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E-Bike Fatbike vs E-MTB Fully: Which is the right model for you?

E-bikes are now available in all imaginable shapes and sizes, making them an attractive choice for commuters and adventurers alike. E-MTBs (electric mountain bikes) and fat bikes are particularly popular among outdoor enthusiasts, as their special features make them ideal for a variety of terrains and purposes.

Von Lukas Vogt  |  4 minutes read time

E-Bike Fatbike vs E-MTB Fully: Welches ist das richtige Modell für dich?
About the author Lukas Vogt

Lukas Vogt is an up-and-coming talent in cycling and combines his passion for cycling with his training as an e-commerce merchant. The 19-year-old has been passionate about cycling since 2022, although he initially felt comfortable with mountain biking. What started as an exciting hobby in the mountains quickly developed into a serious passion for steep climbs, technical trails and fast descents. From 2025, Lukas will take his career to the next level and compete for the MYVELO ProCycling Team. On this blog, he shares valuable insights, training tips and experiences - straight from the world of professional cycling.

Published: November 21, 2024  |  Updated: December 11, 2024

How exactly do these two types differ? And which model is better suited to your riding style and needs? In this article we compare E-Bike Fatbikes and E-MTB Fullys to help you make an informed decision.

What is a fat bike?

Fat bikes are characterized by their extra-wide tires , which are designed for use in extreme environments such as snow, sand or mud. These tires often have a width of 4 to 5 inches, which is significantly more compared to conventional e-bikes. Fat bikes offer excellent grip and stability on uneven ground thanks to the wide contact surface, making them an ideal choice for outdoor adventurers.

suspension on the saddle

An example of such an e-bike is the MYVELO Rio Fatbike , which is equipped with 20-inch tires from Kenda and a parallelogram suspension on the saddle. These particularly fat tires offer fantastic traction, even on difficult surfaces such as soft sand or mud.

What is an E-MTB Fully?

An E-MTB Fully (full suspension mountain bike) differs from a fat bike in several ways. While fat bikes are optimized for extreme terrain conditions, the focus of an E-MTB Fully is on maximum control and comfort when riding in the mountains or on challenging trails. Fullys are, as the name suggests, fully suspended, which means that both the front and rear wheels are equipped with damping. This ensures a smooth ride, even on rough and uneven terrain.

An example of this is the MYVELO E-MTB Aspen , which delivers excellent performance even on steep and bumpy terrain thanks to its suspension and powerful motor.

Fatbike vs. E-MTB Fully: The most important differences

MYVELO E-MTB Fully

Now that we have an idea of ​​what a fat bike and what an E-MTB fully is, we can highlight the most important differences that play a role in choosing the right e-bike :

tire width and traction

The most noticeable difference between a fat bike and an E-MTB fully is the tires. The wide tires of a fat bike offer more stability and traction due to their larger contact area on soft and loose surfaces. These wide tires act almost like balloons that "float" on snow, sand or mud and give the rider the feeling of gliding over the surface instead of driving through it.

Fatbike from MYVELO

The MYVELO Ipanema Fatbike with its 20-inch fat tires from Kenda is an excellent example of how these wide tires provide grip even on the most demanding routes.

Mobby Dick Crossmax XL

On the other hand, the tires of an E-MTB fully are narrower, but more efficient on firm and hard surfaces. They provide the necessary traction for trails where precision and speed are required. While the tires of a fat bike show their advantages on snow or sand, they are less efficient on asphalt roads or solid paths. An E-MTB fully like the MYVELO Aspen , on the other hand, is designed to make the most of the terrain on such surfaces.

cushioning and comfort

Another big difference between these two types of e-bikes is the suspension. The E-MTB Fully has a full suspension that is specifically designed to absorb shocks and provide the rider with a comfortable experience on uneven trails. This suspension allows you to ride over rocks, roots and other obstacles without losing control. In addition to the suspension, there is an additional feature on E-MTBs called the dropper post , which is particularly helpful when descending.

A fat bike, on the other hand, often does not have full suspension. Instead, the wide tires serve as natural shock absorbers. They absorb most of the unevenness of the terrain, but this does not offer the same comfort as a full suspension bike, especially on longer rides over bumpy trails. MYVELO's fat bikes also offer parallelogram suspension on the saddle.

area of ​​operation

E-MTB Trail

Fat bikes are specifically designed for extremely soft and loose surfaces. They are perfect for riders who spend a lot of time in snow, sand or muddy conditions. So if you plan on riding on winter trails or cruising off the beaten track in the sand, a fat bike is the ideal choice.

An E-MTB fully, on the other hand, shines on mountainous trails where the terrain changes quickly. Steep climbs, tight bends and difficult descents are much easier to manage thanks to the suspension and precise steering of a fully. So if you want to enjoy challenging trails, an E-MTB fully is the best choice.

Advantages of an E-Bike Fatbike

Fatbikes offer a number of advantages that make them particularly attractive to certain riders:

  • Excellent traction: Thanks to the wide tires, fat bikes are unbeatable on soft and loose surfaces.
  • Stability: The large tires ensure a stable and controlled ride, even on very uneven terrain.
  • Simplicity: Fatbikes often come with less technical equipment than full-suspension bikes, which makes them easier to maintain.

The MYVELO Rio Fatbike with 20-inch Kenda fat tires is an excellent example of the stability and riding pleasure that a fat bike can offer.

Advantages of an E-MTB Fullys

E-MTB Fully

An E-MTB Fully also offers many advantages, especially when it comes to challenging trail rides:

  • Comfort through suspension: The full suspension makes rides on rocky and rooty trails much more pleasant.
  • Precision: The narrower tires and suspension allow for better control of tight corners and fast descents.
  • Versatility: A fully is capable on a variety of surfaces, from paved roads to challenging off-road routes.

The MYVELO Aspen offers all these advantages and is therefore a first-class example of a versatile and powerful E-MTB fully .

Which e-bike is right for you?

The choice between an E-Bike Fatbike and an E-MTB Fully depends largely on your riding habits and preferences. If you mainly ride on soft and extreme surfaces such as snow, sand or mud, a fatbike like the MYVELO Rio with its 20-inch fat tires from Kenda offers the best performance. These fat tires guarantee stability and riding fun on difficult surfaces.

For technically demanding trails where precision, control and comfort are important, an E-MTB fully like the MYVELO Aspen is the ideal choice. Thanks to its suspension and robust components, it offers you maximum control and comfort, even on the most demanding terrain.

Regardless of which model you choose, one thing is certain: with both variants you will enjoy an incomparable e-bike experience!

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