Fat Bike BBSHD

[rickbrad]

Hi All! Deep in snow country and getting hammered with snow, but thinking about Spring. I really want an E-Fattie. Being in the mountains and on a bike path, it will be great to have a grocery getter as well as get on the miles and miles of offroad trails that start out the front door. All trails go straight up from 6000 to 8000 feet in a few miles, so thinking a BBSHD is the way to go. Researching this stuff is driving me batty due to the fragmented nature of the information, so I am hoping to get some input. I checked with the LBS and the owner mentioned that front shocks are the way to go in our region. Being a DIY guy and pretty handy with bikes, it makes sense to do it myself. Two kids in college so it has to be on a budget.

I am drooling over the bikesdirect bullseye monster 5 x http://www.bikesdirect.com/products...ikes-bullseye-monster5x-fs-five-inch-sale.htm as it has the basics that I need, hydraulics, native 1X drive train, fits a big tire and front suspension. Of course they wont answer questions about the bike and they seem to have banned my email address - like I care about the warranty (pro tip - they seem to take it personally if you want to put a motor on your bike, so don't mention it). First I am checking to see if anyone has built a BBSHD from one of those bikes or has one. If not, I am looking for other fat bike frame recommendations for my build. I don't mind being a pioneer, but want to make sure whatever rig I get has a chance of working.

Specs from their website -
190mm symmetrical rear
Bottom Bracket SAMOX EB2403 120x1.37

Looking for advice. Thanks, Rick

 

[vincent]

I am no help on building stuff but it sounds like a cool bike

love the fat bikes
keep us updated on how it goes

 

[JRA]

"First I am checking to see if anyone has built a BBSHD from one of those bikes or has one. If not, I am looking for other fat bike frame recommendations for my build. I don't mind being a pioneer,"

You would be far from a pioneer. I worked at a shop that does a lot of BBSHD Fat Bike conversions using KHS brand bikes. Mainly for hunters to use but one guy used his to commute on in the city. In fact I noticed he had it up on CL today for a really good price too bad you aren't close by...(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)



As it happens concurrently there is Juiced Rip Current on CL at the moment also: (Link Removed - No Longer Exists) There are many hub motor fat bikes of this nature on the market at reasonable pricing.

 

[rickbrad]

Awesome, appreciate the input.

Which KHS bikes do you think I can consider? I thought they might have a good option for what I am trying to achieve. You are right, the craigslist bike would be great for my wifes rig, do you think it will fit a dolphin pack?. Really well thought out. Large or XL for me and in Tahoe.

I do intend to document the build so others can have a base to build on. Bikes direct has a great looking rear drive rig for 1500 that I was looking to pull the trigger on until I figured out that a mid-drive will suit my needs better. The nearby trails are all steep and long.

I only say pioneer because I am concerned the 190 mm rear end and possible 120mm bottom bracket of this particular bike won't fit the BBSHD and I am not quite willing to buy it to find out -- yet.

 

[JRA]

No, won't fit a dolphin. The kinked top tube negates even a shark, that is why the battery, which was a shark to start with housing was removed and now is in the frame bag. That is a problem with the KHS design throughout the size range actually.

KHS bikes come out of a CA warehouse and most shops can order them in. I think the ones I built up were the 1000's.

BBSHD comes in a 120mm bb. They have them on Amazon.

 

[tomjasz]

4 KHS bikes here. I prefer the pre 2017 Smoothies as they were dumbed down for a lower price. Did that happen with the lower end fat bikes too?
Being on the bleeding edge with an unknown build can be a real nightmare. ALWAYS best to see what else has been converted and follow someones lead. Grinding on bottom brackets, offset cranks arms, and to wide chainstays are a total nightmare. Often cheaper bikes run the cables for rear brakes and derailleur UNDER the BB. Requiring rerouting or somehow building up a spot to keep the mid-drive from interfering.

 

[rickbrad]

4 KHS bikes here. I prefer the pre 2017 Smoothies as they were dumbed down for a lower price. Did that happen with the lower end fat bikes too?
Being on the bleeding edge with an unknown build can be a real nightmare. ALWAYS best to see what else has been converted and follow someones lead. Grinding on bottom brackets, offset cranks arms, and to wide chainstays are a total nightmare. Often cheaper bikes run the cables for rear brakes and derailleur UNDER the BB. Requiring rerouting or somehow building up a spot to keep the mid-drive from interfering.

I came to the same conclusion on the donor bike. Great tip on the cable routings. Thinking about increasing the budget and getting the Sturgis NX 12 Eagle Bullet. Seems like the 2019 has not changed from previous years and there are a bunch of documented builds. I was not clear if the preferred width is 100 or 120 on the BBSHD. Anyone have input on that?

 

[tomjasz]

I came to the same conclusion on the donor bike. Great tip on the cable routings. Thinking about increasing the budget and getting the Sturgis NX 12 Eagle Bullet. Seems like the 2019 has not changed from previous years and there are a bunch of documented builds. I was not clear if the preferred width is 100 or 120 on the BBSHD. Anyone have input on that?

Any bottom bracket from 68mm to 120 mm is a possible possible candidate for a BBSHD. Several good vendors support BBSHD and BBS02 build kits. Kinda cool taking a bike you like , fits, and is recyclable and kitting it. Sorry responding on pone and have fat fingers

 

[jangles]

I just ordered a Mongoose Dolomite to do this to . It's a cheap bike yes but it has disc brakes and a 100mm BB . BBSHD bolts right in with no problems and it was only $135 on ebay . Good luck with whatever you find .

 

[tomjasz]

You certain about 100mm? Some needed 120mm and spacers.

 

[jangles]

You certain about 100mm? Some needed 120mm and spacers.

According to a vid on youtube by a guy named Tom E gun or something like that he put the 100mm in and was a perfect fit . I'm going to get the Luna 1600 watt but before I order it I will measure the bike .

 

[tomjasz]

According to a vid on youtube by a guy named Tom E gun or something like that he put the 100mm in and was a perfect fit . I'm going to get the Luna 1600 watt but before I order it I will measure the bike .

See the Luna forum for some good threads just helped someone yesterday. The thread discusses fit. Just google dolomite BBSHD for more info. Use the model name as well

 

[tomjasz]

Oh and all BBSHD sellers have the same motor, unless you can buy their ludicrous ontroller version.

 

[jangles]

Oh and all BBSHD sellers have the same motor, unless you can buy their ludicrous ontroller version.

Yes but Luna has the best price right now .

 

[tomjasz]

Yes but Luna has the best price right now .

Make sure you finish any sellers checkout cart for the total. All the way through shipping charges. You might be surprised. Next, contact the seller. Do they respond? I find most are within a couple of bucks from each other. Some are quite high once shipping, a part of the total, is calculated. Above all, have fun! Builds are great fun!

 

[rickbrad]

Wanted to update that I did get a large and medium 2019 Sturgis Eagle Bullets (36 and 34 inch bike inseams) and fitted the 120 BBSHD on them based on Matts advice at EmpoweredCycles.com. He has a detailed build of a similar bike on his site that I used as reference and he offered some really good advice as well. Since this build is fairly well documented, I wanted to add some takeaways.

Matt recommended the 120mm BBSHD in order to get the correct chainline. Matt also recommended the 42 tooth bling ring. I found that three spacers on the large frame and four on the medium put the chainline close enough to make the shifting accurate. Tip - measure the distance of the stock chain ring from the bike frame and use the spacers to duplicate it. Note that I did not have to hack off the front derailleur frame mount as most builds mention.

Get the BBSHD tool if you want a clean and tight install. I didn't and have a few scratches on the big holding nut. It is covered by another nut, so you can't see.

You will need to reroute the shifter cable because it runs under the frame where you need the motor nice and tight. I used the empty top tube raceways and then ran it down the rear triangle. It is a bit shorter, so you can clean up the end for rethreading if you use a shift sensor. Used a small piece of flat rubber between the frame and the motor prior to torquing it down to prevent wear from vibration.

I got some new bolts and a bunch of spacers for the motor mount. Not exactly happy with it right now, but it is tight. Depending on the bolt size, you may need some before the mounting plate and some in between the plate and the motor body.

The chain needs to be longer. Matts advice is to add links based on the difference in front chainring. Stock ring is 30t, bling is 42. Diff is 12. Matt says to divide the diff by 2 and add it to the existing number of links. So, 6 plus the existing 118 means a 124. A new stock NX chain is 126. Tip - get a new chain and take out two links. I don't think you can add links to these chains, so on the second bike I have two master links. I will probably get another chain.

The BBSHD cranks that came with the kit were 170's. I will probably swap them out for 175's. Based on other reviews, make sure you retorque your pedals and everything after the first couple rides.

Use locktight and grease as appropriate.

 

[tomjasz]

Get the BBSHD tool if you want a clean and tight install. I didn't and have a few scratches on the big holding nut. It is covered by another nut, so you can't see.

Common bicycle tools work as well and can usually be found at better prices. I have used a Shimano BB socket and a Hozan lockring tool.
Some Blue Locktite and elbow grease and I've never had a motor drop. I've done at least 20 BBSxx installations

 

[tomjasz]

Matts advice at EmpoweredCycles.com

Another shop that actually TALKS to its customers and helps before the sale! Matt is one of the good guys.

 

[jangles]

Well I sent that bike back and bought a different one . I ended up buying a Fito Modena GT2 Cruiser . The new Fito is gutted and waiting for it's new heart coming from bafang usa direct . Should be here Weds .

 

[tomjasz]

Fito Modena GT2 Cruiser

Interesting choice. Have you found the BSA adapters for the bottom bracket? Not all will allow a BBSxx to be installed.