Mongoose Dolomite fat tire bike, great for winter or as a donor for an e-bike kit: $173

mongoose dirt bike provides the drivetrain components in the form of a Deore 10-speed shifter and rear derailleur. House-brand cranks spin a 24-tooth chainring with a SunRace CSMS T cassette on the other end. The Sram disc brakes will keep your speed in check on fast descents. It comes with 26-inch wheels but will take larger wheels also. When going deeper into the woods, use the copious cargo mounts on the frame and fork. Some fat bikes are designed to accommodate both fat-tire rims and standard 27.5 or 29-inch mountain bike rims.

The front and mongoose bicycle disc brakes give you a practical way to stop. Five-inch tires give more float on soft ground than four-inch models. But fatter tires are heavier, slower, and bouncier on firm ground. For riding on firmer and drier trails, and at higher speeds, a narrower tire is going to provide a more satisfying, and less squirmy, ride. Whichever you choose, consider setting them up tubeless and running low pressures for less chance of flatting. Just ensure the tubeless sealant you choose works at subzero temperatures.

One shifter keeps things simple, and the mongoose fat bike are trustworthy in winter, with stopping power to keep you on track all year. The bike is on the heavy side, but it’s an excellent option for exploring the world of snow or sand without breaking the bank. A hardtail with a rigid fork is the most affordable and most common type of fat bike. Fat bike tires are getting wider for more float in extreme conditions, and the bikes are being built lighter with higher performance in mind. Dropper posts are becoming increasingly common on stock builds, making it easier to ride technical terrain and remount in deep snow. Like the others, this one is made with a steel frame and aluminum rims that provide a lightweight feel for smoother rides over rugged terrain, as well as durability for long-term use.

steel frame

The Farley’s handling befits this all-season versatility, proving predictable at slower speeds on soft surfaces, and surprisingly predictable at higher speeds on dirt trails. If your riding surface is particularly uneven, rooty, or rocky, or you want to run your tires at a higher pressure for less squirm, consider buying a fat bike with full suspension. A full-suspension setup can help you maneuver better, keep you from feeling beat up after a long ride, and make the ride more enjoyable if you swap fat rims for standard mountain bike rims. However, if you typically ride in extremely cold temperatures, a rigid fork may be more reliable. Based on how many miles riders get out of this one, it seems to be a very durable pick.

The butted aluminum frame has tons of standover—helpful when you’re trying to get started in deep snow—and rack mounts so you can bring enough gear to play all day. The Wo has thru-axles front and rear and is dropper post and 2x ready if you want to customize its build. As usual, Kona beats its own path with frame and graphic color combos, but this bike looks damn good in person.

The original tires were 6 pounds each and the thick tubes were an amazing 2 pounds each! SRAM GX Eagle comes with a 30t chainring to give you a gear small enough to get the fully loaded frame up and over hills. For trail riding or just moving stuff around, the Blackborow is a good option.