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A fat tire e-bike checklist for wholesale buyers.
Ten decisions that separate a quoteable fat tire order from one that gets renegotiated after the sample.
In short: a fat tire e-bike is defined by tyre width, not motor power. This range is six 26-inch platforms running a 4.0-inch tyre, with 36V 8Ah or 48V 10Ah batteries, 21-speed or 7-speed drivetrains, mechanical disc brakes, 33-38 kg gross weight and cartons between 152 x 28 x 78 cm and 152 x 29 x 78 cm.
The ten decisions
Before you ask for a price.
In order. The first four decide whether the rest of the list is even relevant.
- Fix the market before the model - the power class that can be sold depends on the market, not on the platform you like.
- Confirm the tyre by ETRTO - a nominal 4.0 in is not a specification until the bead-seat diameter is fixed.
- Choose the battery system - 36V 8Ah and 48V 10Ah differ on weight, charging time and charger specification.
- Choose the frame material - aluminium alloy and high-carbon steel differ by roughly 3 to 5 kg gross.
- Plan the carton volume - fat tyre cartons are larger, and loading is calculated per order.
- Ask for the model-level document set - BOM, nameplate and any test documents mapped to the exact model and variant.
- Set the QC agreement in writing - full unit-by-unit inspection at the shipping location from 50 units, before dispatch.
- Agree the Incoterm - DDP, CIF or FOB, confirmed for the destination port.
- Plan spare parts - a 12-month limited warranty on the frame and a 6-month limited warranty on the battery against non-human damage; other components and spare-parts support are confirmed in the quotation.
- Write the brief before the call - platform, market, quantity, customisation and documents in one message.
Range at a glance
The six platforms, in one line each.
Full comparison table on the family page.
| Platform | Frame | System | Gears | Gross weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog 55 | Aluminium alloy | 36V 8Ah / 350W | 21-speed | 35 kg |
| Catalog 45 | Aluminium alloy | 36V 8Ah / 350W | 21-speed | 35 kg |
| Catalog 17 | High-carbon steel | 36V 8Ah / 350W | 21-speed | 38 kg |
| Catalog 59 | Aluminium alloy | 48V 10Ah / 350W | 7-speed | 38 kg |
| Catalog 20 | High-carbon steel | 36V 8Ah / 350W | 21-speed | 33 kg |
| Catalog 50 | High-carbon steel | 36V 8Ah / 350W | 21-speed | 38 kg |
Is a fat tire e-bike defined by the motor?
No, by the tyre. The defining specification is a wide, low-pressure tyre - on this range a 4.0 in tyre on a 26 in wheel - which changes ground contact, ride feel and carton volume.
Do fat tire platforms cost more to ship?
They occupy more carton volume, so loading is calculated for the actual order rather than taken from a published container count.
Can a 4.0 in tyre be assumed from the words fat tire?
No. Ask for the ETRTO marking on the sidewall; a nominal inch size is not a specification until the bead-seat diameter is fixed.
Are fat tire platforms legal in Europe?
Not as specified. EU and UK road use is limited to 250 W pedal assist with a 25 km/h cut-off under EN 15194, so a 350 W configuration is not an EPAC configuration.