Touring - Comments on Bianchi Volpe?

In case anyone does not regularly check the Commuting Forum, I posted a message requesting comments on a Bianchi Volpe my size that my LBS has on sale for $525. Anyone familiar with this model? Comments?
Regards,
Raymond

rainman, i cannot believe that no one has answered this. I dont have any knowlege of the last few years with the velope, but we used to sell them, it was a very good bike also made in tiwan, dont let that scare you. bianchi makes a very good bike in tiawan. The price is killer considering the price of any type of road machine these days. GO FOR IT,!!!!!

I rode A Bianchi Volpe for 5 years. It was an OK first time touring bike but the components were old Suntour (hard to find parts and service) and they were poor on shifting and bad on brakes. It was also a heavy bike for touring (30lbs).

I changed virtually all gearing on it (front and back) and replaced the bottom bracket hub to a sealed one as it kept getting washed out in rain storms, the same for the steering bearing. I also installed an aero bar on it for comfort and air streaming. I think a Cannodale makes for a better touring "upright" bike .

I personally sold it 2 years ago and eventually went strictly to recumbents and don't ride uprights any more.

Bentrider,
Maybe this is another reason not to be too sad that I just missed buying the bike. I don't know if you saw my post under Commuting, but when I got back in town from 3 weeks of travel I got the news the it had been sold just 4 days before I called.
For now I guess I saved $525!
Regards,
Raymond