2. WHY ARE FAT TIRE ELECTRIC BICYCLES GAINING POPULARITY AMONG AN INCREASING NUMBER OF PEOPLE?

In the previous blog post, we discussed that one of the factors contributing to the popularity of fat tire electric bikes is the fat tire itself. These tires differ significantly from traditional ones. They are larger, more durable, and offer improved puncture resistance, greatly enhancing comfort during electric bike rides. The emergence of fat tires is not a coincidence, but rather a result of advancements in rubber manufacturing and tire abrasive technology. These advancements, coupled with intense competition in the electric bicycle market, have led to technical and aesthetic innovations.

Varun Ballistic 26'' Fat Tire Elektro-Mountainbike – Varun eletcirc bikes (varunebike.com)

For those who have not ridden a fat tire electric bike, these bikes may seem like a sensationalist trend, and fat tires may appear to be merely a marketing gimmick. However, I do not fully agree with this perception. While it may be true that electric bike manufacturers initially used fat tires to attract attention and drive sales growth, fat tire electric bikes have evolved significantly over the years. They have shed the label of being a mere "sensation" and gained widespread acceptance. It seems that people now prefer vehicles with larger tires.

Let's delve into the specific characteristics of fat tires. Measuring 4''*4''*26'', these tires have a larger contact area with the ground, providing greater grip and improving overall security. However, it's important to avoid making sharp turns on wet surfaces, as fat tires do not offer superior handling in wet conditions compared to conventional tires.

One of the significant advantages of fat tires is their ability to conquer various terrains. Fat tire electric bikes excel in traversing nearly 99% of gravel roads. Traditional narrow tire bicycles often struggle with gravel roads due to the presence of stones of varying sizes, making for an uncomfortable and sometimes puncture-prone ride. Fat tire electric bikes handle these challenges efficiently, making them the preferred choice for many riders.

Moreover, fat tire electric bikes can conquer 80%-90% of sandy terrain. While it is true that traditional narrow tires can navigate some sandy surfaces, fat tire electric bikes surpass them in handling sandy terrain. Fat tire electric bikes can venture into sandy areas that traditional narrow tire bikes cannot access. However, extremely soft sandy grounds pose a challenge even for fat tire electric bikes.

Fat tire electric bikes offer riders a more comfortable experience due to the larger internal space within the tires. A larger internal space reduces vibration transmission, resulting in a smoother ride. While traditional narrow tire electric bikes may subject riders to 70% of the vibrations during rides, fat tire electric bikes only transmit about 30%. As transportation requirements evolve with time, people seek safer, more reliable, and comfortable electric bikes.

However, fat tire electric bikes do have some disadvantages. For instance, they are generally heavier than traditional narrow tire bikes. Bigger tires mean larger wheels, making fat tire electric bikes heavier than their narrow tire counterparts of the same size. Additionally, fat tire electric bikes occupy more space and cannot be folded or easily transported in a car. Furthermore, assembling a fat tire electric bike may take longer compared to a traditional narrow tire bike.

To summarize, the advantages of fat tire electric bikes overshadow their shortcomings. The emergence of fat tire electric bikes represents progress in the electric bicycle industry, and this is why they enjoy high acceptance and popularity among riders.

Varun Ballistic 26'' Fat Tire Elektro-Mountainbike – Varun eletcirc bikes (varunebike.com)