Touring - Bianchi Volpe vs. Fuji Touring

My original decision was to get the Fuji touring. However, I cannot get it because the distributor doesn't have any in my size. I've been told it could be a month or longer. On the upside, there is a local place who has a bianchi volpe in stock that is my size! The downside is that it is $100 more than the fuji. I was going to get the fuji for $700 and the bianchi is $800 (all locally). I am not a bike mechanic or on the up and up with parts, etc Looking at the specs with my limited knowledge, they seem to be about equal. A few minor things are that the fuji comes with pretty lame rear rack, the bianchi has a suspension seat post and comes with clipless pedals while the fuji has toeclips. Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you fellow cyclists!

Might be too late to reply but the biggest difference you need to consider between the two bikes is the gearing. The Fuji comes with a 30-40-52 crankset and the Bianchi comes with a 28-38-48 crankset. It seems minor but it can make a big difference if you're going to be doing fully loaded touring with hills and you aren't a stong climber. If you already purchased a bike, what did you go with? How do you like it?

Actually, I didn't get either! I found a guy locally selling a used 2001 Trek 520 frame/fork, nitto technomic stem, and tange headset for $175! The frame is my size too (63cm). What a deal! So I built up everything else with mostly everything I wanted. I spent more than if I would have bought the ~$800 fuji or bianchi. However, I have gearing i like and all the components I like.


bars: nitto noodle bar
levers: shimano
shifters: shimano bar-end
brakes: dia compe canti-lever
cranks: sugino xd triple
seat post: nitto pearl
front der: shimano deore
rear der: shimano deore lx
cassette: 9 speed

rear wheel:
mavic a719 36h rim
shimano deore lx hub
dt spokes
conti top touring 2000 tire

front wheel:
salsa delgado cross 32h
shimano deore hub
dt spokes
conti top touring 2000 tire

I still havent decided on a saddle yet so I'm just using some generic bontrager one. Haven't really decided on what I want to do for peddles either. Using wellgo flats for the time being.

pictures!