Volpe vs. ??

[driftlessregion]

Check out the Waterford RST series including the fantastic RST-22 using Reynolds 853 frame material. I think it is the middle ground you're looking for. I pull a trailer and have a rack on the back and handlebar bag up front. It is the most comfortable bike I've ever owned, in part because of the custom fit. Quick feel (which is of course partly a function of the wheel/tire setup) yet very comfortable for all-day-in-the-saddle rides. I ride 700/32's WITH fenders when I tour and 25's the rest of the time. Room for the new longer reach caliper brakes which are much nicer looking than cantis.   Hands off is no problem. While Waterford has some stock sizes I think every bike is custom made based on the fit recommended by the shop. For full disclosure I should admit that it is a Wisconsin shop and I'm writing from Madison. I visited the shop when mine was being made and it is very small and not like factory. Someone had to take time from their work to show me around. I've also visited Trek which is only 30 miles away and it is definitely a factory, not to take anything away from that fine company.

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

A note on creating comfort...I initially swapped out the Bianchi seat with the faux-leopard trim for a WTB SST II mountain bike saddle, which was/is the most comfortable MTB seat I have. The Bianchi saddle may look funky, but it is more comfortable. I put it back on the bike until I can save up my pennies and get a Brooks B-17. I was looking at the Brooks at the Bike Expo last weekend...beautiful but spendy.

I will put the SST back on my cop bike.

Ride comfy,
Hans

[TCS]

You asked why someone would spend twice as much as you did for a bike.  I asked you why you thought your bike was worth twice as much as another model, and you listed various component brand or model differences, minor geometric differences (although you got the chain stay length difference backwards), material differences, &etc.

It seems to me you answered your own original question!

Best,
TCS

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

Hey, are you trying to pick a fight? (Just kidding!)

I think my biggest point is that the Volpe, Randonee and Trek 520 are all steel-framed road bikes, as are the Gordon, Americano and Waterford. They all have drop handlebars, better componentry and are pre-set for racks and panniers, rear AND front, which the Trek 7300 does not. Personally, the chromly frame is the biggest reason I would take a Volpe (or Randonee or 520) over anything with an aluminum frame for extended travel.

That being said, my wife rides her 7300 on community rides and the occasional overnight trip. I do use my Trek 4600 MTB for off-road camping trips, and I know lots of people use aluminum for touring. On the road, however, I think steel has a comfort (and repairability) advantage, which brings me back to my real question:

Why pay 3-4 times as much for a bike that would seem to be pretty similar to the Volpe?

In all honesty, I appreciate fine bikes from whatever maker, and I always hope to win the big prize from Adventure Cycling each year. Yes...I would gladly accept that Co-Motion bike and ride it!

Some day I hope to get a chance to try out one (or more) of the high-end bikes, and then I may change my tune. Until then, I am curious. Happy with my Volpe...just curious about the others.

Hans

National Mountain Bike Patrol-MN
www.trailpatrol.org

[Sailariel]

There is a lot to be said for high end bikes. I thought that my Tange steel Univega was quite comfortable (it fits well). I tried out a Waterford R-33 that didn`t fit,--too big. It was a very noticable difference. The whole bike was finished flawlessly, there was no twitchiness, handling was absolutely perfect. I have to agree that you DO get what you pay for. If that bike was a 57cm instead of a 62cm you couldn`t pry me off it. Thanks, Russell, I know what my next bike will be.

[odograph]

I have a 2006 Volpe, bought late in '05.  I've been enjoying it, though I also sometimes wonder what other bikes might have been contenders.

I've been mountain biking for years and was attracted to the cross-touring design.  The local (paved) "river trail" is only a 1/4 mile away, but it's down some dirt roads.  The other way around is a zig-zag course through houses and traffic.

I had bought the Volpe to get more road miles in and perhaps prepare for some touring.  It's worked well as a exercise and shopping bike.  It can do a little of everything, even if it can't ride true trails like a mountain bike or breeze along like a skinny-tire road bike (I've still got the treaded tires for the dirt roads I do).

Has anyone else broken spokes?  I woke to find 4 broken ones on the front one day, and then just broke another on the back.  I ride off curbs and hit the speed bumps for a little jump but with my weight (150#) and that many spokes I never thought I'd have problems.  I've had the wheels re-built with black-anodized spokes, which might handle the coastal salt a little better.  The also look a lot better on the Volpe.

I think I might buy a lighter bike new for my morning exercise loops ... I still need to build up from some small tours and see if my joints can really handle the back-to-back days.

Best.

[sunshine1234567]

I just test rode a Volpe ($899) yesterday and was happy with the ride, except for the uncomfortable leopard seat which I would swap out.

I also test rode a Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30 ($1250) (Canadian made touring bike) which I had never heard of until yesterday and I really found it comfortable to ride and although steel construction, it was a lighter weight bike than my previous touring bikes.

[Sailariel]

The whole notion about steel being heavy does not hold true anymore. There are steel frames out there that are as light or lighter than aluminum---and it is really hard to beat the ride of a good steel bike.

[WesternFlyer]

I also did all my research, checked my budget carefully, test road several touring bikes and decided the Bianchi Volpe was for me.  I went to the bike shop with cash in hand and then and there saw the Bianchi Axisthis grandfather fell in love, went into debt, never looked back.  I put touring tires on it (28 & 32), but kept the cycle-cross tires for the wonderful slurry of rotting leaves and rain that are the fall standard here in Portland, and for occasional trail rides.

With a very nostalgic nod to the Schwinn Paramount that I road from Canada to Mexico on in the early 60s, the Axis is the sweetest ride ever.  The 2005 model had the same gearing as the Volpe. The 2007 Axis has double chain rings, but frame sets are available.

I think in the green world you should ride what you have until it just doesnt do what you need it to do.  I rode a very nice Trek mountain bike for ten years, and then for medical reasons off-road riding became prohibited.


Western Flyer

[jl_longstaff]

Today I purchased a Bianchi Volpe.  I made the decision based on information I found on the web. However, the major influence was this forum, especially posts by Trailpatrol. Since it is quite cold here in Ohio yet, I have only put a few miles on it today...in snow flurries.  Does anyone have a rack on their Volpe?   What kind?  I will eventually put fenders and lights on it as well as I intend to use the bike for randoneur type touring and commuting.

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

I have a Sunlite rear expedition-type rack, and a Jandd Extreme front rack on the Volpe. I originally bought the Jandd rack for the Novara Safari, but it wouldn't fit with the disc brakes on that bike. The Sunlite is okay, and has an extended lower hook bar, but if I were to do it over I would have Jandd front and rear, as they would fit my Jandd panniers best.

Thanks for the props. I am glad you like the bike!

Ride safe,
Hans

[Seel]

I too put a Jandd rack on the rear. I bought Freddy Fenders but can't get the rear fender on due to the recent installation of the Shimano XT front derailleur; it sticks back too far back into the rear triangle to make the attachement to the spreader. I made it work but after installing it I determined that if I get a flat rear tire, changing it would be a real hassel. The hassel is caused by the new derailleur; in order to put the rear tire back on I can't inflate it to it's maximum - the tire hits the derailleur and won't allow me to get the wheel in the dropouts. So, I have to put about 10-15#'s in the tire, put it on and then inflate the tire to its max. With the rear fender on it just magnifies the problem.

With all that said the rear rack does a good job of keeping most of the rooster tail off me.

As noted in my earlier post I've installed all my upgrades and the Volpe is a DREAM! The Velocity rims and schwable tires are a great combination - the bike just rolls and rolls!

The new XT crank and 11-34 cassette allow me to climb just about anything and I hardly notice the trailer behind me.

I too live in Ohio (Fairborn) and it's been difficult to get rides in without rain or snow. I would highly recommend Schwable Marathon XR tires - not too agressive tread, very smooth, and great grip.

Enjoy!

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

I went with the Brooks B-17 saddle too. Even unbroken-in, it is as or more comfortable than the Bianchi seat with the little leopard inserts. I tried a WTB SST-2 for a while, since it my favorite MTB saddle, but went back to the Bianchi until the Brooks got here. Evidently there is more difference than I realized between a touring and MTB seat. ;p

Ride safe,
Hans

[jl_longstaff]

I'll be ordering a B-17 saddle soon, the velo is not comfortable.  Today I took the bike apart and rustproofed the frame,  There are gaps in the brake braze ons and where the dropouts are brazed on. Tomorrow I'll reassemble the bike and am thinking of using something to plug the gaps and holes.  I'll keep the current tires and rims, at least for now.  The stem is a little long,120mm, I may go to a 100mm but will ride this for a while first. The Puch Meteor I've rideing is a 64cm frame with a 57cm top tube. It is tight but I still had about 1/4 to 3/8s inch clearance so I bought a 61cm volpe. Either I need to get used to the reach or I need a shorter stem. I'll work it out, in fact, part of the fun of a new bike is the "working it out"!
 volpIe

[jl_longstaff]

Does anyone know where I can get touch up paint for a 2007 Volpe, ganggreen? My bike came with white showing through on the bottom bracket and the right chain stay.  The dealer is no help.  I thought I had posted this before but apparently didn't send it.