Volpe vs. ??

[centrider]

I was looking for a full size bike which would go on plane without
having
to hock my first born.  
And, as I already had a CF Giant, I was looking for a bike with more,
"beef".  As it turned out, my local shop dealt the CoMotion.
So, I bought the Nor'Wester Co-Pilot (custom fitted).  The bike is steel
and
has couplers with XTR and STI shifting.
I call it my, "go-anywhere, do-anything" bike.  With 28 mm tires I can
ride
dirt or street.  Tires last forever.  Backed over my front wheel with my
Prius and slapped it back on the bke.
Since I got the bike in Nov I've put 2500 miles on it.

This summer I'm doing the AC Black Hills, then into Wisc to do 2 1
week rides, and finally up into Canada to do a ride on the Bruce
Peninsula.  

Yep.  "go-anywhere, do-anything"

This message was edited by centrider on 4-23-07 @ 9:23 PM

[Seel]

Good Luck! My frame has several nicks also so I went to the LBS where I bought it and he ordered some touch up paint. No deal wrong color! He treid again and received the same wrong color again.

I've decided the best thing to do is find some clear coat to put over the nicks. Bianchi obviously doesn't provide the paint. I'm told a good body shop might be able to duplicate the color but haven't tried that.

SEEL

[jl_longstaff]

Well seel, I'm afraid you're right.  I know of a good body shop that can match any color, they do custom matches for restorations.  I'll probably have to get at least a quart, If anybody wants some, let me know, I'll see if I can find some one ounce bottles.

[Seel]

I'll check around here (Dayton) and get some prices also.

[jl_longstaff]

Finally got the Brooks B-17; quite a difference, even not broken in! The more I ride the Volpe, the more I want to ride it.
I did find a shop that will mix any color to match and put it a spray can or a small daub bottle, I'll get both. If anyone can't get paint locally, let me know. As soon as I get a price I'll let you know, they would not give me a price until they see the color.  Some custom colors cost more. Imron and PPG colors.

[Sailariel]

I don`t know if this will work for you, but I have been very lucky in finding nail polish to match the paint on my various bikes. It may be worth a try.

[jl_longstaff]

Thank you, I'll try the nail polish angle.  However in may be difficult to find "Gang Green", you never know, I've seen some really weird shades.
I think it is irresponsable for the manufacture, Bianchi, to sell this bike in this color and not make touch paint available.  I went to an automotive paint shop who mixes custom colors.  He indicate that his color match machine would need about a 2X2 inch flat area to properly match the color.  NAPA uses color match chips to match any known automotive color, not luck there either.
My Brooks saddle now has more than 100 miles ont and shows no signs of "giving" in as yet.

[centrider]

I've got 2500 miles on my B-17 and it has only some faint, "stress" lines
on it.  

I started out applying several coats of proofide and letting that soak in,
than wiping the saddle down.  It looks just great on my yellow CoMotion.

Comfortable also, I might add.  But I guess not for everyone.

[Sailariel]

Jl, I was surprised when I found a perfect match for Fuji Blue Metallic. I bet you will find the green or vey close to it. Some stores like Auto Zone sell small jars of touch up paint. You might find your green there.

[jl_longstaff]

I'm jesting of course, I had a Brooks on a Raleigh years ago.  When I bought the Volpe, the saddle was too narrow, so I bought a Brooks.  I'd forgotton how long it takes to break one in.
I've heard several ways to break in a Brooks saddle, including roasting it at 140 degrees and pouring neats foot oil on the underside.