Box Dog Pelican 50cm

[Ronald Lau]

To all,

After 3 years away from riding a 650b, I bought a Box Dog Pelican
50cm last week. Only their 48, 50 and 52cm frames uses 650b.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19694929@N00/5867251619/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19694929@N00/5867251645/in/photostream

I have ave been riding this for a few days and will use it tomorrow
for a 115k ride tomorrow. This is a short report based on how I feel
about this bike so far.

1. It is a very good deal, $1050 frame/fork. Low trail design, braze-
on for a good fender line. For me, it is much easier than doing a 650b
conversion dealing with brakes.
2. It uses standard size tubing. Not the lightest tubes but I am
planning on using it for light touring, tow a trailer and some trails
in Marin. Compare with my 700c light touring bike that uses oversize
tubing, this is much easier to spin that crank.
3. Light enough, complete build without any light parts, 21.5 pounds.
4. Fork, it uses GB fork crown with Imperial blade, it is a major
point for me to purchase this frame.
5. Tires: I bought some GB Lierre (38c), compare with CdV, GB is so
much nicer. I borrowed a pair of Hetre but I prefer Lierre. For my
taste, 42 feels too much like my loaded touring bike. YMMV.

For those of you who have been on the fence about a brand new frame
design for 650b, this is a good choice for you because....
1. Price: $1050, very reasonable for an made in USA frame design for
650b.
2. Light enough: I have frame that uses 747 tubing, it is light (~19
pounds complete) but it cost twice as much.
3. Easy to build: since everything is design with fenders/rack/lights
in mind, it will save you or your LBS hours.
4. Standard parts: English BB thread, 27.2 seatpost, 130mm wheel. I
have some bikes with 26.8 seatpost and IT bb. They can be annoying
and hard to get replacement parts.
5. Simple paint job. Never like those bikes that looks like a NASCAR.
6. The designer, Gabe, is a randonneur himself. This frame shows what
he learned from long distance riding for long distance rider.
7. You don’t have to guess and ask questions on different forums about
will this frame work or not. This frame works with 38c with fenders,
I think Hetre too.

This is NOT a good choice for you if...
1. You ride something bigger than 52cm frame. 54 and up uses 700c
wheels.
2. You cannot deal with a TIG frame.

Well, enough for now, time to get some time with my 2.5 years old and
get some rest for tomorrow ride.

Thanks, Ron

[DVA]

Great looking bike. That's a fantastic price. I looked up the
builder (Ahren Rodgers at Banjo Bicycles in Wisconsin) and ordering
from him, you'd spend a few hundred on top of that! Made in the USA,
low trail 650B, braze ons and canti bosses. Everything a cyclist
needs.
Congrats!
Daniel

On Jun 24, 2:48 pm, Ronald Lau <ron...@ronlau.com> wrote:
> To all,
>
> After  3 years away from riding a 650b, I bought a Box Dog Pelican
> 50cm last week.  Only their 48, 50 and 52cm frames uses 650b.
>

> http://www.flickr.com/photos/19694929@N00/5867251619/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/19694929@N00/5867251645/in/photostream