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Fit tire bikes are fun to ride on lots of different terrains, whether it is snow, sand, the road or on trials. But what if you want to turn your fat bike into a gravel grinder? What you need is a good set of gravel tires.
In this guide, I will discuss how to choose the best fat bike gravel tires and also recommend 5 awesome sets of tires that you can add to your fat bike to make your fat bike into a gravel crunching machine!
Recommended Gravel Tires
How To Choose Fat Bike Gravel Tires
When it comes to choosing the perfect gravel tires for your fat bike, it isn’t just as simple as picking the first set available, as they might not be the right size for your bike wheels, or they might not be durable enough for the type of rides you will be doing.
In order to choose the right set of tires, you should consider the following factors.
Width
The width of the fat tire might seem simple, but there is a lot of variance between manufacturers and bikes.
Typically a fat tire will be somewhere between 3.8″ and 4.8″, with various intervals in between.
There are pros and cons to choosing each type of tire, which mainly relate to the amount of friction you will get with the riding surface.
A wider tire for example will provide a lot more grip on a loose surface than a narrow tire, meaning that for gravel riding, these might be better.
However, when riding on smoother surfaces, such as roads and pavements, the reduced surface area from a narrower tire is a bonus as this will reduce the drag created by the extra friction and therefore make riding easier.
Tread Pattern
The tread pattern is very important when choosing gravel tires for your fat bike as these will influence how well you are able to grip the loose surface.
Slick tires, meaning tires will little to no knobs on them provide less grip on the gravel surface when compared to those with a lot of knobs. However, these tires are good when riding to your gravel ride as you will find it easier to ride on flatter surfaces due to the reduced contact points with the road/pavement.
The more knobs you have on your tire, the more contact you will get with the loose surface and the surface beneath the gravel. This means you will be able to ride faster on your chosen route without your wheels skidding around as much. This will mean you have a lot more fun when out on your ride.
Consider the types of ride you will be doing as this will help you know whether you want fully slick tires, tires with lots of knobs and paddles, or just something in between.
Weight
Fat bikes, due to their size, are pretty heavy. The same can be said of the tires as well as the extra width means a lot more materials and therefore a lot more weight.
One area you can save a bit of weight on is your tires (as well as other components of course). When looking through the gravel tires that you would like, consider whether weight is something you want to save and choose a lighter tire.
The reason that weight is something to consider is that heavier bikes tend to be slower than lighter bikes. This is particularly evident when riding uphill, as a heavier bike will slow you down.
When riding downhill, a heavier bike can be a real boon, you just have to get it back up the hill!
Casing
The casing used to make bike tires is typically measured using something called TPI or threads per square inch.
TPI represents the number of threads that are crossing through one square inch of a single ply of the casing of the tire.
The general rule is that the higher the TPI, the better the quality and the durability of the tire.
Entry-level tires will usually have a TPI of around 30, with the higher quality tires having a TPI of 120 or more.
Max Air Pressure
Max air pressure is something to consider with fat bike tires as the tire pressure can have a significant impact on your enjoyment of riding your bike.
Unlike road bike tires, which have a very high pressure of up to 130, fat bikes tend to have a much lower tire pressure. This is to allow the wheel to deform when going over rocks and rough terrain and protect it from rupturing.
Fat tires bike pressures are usually somewhere between 20 -30 PSI, but can often be lower.
Tubeless
Another consideration is whether you want the tires to be tubeless or not.
Normal tires don’t form a perfect seal with the rims of your wheel and therefore require an innertube to inflate them to the desired pressure.
Tubeless tires on the other hand are designed to be used without an innertube. These tires can form a perfect seal with the rims and therefore you can put air directly into the tire.
The main benefit of tubeless tires is that they don’t lose air as quickly as traditional tires when there is a puncture. However, they are harder to install and maintain compared to traditional tires.
Best Fat Bike Gravel Tires
The following are some of the best gravel tires you can buy today for your fat bike.
These tires are a mix between those with more paddles knobs, designed to give you more traction and those with a slicker profile for speed.
Make sure you check the size of tire you need for your rims and buy the appropriate size as well.
Schwalbe Jumbo Jim Folding Tyre 26″ – Our Top Pick
Key Features:
- Width = Available on 4.0″, 4.4″ and 4.8″
- Tread Pattern = Small knobbles with thicker side knobbles
- Weight = 26″ x 4.4″ = 1240g
- Casing = 127 tpi
- Air Pressure = Suited to high and low pressures
- Tubeless = Yes
The Schwalbe Jumbo Jim fat bike tires are hands down the best tires for all-round riding and are particularly well suited to riding on the gravel.
The small knobbles in the middle of the tire will provide a good grip on the loose surface when riding in a straight line, without creating too much friction. This is great for getting a really fast pace going when on the straight sections of your ride.
The outside knobbles are larger than those in the middle, which gives your extra grip in the corners to stop the wheel from slipping out from underneath you with cornering at speed.
These tires come in various widths, which gives you a lot of choice. For instance, you go thinner for the drier months and full fat for the wetter winter months.
The TPI of this tire is very high at 127, meaning you get a very durable tire for your money.
This tire is also suitable to be used at high and low pressures, meaning you can pump it up a bit if riding on flatter terrain or drop it down for the snow riding season.
Being a tubeless option also means that you get the benefit of a tire that is strong and won’t require as much maintenance as a tubed tire.
If you are looking for a tire that gets a tick in every box, this is the perfect tire for you.
Fincci Pair 26″ x 4.0″ 100-559 Fat Tyres
Key Features:
- Width = 4.0”
- Tread Pattern = Large side knobs, paddle knobs down the centre
- Weight = 2,200g each
- Casing = 30tpi
- Air Pressure = Max 20 PSI
- Tubeless = No
If you’re not sure about tubeless tires and would prefer to stick to a traditional tire with an innertube, the Fincci fat tires would be a good choice for you.
These 4″ tires are on the narrower side for fat bike tires, which means they won’t work that well in the snow but will be great for use in the summer months.
The large side knobs provide great traction when taking corners at speed, meaning your wheel won’t slip out from underneath you.
The paddle knobs in the middle of the tire are designed are specifically designed to provide enough traction when riding on the straight without slowing you down.
Weighing 2,200g, these tires are heavier than other available.
At 30TPI, the casing on these is a little less robust than on some of the premium tires available, however, it should be adequate for gravel riding.
The max PSI of 20 is also more than enough for gravel riding, where generally you will have less pressure in your tires compared to riding on the road or pavement.
Maxxis Minion FBR
Key Features:
- Width = 4.8”
- Tread Pattern = Large side knobs, paddle knobs down the centre
- Weight = 1,620g
- Casing = 120tpi
- Air Pressure = Suited to high and low pressures
- Tubeless = Tubeless ready
The Maxxis Minion FBR fat bike tires are another strong contender for the best fat bike gravel tires.
These tires come in one size, which is 4.8″. This is on the upper end of the width scale for fat bike tires, which is great for wetter and winter month riding.
With a TPI of 120, these tires are very durable and built to last.
Small knobbles in the middle of a tire will provide a good grip and prevent sliding on unsteady surfaces. This is great when riding at fast speeds and travelling long distances to keep the momentum going.
The outside knobbles are larger than those in the middle, so you can have extra grip when taking corners at speed.
This tire is suitable for low and high pressures, so it can be used in different weather conditions.
With this being a tubeless-ready tire, you have the option of using an innertube is you prefer, or going for the tubeless option.
A good choice if you want a solid tire but you’re unsure between using and inner tube or not.
CHAOYANG Sand Storm Road Bike 26″ Tires
Key Features:
- Width = 4.0”
- Tread Pattern = Slicker for road usage
- Weight = 2,000g each
- Casing = 30tpi
- Air Pressure = Unknown
- Tubeless = No
If you are going to be an occasional gravel rider and want a tire that is good for smoother surfaces as well, then the CHAOYANG Sand Storm Road Bike tire might be a perfect choice.
These slicker tires will provide less grip on the gravel than some of the others on the list, however, the slicker design will make them a strong choice for those who want to be able to pedal hard on roads and pavements and really get their speed up.
The TPI of 30 is on the lower side for fat tires, but it is durable enough to last a few years.
You will also require an inner tube for these tires.
If you are looking for a tire that works well on multi-surface rides, such as cyclocross events, these would be a good choice.
KENDA Fat Bike Tyre Krusade 20″ x 4″
Key Features:
- Width = 4.0”
- Tread Pattern = Large side knobs, paddle knobs down the centre
- Weight = 1,070g each
- Casing = 60tpi
- Air Pressure = Unknown
- Tubeless = No
Not al fat bikes are made the same, with some of them having smaller wheels than others. The KENDA Fat Bike Tyre Krusade tire is designed for these bikes with a 20″ wheel.
Smaller size doesn’t mean you have to compromise on features though. These tires come with all the features you would expect of a good grave bike tire.
With larger knobs on the side and paddle knobs down the middle, these tires will help maintain your grip on the loose surfaces you will encounter then gravel riding, both in the straights and the corners.
Coming in at 4″, they are also a good size without being too wide for the smaller wheel size they will fit.
The casing also has a TPI of 60, which makes for a durable tire.
A great option for those who want a gravel tire for their smaller wheeled fat tire bike.
Fat Bike Gravel Tire FAQs
Are Fat Tire Bikes Good On Gravel?
Fat tire bikes are great for riding on the gravel due to the extra grip that the surface area of the wheels provides.
One of the challenges of riding on gravel is the lower friction you get with the surface due to the loose gravel on top. This means that you need a tire that can cut through the gravel, with large knobs, and/or a tire with a wider surface area to increase the contact with the ground.
Fat tire bikes are great for this as the wider tires provide the extra contact with the surface that you will need. Coupled with a good set of tires, like the Schwalbe Jumbo Jim’s, you will fly through the gravel with little effort.
Is A Fat Bike Good For Trail Riding?
Trail riding, which is very similar to riding offroad and on gravel, requires a bike that can provide stability when the surface is loose and slippy, but also tackle bigger rocks and bumps in the path.
Fat bikes are perfect for riding on trails as the wide tires will give you the grip you need when riding over loose surfaces, whilst the lower PSI in the tire, compared to gravel and mountain bike tires, allows the tires to deform around any large obstacles, such as rocks or compacted mud.
Can You Ride A Fat Tire Bike On The Pavement?
Fat tire bikes are very good at riding on flat surfaces, although you might find that the additional surface area from the wider tires will increase the amount of drag, meaning you have to work harder to rise compared to a traditional road bike or mountain bike.
That said, for those who are less confident on bikes and who are more likely to be tempted to ride on the pavement to avoid traffic, fat tire bikes offer extra stability, meaning they are great for those who need a bit of a confidence boost.
There are some safety considerations to bear in mind when riding your fat bike on the pavement, which you can find in our guide to riding you fat bike on the pavement.
Why Are Fat Tire Bikes Expensive?
The reason that fat bikes tend to be more expensive than other bikes is that currently there is less demand for them. This makes them more expensive for manufacturers to produce as the parts tend to be more bespoke, as well as needing to be more durable.
Until fat tire bikes become more mainstream, they will generally be more expensive than traditional road and mountain bikes.
That said, for those who don’t want to spend too much on a fat tire bike, it is possible to get an entry-level fat tire bike for under £500. These are a great option for those who want to try out fat tire bike riding without committing a huge amount to a hobby they might not want to continue.
Summary
Thanks for reading this guide covering all you need to know about gravel tires that you can put on your fat bike.
For me, I’m always looking for a tire that does an awesome job on all surfaces, so the Schwalbe Jumbo Jim’s for me are simply the best of the best.
Just remember to check your wheel size before purchasing your gravel tires to make sure you get a pair that definitely fits your bike!
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Happy cycling!
