(Product prices are subject to changes and could be higher than the stated price range.)
I tested the 8 of the best fat bikes to find out which one is the best for under $1000.
As an experienced cyclist, who has ventured all over the world on my bike, I know what makes us cyclists tick when it comes to our bikes!
If you're after a great value, feature-rich fat bike, my money would go to the Mongoose Dolomite
However, as the fat tire bike market is growing there is plenty to choose from, so there's bound to be something for every mountain biker out there so let's look at the best fat bikes under $1000!
Table of Contents
Each fat bike on this review features something different from the other bikes so you will get a good overview of fat-tire bikes.
Best Overall Fat Bike
As you know, the Mongoose Dolomite is my favorite fat bike for under 1000 dollars.
You get a 7-speed gear selection, which is well up with what a lot of high-end fat bikes are kitted with. This means that you should find getting up hills aren't an issue.
Going down hills will be a joy too as the Mongoose Dolomite fat bike build quality is excellent. The steel frame gives it a sturdy feel but equally, it's relatively lightweight. Ideal for those tougher terrains.
This wouldn't be a fat bike review if we didn't look at the tires! These fat tires come in at 26". I found these to be a fantastic balance between control, balance and comfort. Not to mention the width of the bike tires is a solid 4".
Why is that good for you?
The wheels get you over rocks and drops with ease.
Whilst there is no suspension on this bike, it isn't missed thanks to the frame shape. Geometry is important and the frame on this mountain bike is designed to give the rider a comfortable ride - it does exactly that.
Hydraulic disc brakes are used on this Mongoose fat bike giving you the stopping power and confidence to take on those big descents at speed!
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Best Full Suspension Fat Bike
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GaoFan has focused on providing a full-suspension fat bike within a sub-1000 price range and what a fantastic job!
The aluminum frame keeps the weight of the bike down, yet it's strong and easy to handle - perfect for those tricky terrains.
It is clear that a lot of thought has gone into the design of the frame, the body is streamlined. It's a very stable fat bike, one you could ride over long distances and still feel fresh.
This full-suspension bike allows you to lock the suspension to maximize comfort when you're on smoother surfaces. Making it a good all-rounder bike
Keep reading...there's more!
A nice touch is a quick release for the wheels. As somebody who likes to put their bikes in the car, rather than on a roof rack, I can't tell you how much I appreciate this feature! Being able to get the wheel off/on within minutes is a huge bonus.
We all know that it's nice to have some form of suspension on a fat bike, but having full suspension feels like a luxury - an affordable luxury. There to dampen rocks and dips on tough terrain. It does add to the overall enjoyment factor, it has to be said.
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If you're looking for a good entry-level electric folding fat bike, then the Ecotric could serve you well.
I have to start with the motor, it's powerful at 500w so it's going to get you up hills, without too much effort required by you...though it does require some!
The great thing is that the motor provides a decent range of between 18 - 23 miles - this, of course, does depend on how you use it. If you're hitting the steep terrain, the range will be less. If you use the pedal-assist function then you are going to get more mileage for this ride.
[Read more about pedal-assist here]
Ecotric has opted for front and rear disc brakes to give you the stopping power you'd expect for a bike in this price range and given how powerful the motor is, it's a good job as you can reach an impressive maximum speed of 20mph before the motor has to cut out (by law in many countries).
The shifting system is led by Shimano, with a Shimano rear derailleur giving you 7-speeds - for an electric bike, that's going to be sufficient...remember you won't be doing all the work!
Let's move onto the lithium battery, it's removable. I'm a big fan of removable batteries on an electric bike.
Why?
It gives the rider the choice as to where to charge so if you need to take it into the office to get a battery top-up, you don't need to take the full bicycle!
Mountain trails shouldn't be a problem on this electric bike as the fat bike tires are exactly what is required.
The downside to this bike is that you don't get a suspension system. Regarding the price I don't think that's a problem. Nor do I think it's much of a problem generally as the tires more than makes up for it!
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Moving onto a different riding style and geometry!
Let's start off with why this fat tire bike made the list...it's lightweight!
It weighs in at 16kg, which for a lot of fat bikes, is impressive. The majority of bikes we've been looking at weigh in at around 23kg, which in all honestly, is perfectly reasonable. 16kg takes it to another level!
This is achieved through the construction of this bike. It features alloy rims - this is quite rare for a bike within this budget.
It gets better...
Moving onto the geometry, it's quite a racing or aggressive set-up. For riders who want to head down trails at a rapid pace, you're in for a treat! This bike will do that and you'll tackle the terrain with ease thanks to the 4" tires.
Twist shifters help you to swiftly and smoothly change through the 7 gears. Which, arguably isn't a huge amount of gears, though it should be sufficient for the majority of riders, as it's a 1x system which is very on-trend!
Being comfortable on your bike is important and you get plenty of customizing options. The seat post and handlebars can be adjusted to find your sweet spot - this should allow you to keep going for miles!
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Sticking with the racing geometry, next up is a beach bike, though that doesn't mean you can't take it trail riding because you most certainly can!
The frame is constructed from high-quality steel. The manufacturer didn't stop there, the tubes were then thickened to increase the strength. So when it comes to durability, this bike scores highly.
You get 26-inch wheels and with those, disc brakes. However, they are mechanical - not hydraulic. Whilst they will still perform well and value for money is fantastic, it's not top of the range.
Stopping power is still great and for a lot of riders, you may not notice the difference - though your wallet will!
The brakes seem like the only downside (and it's not a bad one!), as you get a tidy 27-speed drivetrain so a welcome addition over others with poorer gearing.
Still not convinced?
Well, this beach bike comes with a front shock absorber, enough to help you soak up the bumps on any mountain biking terrain (and the sandy terrain when you do venture onto those beaches!). I have to say, it does provide a good amount of cushioning, and considering the price, it's pretty remarkable.
Speaking of cushioning, the saddle is ergonomic and aims to provide comfort for most people. Saddles are obviously a very personal thing but for an entry-level bike, this one is great!
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Kitted out with an aluminum frame (more on this later) and 4130 Chromoly steel forks, the Gravity Bullseye Monster makes a great first impression!
This fat bike keeps delivering as when you look more closely you will see that you get SRAM drivetrain components.
That is the theme throughout this fat bike - high-quality build on a budget.
Both front and rear brakes are disc, Shimano Tektro in fact!
I touched upon the frame earlier but one thing that makes this bike so light is the body. It's constructed from strong aluminum, designed to withstand everything you can throw at it on a ride.
What does this mean for you?
It only weighs 18kg!
The tires provide a high level of traction and as with most fat bike tire sizes, they are 26 x 4 inches
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Mongoose believes these tires mean business and I'm minded to agree with them. In fact, the look of the whole bike looks like it means business - it's a bit of a beast!
Whilst Mongoose is a well-known brand, they have brought about their own entry-level budget fat-tire bikes and the Argus is a great example of this!
The tires on the Mongoose Argus are designed to give you maximum traction and stability, whether you're on the sand, snow (even ice), or smooth roads.
A lot of work has gone into developing the frame on these fat-tire bikes and it's paid off. The new Tectonic T2 aluminum body is lighter and stronger than it's ever been. It's rigid and incredibly responsive, which is exactly what you want when faced with uneven terrain.
As if that's not enough...
It comes with a 10-speed Shimano Deore derailleur and the shifter makes changing gear easy.
All year round you can be comfortable with the braking power of this Mongoose bike as it comes with hydraulic discs.
Mongoose wants you to "ride like a boss" on the Mongoose Argus Sport and I'm kind of with them on that one! One of the top fat bikes out there for this price!
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Best Lightweight Fat Bike
In all honesty, it's surprising I waited this long to mention Framed. A brand that has a strong presence in the high-quality/low-cost fat bikes world.
I'll cover both the Minnesota 1.0 and the 2.0 as they are fairly similar and both fantastic options!
With both fat-tire bikes, you get a high-quality aluminum frame and fork. The other parts of these bikes are equally good quality.
The 1.0 makes our best bikes list because it's spec'ed up with an SRAM 1x9 drivetrain, giving you quick, durable gears to go through.
Disc brakes are mechanical so not the best of the best but still very adequate and are good stoppers.
You get Framed Minnesota branded tires and at 26x4", they are perfect for the mountain biking job!
Elsewhere there is more evidence of it being a Framed bike as all of the cockpit components are branded as such. To be honest, I do like this as it says a lot about the brand. Would you put your name to something you weren't proud of?
The 1.0 bike is listed as having a weight of 15.8kg so one of the best fat bikes on the list!
It gets better though...
Whilst there isn't a huge difference between the Framed Minnesota 1.0 and the 2.0, (which is why I've put them together) the differences may be worth the small jump in the budget.
With the 2.0 you get a better drivetrain, taking it to a SRAM X5/X7 2x9 combination. I'm actually a fan of the 1x system so it does come down to personal preference!
The change in gear system makes it a little bit lighter too at, 15.4kg. So that may be the reason to choose the 2.0 option!
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If you're considering picking up a fat bike for under 1000 bucks then there are few points you might want to consider. Below we'll be looking at those!
Fat bikes are considered to 'float'. The size of the tires will influence the degree to which you float.
The standard choice is 4-inch tires. Few riders find it beneficial to go above that. Large fat tires will be sluggish and hard work - nobody wants that, do they?
An exception to that is if you are actually riding on snow or sand.
This is a genuine case of when bigger isn't always better!
I'm a fan of tubeless generally but for fat bikes, I'm not sure it pays off.
Sure, there are benefits. You save a few ounces here and there but it's not a huge amount and if you ride a fat bike, you aren't looking for those marginal weight-saving gains.
Personally...
I'd stick with that extra tube and enjoy the ride! There are times when tubeless just isn't what you need.
If you're buying your first fat tire bike, I wouldn't worry about tread patterns or designs. Traction is what's important. Once you settle in, you can then start working out what tires could suit you better.
One thing to avoid is excessive knobbles.
It's natural to want to choose the lightest tires but try not to! They tend not to ride well as they wobble around quite a lot. Damping? Forget it.
Fat tires aren't a substitute for suspension. They serve different purposes so the suspensions are worth thinking about.
It's best to think of it as fat tires will provide the traction, whilst the suspension will give you control and comfort.
Unlike tires, the suspension has damping and will help you control your bike over any large bumps or tricky corners.
If your aim is to have your fat bike as your only MTB then try to get one with a suspension fork - you can thank me later! That extra bit of versatility is welcomed.
However, if you have other bikes (a hardtail mountain bike for example), then you may find that rigid fat bike will suit you perfectly.
Tire pressures will determine how comfortable your ride is, it can influence the number of punctures you get too - so it's really important to get it right!
Fat tires run at a much lower pressure than normal mountain bikes. I'm talking around 10/15psi.
If you find yourself on firmer trails, you might want to up it a few psi and lower it on looser trails to find that sweet spot.
Experiment and find what works for you.
One last thing...
Do remember to check the pressure of your fat tires before every ride. It's surprising how much tires can lose pressure. This can affect a lot of things, including your braking system and overall safety.
Unlike most mountain bikes, frame material isn't all that important in the fat bikes industry.
Yes, it's the part of the bike that will save you a few lbs if you opt for carbon frames but the large tires mean you don't get the other benefits you would if it were a 6.5kg road bike.
An Aluminum frame or steel will serve most mountain bikers well.
However...
If you do want to save a few lbs then carbon is where your next purchase is!
Titanium is another option, an expensive one!
I'll get straight to the point, hydraulic disc brakes are the best option for fat bikes.
They will provide you with the stopping power you need.
When fat bikes first appeared, they were designed to be used on sand or snow. However, things have changed!
A large proportion of fat bikes sold today are used on normal mountain biking trails- scaling mountains and other challenging environments.
You can use a fat bike anywhere without many issues, grip is what is important. The suspension isn't.
If you're looking for a bike to soak up the bumps, these aren't it. An advantage of fat bikes is that they hoover up the terrain.
Want to know what defines a fat bike? Here's GMBNs' explanation.
Honestly, it depends on your needs, there are a few features to look out for.
As fat-tire bikes tend to be heavier than your standard mountain bike, you should be looking for one that comes with disc brakes. These aren't hard to find, every model I looked at above has disc brakes, whether they were mechanical disc brakes or not.
You will need the stopping power so it's a worthy investment.
Tire size needs to be considered.
Too small?
It's no longer a fat bike.
Too big?
It's going to be difficult to ride those bikes.
You also need to consider stance width and how that will affect your riding experience.
As you can see, there are lots of things to consider, above I've put together a helpful buyers' guide for fat bikes under 1000 dollars!
As with any bike, it's worth checking with the manufacturer for any weight limits but fat bikes tend to have higher limits than standard mountain bikes so they may be more suitable.
Heavy riders do prefer fat bikes for this reason. The frames are usually stronger and with the tires being bigger, the rims are and that means they're stronger too!
An example would be the Mongoose Dolomite, which has a limit of 250lbs.
Whether fat bikes are for you is for you to decide, I can give you reasons why I love them!
I go places I've never been able to go before. In the winter, I'd be resigned to leaving my bike at home before I had a fat bike. Now? Nothing can stop me...not quite but you take my point.
Weather conditions no longer phase me. I'm still not keen on going out in torrential rain, I don't think any bike will change that but snow or wet ground doesn't stop me. I almost relish it.
They add a different dynamic to riding a bike, adults (both men and women), kids, beginners to experts, a fat bike changes how you ride, and where you ride.
If comfort is important to you, a fat bike will be a treat! However, they do throw up their own challenges as they are heavier than your standard mountain bike, and handling them can be more difficult - but an enormous amount of fun!
Q Factor is the distance between the outside of one crank arm to the outside of the opposite crank arm.
Whilst Q factor is a widely known measurement, the occasional bike shop will prefer to stick to 'stance width'. This is the distance between feet on the pedals.
It doesn't matter which term is used, both are looking at the width of the crankset assembly and the distance between feet when pedaling.
Related Posts:
Well, that's your lot! That's my thoughts on fat bikes!
Which do I consider to be the best bike?
Taking everything into account it would have to be the Mongoose Dolomite.
It feels like it excels on every terrain and that's because to a large extent it does!
The Dolomite has an almost retro vibe about the design and there's something rather pleasing about that.
Though you don't get trigger shifters, you do get twist shifters and when you are mountain biking, that can be preferable!
Mongoose hasn't skimped on the fat bike tires, the quality and sizes are great for snow, sand, or trail riding.
For the best bang for your buck as far as mountain biking goes, the Mongoose fat tire mountain bike takes the top spot!
Where will your fat bike take you?
