High TPI fatbike tires
 

Seems redundant?

Why spring for 120 TPI when the tire is already a gigantic heavy chunk of rubber? I see the difference on thinner and more supple tires, but a fatbike tire is anything but. Then when you start talking winter tires, it gets even more questionable.

Thoughts?

I don't recall the specific reasons. Recently I saw a panel discussion with people from Schwalbe and WTB and the consensus was around 60-70 TPI is the best compromise. Although, that discussion wasn't about fattires specifically.

It is about the whole package of rubber, tread etc. Focussing on one number is futile.

Makes sense to me. I was just thinking that after you have gigantic chunk-o-rubber tread blocks, plus the mass of the tire itself, things like TPI would kind of vanish into the background, as opposed to, say, the light race tires on my fast roadie.

120 tpi tires are lighter, ride better, and are faster while still being plenty durable

I would argue that differences in tire construction and materials would make MORE of a difference when the tires are such a big part of the weight of the bike. Reducing rotating weight by 20% means a lot more with a 1500g tire than with a 250g tire.

Also, suppleness makes a bigger difference the lower the tire pressure. The whole point of fat tires off road is that they conform to the terrain. The more supple the tire, the easier it conforms to the terrain and the less energy wasted in doing so.

IMO, the money spent reducing total tire weight by 1lb with better materials and construction is way better spent than reducing frame weight by that much.