MODIFIED Mongoose Dolomite ALX Fat Tire Bike - Does a Suspension Fork make it good for Trail Riding?
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- čas přidán 7. 10. 2021
- My Mongoose Dolomite ALX fat tire bike has now been modified. Upgrades on a Walmart bike? That's what I do here! In this video I put a suspension fork, hydraulic brakes and a few other parts to make the already awesome Dolomite ALX even better. Check out the video and comment below with your opinions on my Dolomite ALX upgrades.
Parts used on this bike:
Fat Tire Air Fork - amzn.to/3uSApgC
Hydraulic Disc Brakes - amzn.to/2YwIZpE
Marque Grips - amzn.to/3iGQ1is
Blackburn Frame Pump - goto.walmart.com/c/2241907/565706/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FBlackburn-Hybrid-Frame-Pump-with-Gauge%2F483323432
Blackburn MTB Pedals - goto.walmart.com/c/2241907/565706/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FBlackburn-Mountain-Bike-Pedal-Set%2F608181968
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Hey Kevin I am a fatbiker from India loved the video man, love from Delhi India never storp the amazing work you are doing 👍👍
Yes! Fatbikes! Love it! If your someone who thinks that fatbikes aren't made for the trails then you just haven't ridden them enough yet. I'm waiting for the rest of the world to realize how absolutely EPIC they are for trail riding. The wide tires do make it easier in mud and snow but I would consider fatbikes a jack of all trades master of none. The literal go anywhere bike.
Hi, main reason why my 1st mtb was/is the Mongoose Vinson fat bike. I’ve had tons of fun just upgrading it to ride some mild trails here in San Diego. I can’t think of ever getting rid of it.
That's awesome you have a bike you can use in the mud and snow. I'm glad fat tire bikes did not fade away as a passing trend.
I was just thinking of throwing some money at mine for this winter so this video is perfect timing. Thanks!
KevCentral, you killed it with this build. Looks fun 🤩
That is the coolest fat time bike I have ever seen I think it will absolutely destroy the ❄ 😀👍👍
Finally a worthwise money balanced upgrade that actually did an incredible job!
Haven’t watched yet, but I’ve been waiting for this one.👍🏻
Can’t wait for snow riding with the Dolomite!
I love binge watching your videos
Excellent video! I bought a FatBoy last Christmas, and living in the upper Midwest, I rode the entire winter!
Love it!! I also have a project Schwinn Boundary with everything modified but the crank and have been beating it up on the trails since early spring. When the Schwinn needs repairs (eg:broken rear deraliieur and bleeding brakes) I have ridden the FatBoy on the trails. Fatbikes can take a severe beating. They are so resilient!!! The big tires also provide a lot more grip on the trail and I can take corners and berms without ever worrying about sliding... I also get a nice workout on the fattie... The only drawback is the lack of shock absorption which can be somewhat remedied by lowering PSI to 10 or 12. My Boundary has air forks and man it is smoother.. My wrists hurt a bit after trail riding on the fattie... If you live in snowy country, do yourself a favor.. get a fattie!!
Re: Pavement + Snow.
Your thoughts, Fattie or Boundary :\
PS. Also might convert to bike
@@sandycastles7105 depends on whether it is icy or not and how deep the snow is. If just a dusting of snow and the tire cuts through into the pavement...boundary. If icy or deep snow.. fatty with studded tires.. all in the life of biking in Minnesota.
Nice upgrades, the fork looks tempting. I have joint issues as well and have thought about getting a suspension fork to take up the jolts even though I'm not flying on the rough terrain. While I really liked the hydraulics on my last Trek after initial bedding and some better shimano levers the stock brakes have been pretty grippy. Again a great vid.
“do not loose it“ is a good advice,
it would be just dangerous to loose the brakes midride.
🎃
OMG I just did this last night with the same fork but steel frame love it!!
Interesting....always wanted one of these fat tire bikes. Looking forward to the nexted episode. ✌🤟👍
I started riding mtb almost 30 years ago. Zoom components were nice. Even used by some of the best pro riders.
Hey, Kev. Great to see you working on your ALX. I have the same brakes on mine, and they work great. I wanted to use my KRSEC air forks on my bike, but they wouldn't accommodate the 4.8" tires that I run. I decided that the tires were more important with the terrain around here, and that is a decision that I do not regret at all. There are suspension forks available for the really big tires, but they are very expensive. The one change that I would heartily recommend is to replace the stem. The bike handles so much better with a 45mm stem.
My ALX has become my go-to bike for everything.
As always, thanks for another great video, and I look forward to whatever you produce.
P.S. I use Slime in the tires, because the thought of trying to inflate the tires with a mini pump just terrifies me!
4.8” tires will fit a stock Dolomite ALX frame and fork?
@@hdi1200 Yes. I run CST Roly Polys which are snow and sand specific tires, and are 4.8". They also offer very low rolling resistance and are great for use on pavement, as well. They work with the 2x drive train, as well as the 1x I use.
More fat bike please!
The place you can save weight on a fat bike is going tubless. Rotational weight is a big deal on a fat bike. Guarantee those wheels are heavy, the cheap tires are heavy as well. The tubes weigh a pound. Get some Maxxis Minion fbf and fbr and tape the rims with rim tape. It can be difficult to get the rims to seal around the lightening holes in the rims. It can be difficult to go tubless on a fatty, but its worth it. The bike responds better, and you can run lower pressure.
If you set up a fatbike, they actually rip trails. I live in western Colorado and I only ride fatbikes. My plus bikes and downhill, I hardly ever ride those.
I like the frame "MONGGOOSE!!" amazing!! 👍👍👍👍
Nice looking bike, can't wait for snow footage also reviews on fork. Stay blessed and safe.
*IF we get any snow. It has been elusive so far in 2022
super sick fat bike. good job man. great video.
Bought a Blackburn tire pump back in 2008. Still going great for setting up tubeless tires. Just added some light oil from time-to-time and it's buttery smooth... Biscuits and gravy good.
I have 20+ year old Blackburn frame pumps that all still work fine!
Maybe it's just me, but I love riding my full rigid Spesh Fatboy on the trails. Just like I very much enjoyed my OG Blue Dolo, but that was a pig as well as a tank and definitely needed help in gearing.
Same here, I have the OG dark blue dolomite and it’s a tank! I’ve taken it off some pretty big jumps for any big box bike to handle. 😅
This was very entertaining watch...
I have bafang bbshd. On mongoose hitch frame . But before electric..I picked up a specialized fatboy crank in 2x and got a shimano lx derailur that bolted to the bb..
Was still running stock rear wheel then so went shimano mega 34 tooth and had I think 22 tooth front was major game changer on that incarnation of that bike ..also schwalbe jumbo Jim 4.8 tires..running moonlander fork now.
High quality tires on a fatbike are a game changer and proper gears
Great video and I have a fatbike as well definitely get some new tires to lighten the rotating mass and enjoy.
Nice looking bike great video again 👍
Really want a fat bike but not sure how I want to go about it. This is one of the options, Dolomite and upgrades.
Looks like an awesome upgrade over the V1 Dolomite (dark blue one). Got my V1 dolomite for $100 though, even with upgrades I’m in maybe $275 total. Hydraulic brakes, bigger tires, bar, stem, seat, grips, upgraded shifter, pedals and seat post upgraded.
How's it doing?
@@singletona082 Still holding up, its survived a few smaller trails at bike parks also. In need of a rebuild though from traveling the rust belt, starting to get rusty nuts/bolts.
I would like to see a more aggressive tire tread. I see a lot of people struggling with grip on this bikes because the knobs on the tire are shallow. The tread on a normal tire is much taller/deeper.
I have the same forks. After several trail rides, a bunch of slop developed between the inner and outer fork tubes. Try holding the front brake and rock the bike back and forth and you'll see. There is tons of flex. Will be looking for something of quality next time such as Rockshox Bluto's. The Bolany's are a fail in my opinion.
I bought basically the Canadian Equivalent a Used Schwinn Biggity. 48 pounds of pain. Was an absolute truck of bike.
This bike looks fun
Oh 😮 wow very ❤ Nice Suspension ❤ i,am very Happy to see this what a ❤❤❤ beautiful bike 😊😊🥰🥰
1. The frame is essentially a renamed version of the Vinson. Which isn't horrible but spacing is 135/170 and it has a straight headtube. It's pretty out dated and these aspects really limit upgrade options.
2. If the fork it comes with is the same as the Vinnie it's super flexxy. I run (all but defunct) Mongoose Vinson Owners Group on Facebook and someone had there fork crack.
3. I am very glad the rear wheel uses a cassette style hub but they need to stop using those 100mm rims!!! Here's my opinion on using wider rims in a general sense: the wider the rim the more square the tire profile becomes. (Which I think is what really killed Plus.) I'm coming up on my 5th season of fat biking and last year I mounted a set of studded Johnny 5 26x5 tires on 50mm Surly Rabbit Holes and it was the best setup I've ever had by far. When you mount a wide tire on a skinny rim you get a nice rounded profile which in turn makes the bike more lively, nimble and fast. Plus you can still drop pressure and retain good handling characteristics. I just recently took this to a crazy level by mounting a set of Surly Knard 29x3 plus tires on a set of Framed FattySlims 29er wheels with an ID of like 21mm. It looks nuts but it's insanely capable.
(As in aside I got that set of wheels from Framed as damaged for $85 shipped and the only damage was a bit of wear on the edge of one of the front wheel bearing end caps. They are thru axle 150/197 and I have them on a Chinese carbon frame I bought a couple years ago with an ebay Lauf fork that was also damaged and I fixed. I run an 11-34 Ultegra cassette and a 22t front ring. With the Plus setup it's the ultimate beast. It's FAF all over everything and I have about $1000 into it as it is. Btw just stick with some kind of 11-34 cassette and run a 22t front. It's cheaper, lighter, has better ground clearance, smoother shifting and best of all has lower average gear step percentage. It's more efficient. You'll spin out at 22mph which is plenty for fat. When you combine the right tire/wheel combo with the right drivetrain weight doesn't matter nearly as much.)
The Vinson was my first fat and I loved it. I paid a fair amount for it bitd and it looks like prices, for the umm ALX, are back up again. You may be better off looking for a used and/or upgraded Vinny or something more modern altogether for a few bucks more. I sold mine to a friend and we upgraded it to a 1x10, carbon fork (Carver)/ bars, tires, hydro brakes, bb and crank and it is a very solid performer buutttt a fair amount of money was spent.
Happy Trails,
Chris.
IG: racerx8410712
Nice. The only mods I’ve made to mine are pedals and a nice fat seat. I’m way too old for that factory seat. Looking forward to the fenders since mine is on my trailer as all season camping transportation.
Thank you!
Did the same mods to a mongoose malus with the same fork, was fun for a long time until the threads on the rear hub for the brake disk got stripped, now thinking of putting on a rear hub motor and making it an e bike
It looks like it would be fun.
Was there a list anywhere? I need a front end!!! Love the video thanks for the insight I just got mine. I’m a newbie fun so far
Thank you! I'm only interested in the hydraulic disc brakes you're using. I don't care anything about the air fork and the grips, because I already have an air fork that I'm planning on installing on my Mongoose Dolomite fat bike. Thanks for the info!
I got lucky...when I built my fatbike...Origin8 had a set of 80mm wide doublewall rims. Origin8 Amarok xlt, Rockshox Bluto 80mm (4 volume spacers), Shimano Zee brakes, reverb dropper post, maxxis minion 26x4.8. It by far is the funnest bike I own and people love it at the trails. Especially when I clear the jumps...I love it.
Doublewall fat bike rims?
Yep. As they mentioned, Origin8 had some. I had them in and out of my cart countless times….then they disappeared ☹️
@@KevCentral I've seen some on ebay for just the rims...I assume on Amazon as well. Just have to lace them up yourself or pay the LBS. Origin8 Dat Pro-80's. I've thought about buying them as a backup--but they are still strong as ever...and I really do ride it hard.
Also, your channel does so good for the MTB community---it keeps the DIY spirit and the stoke level up for a lot of people. More smiles on the trails is great for communities and you help give people ideas and show them that stuff does work or when it doesn't. The world always needs team players
@@hdi1200 Yeah...Origin8 Dat-Pro-80's. Just saw some on Amazon for the rim only. That's all that's left haha. But mine are still going strong and I have no desire to change...until I can afford an ebike. And even then--Norco has an eFat bike. I think the 26's x 4.8 will fit on it.
Clearing doubles and ridng trails on a fat bike is so much fun. I sold my Trek Fuel EX8 the moment I sat on the fat bike.
Pretty good 👍
Glad the Bolany didn't give you the same issue as the ZTZ or any other issues! Once I've had a bad experience with a product (budget or high-end) it really makes me skeptical of that company, product, subsidiary, family, whatever it may be and I just don't want any parts of that! It's like eating brussel sprouts for the first time lol🤢🤐😳
I put the same fork on my Malus a few weeks ago. Mitch better ride for me now.
Good unit
Great video!! What headset did you choose for your suspension fork upgrade? I bought the same fork for my ALX but I'm having a hard time finding the right headset.
Awesome build! I'm thinking of getting one also, what size stem is it with stock bars, also what's the widest tire size do you think would clear and fit on stock wheels?
I just got Mongoose Juneau for 285 n i am guy who rode lot of fat bike almost all the big brand fat bike n for the money i will say it the best . I am going to put hydraulic brakes 1 x deive train . My bike wait 34.5 from the factory 😊
Great video man. Can I request a short video of how to replace Pro Rush shifter cables? I have a 7 speed on my Ardor and I would love a video on how to do it since I'm a first time Pro Rush user. Thanks.
hope can put at least a few dirt trail miles on the fork mod before it snows. Be great to hear if its a real improvement and any quality or tuning issues. thanks
There's a guy shredding it up on a fatbike weighs 28 lbs. He got it used and loves it . Loyce harpe park aka Carter road . Lakeland, FL. ✌️
I have a bolany 11/46 cassette 10 speed that has performed for 16 months with no wear .It's all steel where my Shimano 11/42 largest cog which is aluminum wore out in a year
What was that at the end? Cobwebs?
I like it. Probably one of the best Dolomite I've seen. I 'm looking for a budget fat bike. just can't find any.
Ive got that black burn pump and I know how to attach it. There should be a small lip or tab on the pump head, on the cover. There is a small but noticeable cut out thats squareish in shape. The tab slots into the square tab, and the hose being in tension is what holds it on. Hope this helps mate.
Also if you dont want the needle inflation holder it is not melted on there or molded on. You can just take a pair of dike to it like I did just being fairly careful. The reason for that not being easily removable is, its more features they can advertise for, and if it was easily taken off or broken off it could give some people a bad taste of blackburns products.
I think you can also unscrew the nut at the pump head, remove the pump head and slide the ball needle/air mattress thing off and then refasten the pump head.
I want to put those Forks on my Dolemite. Do I need to buy spacers? Do I have to cut the length of the forks down? Are my factory brakes going to work on that fork? Can I use the factory bearings that came with the bike? Do my brakes they came with a bike fit that Fork? Love the video love the bike wish I had some details man thanks
I like this bike and am wondering how much it costs and how much space is in the frame for a gas engine to be placed into it along with a jack shaft kit so as to use the gears with the engine along with pedal assist for more speed and better handling with the front forks that you added?
Nice
Those grips looks the saame as my ODI Elite Pros
Kev, I have a question pertaining to your Mongoose Ardor series.
Is there a possibility the hubs can be changed sizes or are they one off 9mm qr only?
I want to run a 15mm fork, and aside from a new wheel (which is pretty expensive) or a rehubbing, I was hoping there was some options.
I doubt it. Thanks thought!
In my experience, rebuilding a bike wheel is usually more expensive than just buying a new one. My local whellsmith charges about $100.00 USD just for labor, per wheel. My advice is to shop around for a new wheel that meets your needs. Bonus, you'll probably get a better rim in the process.
been looking for a suspension fork for my fatbike. i know the struggle.
Love your vids. Found a good deal on a Juneau which is similar. They accidentally sent a 130mm fork from bolany. Gonna be too tall right?
It will just tilt the front up slightly more than a 100 or 120
Please share what spacer you bought for the brakes on the front 🙏🏻 Did the rear need one also?
When are the Mongoose big box bikes coming down under to Australia?
That fat bike with the heavier air fork still weighs less than the factory Ledge X1! My bike is feeling the fat shame... hahaha!
Hey Kevin which would you say is better the KRSEC 26x4 air fork or the Bolony 26x4 air suspension fork
What air pressure are you running in the tires?
Kev great video as always, just wondering why you don't get actual riding shoes, those slip ons you have look like they would be horrible in those muddy conditions. Cheers
Thanks. I don’t feel the need for the extra expense when the shoes I have work fine for me
seriously a decent set of flat pedal shoes is like night and day. they have almost as much pedal security as clipless.
@@KevCentral, My best friend, for over 60 years, is a hardcore bicyclist. (He wears bike shorts! 🙂) He gives me grief about riding my hybrid in jeans while wearing my steel-toe work shoes. The soles of the work shoes don’t slip at all on my flat mtb pedals with metal pins. I tell him that it’s like having integral ankle weights.
on the alx are there braze on's around the back tire. What are the options for a small rack? I currently have a small pack bag with essentials for a small pack out. (tools, TP, first aid kit, water
second question, the hydraulics are 20mm smaller in the front than the original right?
You're a bike snob.... you bike snobs crack me up
Fat Tire bike is the only way to be on the trails during the winter months if you live in a cold climate.
Put a 1000W ebike kit on it, it will make you smile
Hi dose this fork need a different race to fit the alx or is the race same on the original bike
Do you think the ALX can fit a 27.5 fat bike rim?
Hello, I can’t seem to find good tenders for the bike, I just got the bike and haven’t had the experience to go out in the rain because I think I will get muddy because it doesn’t have tenders, can you suggest something?
hi there Kev, R U sure M belong to the 17" size?. It si cause you told in ur last video 17" 18" & 19" corresponds to S, M & L sizes ... Thx mn
Shame this isnt in stock. I ended up with the AXUM DP tho so its all good.
My AXUM Went together smoothly, unlike my wifes AL Comp with the mangled lower headset bearing and bent front rotor. Only thing I had a problem with is the dropper post cable end piece keeps slipping off because the dropper post itself takes so much effort to pull the releasr mechanism. Tightened the hell out of it hopefully it holds.
U should try x-fury for some of your bikes
Good afternoon how are you doing Kevin I've had a rough week I had my shoulder operated there was internal bleeding my sister passed away on Tuesday it was only 44 years old
Sympathy💔
What's the inside diameter of the frame between the top post and bottom post is like the 17 in size frame
Any special tools or instructions to install fork on the same bike?
That pump is ridiculous but I suppose it was given to you to review. What are your thoughts on Co2 in a saddle bag and Flatout?
It’s big, but has enough gusto to slowly air even fat tires
I have a mongoose raider rare and mint i want to put a air fork on it not tapperd 27.5/2.8
i wonder if u can take that blown out fork and swap the internals with something good and get it riding again
I’m about to try a suggestion that will hopefully help it.
How are these forks holding up, thinking about getting some for my bike
No issues so far, but I don’t take it on the trail often. It’s better suited for other uses
I just put that fork on my framed, how is your fork holding up?
Going to Do any winter riding?
I think they used a generic mount for that pump. They should probably have made it sit on top of the downtube, seeing as there's no room for a bottle anyway. Maybe you could get someone to 3D print a better mount for it?
That pump is made to hang off the left side, not the right. Flip the bracket to protrude to the left, then mount it with the hose at the bottom and the gauge facing out, not up.
I’ll try, but when I mounted it to the left the hose easily wiggled to make contact with the crank
I somehow vision a bafang mid drive installed on it!!!!
Can you put front and back racks on this bike
you should try some boots for ridding trails
I'm keeping my stock fork on my Alx . I run my front tire a little soft . No specific psi . I don't trust those cheap air forks . The brakes do need upgrading to hydraulics though . Stock need too much pressure to work . Other than that a great bike for the money . Skip fork upgrade and get a dropper . It makes it more enjoyable to ride . Just my opinion.
Can’t justify adding the extra lbs w this fork when lowering tire pressure helps soften the ride. I would like to try a carbon rigid fork on my Mongoose Vinson but they are pricey for my budget.
What fender would you recommend?
Would a suspension stem be a viable option for a fat bike like this instead of a suspension fork?
Aren’t those expensive?
@@KevCentral Yes, about $150 - $250. A suspension stem would only offer 20mm of travel but only weighs a few ounces more than a standard stem. A suspension stem paired with a fat tire & ridgid fork would be much lighter for about the same price as a suspension fork. Although I'm not sure how well it would work, I haven't tested this idea myself.
Thank you for all great content Mr. Kevin! Looking forward to seeing this one in the snow.
Project XR vs Hydro Vs Axum or Ledge ??? Still waiting
So how much is the longest price range I like the bike
Personally for me I would dump the frame pump, I swear by the Luxxio lcd electric pump it is small, Light weight and can accommodate all modes of cycling tires, It is a bit pricey but worth the investment…
Just picked up the Audter 140psi max pump. I'll have to see how it holds up long term, but so far I'm happy with it.
Nice fat bike you have made there again Kev! I'm really jealous about the states and Canada to have those big box bikes.