The tires play an essential role in the performance of your electric bike in California. There are two options available: fat tire bikes and regular tire ebikes.
Each type has different maintenance needs, weight, pressure, and price points. Tire width also affects the ebike’s suspension range and maneuverability. Let’s dive deep into the details here.
What are Regular Tires?
These tires look ‘regular’ in appearance. They do not have dramatic width that stands out from the crowd.
They are smooth treaded and commonly used for everyday commuting. They can be used for racing as well in certain situations.
Regular tires provide decent traction on the road for easier handling. The tires are slightly thin and allow you to travel at faster speeds.
They are known for their trim shape and smoothness. Regular tires have a width of 28mm to 42mm.
Their weight is also on the lower end of the spectrum.
The tire’s lower weight makes it easier to ride the ebike. Fatter tires come in handy when you are cycling on rougher terrain.
One significant advantage of regular tires is that they are easy to adjust. Pedaling is also straightforward, especially with shifting gears.
Another benefit of regular tires is their relatively high air pressure. This has many practical benefits.
It is more difficult to pierce or puncture regular tires. The last thing you want is fixing tires in the middle of nowhere.
A major advantage of using regular tires is that they are engineered for durability. Moreover, regular tires last longer than other tires.
If you want something that gets the job done, go with regular tires.
Let’s give a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages of regular tires.
Read Electric Bike Front Wheel vs Rear Wheel
Advantages of Regular Tires
Regular Tires are More Affordable
Regular tires are more affordable than fat tires. They are made in large numbers. This allows manufacturers to benefit from economies of scale. They can pass on the savings to customers who can buy regular tires cheaply.
Regular tires occupy a smaller volume. The shipping, packaging, and handling are cheaper than fat tires.
Work Exceptionally Well on the Tarmac
Regular tires handle the tarmac a lot easier. They are less heavy and ultimately offer less traction on rough terrain.
They do let you get the most out of your ebike range. You can travel further on the same charge using your ebike.
Can Travel at Faster Speeds
Regular tires on ebikes can travel at faster speeds. This is because their smaller surface area provides encounters less air resistance.
This feature allows regular tires to cut through the air easily compared to fat tires.
Easier to Handler
The overall weight of the ebike is lower because of the regular-sized tires. No heavy-duty components are used to provide support to regular tires.
More Durable on Regular Surfaces
Regular tires are less prone to wear and tear on everyday surfaces. This feature allows regular tires to last much longer.
More Range
Regular tires have a lower weight. This allows you to get more range per charge. A fat tire will drain the battery more quickly.
Check out, Best Electric Bikes with Detachable Batteries
Disadvantages Regular Tires
Regular tire electric bikes in California are not without their disadvantages. Let’s take a look at their weaknesses in the section below.
Not Ideal for Performance Enthusiasts
Regular tires are not ideal for performance-oriented cyclists. They are inefficient at lean angles and high-speed cornering.
This is because their grip on the surface is poor. You should not make sharp turns on your ebike if it has regular tires.
You Might Lose Balance Easily
Regular tires may cause you to lose balance on uneven surfaces. This means you cannot use them on off-roading surfaces.
The electric bike will also get stuck in ditches very quickly. If this happens, you might have to move the tires out of the ditch physically. This can be annoying and laborious.
Not Ideal for Off-Roading
Regular tires are not meant for off-roading or trail biking. They are not designed for rough terrain.
Using regular tires on uneven paths may lead to punctures and tears.
Careful Braking
Gently brakes when before your stop arrives. This is because regular tires are more likely to lose grip on the ground.
They might lift off the ground and cause you to fall. Press the brakes sensibly, and a few feet before your stop arrives.
Read How To Change A Tire On Your Electric Bike
What are Fat Tires
Fat tires are less common than regular tires. They are very hard to miss because of their wide appearance.
The usual width of regular tires is 2 to 3 inches at most. Fat tires have a width of four to five inches. This makes them look more ‘Rubenesque.’
Fat tires often look like they are a parody of ebikes. Almost as if someone drew them as satires of regular-sized tires.
But fat tires have a practical and serious role beyond the jokes and memes. They have several advantages beyond just drawing attention to you.
For one, riding regular tire ebikes on dirt and snow is difficult. If the ebike has bad suspension, you will have back pains for days.
The primary advantage of fat tire electric bikes is that they can cover diverse terrain. You can take them on snow and sand with ease.
The wider surface area of the tire provides extra traction and grip. Combine this with low tire pressure, and you’ll be able to pedal over any terrain.
Regular tires are more likely to puncture a few minutes of riding on the dirt. We’re not saying that fat tires make riding on the dirt easy. It’s more manageable than conventional tires.
All the tire’s extra surface area means you have more overall stability. Another advantage of fat tires is that they can ride uphill with ease.
You won’t be the fastest uphill, but you should be able to get uphill easily. Most cyclists are using fat tire electric bikes in California on regular terrain.
Fat tire electric bikes are heavier. All that extra rubber and supports make them 25% heavier than regular tires.
The heavy weight requires more power to pedal the ebike. You might end up using more power from the motor and drain the battery soon.
The range of fat tire electric bikes in California is on the low end.
Read Electric Mountain Bike with Fat Tires
Can I Put Fat Tires on any eBike?
Unfortunately, you cannot swap out regular tires for fat tires. You might be able to put regular wheels on a fat bike, but not the other way round.
Another alternative is to use plus-size tires. They are wider than the regular tires but not as wide as fat tires. They are also becoming more popular.
The section below will sum up the advantages and disadvantages of fat tires.
Advantages Of Fat Tires
Easier to Handle on Rough Terrain
Fat tires have more surface area than regular tires. This comes in handy when riding on rough terrain.
The thickness of flat tires works on snow, ice, and marshy conditions. In fact, you probably won’t even notice that you’re riding in the snow.
Fat tires make short work of every type of terrain. You can also take fat tire electric bikes out on a rainy day.
Fat tires are designed to give you complete control over the ebike. You can also travel at high speeds with the help of ebike assist.
The tires are designed to decrease the cumulated pressure of the ebike and the cyclist. This is due to the extra surface area of the tires and ground contact.
Fat tires are also suitable for riding on sandy beaches. This is something that regular tires cannot provide. Regular tires will slip on wet ground, but fat tires will continue chugging along.
Designed for All-Weather Situations
Fat tire ebikes are designed to work in any weather. This plays to the strengths of cyclists who are into sports and adventure.
The tires do not slip on wet surface areas, including asphalt and stone. They won’t sink in snow and mud, making them ideal for commuting and transportation.
Fat tires prove their worth when public transportation is not accessible. You can take your ebike out to run errands without a hiccup.
Moreover, their weight allows them to resist strong winds. This proves more advantageous for the rider and makes the trip safer.
Pro tip: Fat tire ebikes are strong but not that strong. If weather officials issue warnings about bad weather, stay indoors!!
Good for Cardio and Workout
Fat tires are heavy and require more effort to pedal. This can recruit more muscle units and cause you to tire out quicker.
This makes fat tires ideal for anyone who wants to work out. Take the ebike in California out on off-road adventures, and build your muscles.
More Comfortable for the Cyclist
A significant advantage of using fat tires is that they are very comfortable. Their lower tire pressure provides high comfort standards.
You don’t have to inflate fat tires very much. Fat tires can go as low as 10 to 15 psi or more down.
You can experiment with tire pressures to see what works best for you. Fat tires electric bikes don’t have a suspension system and are very rigid.
This is because the suspension is integrated into the tires themselves. The fat, squishy tires can absorb shock, making the ride comfier.
Less Frequent Maintenance
Fat tire ebikes are durable and built to work on all terrain. Rigidity and longevity are built into their frame. This means they are less prone to getting damaged and replaced.
The long-term cost of owning fat tires is lower than regular tires. Granted, the initial buying price of fat tires is problematic; they don’t require much maintenance.
Think of it as an investment that pays for itself with time. The more you ride fat tire ebikes, the more it pays for itself.
Easier for Beginners
Are you new to ebikes? Then you’re better off trying something more beginner-friendly. Fat tires are more stable, and their wider space increases grip with the ground.
This translates into better balance for beginners. With just a little practice, you can adjust to these ebikes in no time.
You could argue that the learning curve of fat tires is lower than regular tires. More importantly, they don’t go very fast, even with the assist.
This means that the cyclist is less likely to get injured.
Disadvantages of Fat Tires
Difficulty Pedaling
Skip leg day much? With fat tires ebikes, you probably won’t have to program leg exercise into your workout.
Just a few strokes of pedaling will be enough to tire you out. It’s more cardio work for you because you’re putting in more effort to cover ground.
This is because fat tires make more contact with the ground. This increases the resistance you face when pedaling.
You can use assist to manage the problem, but doing so will drain the battery. And if that happens, you might face some trouble getting back home!
More Expensive
This is where the rubber meets the road – figuratively speaking! Fat tires are more expensive to build.
This is because they require specialty parts such as tubes and hubs. Some fat tires also feature their own suspension system.
Harder to Repair
We know we mentioned that maintenance is easier on fat tire electric bikes. However, once they do require repairs, finding parts can be challenging.
Fat tires are made of specialty parts that are not readily available. Even if you do find them, they are bound to be expensive. You’re probably better off getting a new fat tire.
Wrapping Up – So Which One Should You Choose?
It is ultimately up to your preferences. If you are looking for an off-road adventure, choose fat tire electric bikes. But if you want to commute to and from work, use regular tire ebikes.
Just make sure to stick to asphalt surfaces to minimize wear and tear. So which type of electric bike are you planning on buying? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
You may also like:
- What Should I Look for in a Folding Electric Bike?
- Is Riding an Electric Bike Good for Your Health?
- How Electric Bike Engine Works
- Why Is My Electric Bike Not Working?
- How to Take Care of an Electric Bike Battery
My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.