Best Fat Bike Tires of 2024: Top Choices for Snow, Mud, and Sand
Want to ride your bike in the most extreme conditions possible? Only a fat bike will get you there.
For a long time, virtually all-mountain bike tires all came in similar widths. As cyclists ventured further away from paved roads and towards more unruly surfaces, the innovation of fat bikes was born. With bigger tires, you have much better traction and the ability to “float” on soft surfaces like sand and snow.
They also provide you with a considerable amount of suspension. Fat bike tires are made for different types of riding, some are optimized for winter use while others are completely slick and feel great on pavement.
Table of Contents
20″ fat bike tires
Best 20″ Fat Bike Tires
Mongoose Fat Tire Bike Tire, Mountain Bike Accessory
20×4
Best budget replacement tire
With a pretty high score on Amazon, the Mongoose fat bike tire is a perfect choice for many folding electric bike owners who have gone through their first set of tires. It works great on a variety of surfaces and will allow you to take your bike on more adventures than ever before.
- Heavy-duty rubber for extended tire life
- Knobby, aggressive tread pattern to provide added traction around corners and while climbing,
- With added tire volume, it also allows you to roll over obstacles more easily with less feedback, smoothing out the trail.
- It is durably constructed, making it ideal for riding in almost any environment.
Kenda Krusade
20×4
The Krusade by Kenda is a fat tire intended for use on all terrain. It is made of a flexible rubber compound that provides a great grip wherever you go thanks to the heavy tread.
If you own an e-bike with a 20-inch wheelbase and do varied riding, the Krusade is a great option that will make your life easier thanks to the puncture-resistant liner.
- Medium tread
- K-shield puncture-resistance.
- Designed for off-road use.
- 30 TPI, wire bead
MSRP $39
Best 26″ Fat Bike Tires
Kenda Juggernaut
26×4
Lightweight off-road tire
Kenda based the design of their Juggernaut off one of their previous models – the Kenda Millville 2 motorbike tire. It is designed to perform well on a variety of surfaces, all while coming in at a relatively light weight that allows for excellent float in snow or sand.
- Light, flexible rubber containing aramid and ceramic particles inside the tire under the tread area only
- Aggressive tread pattern works well on dry and wet hard pack, snow, and light mud.
- 30 TPI tire, wire bead.
- K-shield puncture-protective liner.
MSRP $49
45NRTH Wrathchild Studded Tire
26×4.6
Best fat bike tire for snow and ice!
The Wrathchild from 45NRTH is a super aggressive studded fat bike tire that has been engineered to ride Icy winter roads and provide good acceleration and stopping power. The concave carbide-tipped studs bite into the ice with an extra sharp edge, providing superior performance when compared to rubber tread.
- 252 aluminum studs make the Wrathchild competent in even the gnarliest winter conditions, and they are replaceable to increase the longevity of the tire.
- An aggressive tread pattern further increases tire performance.
- Extra-wide 4.6-inch profile allows the tire to roll over deep snow without sinking.
- 120 TPI with folding bead strakes a balance between light weight and durability.
MSRP $235
45NRTH Dillinger Studded Tire
The Dillinger from 45NRTH is a slightly less aggressive tire when compared to the Wrathchild above. It features the same replaceable carbide-tipped aluminum studs with a tighter spacing in between the center treads for faster rolling. Some people like to use the Dillinger in the rear for good acceleration and Wrathchild upfront for more grip.
- 258 carbide-tipped aluminum studs provide reliable traction over ice, snow, and slush.
- 4.0 and 4.8-inch widths offer versatility whether riding over icy roads or through thick snow.
- 120 TPI; folding tire.
MSRP $200
Vee Tire Speedster
26×3.5
The Vee Tire Speedster is a fat tire made for riding on hard-pack or paved terrain. The diamond side knobs and honeycomb center tread balance minimal rolling resistance with grip on the corners.
Another benefit of the diamond shape tread is the increased durability and performance in wet conditions. Finally, these tires are balloon-style to improve comfort.
- Fat tires for hard-pack and pavement.
- Low rolling resistance.
- Designed to work well in wet and dry weather.
- 120 TPI, folding bead.
Surly Bud Front Tire
26×4.8
The Surly Bud front fat tire stands out with its huge knobs, and a 4.8″ wide profile. These knobs provide exceptional grip and durability, allowing you to ride on a variety of terrains and surfaces.
The tread is organized in rows with a v-shaped design to maximize traction on soft surfaces such as mud, snow, and sand.
- Designed for extremely soft surfaces
- 120TPI, Folding bead
MSRP $120
Maxxis Minion FBR
26×4
Fat take on a classic DH design
The Maxxis Minion originally came about as a downhill tire and quickly became famous for its great durability and performance on demanding rides. The FBR is a rear-specific, fat version of the classic Minion. It shares the same legendary tread pattern, dual tread compound, and EXO/TR sidewall technology as the Maxxis DHR II, only in a fatter width. Pair the FBR with a Minion FBF or any other front-specific fat bike tire for a high-performance setup that will last for years.
- Rear-specific tire optimized for fast acceleration and stability.
- Dual tread compound for a fast-rolling center with tacky edges that provide better cornering.
- EXO/TR sidewall technology is tubeless-ready yet still provides burly protection against punctures and cuts.
- 120 TPI, folding tire.
Mongoose Fat Tire
26×4
The Mongoose brand fat tire is an aggressive, heavy-duty tire with a knobby tread meant to take on any type of condition thrown at it. The tread design balances cornering traction and climbing performance with a super durable base. These large-volume tires are perfect for rolling over anything from rough mountain trails to pavement.
- Durable tire for versatile conditions.
- Knobby, aggressive tread pattern.
Best 27.5″ Fat Bike Tires
CST Roly Poly 4.8″
CST Roly Poly tire is a plus-sized 26″ choice that will fit on many modern fat tire bike frames.
It has a wide enough profile that it floats over sand and allows for more exploration compared to regular mountain bike tires.
The Roly Poly is a budget option that’s especially common on affordable electric fat tire bikes.
MSRP $70
45NRTH Wrathchild
27.5×4.5
27.5 winter fat tire
The Wrathchild from 45NRTH is a 27.5 fat tire that has big studs for use during winter and tackling ice, snow, and mud. The 252 studs have a two-piece aluminum body and a concave tip to maximize traction without adding too much weight. In addition, they can be replaced upon wearing out.
The deep center of this tire digs into the snow for excellent traction when accelerating or braking while tall sides hold onto surfaces while cornering.
- 120 TPI
- Tubeless-ready
- 252 replaceable aluminum body studs
MSRP $262.50
Best 29″ Plus Bike Tires
45NRTH Vanhelga 27.5″
The 45NRTH Vanhelga is a durable, and fast tire that maintains excellent traction on loose terrain, perfect for shredding the corners.
The 4.5″ wide tire is covered with tall, square knobs that dig deep into loose trails, boosted by the large circumference which allows them to stay clear on soft surfaces.
The outside of the Vanhelga tires has even deeper knobs that protect the sidewalls on the roughest trails.
MSRP $121
Maxxis Aggressor EXO/TR
29×2.5
Long-lasting durability
The Aggressor is Maxxis’s “do it all” tire meant to ride anywhere on the mountain at high speeds.
It has an advanced knob tread pattern that balances speed, traction, and durability nicely. The tough dual-compound rubber puts softer rubber on the outside and harder rubber between the tread and casing to improve grip and cornering. The EXO protection also improves the sidewall cut and abrasion resistance which makes these tires ideal for rocky terrain.
- Tubeless-ready, 60TPI
- Optimize for 30-35mm inner rims
- 980g
MSRP $70
Best Fat Bike Tires Buying Guide
Image source: salsacycles.com
Price
In general, fat bike tires are more expensive than traditional width tires. This is because they are still relatively new and considered to be a niche product. Still, compared to other upgrades changing your tires is an affordable and easy way to change the way your bike feels.
Tubeless Tires vs Tubes
Fat bike tires can use both tubeless tires and tubes. There are a few benefits to both.
- Can be run at lower tire pressures, which reduces the chances of getting a flat and gives you better traction.
- Lighter than tubes, especially in extra wide sizes which require huge tubes.
- Tubeless tires will automatically repair themselves when there is a small puncture. Larger holes can be patched quickly and without taking the tire off the rim.
- Easier to service and make it much simpler to swap out to different tires, with no messy clean-up.
- In general, it is cheaper to use tubes than to set your tires up tubeless.
- In extremely cold temperatures, tubes perform better than tubeless because there is no liquid that can freeze.
Most common fat bike tire sizes
The first generation of fat bikes all used 26″ wheelbases. Therefore, the most common diameter is 26″, although a few new fat bike frames are beginning to incorporate the 27.5″ fat wheelbase.
26″ vs 27.5″ vs 29″ Mountain Bike Wheel Comparison
Some fat e-bikes also use smaller (20″) wheelbases. When it comes to 29″ rims, the maximum tire width commercially available is about 3 inches which are considered to be a “plus” sized tire.
Have you been using the recommended pressure?
Because of their gigantic volume, fat bike tires don’t need the same high pressure as regular bike tires. The air pressure of a fat bike tire will greatly affect its performance, and different pressures are appropriate for different types of riding.
A good fat bike tire pressure for summer trail riding will usually fall between 11-16 PSI. This range gives a decent amount of suspension and traction while still protecting the rim from dents.
A Complete Bike Tire Pressure Guide
The best fat bike tire pressure for winter will be lower, somewhere in the 7-10 PSI range. The low pressure gives better traction on iced-over roads and trails.
When riding on the pavement it’s typical to run fat tires at a higher pressure in order to decrease rolling resistance. Remember however that lower tire pressures usually result in fewer punctures from objects like broken glass and metal shards.
Best Fat Bike Tire brands
Image source: Trekbikes.com
Most major tire companies offer a few fat tires, however, there are a few brands that really stand out. 45NRTH is a fat-specific tire manufacturer that specializes in winter tires. They offer a variety of studded tires for extreme conditions.
Terrene is another fat-specific company with a wide variety of widths and diameters to choose from. Surly makes a good selection of fat bike tires to match their fat frames, and they were the first brand to offer fat tires.
Several other tire brands have added more fat options steadily over the last few years. Teravail, Maxxis, and Vee offer high quality fat/plus tires.
What does the TPI stand for?
Threads Per Inch – 120 is the average among fat-tire bikes. The more threads, the more durable a bike tire is. A higher thread count also means a heavier tire.
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