I reviewed the 4 of the best Fat tire bikes for women. Taking into account wheel size, suspension, value for money, standover height, pros, cons, and more - which one is the ultimate womens fat tire bike?
I'm a keen cyclist and also a woman so bikes are my thing! I'm a rider who loves everything to do with trail riding so fat tire bikes are like being at home!
The DJ 750W Electric Fat Bike really shone through in my testing, so if you're after a fat biking experience, that's where I'd go!
However, I did test 3 other fat-tire bikes and you may feel differently so let's have a look!
Table of Contents
As far as brands go, Mongoose is a well-respected one in the cycling industry. Personally, I'd say they have produced some of the best fat tire bike options for women.
The Malus is another great example of that, whilst strictly speaking, it's a unisex bike, I found it to have lots of promising factors that make it ideal for women - including the size!
This women's fat bike can take on all different types of terrain. Not phased by mountains, hills, or those tricky trails.
You get mechanical disc brakes so fantastic stopping power - ideal for those times when you need it.
One aspect which I like about the Mongoose Malus is the fact it has a steel frame. I'll confess to being a bit of a carbon fiber fan-girl but when it comes to wanting a bike to withstand what I want to throw at it on the rougher terrain, you can't beat the sturdiness of a steel body - I love it!
It doesn't stop there either!
The Mongoose comes with a nice 7-speed Shimano derailleur so not only is a top-quality, it's got enough gears to be able to take you up those climbs, even in the snow.
It's a 1x system, which a lot of bike manufacturers are switching over to for mountain bikes. In various ways, it's more convenient than having to focus on two shifters - I'm sold!
So, is it any good?
For the price tag, it's hard to see what this fat bike is missing. 26-inch tires with the solid 4-inch width you'd expect from a fat bike.
Looking for a video review? Here you go 🙂
Overall, a great entry-level fat bike!
Pros:
Cons:
With this fat bicycle you get yourself a nice steel body, really understanding the need for a sturdy bike.
So the Max4out comes with a 3 x 7 gear system, giving you a total of 21 gears. It's Shimano Tourney derailleurs so as you'd expect, shifting is nice and smooth.
The fat tire bike comes 85% assembled so there's very little for you to do before you can take it out for a spin! Pedals are also included (might seem like a given but pedals aren't always included!).
It gets better...
This Max4out bike is a great option for women due to the frame size, it's suggested that it will suit riders between 5'2" and 6" - plenty of scope! There is a rider weight limit of 440lbs.
You get all the stopping power you could want with disc brakes.
A rare find for an entry-level women's fat tire bike is a front suspension!
This is going to enrich the comfort of your ride as you take on the terrains you want. Couple that with the 26" tires, this model has plenty of features for every rider. The wheels and tires are what makes this ride a comfortable seat - getting you in a good position for taking on the world!
Pros:
Cons:
DJ isn't a widely known brand in the fat bike market but it is starting to make a name for itself - a good one too!
One standout point for this electric bike is that it has actually passed UL 2848. That's known as being one of the best in safety standards.
You get a much-welcomed alloy frame, that weighs in at 25.8kg. For an ebike with 26" by 4" tires, that's remarkable!
If you've read my recent review on e-bikes, you'll know about motors - 750w is packing a punch! It has everything you could need to take it on all kinds of surfaces.
With such a powerful ebike, you're going to a decent measure of stopping power.
I have good news...
Shimano Tektro disc braking.
Shimano's components don't stop there, you get 7 gears to glide through.
These fat-tire bikes come with an LCD display so you can monitor your stats, battery level, etc on the go.
For an alloy frame ebike with a huge number of positive things built-in, you can't argue at its price tag. The only point it has going against is that DJ isn't a well-known brand but that's changing.
Pros:
Cons:
Nakto has produced a selection of women's fat bikes that seriously packs a punch. Fancy going 20 - 30 miles, without having to pedal? These fat tire bikes can do that for you!
You get a high-strength alloy frame, paired with forks constructed from carbon steel.
If you're unfamiliar with Nakto, they produce some of the best fat tire bikes around.
Got your attention now? 🙂
The battery is removable. I'm a big fan of removable batteries, it gives you more flexibility as to where you can charge it so plus point there!
These fat tire bikes come with a quiet motor, so quiet people may not even notice you're on an ebike! Let's not forget how reliable this motor is, it should give women the confidence to take on even the steepest of climbs.
Pros:
Cons:
Before buying a fat tire bike there are a few things you may want to be aware of. I've put together what I consider a few factors worth considering.
Frame sizes are hugely important. Being on a bike that is too big or too small will mean that your riding position is incorrect and you're unlikely to ever be comfortable for very long.
You are also unlikely to ever be efficient, meaning you're expelling more energy than you need to, just to accommodate the bike.
I would also recommend a bike fit. Your local bike shop will be able to do one. I have found these to be incredibly useful and sometimes a bit surprising (who knew I had one arm longer than the other!?).
The material the bike is made out of is also important. There are benefits to every material.
A carbon frame is at the top end. It's lightweight and absorbs bumps well. The downside to a carbon frame is it's an expensive option.
At the other end of the spectrum, there's steel. Steel is a popular material for bike frames, especially fat-tire bikes and entry-level options. It's extremely durable, making it ideal. If you're looking for a negative, it would be that steel can make the bike quite heavy.
Aluminum sits in the middle. It's lighter than steel but less durable (still very durable though!).
As you may have discovered, fat-tire bikes don't always come with a suspension.
A suspension will improve the ride quality for the rider when the terrain is bumpy and challenging.
The thing is, I wouldn't say a suspension as important on a fat bike as it is on a mountain bike as the tires provide a good deal of cushioning.
Tire size will play an important factor in how your bike handles.
Typically, 4-inch tires are found on the majority of fat off road bikes. Fat bikes are rarely used for what they were originally designed for - snow and sand so 4-inch tires are perfect for finding that balance between fat biking and being able to comfortably take it anywhere.
There is the option of having 5-inch tires. I'd only recommend this if snow and sand are going to be where you'll spending the majority of your time. Otherwise, you'll find the extra weight and size unnecessarily challenging.
The number of gears you want/needs will come down to personal choice and where you ride.
If you plan on taking your bike on hilly terrain, then gears will be your friend and you should choose a bike with lots of them.
Flatter places? Means fewer gears.
It's really that simple!
Rim and disc brakes. Those are the two options.
Discs will be better if you can stretch to them. They work more consistently in all weathers. They're also fantastic for going downhill!
Hydraulic disc brakes are better than mechanical disc but either is good!
I think it's quite easy to overlook just how important the pressure is. It impacts the comfort of your ride and how many punctures you get.
They are similar to MTBs in a variety of ways (wheel size being an obvious difference!) but they run at much lower pressure in the tire -around 10/15psi.
Depending on the nature of the trails, you may want to increase the pressure if it's firm or lower it if it's softer. Find what works for you!
I won't deny it, I'm a tubeless fan.
However...
On fat bikes, not so much. You'll save a few lbs but not enough to warrant additional maintenance - especially considering the wheel size and size of tires.
Personally, I'd say stick a tube in and enjoy the trail!
Are fat bikes cool?
Related Posts:
Women fat bike tires riders can find great choices when it comes to bikes - even at entry-level.
So which one do I rate the most?
I love the DJ 750W Electric Fat Bike.
Why?
Because I can get everywhere on it, and it won't require a silly amount of effort from me! I can cycle in the snow or heavy mud with these bike tires, it has the traction to do that. It also has a motor to get me through those tricky moments!
The frame is a good fit for women so we can always be comfortable, regardless of the terrain.
What are your fat tire bike cycling tips?
