Touring - No more Volpes

So finally, after months of indescision, I go to a bike shop to order a Volpe. Seems not a single shop here in NYC has any in stock. Over the phone the guy said he would order me one for $750, good deal right? But then at the shop, the guy calls up his distributer who tells him no more Volpes untill November 2006!!!

Seems it's a very popular bike everywhere but NYC. All the Bianchi dealers here, they practically have never heard of the Volpe. Over a year wait, I'm bummed. I was really looking forward to that bike with the flattened top tube for shouldering up my 4th floor walkup.

What now, the crosscheck? the brava?

That sucks.

Kind of odd, though. I couldn't imagine a bike selling out and being out of production this early in the year. I got mine about a month and a half ago or so, during the first week the 2006 models were released.

Try asking another shop if they can order one for you.

Call other dealers - I once had an LBS me about there being a long wait for a part I needed from Cannondale. I looked into it more and found out that they weren't even a C'dale dealer any more and were flat out lying to me - C'dale had cancelled their contract for not paying bills apparently. Another shop got the part for me in 2 days.

I know, the 2006 models are already out. By Nov 2006 the 07's will already be replacing the 06's. Something doesn't make sense.

Dang!

I've been thinking about getting a Volpe, too.

Other than the possibility that they won't be available are the Volpe's as good as the Bianchi promotional copy makes them sound?

I'm looking for a bike to use on long rides with centuries every now and then.

Your next closest off the shelf bike to the volpe would be a crosscheck complete as offered by QBP. It doesn't come with a triple up front though.

Has anyone else noticed that lots of bike stuff is out of stock or hard to find these days? What the heck is going on?

Want to take a train ride? Last week Bicycle therapy in Philadelphia had three Volpes on display. Two 05 leftovers and one 06. Call for size. I don't know how much they'll negosiate, the bikes were listed at $899 for the 06 and $850 for the 05s.

thanks, thats not a bad idea. last time i visited philly i found an excellent bike shop, wonder if its the same one. any chance you know of a good pretzel place?

Get an Axis.

Want to take a train ride? Last week Bicycle therapy in Philadelphia had three Volpes on display. Two 05 leftovers and one 06. Call for size. I don't know how much they'll negosiate, the bikes were listed at $899 for the 06 and $850 for the 05s.

I thought I read in a thread that the steel's not quite as good in the newer model so the older one might be a better bet anyway. And don't the newer ones have that crazy looking seat? yuck!.

I'm looking for a Volpe too and can't find one for less than a special order premium which is ridiculous. Washington, DC seems to have a few around, but the sizes are off for me. I might have to squeeze down a size just to get one. But I recently saw a LBS selling two of their left over 2005 Volpes for $699 and the castro valley (same frame, no front derailleur) for $624.99.

I'm looking for a 2000-05 55 for less than list. Anyone on the East Coast seen one anywhere?

Let me know what size you are looking for and I'll keep my eye out for one since I'm hunting anyway. Just don't say 55 - that one's mine.

That bites. I just got mine, and I love it. If I were forced go back to just having one bike, that would be the one I would keep.

Steve W.