Touring - Bianchi Volpe vs. Surly Long Haul Trucker

Hey there. I've narrowed my choices for a new touring bike down to these two 2009 models. I test road the Bianchi Volpe and it felt alot lighter than the LHT did. I test road both; the LHT actually had loaded panniers on it. The LHT felt like a tank; it was like driving an old Mercedes...you felt protected and safe. The Volpe seemed faster and lighter.

I am planning on doing some long tours this coming year. One from Tampa, FL to Savannah, Ga, and another one from Tampa to Providence, RI this summer. The LHT seems like the obvious choice here. The problem I have though is that when I'm not touring, I want something that I can commute with and go onto some Florida (non-rocky, light) trails with. I also want to be able to race local races. I know I could race both frames.

I'm asking for your input here. Tell me which you prefer and why? Have you tried both? Elaborate.

Thanks!
-Max N.

The Volpe has shorter chainstays--with the wheel closer to you and the bb, it will lean in to the turn and handle quicker. I'm not sure how different the rake or HT angle it. The Volpe is a relaxed Xcross bike, not a touring bike like the LHT.

I rode several bikes, including the Volpe, before I bought the LHT. I liked the barcons and felt the general build of the LHT was better for my purposes... Some people buy the Volpe or the CC and spend some good money making it road worthy. I couldn't even afford new tires... Both nice bikes--there are several in the 1000-1100 dollar range that are all good bikes with different strengths. Get the one you like, they are all good.

I commute three times a week on my LHT. It's close to 40 miles round trip, with about 1200 feet of climbing on the way home. Sometimes I ride my Litespeed, which is a lot faster, and a lot more nimble. But, the LHT is a more comfortable ride, and it is fun to ride. It's not any where near the most expensive bike I've owned, but hands down it is my favorite.

The Volpe has shorter chainstays--with the wheel closer to you and the bb, it will lean in to the turn and handle quicker.

If you have big feet, and/or use big panniers, you should make sure that you have room on the Volpe to use rear panniers without hitting your heels against them. When I last looked at the specs for a Volpe, I had the chainstay length at 16.7 inches and the LHT was 18.1 inches.

I test rode the volpe with panniers and my feet hit (size 45).
If you do get it, get a tortec or a logo rack. I personally didn't enjoy the bike loaded down.

"I also want to be able to race local races. I know I could race both frames."
If you want to guarrantee a last place finish, get the LHT. If you want to be semi-competitive get the volpe. When I do group rides with my LHT, I can not finish the ride with the group and its a moderate/not fast group (I do finish with the pack on my road bike). With that said, I enjoyed my overnight trip with it, enjoy my daily commute with it and realy love my dirt road riding on it. Its just slow.
So decide wich aspect you want more...
Scott

So you do go off-road with the LHT? Like on trails and whatnot?

You're dreaming in technicolor if you think either of these bikes will fit your requirement to race. There's is no one bike that will do all this. But if you insist, the closest would not be a touring bike or a semi-hybrid like the Volpe, but rather what one would refer to as a "sport touring", "brevet" or "audax" bicycle. I don't know of any really mass-market bikes like this nowadays though, but they are available from a number of smaller, specialized builders. Of course, by the time you've spent the money, you probably won't want to ride such a bike on trails very much.

I think the Volpe is a little better choice here. It can definitely handle touring, commuting and trails; it's been used as a touring bike for a long time.

As to speed, I've been using a very similar bike for a little bit (Surly Cross Check). It doesn't feel particularly fast but I haven't been able to verify whether or not it is actually slower than a standard road bike. At a minimum, you'd have to swap the tires; if you want to use 23c's, you may need a second wheelset. A different (lower) stem position may also be required.

I don't think I'd use the LHT to race, mostly because the position is too relaxed and upright.

The Volpe may be the better choice. The LHT is a more purpose specific bike, and that purpose is hauling loads. I believe the Volpe to be more versatile.

I used my Volpe for touring and was pleased with it. I never had a problem with heel strike, but I have small feet which may account for that. I have never ridden a LHT, but I now ride a Trek 520 which I imagine has an approximate feel. I cannot for the life of me imagine riding the 520 in any sort of race, or on any off-road riding beyond greenways and hard packed dirt roads. This bike is built to be a load hauling mule, not a racetrack thoroughbred.

I no longer have my Volpe. I was considering using it as a commuter (a role I believe it would excel). But a friend expressed an interest in touring, so I gave her the Volpe since she rides the same size bike (and I really needed to make some space in my garage).

Get a Surly Cross Check.

I also want to be able to race local races. I know I could race both frames.

Last thing I want to do is race with a LHT. That is just way off the spectrum, at least for me.

Wait, didn't the Volpe lose the eyelets or something in the last couple model years? I seem to remember crossing it off my list due to a model change.

Anyway, i'd say get a Spec. Tricross. But that's just me: i like mine. :)

My wife rode Tricross, Trek 520 and a host of other usual suspects. She settled on the Volpe and she LOVES the bike. We've toured, and we do weekend rides ranging from brisk to just ambles. I'd suggest you mount a rack, hang a pannier and see of your feet hit the bags. If not, it's Volpe hands down for what you have in mind. The ride is solid and predictable, but still pretty sporty.

For what it's worth, I commute on a Bianchi San Jose -- the same frame as a Volpe, but set up as a fixie/singlespeed. It's all I've ridden for several months, including weekend rides. The bike, at 61 cm, is a little small for me, but it's still probably my favorite ride ever.

If you're about to drop around $1k on a bike, any shop worth its spokes should be happy to test mount a rack and bags for a little spin around the neighborhood before you get out your wallet.

Yeah I test road a Cross-Check before the LHT and Volpe and loved it so much. It's weird because it was a 58cm frame and I would ride a 56cm in the LHT. My inseam is 32.5in and I'm 5' 9 1/2". Would a 58cm Cross-Check be more ideal for me?

After some thought I'm not going to lie, the Volpe was great but it felt like tinsel. The Surly line feels more rugged and tough, which is what I favor in a bike.

Now I'm torn between the LHT and the Cross-Check. I'm leaning towards the Cross-Check, it felt right to me, even on long-loaded tours which is what I plan on doing.

You should check out the Specialized Tricross, Jamis Aurora, and Jamis Aurora Elite as well. The chainstays on the Cross Check and Aurora Elite are just as short, at 425 mm or 16.7", as the ones on the Volpe. People don't typically mention that when they suggest the Cross Check as an acceptable tourer.

Hey there. I've narrowed my choices for a new touring bike down to these two 2009 models. I test road the Bianchi Volpe and it felt alot lighter than the LHT did. I test road both; the LHT actually had loaded panniers on it. The LHT felt like a tank; it was like driving an old Mercedes...you felt protected and safe. The Volpe seemed faster and lighter.

I am planning on doing some long tours this coming year. One from Tampa, FL to Savannah, Ga, and another one from Tampa to Providence, RI this summer. The LHT seems like the obvious choice here. The problem I have though is that when I'm not touring, I want something that I can commute with and go onto some Florida (non-rocky, light) trails with. I also want to be able to race local races. I know I could race both frames.

I'm asking for your input here. Tell me which you prefer and why? Have you tried both? Elaborate.

Thanks!
-Max N.

I think you're asking too much from a single bike. The LHT is a great tourer for the money, and it's also a very good commuting bike. It's stable under loads, has a rugged frame, and is a joy to ride. It's also absolutely one of the last bikes on Earth I would ever consider racing. It's a tank, and the bottom bracket and cranks are very low to the ground, which makes it a tough bike to corner aggressively. The Surly Cross Check and Bianchi Volpe, both very good bikes, are not as good as the LHT for loads, but a lot sportier, but still not at all appropriate for racing or even aggressive group rides.

I have the LHT, and love it, especially for touring but also commuting. I average between 12-18 mph on flat ground with no wind, depending on my load.

Considering your needs, and if you don't want to get different bikes for different situations, I'd go for the Volpe, if your feet aren't too big. It rides well, is perfectly fine for light-to-moderate tours, rides well, and is lighter and more nimble than other touring-type bikes in its price range. It also has STI-type shifting, which a lot of people like. (I'm fond of barcons myself).

I have a 97 volpe and a LHT. I was happy with the volpe for loaded touring, and all other riding that I do. The JANDD expadition rack is about 3 in. longer than most others,and should eliminate heal clearance problems. the newer volpes have no mid fork, low rider, mounts for ft. rack, No ft. rack = no touring bike, in my opinion

The newer volpes have no mid fork, low rider, mounts for ft. rack, No ft. rack = no touring bike, in my opinion
I know how you feel, and agree that front rack mounts are very helpful, but it's really not a problem. Just get some P-clamps and you're all set. Old Man Mountain also makes some outstanding racks that don't need mounting screws.

Yeah I'm looking at the 2007 Volpe model, which I believe has the braze-ons for a front rack? Anyone had good experience with a BOB Yak and a Volpe?

By the way, I'm going with the Volpe because I found a brand new one for $600.00. LBS really wants to clear its overstock. I'm liking the more versatility it offers over the LHT.

By the way, I'm going with the Volpe because I found a brand new one for $600.00.

Great price.

I have a Volpe and can attest that it's great for commuting and general transportation. I've also used it for touring with loads below 35lbs. It's fast enough for me. I've never had a problem with the shorter chainstays... although if I had larger feet or larger panniers that might be an issue.

One concern I might have is with loaded touring (weight about 60 pounds.) It's generally considered a sport touring model... which to my mind conjures up credit card touring and overnighters.

$600 is a steal. I paid $850 3 years ago.

I have a friend that has a BOB Yak he's willing to let me borrow for however long I want. He doesn't use it... basically I'm getting it for free. I think the Volpe and the Yak will work nicely together. Anyone have any experience with the two?

Yeah I'm looking at the 2007 Volpe model, which I believe has the braze-ons for a front rack? Anyone had good experience with a BOB Yak and a Volpe?

By the way, I'm going with the Volpe because I found a brand new one for $600.00. LBS really wants to clear its overstock. I'm liking the more versatility it offers over the LHT.

good choice. When I did most of my touring it was with a similar style of bike. With the bombproof wheels and tires available nowadays you have a good all around bike.

I've been enjoying riding my LHT around town, over bumps and all but it's not a bike for out of the saddle sprints.

I also own a 2007 Volpe. I bought it in August of last year for $750. When I decided to get back into bicycling I was looking for a bike that could do a # of things; occasional mild trail riding, leisure rides on the Centennial Trail, get me across town, main transportation during the summer, (I am a part time teacher at the local C.C.) grocery hauler, you get the picture a little of everything. My structural requirements were; must be rack and fender friendly, wide tire capability, as many gears as possible, (at 50 I need em all!) and of course have a striking appearance.

When I went shopping I was amazed at how many choices there were. It took me nearly two months worth of around the block test rides to narrow down the field. Ironically I had found the Volpe on the net but I could not locate one locally. While I was test riding a Tricross for about the fourth time I asked the kid "helping me" why his shop had high end Bianchi road bikes but no Volpe's. He scratched his head and said that there might be one downstairs in storage and to come back in a week or so. Turned out the kid found a stack of about ten of them which were supposed to have been transferred to another store.

Since I had been at the LBS about once a week for nearly two months the manager let me test ride the Volpe over a four day weekend. During that test ride I learned a few things about both myself and the bike. So that when I came back to the store after the weekend I knew I wanted the bike and I also knew what modifications I needed to make.

After a year with it I can say it has been a winner for me. I have made a couple more changes to it. Fenders, saddle, and cross brakes were the first items. I eventually changed out the CS for a 105 triple as I needed the larger chain ring for trekking around town. Eventually when the tires wear out I will replace them with something a little more city friendly but I am not in hurry quite yet. This spring I will be adding a rear rack to it with the idea of panniers to follow. Any recommendations BTW?

My only real complaint is the color, but I love the name of it "Gang Green" who wouldn't want a bike with that!

Great story ddmann! I can't wait until the end of the week when I can pick up the bike. I'm wondering which racks, front and rear, work with the Volpe too.

I have a Delta low-rider rack on the front and an el cheapo Zefal on the back (which looks like it is beginning to buckle.) My old other experience with rear racks is a Blackburn Crossrack, which I have on my commuter and which has withstood much weight and abuse.

http://bikes.javazoid.com/images/bikes/ilVolpeConBaggagio.JPG

Holy cow gerv I never dreamed of going that far. I must say I like the idea of the low racks up front. I am not a tourer so I do not know if having front panniers only is a no no but it does appeal to me. Right now I am converting my Volpe into a commuter(ish) ride. I have been looking for a decent sized rear rack to put on it but I am not finding choices I like. Adding panniers is a future concern so any rack I buy must accomadate them. Last night I looked at some Tubus racks online, they seem to have one or two that might fit the bill although they are mighty expensive.

Are there less expensive racks that are as accomadative and well built?

BTW I got a real kick (pun intended) out of the stand!

Holy cow gerv I never dreamed of going that far. I must say I like the idea of the low racks up front. I am not a tourer so I do not know if having front panniers only is a no no but it does appeal to me.
Front racks -- if well-balanced and less than 10 pounds -- seem to make the steering more stable. I think you would probably find it okay.



Right now I am converting my Volpe into a commuter(ish) ride. I have been looking for a decent e sized rear rack to put on it but I am not finding choices I like. Adding panniers is a future concern so any rack I buy must accomadate them. Last night I looked at some Tubus racks online, they seem to have one or two that might fit the bill although they are mighty expensive.

Are there less expensive racks that are as accomadative and well built?

I think the Blackburn racks aren't that expensive and have a good reputation. Mine is pretty dependable. Axiom also makes a pretty beefy touring rack which is pretty cheap (but I haven't used one... so...)



BTW I got a real kick (pun intended) out of the stand!

Not sure I would recommend the stand. I would rate it as average...

The older Velopes are great general purpose/light touring rigs, esp because they come with 36-spoke wheels. The later models are more slanted to the sporty/light touring end, but still very good bikes.

Surly is a much better value, esp the wheels: 36 hole XT hubs laced to Alex Adventurer rims... absolutely bomb-proof (esp the models w/ 26-inch wheels).

As others have mentioned there are going to be trade offs: A true loaded touring rig isn't going to be as nimble as a sport-tourer/XC bike, but the latter won't be as stable and handle heavy loads like the former will.

I already have an older Trek XC bike set up for commuting, so I'm looking at the LHT more as a utility bike than a tourer. I really like that my size (54) has 26-inch wheels, esp since my XC has 700c wheels, so the LHT would feel like a very different bike.

I have a Delta low-rider rack on the front and an el cheapo Zefal on the back (which looks like it is beginning to buckle.) My old other experience with rear racks is a Blackburn Crossrack, which I have on my commuter and which has withstood much weight and abuse.

http://bikes.javazoid.com/images/bikes/ilVolpeConBaggagio.JPG

WOW! You really proved the Volpe can be used for heavy touring. Nice.

It's amazing how much the price went up since my 04 sold for $849.00! For $300.00 extra, I would get the Raleigh Sojourn because of the Bling. Then again, it's not that far off from the Cannondale Touring 2 which is a better bike overall.

Hi, you have chosen the Bianchi Volpe, great bike built over great frame. Great tradition in the ciclocross championships for our flagship manufacturer.

Check if a "Reparto Corse" sticker is placed just below the top tube. It would mean that the bike has been built in the Bianchi Workshop, near Milano.

Otherwise it comes from the Turkish factory, that is the expression of a joint venture between a local manufacturer and the Italian company.

This is the same old situation:

Poor wages---->poor quality----->bad assembly---->price list increase---->company margins rise---->loss of tradition and local knowledge.

The Bianchi Volpe is no longer available over the italian market as well the C'DAle T series, Trek 520 and Surly LHT.
Strange way of thinking, marketing dudes! [Perhaps you could discover a secret treasure just simply shipping a couple of those bikes by the coolest LBS....





Ciao

I have used the Volpe for fully loaded touring, the longest trip was 3650 mile x-country trip in 2007. I've put on about 4500 fully loaded touring miles on it without any major problems. My set up looks a lot like the one pictured above. I have size ten feet, use Ortlib top roller panniers, and have had no problems with heel strike. The lack of braze-ons on the fork is not a problem. The Touringshop.com sells a nice adaptor that is a very clean looking and reliable mount. It is also a lot more flexible than the fixed mounting point.

It is also an easy bike to change drive train components. I have pretty much mountain bike gearing, with a 44/32/22 on the front and an 11/34 on the back. It would climb a telephone pole if it could get the traction (and if I had the legs)!

I have never used the wider sized tires. We use 28's for our more "rugged" tours, but have done a lot of loaded touring on 25's. The 28's were not bad on gravel, but we'd probably go to a 32 if we thought there would be a lot of it.

Having said all that I'd probably go for the LHT if the bike was going to be used for touring. When I bought the Volpe, Surley did not sell a complete bike. If they did, you might be hearing a completely different story. I don't think you would be dissapointed with either one.

Last weekend I hauled about 70 pounds on the BOB trailer behind my Volpe. It felt just fine, no problem at all even on rougher roads and gravel. The bike felt stable up to about 25 mph.

My only real complaint is the color, but I love the name of it "Gang Green" who wouldn't want a bike with that!

Patriots and NY Giants fans.

+ 1 for the LHT- - -I have no experience with the Bianchi but love my LHT. I've been talking to other folks about it lately and finding it hard to completely articulate why I like it as much, but differently, as my full Ti road bike. The LHT is indeed much heavier but it's just a different ride and different mindset. It's a great commuter- - -stable, and as someone else noted, "well mannered" in traffic.

I have an older Volpe from the early 90's and still ride it. I have to watch the foot clearance with rear panniers however. It has proven to be a versatile bike. The Surly may be a future purchase, depending on how much touring I do, or plan to do, and the $$ situation, to replace a T800.

Well man,

I love my trucker to death. I've done the Katy trail on it - longest ride I've done. Most of my rides are 20-40 milers after work / on weekends. This bike is not light though... in terms of racing with it - think early 80's cadillac 4 door racing in a nascar event.... not really equiped for racing. Excellent for commuting though - and w/ the long chain stays it's well equiped to handle all your work gear.