The Universal Ebike!

[gromike]

I was sitting outside listening to music at a bar in my local state park and saw a number of ebikes ride by. They all looked the same, and I thought those 20 inch fatties are sure popular. Then I saw this article about just that style: a 20 inch fat tired folder:

If you don’t know which type of e-bike to buy, you should probably get this one

I’ve been working in the e-bike industry for over 15 years now, and so I’ve seen a thing or two....

electrek.co

Personally, I'm too much of a biker to ever consider one, but the market hath spoken! And yes, they all have throttles.

 

[Art Deco]

I was sitting outside listening to music at a bar in my local state park and saw a number of ebikes ride by. They all looked the same, and I thought those 20 inch fatties are sure popular. Then I saw this article about just that style: a 20 inch fat tired folder:

If you don’t know which type of e-bike to buy, you should probably get this one

I’ve been working in the e-bike industry for over 15 years now, and so I’ve seen a thing or two....

electrek.co

Personally, I'm too much of a biker to ever consider one, but the market hath spoken! And yes, they all have throttles.

I have to agree. Although I didn't care for the couple that I rode (too much like a gasoline mini bike), I've found myself recommending them to folks that are just concerned with getting somewhere without driving a car or truck.
Vive le difference, I guess.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

The author's take certainly agrees with what I see on the ground in coastal SoCal. Crawling with ebikes here, the vast majority with 3-4" tires on 20" wheels. Not sure the folders dominate here but haven't paid close attention. Nearly all are inexpensive rear hub-drives with throttles and simple cadence-sensing PAS.

Most of these bikes seem to be used for transportation and utility, but a lot of pleasure riders, too. Mostly throttled around or ghost-pedaled. Riders generally look happy in the saddle, so I think the format works pretty well for them.

Interestingly, the 20" wheels may partially offset the conventional wisdom regarding poor hub-drive climbing performance. Very hilly here, but that doesn't seem to slow them down. They fly past me on 5% and steeper grades all the time.

 

[Underdog]

My first ebike was a 20" fat tire bike, loved that thing. Everyone I spoke to said the bigger wheel bikes like the 27'5 and up are more efficient and smarter to be riding around on. So I took everyone's advice an bought one and rode it for several months and it is more efficient and faster, but not nearly as much fun to ride as my 20" fatty. I keep going back and forth between the 2 bikes every other ride or so and honestly, I much more prefer the 20" wheeled bike for sheer pleasure and fun. Ride whatever you want, ride whatever brings a smile to your face, that's all that matters.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Ride whatever you want, ride whatever brings a smile to your face, that's all that matters.

Amen to that. Happy to see anyone on any bike as long as they're riding responsibly. In our area, most bikes out and about represent cars not on the road.

 

[sc00ter]

I was at the bookstore last weekend and 3 kids came riding thru the parking lot on fat tire 20" ebikes. What made it funny was all of them were practicing wheelies! Kinda reminded me of riding freestyle bmx as a teenager.

I'll always have a 20" fat tire ebike in the garage. Everyone that rides my RadRunner loves it.

 

[gromike]

I have a 20" folder, but it's not a fatty .
Bought on clearance in 2022, the age before the 20" fat tire folder.

 

[Chazmo]

I think it’s awesome. Whatever gets people on bikes. The good/known fatty manufacturers (Lectric, Aventon, Velotric, etc.) have great products in this space.

As a 26” fatty rider, I get that 1) it’s harder for the makers to build quality into 26” package, and 2) 26” fatties like mine are a bit of a bear to handle, carry, transport, etc. The 20” formula is a really good one for a lot of people.

I think I agree with @gromike that it’s probably not for the majority of folks around here, but I’ve gotta’ try one someday.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Does the 20" x 3-4" wheel format have much of a following in the UK or EU? Don't know about UK ebike laws, but seems unlikely in the EU given their 250W ceiling on motor power.