Touring - Bianchi Volpe or Trek 520?

I've decicded to take a tour in about 8 weeks, one that's pretty ambitious considering how far out of shape I've fallen in the past year or so.

In order to stick to the eight week training schedule I've set up I need to pick up a new bike pretty soon. I was all set on the Vianchi Volpe, but there seems to be a region-wide shortage of the 61cm size which I need, and it may be two weeks untilI can get my hands on one.

There is a neighborhood shop that has the 61cm 520 in stock, and I know it has a great reputation around here, but it's $150 more and I'm not excited about the bar-end shifters at all.

Should I wait for the Volpe to come in stock, or bite the bullet for the 520?

Thanks.

I like the ride and the fit of the 520 better.
I commuted today on a bike with bar end shifters. My other bike has STI. I like the STI better, but bar ends work fine. Lance did this thing where he had STI on his rear shifter, and a bar end on his front shifter.You could have the bike shop do that. I like that idea, kinda the best of both worlds. The racks aren't very good on the 520, you may want to replace them. Planet Bike makes a nice rack for $25.

Should I wait for the Volpe to come in stock, or bite the bullet for the 520?


What kind of tour are you doing? A credit card tour or a self supported fully loaded tour?

I just bought a 520. So far I'm very happy with it. Among other bikes I had briefly considered the Volpe because a friend of mine rode across the Northern Tier of the US on one. However, he traveled extremly light. All of his gear barely weighed 30 lbs. He said that on his tour he didn't meet anybody who was traveling as light as he was.

His Volpe is an older model and is lugged rather than tig welded like the new ones are. His components have all been upgraded as well. Still his frame seems to be lighter than my 520. When I rode the bike which was unloaded it felt to me like it was more flexy than the 520. The Volpe is being marketed as a Cyclocross /touring bike. The 520 was designed with loaded touring in mind.

If you are credit card touring the Volpe will be just fine. If you plan on a fully loaded tour I'd say the 520 is your better bet.

Krispy

What kind of tour are you doing? A credit card tour or a self supported fully loaded tour?

It's going to be a 2 - 2 1/2 week trip down the USA west coast and we're probably going to be camping most of the nights.

I do plan on doing some extended touring in the future, but I'll also probably be using this bike for uban errand running and weekend trips as well. Is the 520 overkill for "lighter use" like this?

It's going to be a 2 - 2 1/2 week trip down the USA west coast and we're probably going to be camping most of the nights.

I do plan on doing some extended touring in the future, but I'll also probably be using this bike for uban errand running and weekend trips as well. Is the 520 overkill for "lighter use" like this?

I don't think its' overkill. I've only had mine a week. I've not bought my panniers yet and have yet to ride it fully loaded with 50 lbs of gear. However, I have put 90 miles on it so far and it has all been unloaded. I am very happy with the way it rides. I'd say that even if I am never able to go on the tours that I hope to do that it will make a very comfortable bike for doing long day rides. There are others here in this forum who use it for commuting and daily use. Do a search on the 520 and you will find many people using it for every day use as well as loaded touring.

I've decicded to take a tour in about 8 weeks, one that's pretty ambitious considering how far out of shape I've fallen in the past year or so.

In order to stick to the eight week training schedule I've set up I need to pick up a new bike pretty soon. I was all set on the Vianchi Volpe, but there seems to be a region-wide shortage of the 61cm size which I need, and it may be two weeks untilI can get my hands on one.

There is a neighborhood shop that has the 61cm 520 in stock, and I know it has a great reputation around here, but it's $150 more and I'm not excited about the bar-end shifters at all.

Should I wait for the Volpe to come in stock, or bite the bullet for the 520?

Thanks.

If you have your heart set on the Bianchi and are only considering the Trek because of supply, it's probably a mistake to buy the Trek. Not that there's anything wrong with the Trek. I've just purchased my third 520. I purchased my first 520 in 1988. I haven't done any loaded touring. I use it as a comfortable long distance road bike. It's great in that capacity. Also as a general use bike. When I purchased my first 520 I had a stable of racing and mountain bikes. Gradually I found myself riding those bikes less and less. Now I keep one racing bike and old mountain bike around just in case. The mountain bike gets ridden on trails.
The Trek is every bit as good as everyone here says it is, but still, if it's not your first choice you'll be kicking yourself for not waiting for the Bianchi. If you can't get the Bianchi definately go for the Trek.
Be aware that the 520 DOES NOT come in a 61cm. It comes in either a 23 inch or 25 inch. Do the math and that converts to about 58cm and 63cm. The good news is that conventional sizing goes out the window with this bike because of it's quirky geometry. The standover height on my newly ordered 25" bike is less than my current 24" 520. The top tube is about the same length as the 59cm Lemond Zurich. Go Figure! Best thing to do is to find the bike and ride it first to make sure it fits.