Any kid should be able to go out and get some fresh air while riding their bike. This should be easily done in the city where you can gain some traction on the asphalt, although out in the wild it can get a little trickier.
Where the ground can turn to mud and a layer of fresh snow can look daunting, you do not want to give up on a day’s riding. This is where you need wider rims with larger tires to gain as much traction as possible or your kid may spend more time picking themselves up than riding their bike.

If you can expect a substantial layer of snow to cover the ground during the winter months, then you may have to opt for a ‘fat’ bike for your child rather than a standard mountain bike.
This type of bike has risen in popularity due to how well it can tackle extreme weather conditions and difficult terrain. Should you have a child who wants to challenge themselves in whatever weather conditions then get them a ‘fat’ bike.
Today, let’s take a look at the best fat bike’s on the market to help you find the best choice today. We have also got a buyer’s guide and FAQ section coming up to help you find the right bike for your child!
Diamondback Bicycles El Oso Nino Fat Bike – Best Fat Bike For Families
One of the most endearing features to come with the Diamondback Bicycles El Oso Nino Fat Bike is how it is a mini version of a larger bike. That’s right, if you are the kind of family that can be found in matching pajama sets then the adults could match by getting the El Oso Grande.
Though there is more to this kid’s bike than simple matching aesthetics as the 20” wheels mean great traction and low tire pressure so any kid should be able to feel the track, even when hidden under mud or snow.
Any kid should be able to ride this soon after it arrives as each one ships as 95% assembled. Once up and running they will want to test it out at speed and shifting is straightforward with the Shimano Drivetrain that uses Revo Grip Shift.
At speed, there is supreme confidence in the mechanical disc brakes that have 160mm rotors for formidable braking power.
Pros & Key Features
- Part Of The El Oso Range – For the families that truly like to be in sync, the parents could match up by getting the El Oso Grande
- 20” Wheels – Such wide wheels should prove for easy riding with great traction and low tire pressure when equipped with 4” wide tires
- Mechanical Disk Brakes – 160mm rotors should mean great stopping power and added safety
- Shimano Drivetrain – A seven-speed drivetrain also comes with Revo Grip Shift for simple shifting
- Almost Totally Pre-Assembled – Each bike is shipped 95% assembled
Possible Cons
- Heavy – At 42 pounds, there are lighter bikes available for younger riders
Also Available At
Mongoose Argus Trail 24 – Best Fat Bike For All-Terrain Versatility
- 12″ Frame (Suits riders 4 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 6 inches in height)
- Wheel Size 24″
- Tires 4″
While ‘fat’ sized bikes are suitable for riding on snow, you may want one for all-terrain versatility. Especially in a climate where you can only expect snow for a couple of months a year.
Instead of having to buy another mountain bike for those warmer months, simply get one that can prove adaptable like the Mongoose Argus Trail 24. With derailleurs and Shimano Rapid Fire 2 by 8 shifters, there is a huge gear range to ensure across various terrain.
Even on a bumpy trail, the MTB aluminum frame comes with an alloy fork and 135mm spacing for added stability. Expect some smooth riding from the 24” wheels that are ready for 4” knobby mountain fat tires. For the most fastidious kids, you should also find a color to suit them in a range that includes blue, copper, green, and red.
Pros & Key Features
- Shimano Rapid Fire 2 x 8 Shifters – With derailleurs, this should provide a substantial enough gear range for all sorts of terrain
- MTB Aluminum Frame – An alloy fork with 135mm spacing should mean a reassuringly stable ride
- 24” Wheels – Equipped with 4” wide fat tires, expect exceptional stability on even the toughest of trails
- Range Of Colors – From Blue to Copper, Green, and Red
Possible Cons
- Lack Of Tread Depth – A few users have noted that the tires could do with a more generous tread depth
Also Available At
Swagtron 20-Inch Fat Tire E-Bike 350W – Best Fat Bike Electric Bike
No products found.
If your child enjoys challenging themselves on a particularly long ride then an electric bike is a good option to go for. The Swagtron 20-Inch Fat Tire E-Bike 350W comes with those ‘fat’ tires but also a 350W motor whenever you need it.
The 36V lithium-ion battery is removable yet when faced with a tricky hill, you may want to engage it to save your legs. However, you can always choose to pedal manually when you do not need the extra power.
For a range of terrains, the seven-shift gears offer a wealth of options to make a tricky surface seem reassuringly easy. The rigid body, aluminum rims, V-Brake, and steel fork signal a formidable effective, and top-quality construction. This is also relatively lightweight, despite the 20” wheels the bike only weighs 48.5 pounds.
Pros & Key Features
- 350W Motor – Choose between using the electric motor for additional power or pedaling manually
- Power Assist – When facing a steep incline simply engage the power assist technology to let the motor push you along
- 36V Lithium-Ion Battery – The battery is removable and can be used for added security on a long ride or left at home to charge
- Seven-Shift Gears – Feel comfortable over all sorts of terrain with a variety of gears to choose from
- High-Quality Construction – From the V-Brake to the aluminum rims, steel fork, and rigid body, the bike does not scrimp on the best materials for durability
Possible Cons
- Lackluster Coating Quality – Some users have noted that the coating quality could be improved
Also Available At
No products found.
Dread BMX Fat Bicycle 20-Inch Fat Tire Bike – Best Fat Bike For A Fashionable Statement
No products found.
20″ Wheels
For a bike that will be seen amidst the mud and snow, you want one with a vivid color scheme. Few bikes are as eye-catching as the Dread BMX Fat Bicycle 20-Inch Fat Tire Bike.
With lurid colors across the 20” ‘fat’ tires and on the frame, this bike will be seen easily which may be just what your kid wants.
While the color scheme may look flash, the rest of the bike’s construction is anything but. A four-bolt alloy stem should ensure that the handlebars stay in place.
The durable steel frame should also make for some reassuringly steady riding, even on tough terrain which your child may want to test themselves.
Pros & Key Features
- Four-Bolt Alloy Stem – Know that the handlebars are fastened securely with a four-bolt alloy stem
- Sturdy – The durable steel frame makes for some steady, stable riding
- Vivid Colors – Any kid should be seen from quite a distance due to the lurid color scheme featured on the ‘fat’ tires and across the frame
Possible Cons
- Tricky Assembly – You may find yourself spending a fair amount of time getting the bike fitted properly and you may even want an expert to inspect it before riding
Also Available At
No products found.
Mongoose Kong Fat Tire Mountain Bike – Best Fat Bike For Larger Tires
If you want a bike that should be noticed go for one with a drilled rim that features bright yellow inserts. The tires are important and those with the Mongoose Kong Fat Tire Mountain Bike are even ‘fatter’ at 4.25” to take care of any off-road trail over various terrain. For a growing child or a bike that can be shared around, the threadless headset is adjustable.
Though the bike is one of the heaviest around at just over 33 pounds, the alloy rims do keep the weight down and provide excellent performance.
This truly is a bike for all surfaces as a seven-speed Shimano rear derailleur gives sizable options with twist shifters for easy gear shifting during a ride.
Pros & Key Features
- Supersized 4.25” Tires – Slightly larger than the typical 4”-sized tires
- Threadless Headset – Adjustable so the bike can be shared amongst kids of various heights or simply a growing child
- Lightweight Alloy Rims – Keep the weight down for greater speed and performance while the yellow inserts are noticeable
- Twist Shifters – Easy and smooth gear shifting
Possible Cons
- Wobbly Seat – Some users have noted that the seat tends to wobble which can be tightened up
Also Available At
- The Suggested Rider Height Range For This Bike Is 48 To 60 Inches Tall And The Frame Size (Seat Tube Length) Is 13 Inches
- A Shimano Rear Derailleur With Seven Speeds Makes Hills Easier To Climb, While Twist Shifters Make It Smooth And Easy To Change Gears While Riding
- The Threadless Headset Is Adjustable For Riders Of Different Heights; For Added Speed And Performance, The Strong, Lightweight Alloy Rims Keep The Weight Down
- Ride Comfortably With Beach Cruiser Pedals And Ensure Safety With Front And Rear Disc Brakes
- Conquer Any Off Road Trail With Ease With This Steel-Framed Mountain Bike With 4.25 Inch Supersized All Terrain Knobby Tires
Kids’ Fat Bike Buyers’ Guide
When shopping for a kid’s fat wheel mountain bike, you will want one that a child should feel comfortable using over various terrains in several weather conditions. Most notably, this should mean heavy snow as the size of the tires is designed for added grip and more traction.
A ‘fat’ bike should be able to conquer pretty much any obstacle put in front of it. This should include a few inches of snow, dirt, sand, and even tall grass.
The huge size of the tires should give the impression of floating over the surface. The comparably larger wheels can even out the impact of the changeable terrain for stable riding.
With around seven speeds and easy gear shifting, even an electric motor, steep inclines, and difficult terrain should seem relatively easy-going.
Wide-Rimmed Wheels
Though the size of the tires should not deviate too much from the prescribed 4” requirement, there may be some leeway in how wide-rimmed the wheels are.
This is typically set at 20” though you may find some that are even bigger at 24”. The low pressure applied to the wheels also acts as a shock absorber to increase the traction and you can forget about feeling any bumps.
‘Fat’ Tires
To be considered as a ‘fat’ bike requires tires that are sized at 4”. This provides stable and safe riding over a variety of terrains but is most needed when riding over the snow as that extra width grips the ground and provides great traction.
However, you can go even further to 4.25” just in case you want that added security.
Electric Motor
While kids should be expected to pedal to a certain extent, the area where you live could be quite hilly. Certain steep inclines can quickly curtail what should be a long day’s riding. Make it easier on your kids by considering a bike with an electric motor.
Just 350w can be enough to make swift work of a hill once you engage the power assist. In most cases, the battery will be removable, so you can leave it to charge at home while you ride on comparably easier terrain.
Shifting
A ‘fat’ bike with around seven speeds should be enough as any more can get a little confusing. The number of speeds should offer versatility to conquer a range of terrains and most hills, though you may want to consider an electric motor just in case.
Assembly
Just like most bikes, you may be expected to perform some assembly when it arrives. Some can come 95% pre-assembled which only requires a few household tools to get the bike up and running.
However, other ‘fat’ bikes will necessitate more time, and you may want to check with an expert whether it is road-worthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Of Tires Are Considered Mid-Fat And Plus-Sized?
A ‘fat’ bike is one with 4” tires which is pretty simple to remember as that width is ample to maneuver on various terrains, including snow.
Going down in size, you should be able to find mid-fat bikes, which are 3” sized, and plus-sized bikes that are over 2.6 and less than 3” in size. These bikes are naturally smaller and weigh less, arguably not enough to need truly ‘fat’ tires to go over sand and snow.
For riding in snow, kids can largely get away with a mid-fat or plus-sized bike anyway, unless it is in some seriously deep snow. A plus-sized bike typically has more versatility as it can be ridden on a trail or over dirt while performing well on sand and snow too.
If you were to try that with a ‘fat’-tired bike a child would likely find it difficult to ride freely. If you were in the market for two bikes then you could use a ‘fat’-tired bike for winter when the snow comes down and a regular mountain bike for the rest of the year as plus-sized bikes tend to be heavier.
Is A ‘Fat’ Bike Worth It?
This largely depends on how much riding you get out of the bike. If you expect snow to cover the ground for a couple of months every year, then the investment will take care of itself.
The size of the tires should bring about some envious glances, just as it proves for effortless riding across various terrain. However, the weight and lack of speed can make the difference from a regular city bike.
Jump back over here for all our kids’ bike-buying guides and advice
© Kids Bike Scoot Skate