We’ve been promising this Dolomite/BBS02 build for a while and we’re happy to say it works beautifully. This is one of the least expensive BBS02 builds you can do yourself and without a battery it should set you back ~$700 and weighs in without a battery at 59 lbs.
A BBS02 mounted fatbike. Yes please!
The Mongoose Dolomite was originally incorrectly advertised on the Walmart site as an ‘Aluminum’ frame but now it correctly says ‘rigid steel’. The website also incorrectly lists the weight at 45 lbs but is actually 49lbs shipped and assembled (still 11lbs lighter than a single speed Beast). Although steel bikes are much heavier, many people prefer them as you can load a lot of weight onto them with less fear of catastrophic frame failure. This is even more of a concern with hub motors, which at the higher power levels can rip apart dropouts in pretty short order.
The price on the Dolomite changes pretty wildly on the Walmart website and I’ve seen it for anywhere from $350 down to $169. Right now it is here at $219 but that can change at any time. The only vendor I recommend for the 750 watt BBS02 is Eric with US based Lunacycle.com. He sells the BBS02 750W version at Chinese prices for only $520.
Larry from Boxy Bikes did this build and if you want to buy an already converted bike you can order one here. You can also swing by his shop in Ithaca, NY and take it for a spin. Larry is one of the nicest guys I know and he stands behind the bikes that he sells and is an honest, stand-up guy.
Here are a few notes from his build
- I was able to grind down the BB to 70mm. I used the grinder to do the bulk of it and then hit it with the facer tool to even it out. Probably could be done without the facer tool. 70mm gave enough BBS02 threads to put the lock-nut on. If I were to do it again I would try to grind down a couple of mm less on the non-drive side and leave a couple of mm more on the drive side so that the chain doesn’t rub in the lowest cog. I’ll probably add a chainring adapter which will move the chain-ring out so it doesn’t matter that much.
- The ebrakes have a shorter pull than the originals so they are a bit mushy but tolerable.
- I put a longer seat tube on it. I should put a beefier chain on it.
- I took it for a test drive (but couldn’t pedal because it only has one crank arm.) It got up to 22mph. I plan to put a smaller chainring on it for steeper hills.
- It kept throwing the chain if I changed more than one gear at a time. Adjusting the chain line with the chain-ring adapter may fix that.
- You will need a massively offset crank on the non-drive side to clear the chainstay.
The BB Facing tool
This is the slow way to do it.
Angle grinding off the BB, a much faster way to do it
Down to 70mm
Attaching the lockring
Massive offset and steel. A total overkill but we can’t seem to find aluminum ones with the right amount of offset.
This build is an excellent commuter, but would be undesirable for singletrack trail-riding due to the weight of the steel frame.
For instructions on how to install a BBS02 look no farther than here. A special thanks to Larry for putting this all together for everyone to enjoy.
Ride on.
ElectricBike-Blog.com 
Tesla is reported to pay $200 per kwh for his premium lithium cells, the same cells most ebikes use. But we seem to be paying $1000 + per kwh. So your basic battery pack, name brand cells, runs $600 for 36v @ 10 ah. That’s a third of a kWh, give or take. Lots of new capacity out there, coming on line. Much lower battery prices would really boost the low end of the ebike market.
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Nice job! I was curious about where you source that triangle bag in the picture? Do you have a link? I was/am a backer for the Biktrix Juggernaut. I just didn’t feel up to installing the BBS02 myself on a fat bike and am really looking forward to getting my Juggernaut.
PS I completely agree with your comments on the Storm (Sondors) thread on ES. It reminds me of the Jerry Springer show – or perhaps more accurately, a train wreck. You don’t want to look at it, but can’t help yourself.
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em3ev makes the triangle pack. It is a very nice pack and Paul stands behind his work.
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Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs
We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Wonderful.
I am also an expert in this topic so I can understand your effort.
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Wonderful site. Plenty of helpful information here. I’m sending it to some buddies
ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks to your effort!
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Nice build. I have the Dolomite and was hoping you might have the answer to a question I’m struggling with.. Which bbshd-1000 kit would you suggest I go with on the Dolomite? I’ve seen people suggest the 100mm BB should fit, but after reading this, maybe the 110mm or even 120mm kit would be best.
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The 100mm kit should work. Get the 120mm & spacers from lunacycle.com if you’re losing sleep over it.
Karl
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Thanks for all that you post and the humor with which you post it. Have the biktrix Jug, and thought 1 ebike was enough. Took it to the woods, after a rain, and realized I need to keep it on the road, without some major changes. I am old, and new to this, so I don’t hit the trails very hard. Since I have a Dolo, that is at about 40 lbs (on one floaters and new tubes), I was thinking about the BBSHD for it. It is collecting dust right now. Do you think the Dolo would make a decent woods bike? I was thinking, since I don’t hit the trails that hard, it’s weight would not be that bad. I too have to correct a chain dropping problem. Do you think the Luna 42T would be a good all round chain ring for it? Once again thanks for this forum. Great info in an easy to find format.
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My feeling is that the Dolomite is too heavy for a trail bike, the juggernaut is a better bet as it is aluminum.
The Eclipse ring fixed all my chain dropping issues. I am very pleased with that ring.
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The Juggernaut is 57 lbs with battery. The non stock Dolo will be within 1-2 lbs of that. Took 10 lbs off the Dolo replacing tubes and tires. Saw a post somewhere, someone using 36T, mentioned possible chailine concerns on the Dolo if using the 42T. Sorry. Can’t find that post anymore.
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If you’re riding off road, the Dolomite will get more torque with a 30T Mighty Mini chainring available from Luna Cycle.
http://lunacycle.com/parts/bafang-parts/bbshd-parts/luna-mighty-mini-30-tooth-bbshd-chain-ring/
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Sorry my above post should say 30T not 36T
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So thinking about doing this. So grinding down the bottom bracket, 37mm on the drive side and 33mm on the other should prevent chain rubbing? Also where did you source your crank? Is it a wide crank for gas powered conversions?
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Check with Larry from Boxy Bikes.
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Where can I buy a nice offset crank arm?
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