Do You Need Fat Tires on Your E Bike? The Pros and Cons of Fat Tires on Electric Bikes

[@rayrussell6258]

I have a fat tire bike. While it's a bit harder to pedal than with a narrower tire, if you keep the air pressure at the upper end of the range it minimizes that resistance without really changing bump absorption all that much. I never ride the ebike without using assist. Speed and hills are the two biggest factors in range, I wouldn't put fat tires high on the list of explanations for getting less range. Weight of the rider can be a bigger factor than having fat tires. You are right about fat tires costing more to replace. However, before I got the ebike I owned and rode a Schwinn Collegiate bike. It was 50 years old when I replaced the tires the first time. Granted, I wasn't an everyday rider, and there were many years when I didn't ride the bike at all. But I am always mindful of how hard I take curves, and I keep air pressure at the recommended level. The bike still has the original wheels. I can't imagine ever needing to replace wheels. Your assessment of fat tires is generally correct, I don't dispute you. But with care, I think owners will find fat tires are more enjoyable having them on your bike, especially if you ride on roads with frost heaves, bumps, and patched potholes like I do.