Electric Fat Bike Revolution: Powering Your Off-Road Adventure

Electric fat bikes are a fun and functional way to get around, especially if you live near a beach or in a snowy climate. There are two main options for electric conversion: mid-drive motors, like the Bafang BBSHD, or rear wheel motors, like the Bafang hub motor. Both of these motors can be quite pricey, but there are also plenty of cheap e-bike kits available. If you're looking to build your own electric fat bike, you can expect to pay around $700 for a basic setup, or more than $1000 for a high-performance machine.

Hub motors: direct drive or geared?

There are two main options for electric conversion mid-drive motors like the Bafang BBSHD or rear wheel motors, like the Bafang hub motor. Both of these motors can be quite pricey, but there are also plenty of cheap e-bike kits available.

There are two types of hub motors: direct drive or geared. Direct-drive motors are known for their bigger size and increased power compared to geared hub motors. They have a larger motor unit housed within the rear wheel hub. Unlike geared hub motors, direct-drive motors operate without the use of gears. They establish a direct connection between the motor and the wheel to provide a seamless and quiet riding experience. This simplicity in their design makes them more durable and they require low maintenance. They are also good at maintaining a high speed, which makes them ideal for urban commuting. However, they are heavy and inefficient, and they drain the battery faster.

Geared hub motors are more efficient, produce more torque and are easier to pedal when the power is switched off. They can produce more energy with less power, hence they have a longer battery life. They are not without their drawbacks, however. They consume more battery and are less durable.

The type of electric bike motor that is best for your e-bike will depend on your preferences and riding style. If you're planning to use your electric bike just for commuting, then a geared hub motor is more suitable. But if you want an e-bike to ride on hilly or rough terrain, then a direct-drive motor will better suit your needs.

Mid-drive motors

Electric Drive Fat Bike

There are two main options for electric conversion: mid-drive motors or rear wheel motors. Mid-drive motors are a good option if you want a lower centre of gravity and the ability to use all of your gears with electric power, which is great for hill climbing or riding slowly through sand and snow.

If you are fitting a mid-drive motor, the best option would be a Bafang. The only motor previously available in 100mm or 120mm version was their flagship BBSHD model, but recently some suppliers have started selling the BBS01B 250w and BBS02B 500w and 750w models with an extended motor shaft allowing for fitment to most fat bikes.

The BBSHD 1000w Kit for 100mm Fat Bike Bottom Bracket is a good option for a mid-drive motor. It is quite pricey, but there are also cheaper e-bike kits available.

When selecting a motor, it's important to consider the type of hub motor. There are two types: direct drive and geared. Geared hub motors are generally more efficient, produce more torque and are easier to pedal when the power is switched off. Direct drive motors are heavy and inefficient but can handle a lot of power and are more reliable in the long term.

Fat tire electric bikes

There are two main options for electric conversion: mid-drive motors, like the Bafang BBSHD, or rear wheel motors, like the Bafang hub motor. Both options can be quite pricey, but there are also plenty of cheap e-bike kits available. For example, a 1 kW front wheel fat tire electric bicycle conversion kit can be purchased for $209.90 and will get you up to ~27 mph (43 km/h). However, it's important to note that this much power in the front bicycle fork may not be street-legal in most states, so it's best to use this as an off-road e-bike.

If you're looking for a high-quality electric bicycle battery, a 50V 17.1Ah triangle battery from EM3EV is a great option, priced at $566.70 with shipping to the US. For the motor, you can choose between a direct drive or geared hub motor. Geared hub motors are generally more efficient, produce more torque, and are easier to pedal when the power is switched off. On the other hand, direct drive motors are heavy and inefficient but can handle a lot of power and are more reliable in the long term.

Building your own fat tire electric bike can be a fun project, and with a little ingenuity and some affordable parts, you can create a powerful machine that's perfect for singletrack riding or tackling steep, muddy terrain.

DIY conversion kits

There are two main options for electric conversion mid-drive motors like the Bafang BBSHD or rear wheel motors, like the Bafang hub motor. Both of these motors can be quite pricey, but there are plenty of cheap e-bike kits available. For example, you can buy a Bafang BBSHD 1000w Kit for 100mm Fat Bike Bottom Bracket. If you are fitting a mid-drive motor, the best option would be a Bafang. The only motor previously available in 100mm or 120mm version was their flagship BBSHD model, but recently some suppliers have started selling the BBS01B 250w and BBS02B 500w and 750w models with an extended motor shaft allowing for fitment to most fat bikes.

For a cheaper option, you could select a 1 kW front wheel fat tire electric bicycle conversion kit ($209.90). This kit should get you up to ~27 mph (43 km/h). The speed and power of this kit will definitely be fun on a fat tire bike, but both are usually not street-legal in most states, so remember that this is an off-road e-bike. Also, note that this is a lot of power to put in that front bicycle fork. Since the fork is steel and not aluminum or magnesium, it will probably be alright, but just to be safe, it’s not a bad idea to add a torque arm to help secure the motor from spinning in the fork.

There are two types of hub motors – direct drive or geared. Generally geared hub motors are more efficient, produce more torque and are easier to pedal when the power is switched off. Direct drive motors are heavy, and inefficient but can handle masses of power and are generally more reliable in the long term.

The biggest pain when building an AWD fatbike is lacing the front wheel to a motor. The Storm comes with a motor already laced and mounted with it’s own battery, the problem is that it’s on the wrong wheel. The original Storm is NOT designed for singletrack, but can easily be made into the ultimate singletrack machine for ~$500 and a little ingenuity.

Budgeting for your electric fat bike

The cost of an electric fat bike can vary depending on the type of motor and battery you choose. If you're looking for a budget option, you can find cheap e-bike kits available online. For example, a 1 kW front wheel fat tire electric bicycle conversion kit can be purchased for around $200, although this may not be street legal depending on where you live.

For a higher-end option, you can expect to pay around $750 for a 750 W Bafang BBS02 mid-drive motor, or $679 for a 1,000 W Bafang BBSHD. A high-quality electric bicycle battery will also set you back a few hundred dollars, with a 50V 17.1Ah triangle battery from EM3EV costing around $566.

If you're looking for an all-wheel-drive electric fat bike, you can build one for around $1,000. However, keep in mind that lacing the front wheel to a motor can be challenging.

When budgeting for your electric fat bike, consider the cost of the bike itself, the motor, the battery, and any additional accessories or modifications you may want to make. It's also important to factor in the cost of maintenance and repairs, as well as the ongoing cost of charging the battery.

Overall, the cost of an electric fat bike can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on your specific needs and budget.

Frequently asked questions