[aleef]

Hello

Can any of you help me figure out what Western Bianchi model the Bianchi Lupo (Japan-only) compares to? It's offered in Japan as a cyclocross bike. It retails for only US$762 (tax included) in Japan. It has eyelets and mountings for racks, so could be used for touring.

Check it out here (http://www.cycleurope.co.jp/2007/blupo.htm). I'm interested in the navy blue model.

I've looked at a number of cyclocross and touring bikes (Surly Cross-Check & LHT, Fuji Touring & Cross Comp, Trek XO-1, Scott Cross Comp, Cannondale T800 & Cyclocross 3, Jamis Aurora & Nova). Of this group, the Fuji Touring is the cheapest at $909, and the Cannondales are the most expensive at $1550.

Not all of the larger sizes are offered in Japan. Most top out at 540mm. Trek and Cannondale offer the full size range. I want a steel frame anyway, so I'm not interested in those brands.

If I get the navy Bianchi Lupo, I plan to replace the horrible green saddle and handlebar tape with a Brooks honey-coloured saddle and Brooks honey-coloured leather tape.

Once I get my bike, I plan to do this bike tour this (http://www.freewheeling.ca/tours/japan.htm) summer. I'm not joining the tour package, but will just use their excellent route.

Thanks for reading and sharing any thoughts, opinions or observations. I've been pretty much alone (in interest) here in rural Japan researching my bike purchase. My wife & co-workers are sick of hearing about bikes!

Lee

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[justinb]

If forced to find a US equivalent, I would say it's the Volpe (http://bianchiusa.com/07_volpe.html). It's the only geared steel frame/fork they're offering for 'cross in the US. That said, the parts spec is a little different from what I could see.

[M_S]

The nice thing about that over the newer Volpe is that it has front eyelets--the Volpe does not, I beleive, unless you get an older model. Other than that, it looks pretty similar, though my computer can't read most of the characters so I can't see a lot of the component descriptions. As fa as fitting goes, it will probably feel about the same as a Volpe of the same size. That's just a guess though--always be careful if you're buying a bike without riding it first.

[TimJ]

Notice the Lupo has the rear brake cable routed on the bottom of the top tube. Not good if you did cyclocross, won't matter if you just do touring, I suppose.

[Howeler]

The top doesn't flatten out like the Volpe, It looks like it has different tubes. Prolly lighter then the Volpe.

[justinb]

Good call. Given the apparently different tubing, and eyelets, and different spec, I don't think the Lupo has a US equivalent. Looks like a sweet bike though. The OP might want to cross post on touring if that's what he intends to use it for.