebike (1k watt Bafang middrive, 52 v battery, rigid frame yet soft Cloud 9 seat) but am looking for the right suspension to handle bone-jarring pot holes, one of which I hit a few days ago, and my teeth are still rattling. What would you recommend to help with that — a particular suspension seat post? (Have read good things about Thudbuster ST online but I don’t know what to get — I’d like to get the very best for that price range similar to the Thudbuster ST, but could use some guidance. This is my first time back on bikes in many years. My buddy is about to get a fat tire ebike and wants the same answers.) Also would you recommend front end suspension of some kind? I’m an older rider looking for stability, not off-road as much, but the potholes and occasional roads in disrepair are hazards I need to prepare for better. Thanks!
Thanks for an excellent article on Fat Tire bikes. I recommend that you include the E-Cells 2 wheel drive Fat Tire bike in your next review. I recently tested the E-Cells bike in the mountains of WV on a 3 day tour. It handled steep terrain very well. I sometimes loose traction with a single wheel drive fat tire bike going up steep hills in the winter with snow. The 2 wheel drive is good for pulling a trailer with a deer stand, hauling deer, trail maintenance and rescue work.
I also have a BH Big Bud 2 wheel drive Fat Tire bike. The BH bike is no longer available in the USA. Don Gerhardt
Why not a three wheeler fat tire with front and back suspension for us riders over 70! Maybe get rid of the derailleur and substitute in new internal hub and sometimes motor? This would be a great electric bike for me!!! Maybe put on more suspension than I need making for smooth ride on dirt pot hole roads?
Just putting dreams together here. Thanks.
Good for YOU – Just starting research – in my late sixties – probably a step thru – proud male.
All chinese hub motor internet direct to consumer BS.
I guess nobody reputable makes a good fat bike these days? What happened to the Norco Bigfoot?? That sucker would trounce the rest of these in all categories except class 3.
I owned an aventure and found it to be dangerous for riding on trails because of the delayed throttle response, not sure why you never acknowledge that in your review