Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Checking out possible new bike

After 5 years of cycling on my Trek 7300 ( I averaged 500 miles/year to start, up to 1,800 miles/year now, want to get up to 3,000/year), I'm looking to upgrade next spring. After much research, I've really had my eye on the Bianchi Volpe- it looks like everything I want in a bike at a "reasonable" price. I'm 49 years old, now at 218 lbs (started at 252 this summer, hope to be at 200 by next spring), and want this to be "the" bike for at least 5-10 years. I ride mostly ashphalt, about 20% dirt back roads, moderately hilly, want to even do a little touring. Durability and overall comfort with reasonable "speed" are important. I'm looking for anybody who has one who could tell me if they really like the bike, good points/bad points, etc. Anybody out there have one they could tell me about? I hope to go look at one this weekend (nearest dealer is over an hour away). Your comments are greatly appreciated!

Bianchi makes a sweet bike ;) If I hadn't gotten the deal I did on my Allez, a Bianchi would have been my next choice :D

I had a long and very serious look at one.

They are a funny color, and from what I remember they had a quill stem, which is old-school. Finally, I heard some horror stories from 2 LBSs about Bianchi warranty service.

For the good -- they are steel, very versatile, have wide MTB gearing and people love them as a go-anywhere, do anything bike. It's sort of half way between cross and touring, with some very smart decisions made on parts etc.

I canme very close -- it was between that and a Kona JTS (much more of a cross bike, and definitely rode as more "alive", which appealed to me). I got the Kona and love it. Interstingly enough, I rode next to a guy this weekend who caught up to me and was asking about it, saying he almost bought one. He was riding a volpe.

Others to consider -- I'd say have a look at surley (cross check complete).

I'm no bike expert, but this is my opinion.
I bought my Volpe last summer, it was my first new bike. I'd tried Kona jts, Jamis Aurora, Spec Tricross, and the Surely Crosscheck. The Bianchi was the last one I test-rode and it climbed hills so well, as I recall, I had found my commuter/touring bike. To me, it simply felt lighter than the others. Go Figure.

Since then, I have come to really relish my daily commutes & I find any additional excuses to ride the thing. I did an MS tour w/ a good friend who was riding a 56cm (my bike is a 58) Bianchi Eros. We switched for a half-hour on day 2 & man it sucked! When we switched back at the next rest stop, I felt this HUGE relief. This could have been due to many things (size, geometry, stem height, etc) I know, but all I cared about was I was back on my baby. FWIW story, the point is I have no regrets.

Having said that, over the last year I've looked at other bikes, talked to other cyclists and now I believe its best to have a really good lbs do a build up for you from a frame rather than buying a package deal. Again, no regrets, this is just 'next bike' wisdom.

Finally, swap the saddle & seriously haggle for better clipless peddles if you go w/ this frame.
Cheers and enjoy whatever bike you choose!

Thanks all for the input. I'm going to look at a Volpe next week. If I can find a Kona dealer, I want to look at those as well.

not sure where you are, but when i was shopping even finding a JTS to try was hard -- they either sell well, or the production is on the low side