Choice of Electric Bike Tires: Narrow or Fat?

When people buy electric bicycles, they can expect to struggle to understand motors, batteries, transmissions, brakes and pricing. How should they choose a suitable electric bike? Plus, there’s another essential factor to consider − tires. There are two types of tires: narrow and fat. How should we choose tires?

Advantages of narrow tires

1. Visual Effects

Visually, narrow-tire bikes look lighter and more agile while fat-tire bikes are slightly bulkier. And when beginners try to ride electric bicycles, they’ll find that narrow-tire bicycles will be more accessible and offer better control. The weight will be lighter, making it easier for the rider to move.

2. Experience

Due to their short sidewall and wide tread, narrow-tire bicycles can handle the road conditions well. In addition, the handlebars are accurate and easy to control. There’s a more critical aspect of the tire called cornering stiffness. Thin tires give the rider more control over the direction with an increased stiffness.

Disadvantages of narrow tires

1. Cost of use

Because narrow tires have smaller and thinner sidewalls there’s a greater chance of a tire bulging or scrapping. In the event of an accidental scratch or if the ground is relatively rough, the sidewall of the thin tire is more likely to bulge or even be directly scrapped. Therefore, the cost of using narrow tires will be higher than that of fat tires

2. The terrain is limited

You can't clearly perceive the pros and cons of tires when riding on flat roads. When you traverse mountain roads, snow roads, sand roads or other rough roads, you’ll find that the riding experience is not very friendly on narrow-tire bicycles. Especially on rough and bumpy roads, the jitter of narrow tires will be more obvious. Just like the shoes we usually wear, thin soles make running and lifting our legs easier but we can feel foreign objects on the road.

The thick sole has relatively little contact with the road surface and weak perception. Running and walking in thick-soled shoes is more comfortable. When referring to tires, the same is true. When tires are very thin, they have less ability to cushion. In the face of rough roads, these tires have no apparent shock absorption effect and the force of the impact on the wheels cannot be resolved. In severe cases, the hub may become deformed or there may be breakage.

You’ll find riding a narrow-tire bike very convenient at first, suitable for beginner riding. Over time, you have other needs like traversing higher mountains, rougher forests and more expansive beaches and going on more exciting electric cycle trips. But narrow-tire bikes can't meet your changing needs. In this era, fat tires are the best choice!

Fat tire bikes, also known as four-season, are powerful enough to be used in snow, unlike narrow-tire bikes. Now that the impact of fat tires is expanding rapidly, we need to understand them better.

In fact, the fat tire bike concept has a very long history, dating back to 1991. In the first few years, fat tires were not substantially developed. The global greenhouse effect has caused some winter weather to be more extreme. This is triggered some popular new trends and the demand for fat tire electric bicycles has increased.

Fat tires, initially designed for snow riding, have slowly become popular for many new adventurers. The fat tires increase the contact area of the ground and can travel readily on all kinds of surfaces. Because fat tire electric cycles have good grip and traction, riders can ride freely in snow, woodland, mud and gravel terrain.

The popularity of fat tire electric cycles in society is steadily rising through 2022. In addition to its cool looks, sturdy construction and outstanding performance, manufacturers have added versatility and comfort to create more riding possibilities. This allows you to explore places you previously struggled to reach on a narrow-tire bike. They also provide a higher margin of safety and still ride smoothly over rough terrain.

Advantages of fat tires

1. Fewer obstacles to riding

As mentioned above, fat tire electric cycles can ride smoothly on rough terrain. In fact, not only can they overcome terrain obstacles, bad weather doesn’t hold them back. The Cyrusher XF900 is one example of a fat tire electric bike that combines power, function and beauty. With its substantial fat tires, powerful motor, and sturdy frame, paired with an effective suspension design, any weather or terrain is no problem. The powerful motor and fat-tire grip can lead you through snow and sand. Both the motor and battery are waterproof, allowing you to ride on the beach. For the most part, fat tire electric cycles can traverse freely even in the rain, snow and low temperatures.

2. Increase your workout intensity

Many people think that riding an e-bike is an act of laziness. In fact, the electric bicycle retains the original structure of the bike and adds electronic components such as motors and batteries. The rider can master the motor switch with his hand according to the physical condition. E-bikes indeed save time and effort compared to conventional bicycles. However, electric fat bikes can also increase the intensity of our workouts.

A fat-tire e-bike is much heavier than a narrow-tire bike, so you need to use more power to maneuver it without the motor running. Your legs and other muscles will work more if you regularly ride in pedal-assist mode or in a non-sporting way.

Cyrusher electric bicycle has five levels of P.A.S. You can use the appropriate pedal level according to the terrain or your physical strength to reduce the intensity of exercise and maintain your activity level. Riding a fat tire e-bike can significantly improve a rider's fitness and you’ll find that you get stronger and stronger.

3. Wide range of adaptation

Not only are these fat tires an advantage on rough terrain, but they're also great on brick and asphalt. Fat tires can sufficiently suppress the vibration from the road and, combined with the front fork suspension of XF900, increase the performance and improve the user's riding quality. With its size and power, the XF900 will make your commuting trips enjoyable.

4. Greater safety and comfort

The tires of the XF900 are 26" x 4". This means the area of the tire that’s in contact with the ground has increased and the traction is greatly improved. It offers a smooth ride even on loose gravel or sandy surfaces. The extra tire width distributes the bike and rider's weight widely. As a result, it’s easier for the rider to safely pass through sand, snow and slippery dirt rather than risk falling or getting stuck on a narrow tire bike. Cyrusher also outfitted this electric fat bike with massive hydraulic disc brakes. It’s responsive and fast-braking and the cut-off motor gives the rider excellent and powerful stopping power.

Once the electric fat bike hits the road, the tread depth means the rider will be cushioned against hard impacts. Combined with the fat tires, the full suspension design of the XF900 provides riders with a more comfortable riding experience and reduces the risk of injury. Fat tires have more air capacity than narrow tires for dealing with rough terrain, and they’ll be more balanced.

Steep ground and other rough terrain can be traversed with the electric fat bike. The extra traction and grip allow the rider to travel freely. Even though narrow-tire bicycles can traverse some more complicated roads, I believe that the process is not easy and pleasant for the rider. Fat tires are serious about rough terrain; not only will they perform well but they’ll also ensure rider comfort and safety.

We all know that everything can't be perfect, and fat tires have their downsides. Otherwise, everyone will choose fat tires without hesitation, so there is no need to tangle here.

1. Difficult to grasp

Since fat tires add weight to the bike, they require more muscle power to move and handle and the wide tread also brings a lot of frictional resistance. Some riders cannot use fat tire electric bikes well due to insufficient physical fitness or skills. However, motors and P.A.S. can reduce or completely solve this problem. Therefore, if you’re facing this situation, it’s recommended that you use both the motor and the P.A.S.

2. Expensive

Fat tires are more expensive than narrow tires. Since they have particular requirements such as deeper treads, special inner tubes, etc., this is no surprise to the rider. If you choose a Cyrusher e-bike, you don't need to worry about the price factor. The brand has always provided customers with high-quality products in the best configuration, striving to balance the excellent relationship between price and high-end components.

Cyrusher uses tire brands like Kenda or Chaoyang that also have the advantage of puncture resistance. This can prevent the rider from being stopped by sharp objects when traversing rough terrain, ensuring the safety of riding.

Although fat tires are more expensive, they’re less costly to use than narrow tires. Because fat tires are more durable and last longer, if users pay attention to maintenance and upkeep, fat tires can last longer.

In conclusion

Despite the drawbacks of electric fat bikes, there are solutions to overcome these difficulties and they’re worth buying. Narrow or fat tires? Choose the pattern and style you want according to your needs. In more challenging conditions, fat tires have a unique ability to go further and you’ll enjoy more riding fun and scenery.