Simple Step-Thru 500W vs. 750W Fat Tire: A Side-by-Side Ride Test

Two Bikes, One Name, Two Different Personalities

Walk into the sixthreezero headquarters in San Clemente and you'll see the Simple Step-Thru parked in more than one spot. That's not a mistake. The Simple Step-Thru comes in two versions, and while they share a name and a lot of their DNA, they don't ride the same way. One carries a 500 watt motor and standard tires. The other runs a 750 watt motor on fat tires with a beefier frame. On paper, the gap looks like a few numbers. On the pavement, it feels like more than that.

Diane from the sixthreezero team set out to explain those differences the most honest way possible: by riding both of them, back to back, in the parking lot outside headquarters. She talked through what's the same, what's different, and what she noticed from the saddle. This article pulls together everything from that walkthrough and expands on it, so you can figure out which version makes more sense for the way you ride.

If you've been browsing step-thru electric bikes and keep coming back to the Simple Step-Thru, this is the comparison you want. We'll cover the shared features first, then dig into tires, frame, weight and motor power, and finish with what Diane actually felt when she rode each one. By the end you should have a clear sense of which bike to put at the top of your test ride list.

Before getting into what separates these two, it helps to know how much they share. If you pick either one, you're getting the same core riding experience in a lot of ways, and that matters because these shared features are the ones you'll use on every single ride.

Both versions have five levels of pedal assist. Both have a thumb throttle. Both have a seven-speed drivetrain, the same kind of gearing you'd find on a road bike or a mountain bike. Both have displays that are positioned where your eyes naturally fall and are easy to read at a glance. And both have hydraulic shocks up front, which take the sting out of bumps before they travel up into your arms, wrists and shoulders.

That's a solid list. It means the decision between the two isn't about whether you get throttle or not, or whether you get gears or not. You get all of that either way. The real choice comes down to tires, frame, weight and motor power, and how those things line up with where you plan to ride and how you like a bike to feel underneath you.

It also means that if you're coming from a regular bicycle, the controls on either version will feel familiar quickly. The shifter works the way shifters work. The brakes are where you expect them. The extra pieces, the assist buttons, the throttle and the display, are simple enough that most riders get comfortable with them in the first few minutes.

Pedal assist is the feature that makes an e-bike feel like an e-bike. When you turn the pedals, the motor adds power on top of your own effort. On the Simple Step-Thru, you can choose from five levels. Level one gives you a gentle nudge. Higher levels give you more help, so you can choose how much work you want to do on any given stretch of road.

Diane spent most of her ride in pedal assist one, and that's worth noting. Even at the lowest setting, she described pedaling as really easy. On the 750 watt version, level one alone had her cruising at around 8 miles an hour with very little effort. For a lot of riders, the lower levels will cover everyday riding just fine, and the upper levels are there for hills, headwinds, or days when your legs just aren't feeling it.

The thumb throttle is the other half of the equation. Push it, and the bike moves without you pedaling at all. Diane used it the way many experienced riders do: to get rolling from a complete stop. Starting from zero is the hardest part of any ride, especially on a heavier bike, and a quick press of the throttle gets you moving smoothly before you start pedaling and let the assist take over.

One practical detail from her ride: she started in pedal assist zero, then bumped it up to level one so the throttle would work as she pulled away. If you ever press the throttle and nothing happens, check what assist level you're in before assuming something's wrong. It's a small habit that saves a lot of confusion on your first few rides.

If a throttle is high on your must-have list, it's worth knowing that sixthreezero keeps a dedicated collection of electric trikes with throttle control as well, in case you end up deciding three wheels suit you better than two.

Electric assist doesn't replace gears. It works alongside them. Both versions of the Simple Step-Thru come with seven speeds, which gives you a range of easier and harder pedaling options regardless of which assist level you're in. Lower gears help on climbs and when starting up. Higher gears let you keep a comfortable cadence once you're moving faster.

On the 750 watt version, Diane pointed out that the gear shifter sits right by the grip, which also meant the grip itself is a bit shorter on that side. It's a small ergonomic difference, but it's the kind of thing you'll notice the first time you wrap your hand around the bar. She also mentioned that the grips felt soft and comfortable, which matters more than people expect once rides start stretching past half an hour.

Her most useful tip about gears was a simple one: you have to be pedaling when you change gears. These are manual gears on a chain-driven drivetrain, and the chain needs to be moving for the derailleur to guide it onto a different cog. Shifting while stopped, or while coasting without turning the pedals, can lead to a clunky shift or a dropped chain the next time you push down.

A good habit is to shift into an easier gear as you roll toward a stop sign or the bottom of a hill, while you're still turning the pedals lightly. That way you're already in the right gear when you need to get going again. Combined with a quick touch of throttle from a standstill, it makes starts feel effortless on either version. If you ever need to replace drivetrain parts down the road, sixthreezero sells derailleurs and other components directly.

Diane called out the displays on both bikes as beautifully positioned and easy to read. That might sound like a minor point until you've ridden a bike where you have to look down and squint to see your speed or assist level. On the Simple Step-Thru, the display sits where a quick glance tells you what you need to know, so your eyes can stay on the road.

On the 750 watt model, she also showed where the power button lives: right above the pedal assist adjusters, in easy reach of your thumb. Turning the bike on, picking an assist level and checking your speed all happen in the same small area near your left hand, which keeps things simple, especially for riders who are new to e-bikes.

The other shared feature that deserves a mention is suspension. Both versions have hydraulic shocks, and Diane explained why they matter in plain terms: when you're riding, the shocks take some of the jolts off your arms, wrists and shoulders. Cracked pavement, driveway lips, the edge of a parking lot, small potholes, all of these send little shocks up through the handlebars. Over a long ride, those add up.

For riders with sore joints or anyone who rides on less-than-perfect streets, that front suspension makes a noticeable difference in how you feel after you park the bike. It's part of why the Simple Step-Thru shows up among sixthreezero's comfort electric bikes. Comfort isn't one feature; it's a lot of small decisions stacked together, and the shocks are one of the bigger ones.

Now for what separates these two. The most visible difference is the tires. The 500 watt version rolls on standard tires. The 750 watt version rolls on fat tires, which are noticeably wider and carry more air volume.

Why does that matter? A fat tire puts more rubber on the ground. That bigger contact patch gives you more traction, and the extra air volume acts like a cushion between you and whatever you're rolling over. Diane described it in terms of confidence: if you hit a bump or roll over a rock, you don't have to worry much about the wheel slipping out, because the tire can handle it.

That's why fat tires tend to be the pick for riders who expect to leave smooth pavement behind. Gravel paths, packed dirt, sandy stretches near the beach, broken-up trail surfaces, these are the places where a fat tire earns its keep. It's also why Diane said the fat tire version will let you take on more difficult terrain than its standard-tire sibling.

The trade-off is that fat tires add weight and, depending on the surface, can feel a bit less nimble than standard tires. On smooth asphalt, a standard tire rolls easily and steers lightly. So the question isn't which tire is better in general. It's which tire fits the surfaces you'll actually ride on most of the time. If fat tires sound like your style, it's worth browsing the full fat tire electric bike lineup to see how they compare across models.

Worth noting: tires wear over time no matter which version you choose. When it's time for fresh rubber, replacement tires and tubes are available from sixthreezero.

The second difference is in the frame. The 500 watt Simple Step-Thru uses a single main frame tube that sweeps low between the handlebars and the seat. The 750 watt version adds what Diane described as a little support bar, a second frame member that gives the bike more stability.

That extra bar makes sense once you think about what the 750 watt version is built to do. It has a stronger motor, bigger tires and is designed to handle rougher ground. A stiffer, more braced frame helps the bike stay solid under those conditions, so it doesn't feel flexy when you're pushing harder or riding over uneven surfaces.

Does the extra bar make it harder to get on? Not by much. When Diane mounted the 750 watt version, she noted there's a bar there but she didn't have to lift her leg super high. After riding both, she said she personally didn't notice a difference in mounting and dismounting. Both bikes kept the low step-thru design that the name promises.

Still, if you have significant hip or knee limitations, it's something to check for yourself. A few inches of difference in frame shape can matter a lot to one rider and not at all to another. That's one of the best reasons to see both bikes in person, or to use the sixthreezero fitting tool to get a recommendation based on your body and riding style.

The third difference is weight, and Diane noticed it immediately. Just moving the 750 watt version off its kickstand, she could tell it was a heavier bike. Fat tires, a bigger motor and the extra frame bar all add pounds, and those pounds show up the moment you start handling the bike by hand.

Once she was riding, the weight mattered less. The 750 watt motor has more than enough power to move the extra mass, and a heavier bike can feel planted and steady at speed. Where the weight really showed up was at slow speeds and when she was stopped and standing over the bike. She said it plainly: she could feel the weight more when standing there, without a doubt.

This is a real consideration for some riders. Think about where the bike will live. If you're rolling it out of a garage onto a driveway, the extra weight is barely a factor. If you need to lift it onto a car rack, carry it up a step, or maneuver it through a tight side yard, the lighter 500 watt version will be easier to manage day to day.

Weight also affects how a bike feels in tight turns and parking-lot maneuvering. Diane described the 500 watt version as fast, light and easy to maneuver. The 750 watt version wasn't hard to handle, but she was aware it was a bigger bike. Neither is a problem, but they are different feelings, and it's worth knowing which one you prefer.

The last major difference is the motor. The standard Simple Step-Thru has a 500 watt motor. The fat tire version has a 750 watt motor. Diane summed up what that means in practical terms: a little more power, and more help when you're tackling tougher terrain or hills.

Think of motor wattage as how much muscle the bike adds to your pedaling. A 500 watt motor is plenty for flat to rolling neighborhoods, bike paths, boardwalks and everyday errands. A 750 watt motor has more in reserve, which shows up most clearly when you're climbing, carrying extra weight, riding into the wind, or pushing those fat tires through softer surfaces.

Diane also mentioned riding a bit longer as a benefit of the bigger motor. In real life, how far you can go on a charge depends on a long list of things: your weight, the terrain, the assist level you use, how much you pedal, tire pressure and even the temperature. A more capable motor lets you hold a comfortable pace with less strain, which makes longer rides feel more doable. For the exact battery and range specs, check the product page for the model you're considering.

Here's the most interesting part: of all the differences between these two bikes, the motor was the one Diane noticed the most. More than the tires, more than the frame, more than mounting and dismounting. We'll get into exactly what she felt in the ride sections below.

Whichever motor you choose, battery care plays a big role in how the bike performs over the years. If you ever need a spare or replacement, sixthreezero carries batteries and chargers for its electric models.

Diane started with the standard 500 watt version. The first thing she pointed out wasn't the motor or the gears. It was how low she sat. Sitting on the seat, with the seat set where she wanted it, her feet were flat on the ground. For reference, she's 5'4" and described herself as not having especially long legs. Balance, she said, just wasn't a concern on this bike.

That's a big deal for a lot of riders. Being able to put both feet down while seated means stops feel secure, starts feel controlled, and you're never stretching on tiptoes at a red light. For anyone who's felt nervous on a tall bike, this kind of fit changes the whole experience.

She got rolling with the throttle from a dead stop, then settled into pedal assist one. Her description of the ride was simple: it made pedaling really easy. She pointed out the comfortable seat and said what she loves about this cruiser-style e-bike is how easy it is to ride. If you like that relaxed cruiser look, sixthreezero has a whole collection of electric cruisers in the same spirit.

She also called out the handlebars. sixthreezero offers different handlebar shapes across its e-bikes and e-trikes, and on this one she found the shoulder width especially comfortable. A bar that matches your shoulder width keeps your arms relaxed instead of reaching out too wide or crowding in too narrow, which matters a lot over longer rides.

Then she mentioned something that's easy to overlook: the pedal motion. On the Simple Step-Thru, the pedals sit right below the seat, so your legs move in a natural up-and-down motion rather than reaching forward. That makes pedaling feel easy and efficient. Her overall verdict on the 500 watt version: super comfortable, fast, light and easy to maneuver. And she reached that speed in pedal assist one, the lowest setting.

During her ride on the 500 watt version, Diane made a tight turn and put a foot down to guide herself through it. She didn't need to, she said, but the point was that she easily could. That's how close to the ground the bike keeps you. If something unexpected happens, your foot is right there.

When she stopped and hopped off, she said she didn't give lifting her leg a second thought. That's the whole idea behind a step-thru frame. There's no high top tube to swing a leg over. You walk up to the bike, step through the low part of the frame, and sit down. Getting off is just the reverse.

Diane spoke directly to riders who might need this most. If you have balance issues, or limited mobility in your hips that makes it hard to lift your leg high, she called the Simple Step-Thru a tremendous option. That fits with why the model often shows up alongside sixthreezero's electric bikes for seniors, though plenty of younger riders choose step-thru frames simply because they're easier and more comfortable to live with.

It's also worth thinking about everyday situations. Wearing a skirt or dress, carrying a bag on your back, stopping and starting a lot on a neighborhood loop, or riding with a stiff hip after a long day all get easier when mounting the bike doesn't require a high leg swing.

If balance is the main concern and even a low two-wheeler feels like too much, three wheels might be a better path. sixthreezero has a collection of easy-to-mount e-trikes with low step-thru frames designed with exactly that rider in mind.

Next, Diane switched to what she called the big daddy of the two. Heavier bike, thicker fat tires, more traction on the road. Right away she noted that she'd have more grip if she hit a bump or a rock, without worrying about the wheel slipping.

She powered it on with the button above the assist controls, moved from assist zero to assist one, and used the throttle to get started from a stop, the same approach as before. She mentioned she wasn't sure she'd ridden this particular bike before, which made her first impressions even more useful. This was a genuine first ride, not a rehearsed review.

The reaction came fast. Within a couple of pedal strokes in pedal assist one, she said the assist was definitely giving her more power. She could feel the 750 watt motor right away. After only two rotations of the pedals, she'd picked up enough speed to coast. Pedaling again in assist one, she checked the display and saw she was going about 8 miles an hour with very little effort.

She said it more than once: she could feel the difference in power on this bike compared to the 500 watt version. It is heavier, it is bigger, and she could feel that too. But the extra power was the standout.

As she navigated a turn, she put her foot down again to help herself around. She was quick to say that was just her habit as a rider, not anything about the bike. It's a good reminder that everyone has their own comfort moves, and a bike that lets you use them without fuss is a bike you'll feel confident on.

One difference that came up during the second ride is worth its own section, especially for shorter riders. When Diane sat on the 750 watt version, she checked the seat and found it was already as low as it would go. Even at its lowest, she sat a bit higher off the ground than on the 500 watt version.

At 5'4", she could still touch the ground comfortably. But she was clear that the standard 500 watt version lets you get lower to the ground than the fat tire version does. That makes sense: fat tires have a larger overall diameter once they're inflated, and the frame sits a touch higher as a result.

For riders who are 5'4" or taller, this probably won't be a deciding factor. For riders who are shorter than that, or anyone who specifically wants both feet flat while seated, the 500 watt version has the edge. Being able to plant your feet firmly at a stop is one of the biggest confidence boosters on any bike, and it's worth prioritizing if it matters to you.

Seat comfort plays into this too. Diane found the seats on both bikes comfortable, but if you want to swap in something wider or more cushioned, sixthreezero sells replacement seats and seat posts that can fine-tune your fit.

If you're unsure where you land, the sixthreezero Buyer's Guide walks through sizing and frame fit in more detail, and it's a good read before you make a final call.

After riding both bikes back to back, Diane gave a refreshingly honest rundown of what stood out and what didn't. That kind of candor is useful, because it tells you which differences are big in real life and which ones mostly live on a spec sheet.

What she noticed most: the motor. She described the difference between 500 and 750 watts as very noticeable, and said the 750 is definitely the more powerful bike. Interestingly, she didn't feel the difference as much on the throttle. It was when she started pedaling with assist that the gap became obvious. In her words, there was a big difference there, and she was only in pedal assist one.

What she also noticed: the weight. Standing over the 750 watt bike, she could feel it was heavier, no question.

What she didn't notice much: the tire grip. She was riding on a smooth parking lot, not rough terrain, so she said she couldn't really tell the difference between the fat tire's grip and the standard tire's grip. That's fair. Fat tires show their advantages on gravel, sand, dirt and broken pavement, not on clean asphalt.

What she didn't notice at all: mounting and dismounting. Despite the extra frame bar on the 750 watt version, she said she didn't give getting on or off a second thought on either bike.

Put together, this paints a clear picture. On smooth ground, the two bikes feel similar to get on and off, but the 750 watt version feels stronger and heavier. On rough ground, the fat tires would likely start to separate the two even more.

Diane's advice for choosing between them came back to one question: how are you going to ride it? That's the right place to start, because the best bike is the one that fits your actual routes, not an imagined weekend you might have someday.

If you're mostly riding paved neighborhood streets, bike paths, beach boardwalks or around town for coffee and errands, the 500 watt standard tire version covers that beautifully. It's lighter, it sits lower, and it's easy to handle in tight spaces. Diane found it fast and comfortable even in the lowest assist level.

If you're planning to ride off-road or on rough, gravelly paths, she suggested you might really want to consider the fat tire version, because it will give you a more comfortable ride over that kind of ground. The standard version can handle some of it, she said, but the fat tire is probably the better choice for those situations.

Hills are another big factor. If your rides include steady climbs, the extra power of the 750 watt motor will make them feel easier. If your area is mostly flat, the 500 watt motor will likely feel like plenty.

Also think about what you'll carry. Groceries, a beach bag, a picnic lunch, all of that adds weight, and a stronger motor helps you keep your pace with a loaded bike. Whichever version you choose, adding a basket or bags and panniers makes the bike far more useful for day-to-day trips.

Based on Diane's ride and the differences between the bikes, the 500 watt version is a strong pick if a few of these describe you.

You want the lowest possible seat and the easiest way to get both feet flat on the ground. You're on the shorter side, or you simply feel more confident when you can plant your feet at every stop. You'll ride mostly on pavement, paths and smoother surfaces. You value a lighter bike that's easier to move around by hand, roll in and out of storage, or load onto a rack. You like a bike that feels quick and nimble in tight turns.

It's also a great match for riders who are newer to e-bikes and want something approachable. Diane described it as super comfortable, fast, light and easy to maneuver, which is about as good a summary of a first e-bike as you'll find. And with five assist levels, throttle, seven gears and front shocks, you're not giving up any of the core features by choosing the lighter version.

Riders with balance concerns or limited hip mobility will appreciate it too. Diane specifically pointed to those riders when describing how easy it is to step through and get going. The combination of a very low frame and a low seat is exactly what makes the bike feel safe and steady from the moment you sit down.

The 750 watt fat tire version makes more sense if your rides look a little different.

You expect to ride on gravel, dirt, sand or rough paths with any regularity. You live somewhere with hills, or you want more power in reserve for headwinds and long climbs. You'd like the bike to feel strong and planted, and the extra weight doesn't bother you. You stand at least around 5'4", so the slightly higher seat isn't a concern. You plan to carry more cargo or simply want a bike that feels capable of whatever you throw at it.

Diane called this one the big daddy of the two for good reason. The power difference was the thing that stood out most in her ride, and she felt it immediately in the lowest assist setting. If you've ridden an e-bike before and found yourself wishing for more push, this is the version that answers that wish.

The braced frame adds confidence too. That extra support bar gives the bike stability, which is exactly what you want when the ground gets uneven. Combined with the fat tires and front shocks, it's set up to smooth out terrain that would feel jarring on a lighter bike.

If you're drawn to the fat tire look and feel but want to see more options, it's worth comparing against the full electric bike collection to see how the Simple Step-Thru stacks up against other models.

Diane's final word was the most practical advice of all: both bikes are great, but you really need to experience them for yourself. She noticed a definite difference between them, and the best way to know which one feels right to you is to ride both.

Specs tell you a lot. They don't tell you how a bike feels when you lean into a turn, how the weight sits when you're stopped at a corner, or whether the extra power feels exciting or like more than you need. Those are personal reactions, and the only way to get them is in the saddle.

If you're near Southern California, you can visit sixthreezero in San Clemente and take both versions out. In the video, Diane mentioned test rides on Tuesdays and Saturdays; check the Visit Us page for the current schedule before you go. Try them back to back, the way she did, so the differences are fresh in your mind.

Can't make it in person? sixthreezero offers a 30-day test ride so you can try a bike on your own streets. Riding your real routes, including your hills and your driveway, is arguably an even better test than a parking lot. Details on shipping and the warranty are worth reading before you order, so you know exactly how support works after the bike arrives.

Beyond the comparison itself, Diane slipped in a handful of habits that will help you on either bike. They're worth collecting in one place.

Use the throttle to start from a stop. Getting moving is the hardest part of riding a heavier bike, and a brief press of the throttle smooths it out. Then start pedaling and let pedal assist take over.

Check your assist level if the throttle doesn't respond. Diane moved from assist zero to assist one before using the throttle. If the bike won't go when you press it, that's the first thing to look at.

Pedal when you shift. Manual gears need a moving chain. Shift as you pedal, ideally before you need the new gear, not after you've already slowed to a crawl.

Start low on assist. Diane rode most of the time in level one and still moved along at a good clip. Begin there, get comfortable with how the bike responds, then step up as you need more help.

Use your feet if it helps. A low bike lets you put a foot down in tight turns or awkward spots. There's no shame in it. Diane did it on both bikes.

Wear a helmet. Diane noted that she'd normally switch to a helmet and only skipped it because she was staying in the parking lot for a short demo. On real rides, wear one every time. sixthreezero carries helmets made for everyday riders.

Once you've picked your version, getting it ready to ride is straightforward. sixthreezero bikes arrive mostly built, and the assembly instructions walk you through the remaining steps. If anything is unclear, the team can help.

After you're riding, keep an eye on a few basics: tire pressure, brake feel, chain lubrication and battery charging habits. Fat tires in particular benefit from regular pressure checks, since the right pressure can change how the bike feels on different surfaces. A few minutes of attention each week keeps either version riding smoothly for a long time.

If you're still weighing your options, the Bike Advice blog has plenty of other comparisons, buying guides and riding tips. It's a good place to keep learning while you narrow things down.

And if, after all this, you're wondering whether a three-wheeled ride might be a better fit, there's no harm in looking. sixthreezero's electric trikes offer the same easy-going approach with extra stability built in.

The two versions of the Simple Step-Thru share a lot: five levels of pedal assist, a thumb throttle, seven gears, easy-to-read displays and hydraulic shocks that take the edge off bumps. Where they split is in tires, frame, weight and motor power.

The 500 watt standard tire version is lighter, sits lower and feels quick and easy to handle. Diane, at 5'4", could sit with both feet flat on the ground, and she called it super comfortable, fast and easy to maneuver. It's a natural fit for paved riding, everyday errands and riders who want the lowest, most confidence-inspiring setup.

The 750 watt fat tire version is heavier and sits slightly higher, but it brings noticeably more power, more traction and a braced frame built for rougher ground and hills. The power difference was the single biggest thing Diane felt, and she felt it right away in the lowest assist level.

Neither one is the wrong choice. They're built for different riders and different routes. Think honestly about where you'll ride, how much power you want, and how much weight you're comfortable handling. Then do what Diane recommends: ride them both, and pick the one that simply feels better to you.