Touring - Is touring on a Bianchi Veloce a bad idea?

Hello everyone,

I have a 2005 Bianchi Veloce that I'm interested in touring with. I would be doing a X-C tour in a few years, and some shorter ones before that to get ready in the interveaning years. I'd really prefer not to have to go out and buy something else that probably won't get a ton of useage outside of these tours.

I understand that the frame is not as robust as a true touring frame, and it's not designed for front panniers or to be carrying a great deal of extra frame weight. In light of all that I'd get a BOB or an extra-wheel to tow with all my gear. I'd also swap out the plastic fork for a steel one with cantilever mounts and some proper touring wheels. So my question is, is this a bad idea? Is it really necessary for me to buy another bike? Or would I probably be fine with this bike?

Thanks for the help,
Pete

I don't know about cross country, but I do have a friend who does a cross state tour every year with a Veloce and a BOB, he has no problems with it. The only thing I think I've heard him complain about is the riding position but I think most of that could be fixed with a different stem and possibly different bars. If you post a pic of your bike I think people will be able to give you a better opinion.

The Veloce would be fine for short tours -- enough for you to at least see if you enjoy touring prior to making any further big investments.

However, there are a few shortcomings that make the bike less than ideal for touring, and could cause some issues with extended tours. Namely:
- as mentioned, carbon fork
- geometry is not set up for all-day comfort
- gearing is not low enough
- Campy components might be hard to replace while on tour
- wheels are totally wrong -- you need high spoke count wheels for touring (I am assuming you have the stock wheels)
- you probably can't fit wide tires and fenders on the bike

Many of these factors can't be fixed by just using a trailer. The biggest issue IMO is the wheels -- they just aren't robust enough for touring. Gearing is 2nd.

And by the time you swap out the fork, the wheels and the gearing, you're well over half the way to buying a touring bike.

So I'd try the Veloce with a trailer for a week-long tour. If it feels comfortable by the end of the week, it might be worth it to lower the gearing and buy rugged wheels.

If not, touring bikes aren't that insanely expensive ($1000 or so) and you can always sell it after the big tour.

I rode cross country with a friend who used his aluminum Cannondale race bike with a carbon fork. He pulled a BOB trailer and was fine. His wheels were handbuilt Mavic Open Pros and were strong enough. He swapped out his cranks for a compact set and put a Brooks saddle on.

If the Bianchi is what you have, then ride it. Don't let folks tell you it can't be done. You can tour with any road bike, even one with carbon forks. Pulling a trailer is one way, using two rear panniers is another.
My LeMond Buenos Aries carried me solo unsupported across the Southern Tier carrying two rear panniers. Worked for me. I am convinced that if I put up the specs of my Burley Hudson, the "touring experts" in this forum would pick it to pieces. No fenders, the wrong saddle, only two panniers, no lights, no horn, tires too small. Hey, if we listened to all of the criticism here we would never go riding.

Thanks for the input everybody, so here is my conclusion: I can do some light touring on the Veloce as is this coming season, but I should probably think about a dedicated touring bike sometime in the future if I want to get serious about a self-supported, cross country tour.

Now for a followup question:

I don't really have the $ to buy a new bike without selling the old. It seems that a touring bike can do pretty much everything that I use the Bianchi for (charity rides, crusing, light racing, etc.), just maybe a bit slower. So I'd probably be interested in selling the Bianchi. I also have a fixed gear for short trips around town.

To maximise my return, should I sell the bike whole, or sell it piece by piece on ebay? Is the extra money that I would imagine could be earned from selling piece by piece worth the trouble? Also, are there any other good webistes where I could try to sell it for a decent price? Finally, what kind of return can I expect to get, its a size 62 frame and it is in excellant condition, I paid $1200 (clearance marked down from ~1500).

Thanks again,
Pete

Thanks for the input everybody, so here is my conclusion: I can do some light touring on the Veloce as is this coming season, but I should probably think about a dedicated touring bike sometime in the future if I want to get serious about a self-supported, cross country tour.

Now for a followup question:

I don't really have the $ to buy a new bike without selling the old. It seems that a touring bike can do pretty much everything that I use the Bianchi for (charity rides, crusing, light racing, etc.), just maybe a bit slower. So I'd probably be interested in selling the Bianchi. I also have a fixed gear for short trips around town.

To maximise my return, should I sell the bike whole, or sell it piece by piece on ebay? Is the extra money that I would imagine could be earned from selling piece by piece worth the trouble? Also, are there any other good webistes where I could try to sell it for a decent price? Finally, what kind of return can I expect to get, its a size 62 frame and it is in excellant condition, I paid $1200 (clearance marked down from ~1500).

Thanks again,
Pete

I think you have come to the right conclusion about long distance touring. The Bianchi is a wonderful bike, but it's just not the right one for a long tour.

It's so hard to get satisfaction selling a bike. No matter how well you have kept it up, you don't get much for it. It sounds like a lot of work to take it apart and sell it piece by piece, and people that buy used bike parts are surely bargain hunters.

Are you an urban dweller? I have resolved the problem of riding around in the city by keeping a not very fancy looking sport 10-speed from the late 1970s, with plenty of rust, as my urban utility bike. You can always find a new frame or bike like that and fix it up or build it up for a few hundred, and they are less likely to be stolen. A Bianchi, on the other hand, is just beautiful. If you live in a city, sooner or later somebody is going to steal it, just because of the special Italian color. You might as well sell it before they get a chance to steal it from you.

*Tears*

Howard

Yeah, I am living in a city, and I already have an urban beater. So as I thought, my and I Bianchi will have to part ways. Do you have any sites besides the usual (Craigslist, ebay, etc.) to suggest?

Thanks for the input everybody, so here is my conclusion: I can do some light touring on the Veloce as is this coming season, but I should probably think about a dedicated touring bike sometime in the future if I want to get serious about a self-supported, cross country tour.

Now for a followup question:

I don't really have the $ to buy a new bike without selling the old. It seems that a touring bike can do pretty much everything that I use the Bianchi for (charity rides, crusing, light racing, etc.), just maybe a bit slower. So I'd probably be interested in selling the Bianchi. I also have a fixed gear for short trips around town.

To maximise my return, should I sell the bike whole, or sell it piece by piece on ebay? Is the extra money that I would imagine could be earned from selling piece by piece worth the trouble? Also, are there any other good webistes where I could try to sell it for a decent price? Finally, what kind of return can I expect to get, its a size 62 frame and it is in excellant condition, I paid $1200 (clearance marked down from ~1500).

Thanks again,
Pete

Use the Volpe for now and just realize that it has a few warts. Yes, you can tour on it (it has to be said;)) - you can tour on anything - but a purpose built touring bike is a joy to ride and use. However, in the mean time make due with what you have. Save your pennies and buy a purpose built touring bike as you get closer to your dream trip. By that time, you'll have paid your dues and will truly appreciate a 'real' touring bike.

If you were looking for a new bike for touring, I'd say stay away from the Volpe because of its various warts but since you have it, use it and dream of something better.