Now more than ever, you can find e-bikes with fat and plus-size tires. However, if you are new in the mix, you can be confused about why these e-bikes are all the rage right now.
That is why I have compared the two - to allow you to get all the right information on what is a better fit for you and your lifestyle. Tire type can tremendously impact the speed, range of the ebike, terrain options, comfort, and shock absorbency.
Deciding on the right tire type for you is of the utmost importance, so let’s get into it.
Overview of Larger Tires for E-bikes
E-bikes, short for electric bikes, are now more in demand than ever, and they come in many shapes, sizes, and purposes. The main characteristic you should consider when buying an ebike is - where you want to ride it.
If you want to ride your e-bike to work and run errands, you can purchase a simple commuter or road ebike, which will work perfectly for your needs. Road bikes come with thin tires that allow quicker maneuvering, which is a trait necessary for city rides.
However, a city bike simply doesn’t suffice if you wish to go off-road with your e-bike. You will need fat tires or plus-size tires, as they come with a wide surface area for going over of terrain and also absorb road shocks and bumps.
The real question is - which ones are better? Let’s find out
Fat Tires - Pros & Cons
Fat tires are hard to miss on the road - they are much larger than the typical tires, so they stand out. Originally made for motorcycles and mountain bikes, they offer extreme comfort and maximum stability on rugged terrain.
Fat tires are synonymous with lots of air volume, allowing the ride on the fat tires to be super soft and comfy. Moreover, on off-road rides, the fat tires will allow you to remain stable as they get more traction with a wider surface area.
The trend of using fat tires started with riding bikes through mud and snow without losing control. Fat tires are widespread, and many people use them for city rides, too. This is because these tires have very low roll resistance, which makes them awesome for long-distance travel.
Fat tires are typically four inches wide and mounted on wider rims. All of that may sound too perfect to come with a downside - and it is.
Fat tires are great for off-road travel but be prepared for their weight. If you turn off the motor, you will feel how difficult these bikes are to pedal. Thankfully, most fat-tire e-bikes provide ample range and are rugged to boot.
Many people found that the cons didn’t outweigh the pros, as the rides are bump and shock-free.
Plus Size Tires - Pros & Cons
Plus-size tires are tires with a size of 2.5 to 3.25 inches strike a balance between a thin road tire and a fat tire. They aren’t as wide, nor do they have a large air volume, but they’re pretty good at absorbing road shock.
Considering the overall performance of plus-size tires, you can say they’re almost the same as fat tires. Plus-size tires do not contain as much air as fat ones, which worries some people about stability and comfort.
The truth is - plus size tires are extremely comfortable, especially on uneven terrain and off-road adventures. Moreover, if you decide to go uphill, plus-size tires can offer better acceleration than your ordinary mountain ebike, making the entire experience much more comfortable.
Of course, plus-size tires are not perfect, and they could add extra weight to an already-heavy e-bike, and seniors will certainly mind lugging a couple more pounds. The extra weight of these tires does come with fantastic resistance to punctures and external damage, but lifting the ebike can be a challenge.
Generally speaking, you win some and lose some - so the puncture resistance and exceptional comfort come with a downside of excess weight.
How to Choose Tires for Your Ebike According to Your Needs
Tires for your ebike aren’t all about aesthetics - each type of tire serves a specific purpose. Each type was created to maximize performance on some terrain, which you need to consider before choosing.
For example, if you need an e-bike you can stroll around the city, fat tires will certainly weigh too much to make it worthwhile. However, if you want all the comfort of wider tires without too much weight, consider plus-size tires.
Smooth paths and paved roads go hand in hand with slimmer tires, but if you want them wider, you can get away with a plus-size pair.
On the other hand, if you are looking for rugged terrain, wider tires will keep you stable with solid traction. On top of that, your ebike will be more powerful with a pair of fat or plus-size tires, especially if your ebike is packing a high-power motor.
Consider all that before you buy, and you will easily find a solution for your needs - giving yourself a smooth, bump-free ride all the time.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, fat and plus-size tires have advantages and disadvantages when installed on an e-bike. If you want better maneuverability on different terrain, plus-size tires are the way to go.
However, if you are exclusively looking for off-road challenges, fat tire e-bikes might suit your lifestyle slightly better. Plus-size tires have better puncture resistance, so if you want to stay safe, I advise you to go for the plus-size tires.
On the other hand, if you want more power and adrenaline-packed rides, go for the fat tire e-bike. All in all, make sure to research all of your options before you settle on one of the two!