The best electric bikes for sand riding will have a powerful motor and battery, pedal assistance, wide fenders, and fat tires that can traverse soft or hard-packed sand.
Thus, the 6 best electric bikes for sand are:
| Model | Motor | Battery | Tire Width | Price |
| Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus | 750W | 48 Volt 14 Ah | 4.0″ | $2099 |
| Aventon Aventure 2 | 750W | 48 Volt 15 Ah | 4.0″ | $1899 |
| Juiced Bikes Scorpion | 1000W | 52 Volt 15 Ah | 4.25″ | $2499 |
| Engwe Engine Pro 2.0 | 750W/1200W peak | 52 Volt 16 Ah | 4.0″ | $1399 |
| Aventon Sinch Foldable E-Bike | 500W | 48 Volt 14 Ah | 4.0″ | $1599 |
| Juiced Bikes RipCurrent S | 1000W | 52 Volt 19.2 Ah | 4.0″ | $2399 |
Fat tire electric bikes are the best way to explore sand and beaches. Buying your own is a worthwhile alternative to renting an e-bike every time you want to ride.
Unfortunately, with so many options on the market, it’s hard to find the best electric bike for riding through the sand on the beach.
In this article, I’ll go into detail about the six favorite fat tire e-bikes I’ve researched and compiled that’ll get you through the sand and on your way! Then I’ll help you understand why sand can be a problem for e-bike riders and give you the solutions you need.
Top 6 Best Electric Bikes for Sand
Now that you understand what’s important when riding an electric bike in the sand, you can begin shopping for the best fat-tire electric sand bike for you.
To reiterate, you should find one with a strong motor, varying levels of pedal assistance, and fat tires with wide fenders covering them.
Here are the top 5 best sand fat tire e-bikes I listed above. These are for riders who plan to spend time on the beach or in the desert sand.
1. Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus
$2099
Recognized as one of the “Best Electric Fat Bikes” by Electric Bike Review in 2021, this Rad Power Bikes fat tire bike is fast, solid, and perfectly capable of riding in sand.
The RadRover e-bike is a perfect way to get out and explore the great outdoors. With tires that can handle any terrain you throw at them, this fat tire electric bike will allow you to venture off-road without worrying about getting bogged down in mud or sand!
Electric power
You’ll get plenty of power thanks to the 750-watt hub motor and 48V, 14Ah lithium-ion battery. In fact, you can typically ride for up to 45 miles on a single battery charge. Plus, you can ride up to 20 mph until the motor stops assisting you, likely getting up to 25 mph if you really try!
Of course, given that sand provides resistance (and it might be windy on the beach or desert), you probably won’t get quite that far on one ride. Any strain on the battery will reduce its capacity. Still, you can take a full day’s ride on the beach!
Plus, this Rad Power Bike has 7 gears along with pedal assistance, which means you have plenty of torque to power through the sand, wet or dry!
Best fat tire e-bike
With full 4-inch Kenda Juggernaut tires and an internal K-shield tire liner, they are puncture-resistant. This means more protection from sharp debris hiding under the sand. Glass, rocks, and metal are commonly found beneath the surface, especially in loose sand.
Further, you get two fenders included on the RadRover Plus, front and rear, which not all e-bikes come with. They’re durable enough to withstand sand and other harsh elements as well as wide enough to protect you and the delicate electric parts.
Take a look at the Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus here!
2. Aventon Aventure 2
$1899
Relatively new on the Aventon e-bike model list, the popular Aventure has been updated to the Aventure.2 electric fat bike. It has a slight competitive edge over the also popular RadRover, which I’ll discuss below.
Although there is a difference in the retail price, they both make for a great fat tire electric bike overall.
Electric power
However, the Aventure’s major advantage is its Class 3 capabilities… the 750W hub motor can carry you up to 28 mph with pedal assist (20 mph using the throttle). The RadRover Plus is a Class 2 giving you a pedaling top speed of only 20 mph.
Otherwise, the two fat tire electric bikes are quite comparable. The Aventure has a 45-mile average range, weighs a hefty 73lbs, has 26 X 4” fat tires, and stops easily with the hydraulic disc brakes.
Even though it’s a power horse, it rides smoothly with an 80mm front suspension fork, helping it to get over sand, gravel, dirt, and rocks. So, it’s great for a sandy beach, desert, or mountain trail!
It’s also worth noting the additional benefits of the Aventure:
- 8-speed gears and derailleur
- Resistant to water splashing from all directions (not a jet spray)
- A payload capacity of 400lbs
- Three frame sizes fit just about anyone
Fat tires
The tires could be a slight disadvantage to the RadRover Plus. Although they are the same size with a 4-inch width, Aventon describes the tires as “ebike rated”.
Thus, they aren’t a brand name and there’s no mention of extra puncture protection (my ebike tires have “puncture protection” and I’ve had a few flats anyways). However, they are solid, knobby tires that can traverse any terrain.
You’ll also get front and back fenders, integrated front and rear lights, and an advanced color display that works with Aventon’s own app.
Check out the Aventon Aventure 2 on their website!
3. Juiced Bikes HyperScorpion
$2499
Yes, there is a reason the HyperScorpion is “juiced”! Juiced Bikes defines it as a “moped-style” e-bike. This is appropriate given the incredible power of this fat tire e-bike.
This is a premium electric bike that comes with an amazing price tag. However, this futuristic ride features the latest technology and brings more than speed to the table.
Electric power
The HyperScorpion, with its dual suspension, is the ultimate fat tire e-bike for those looking to take their ride anywhere… dirt, gravel, trails, and of course sand. It has a 1000-watt hub motor and either a 52-volt 15.6Ah battery or a 52-volt 19.2Ah battery that lasts 15% longer than most batteries. In fact, you can ride it up to 30 mph and between 50 and 70+ miles (with the 19.2Ah option)!
Additionally, it actually comes with both a torque and cadence sensor (most bikes only have one or the other). This allows for pedaling and traveling at higher speeds, even on the sand! Thankfully, the hydraulic disc brakes will stop you quickly when needed.
Other power boosters on this fat tire electric bike include its 1000-watt retroblade motor, an 8-speed transmission, and an easy-to-use twist throttle.
Fat tire
Even the tires on the HyperScorpion have a slight edge over the RadRover.
They’re not only puncture-resistant, but they’re also 4.25 inches wide (instead of 4 inches). Even this little bit can give this fat tire electric bike more traction and help you out when you need to get through deep sand to get back to the sidewalk or road.
Find the Juiced Bikes HyperScorpion on their website!
Find out more about what powers your e-bike: Torque Sensors
4. Engwe Engine Pro 2.0
$1399
Electric power
With a 750-watt rear hub motor that peaks at 1200 watts, this full-suspension, folding e-bike speeds up to 28 mph. It uses a 52 Volt 16 Ah extended range battery. That gives you a riding range of up to 608 miles on a single charge!
Of course, you’ll need to use the 8-speed gearshift and 5-level pedal assistance to ride this many miles, especially if you’re riding in the sand. But you might just be tempted to 100% throttle it the whole way.
Fat tires
Just when you thought you’d never afford an e-bike with a fat tire, the Engine Pro 2.0 comes along. These 20-inch wheels come with 4.0-inch wide tires that tear through sand and off-road terrain.
Plus, its high-performance front and rear suspension make traversing through sand, dirt, and gravel a comfortable, pain-free ride!
5. Aventon Sinch Foldable E-Bike
$1599
The Sinch is the perfect companion to live with if you’re in a small apartment by the beach! So, I just had to throw this one in.
Not only can you ride it on the street to the beach, but it’s also one of the best small, foldable electric bikes to take you on a ride in the sand.
The folding, portable design lets you take it with you anywhere as well as store it under a desk or in a closet!
Electric power
Being a folding e-bike doesn’t mean the Sinch has less power or capability. Like the other sand e-bikes discussed above, it has a 500W sustained hub motor (750 Watt peak) and a 48 Volt, 14 Ah Lithium-ion battery.
With an average 40-mile range, it boasts 5 pedal assist levels and a throttle that’ll get you started quickly.
4-inch tires
Like the RadRover e-bike, the Sinch uses 20-inch Kenda tires. But even this “little” folding e-bike has full 4-inch wide tires that are puncture-resistant.
Looks like you’ll have to add your own fenders, however. But to get a folding fat tire e-bike that can ride in the sand with 4-inch tires for only $1799… adding on a couple of fenders is worth it.
If you decide not to add fenders though, make sure you ride on hard-packed sand only!
Read more about foldable e-bikes!
6. Juiced Bikes RipCurrent S
$2399
Here’s another super powerful fat tire e-bike from Juiced Bikes. It’s pricier, but there are reasons it may be worth it.
The RipCurrent S is the ultimate sporty utility e-bike for anyone who wants to explore their surroundings. It can handle sand, hills, dirt trails, and gravel. It truly is a fully-equipped fat tire bicycle that delivers loads of fun and unmatched versatility.
Further, it comes with loads of super functional upgrades that will blow your mind!
Electric power
The RipCurrent S e-bike is the king of performance. It has a massive 52V 19.2 Ah battery, a 1000W rear hub motor, and a riding range of 70+ miles!
It also has a thumb throttle, a geared 9-speed transmission, and both cadence and upgraded torque pedal assist sensors. With speeds up to 28MPH, you can get where you’re going fast, even if you’re riding on sandy terrain.
Full-size tires
All-terrain, 4-inch tires are included on the 26-inch wheels. These are puncture-resistant, knobbed Kenda tires that increase stability and comfort on all off-road terrains.
Extra upgraded features include an advanced LCD display with different riding modes and a rear rack. For all the reasons I’ve mentioned above, this could be the #1 best electric bike to ride in the sand.
Take a look at the new RipCurrent S on the Juiced Bikes website!
Learn how to ride your e-bike in the sand here!
Can Electric Bikes Ride On Sand? Basic Requirements
First, consider the potential limitations and requirements of riding an e-bike in the sand.
Electric bikes can ride on the sand with a few requirements. They need all-terrain tires, wide fenders, and proper cleaning after each ride. They should also be ridden primarily on hard-packed sand.
Fatter tires
There are a lot of advantages of fat tire e-bikes… the right ones will allow you to ride on sand without sinking in. Fat, all-terrain tires work best in the sand. The perfect tires are ones that have a lot of surface area to create friction with the sand.
Most tires described as “fat” are at least 3-4 inches wide. The more time you’ll be spending riding in the sand, the wider your tire should be. If you’re planning to ride on the beach daily, then a 4-inch tire is best.
But if you’ll be doing a lot of street riding, it may be harder with a 4-inch tire.
Some of the more comfortable electric bikes come standard with 3″ or 4″ tires and have a lot of clearance so these will be good for riding on any terrain including sand. The truth is, fatter tires make riding an electric bike fun! You might also choose to ride on an electric mountain bike.
Wide fenders
Wider fenders will help keep the beach from getting into your drivetrain and gears and damaging it with saltwater, dirt, and other debris. Fenders will also keep the sand from flying up into your eyes while you ride.
Make sure that any e-bike you choose to buy has fenders that are as tall and wide as the tire is.
How to clean sand off your e-bike
After you ride on a sandy surface, brush any loose particles off of your bike. You don’t want them to get stuck between moving parts like the gears, brakes, or motor.
You may also need to clean down deep under the derailleur if you’ve been riding through wet sand all day!
Use a dry or very slightly damp rag to wipe down our e-bike, being cautious to avoid sensitive electric components. Not only will this keep sand from falling into unwanted places, but it’ll also help protect metal or aluminum parts from corrosion during long periods of non-use.
Cleaning the sand off your e-bike will also help limit scratches and visual damage.
Hard-packed sand vs loose sand
Just because you get an electric bike that’s good for riding in the sand doesn’t mean you should ride it in all sand types. In fact, loose sand can cause quite a few problems.
And when you have that nice new fat tire electric bike, you’ll probably think twice about riding it through soft sand.
Hard-packed sand is just better for electric bikes to ride on:
- It’s less strenuous to ride on
- You won’t have sand flying into your eyes (which also makes it easier to see where you’re going)
- Sand won’t be as likely to get into and damage electrical parts and other important components such as your chain and pedals.
Fat Tire E-Bike vs Beach Cruiser
Upon first thought, you might think you need a “beach cruiser” to ride on the sand, especially at the beach. However, a beach cruiser is really just for “cruising” up and down the boardwalk or sidewalks near the beach and not for strenuous sand riding.
For instance, most tires on an electric beach cruiser are typically just over 2 inches. These tires don’t provide enough contact with the softer ground to help them get over such terrain.
Further, electric cruisers aren’t typically built with the power you need to get through softer sand. Most of them come with a 250W motor instead of a 500W or 750W one.
That being said, e-bike brands have multiple features on different bikes now. But, even if you find an electric fat bike with a 750W motor and fat tires labeled as a “beach cruiser”, can you really call it a “cruiser”?
So, let’s focus on what electric bike you need to ride in the sand as opposed to what it is called! You’ve just seen the six best e-bikes for sand that I researched and put together for you.
Check out the top electric fat bikes made in the USA right here!
Conclusion
I’ve assembled six of the best electric bikes for sand to help you find a great bike that’ll work perfectly for you at the beach. The ones I’ve listed are all top-rated and are in the lower to average price range, so there should be an option that fits your budget and needs.
You can see how they stack up against one another in terms of power, speed, range, tires, and more!
The hardest part will be deciding which fat tire beach e-bike is for you!
Want a fat tire bike that rides well in mountain terrain, as well as the sand?
