Fat bikes and electric bikes have been two of the biggest trends in bicycles over the past few years, and they've even mated to create a new category. Electric fat bikes like the Defiant Big Easy and Pedego Trail Tracker blend the advantages of big, floaty oversized tires and electric muscle. Italian motorcycle manufacturer Fantic is getting in the game, using its knowledge of powered, fat-tired motorbikes in launching both off-road and urban fat e-bikes.
Cold, snowy cities and soft, sandy trails are two logical destinations for the fat-tired electric bike, but they are very different environments with different demands. Fantic sees enough of a market to launch a dedicated electric fat bike for each. Introduced in July, the company's Seven Days and Fat Sport share a common electrified, fat-tired spirit but different life paths.
The Seven Days pops out as the more interesting of the two new bikes because of Fantic's claim that it's the first urban electric fat bike in the world. We're not sure it really matters that a fat e-bike is labeled "urban", but it does help highlight what Fantic is thinking in designing separate trail and city bikes.
The Seven Days comes standard with an unsuspended aluminum frame and is optimized for logging miles in the city. Fantic estimates a city range of up to 75 miles (120 km) when the bike's 417 Wh 36-volt BMZ lithium-ion battery is fully charged. The 250W Brose Midmount motor delivers up to 66 lb-ft (90 Nm) of torque to help keep the legs fresher during long commutes. The system is controlled through the multifunctional computer.
The Seven Days' electric drive is all German, but its Italian roots show through in the styling department – we can definitely see the bike looking like a picture when parked in front of a downtown espresso bar. The dual-tone frame is offset by the matching Montegrappa saddle and handlebar grips. The contrast fork adds some extra color. Those fat tires measure 26 x 4 in.
The Seven Days is available in three specifications, organized by fork type: basic aluminum, carbon fiber and RockShox Bluto suspension fork. Prices range between €2,990 and 3,490 (US$3,330 and 3,890).
The Seven Days "Sport" spec with RockShox Bluto fork could surely handle the average mountain bike ride, but those looking for a Fantic fat e-bike designed specifically for the trail should step over to the Fat Sport side of the store. This model wears an aluminum frame designed for off-road use, a standard RockShox Bluto fork and the new SRAM GX rear derailleur in place of the X9 on the Seven Days. Its look is more dirt slasher, less cafe cruiser.
The Fat Sport has the same 250W Brose motor/BMZ battery combination, but the climbing and rough terrain are sure to cut well into the mileage. It prices in at the same €3,490 as the Seven Days Sport.
Electric bikes are so hot right now that even the motorcycle guys want a piece of the action. Fantic's fat bike debut came just a few weeks after revived Spanish motorcycle marque Bultaco showed its gnarly 2,000-watt electric mountain bike.
Take a watch of the two-minute clip below to get a better feel for what Fantic's fat bikes have to offer.
Source: Fantic Bikes
