Cyclocross - tips on finding an old bianchi volpe (or surly cross check)

I was reading another person's post on finding bikes for a poor grad student and sympathizing, especially because my car was stolen and I'm switching over to a bike, which I don't have yet. I'm going to be doing a crazy commute that involves Wilmington traffic, rural roads, dirt roads, some hills, and I started looking at touring and cyclocross bikes, leaning slightly toward the latter. Good condition, used complete bikes are just not to be found; and even the bike shops are empty in August, not that I can afford what they're selling right now. Nobody really seems to sell a used Surly Cross Check, which is actually kind of a decent recommendation for getting a new one, which I can't really afford. I rode a friend's Volpe, which I really liked, though it was too big. Does anyone who's been doing this a while have any tips on finding a used Volpe of any vintage? I ride a really short top tube even though I'm tall -- the 49 is ideal (has a top tube of about 51). A 52 is ok, too. But the smaller sizes seem even harder to find.

I don't know what your budget is, but Bikes Direct has the Fantom CX for about $500. You just need to be able to set it up yourself. Seems like about what a used Cross Check would go for, and it's a new bike.

I just used the telephone to call all the local bike shops. Found one that could retro my old used up , Giant frame's components on to a new Surly frame. The guy had influence with Surly. He even got me a red one, instead of army green.

The Volpe is such an awesome bike. I almost went with that when I was shopping for a CX bike. I'd spend some serious time watching ebay and craigslist. Eventually what you're after will show up. Be prepared to act quickly.

I'd spend some serious time watching ebay and craigslist. Eventually what you're after will show up. Be prepared to act quickly.
I've been doing it for a month, everyday. Be prepared to be disappointed. They're all in the wrong size or reselling for almost retail prices.

You know, I have been pounding the pavement, and I think I have found myself an older vintage 52 cm volpe at a price I can afford. So perhaps it does happen. Will not rejoice until the bike is in my hands, however! This is an interesting problem: the used bike marketplace is full lots of very fancy race bikes marked way down to still way too fancy prices, and lots of ancient cruisers, but very little in between.

Crosschecks and Volpes are the bikes people hold onto. I spent about 3 months looking for a crosscheck frameset on ebay and craigslist before I found one for a decent price. Ended up getting my crosscheck frameset for 225 shipped. I hadn't seen one go for less than 300.

What size are you looking for. I needed a 58 so it took me a bit longer to find one. The small and medium frames are a bit easier to find.