Ironhorse Dolomite mild build/upgrade

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Hello,

First post to the forums, and found you guys and gals, by searching for dolomite mods. Here is a background story on why I ordered this bike.

My oldest son, rides a 14" Spider-man bike, and my middle boy, just got a new bike for easter. A 12" Thomas and Friends. They were riding in the street, and my oldest told me, "You need to get your bike and come ride with us dad". Well I gave my bike away a few years ago, as I never ever rode it (been 10 years since I have ridden a bike), and it was needing some TLC. So I told my son Id have to go buy one. So off to the store we went, I was planning on just getting a base mountain bike, as we would be street riding, or on the paved path around the lake. Well we went into the store and he saw the Dolomite, and got really excited. It was like a monster truck he said. He checked out a 20" fat tire for him, but it was just too big. Anyway, I did a quick google to see how good the bike was, and it came up at costco for $80 less then Canadian tire, they wouldn't price match, so i ordered it through Costco, and it will be here in a week or so.

I know its not a true fat tire, but I don't plan on trying to winter ride it etc, and I couldn't justify spending $1500 on a real fat tire, to ride around the block, or the lake with my son. I would have just bought a pretty basic mountain bike, but he thought it was so cool, I said sure thing. After seeing the "Street Edition" thread on here, I decided I will start ordering some parts, and do some upgrades when I assemble it. Here is what Im thinking

- 3x Crank set
- PS1325, front derailer, and shifter/brake combo
- new 7 speed gear set for rear, with shifter/brake combo
- Gel Grips
- Maybe a seat (gotta see how it is)


Is there anything else I should really consider? Does it really need brakes? I don't plan on big riding with it, though I might start taking about a 7km one way ride to the shop in the morning. Im only thinking of making it a 21 speed, due to ill be riding quiet slow with the boys, and the middle boy, who is just coming 4 this year, gets stuck quiet a bit, and needs help. So id have to slow down, and turn around quiet a bit I think. So being able to granny gear it, would be nice. I don't think id be investing too much into it. Id like to keep it under 300 for mods or so, otherwise I shoulda just went all out and bought something $1500. I currently paid $320CDN (about right for current dollar, and early season, and being up north).
 
welcome aboard....and yes, the dolomite is a "true" fat bike...only the snobs on 1K+ bikes will say it's not.

I would recommend lightning up the bike by putting a new set of tires on it...the tires that come on those bikes are junk and can be used as a ship's anchor.

Take a look at the Origin8 Captiv8or 26x3.5 tire

It's a GREAT tire for riding around on hardpack with the kids and they're very light. Your LBS or eBay will get you a pair for between 90-100 dollars.

http://www.jbi.bike/web/checking_product_description.php?part_number=59673

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGIN8-CAP...790?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2ff9288e



I wouldn't go all out spending a bunch of money on that bike (other than tires) because if you decide you want to get into riding a bike and a fat bike is for you; keep the upgraded tires; put the stockers back on it; sell it and then start looking at a better bike as a much better starting point to upgrade.

Better suited bikes that are relatively cheap and upgradable would be:

Mongoose Vinson http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=54550416

Motobecane Boris X5 http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fat-bikes/fat-bikes-boris-x5-fatbikes.htm

Sun Spider AT (if you want an IGH) http://www.jbi.bike/web/checking_product_description.php?part_number=670149

Mongoose Argus (If they ever start selling them in the USofA) http://www.mongoose.com/arg/argus-20119
 
Yeah I tried looking around at my LBS, and online, even used, and I'm hard pressed to be under 1k to my door. My LBS all start in the 1500 range. I'm thinking a lower gear would help, and it's cheap, but that's my first plan. Rework BB, and gearset. If that's not enough then I'll go for the 21 speed conversion, and brakes. I'm gonna look for some used tires, and getting quoted some new ones as well via a few shop. The most dirt it will see might be the gravel on the backroad (600 yards or so). I don't want to spend a ton on it. I agree the argus would be cool, but that might be next years bike. I just have to be able to keep up to a 6 and 4 year old this summer on their 14/12" bikes (both bdays are coming up), and be able to crawl as I turn the big heavy bike around.

I'm in northern alberta, so a lot of bikes aren't avail up here, or would cost me an arm and a leg to get it shipped here, and over the border. To give you an idea, a set of sealed bottom bearings ($7-$10), are 30-40 to ship. Typical ebay Amazon type stuff.


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Nothing on Walmart.ca, and nothing at the store locally (not a surprise, it is always bare here)


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