Propad?

[Chop]

I can't find a Bianchi Volpe. Does anyone know the approx price of the LeMond Propad? How would the Propad be for an all around fitness, commuter & light touring Bike?

[BlastRadius]

The Poprad would be great. In fact, the 2004 model has better grade frame tubes than the Volpe.

[SteveE]

I use my Poprad as a commuter bike (at least I did when I had a job!) and it is fine. I don't know how well the new ones work as a touring bike. Mine doesn't have braze-ons for racks. It also is a good fitness bike. I purchased the frame and fork and built it up from parts I had lying around in the garage and some other new components. It's heavier than my Ti bike but it is very comfortable and forgiving ("steel is real").

[jfmckenna]

My girlfriend is picking one up in two weeks for $900usd. It pays to shop around b/c she wasquoted 1200 at our lbs. This one is at my Moms lbs in Culpepper VA. After pedals road tires and possibly a new seat plus a triple conversion she will pay around 1200. They guy in this shop thinks that the Rads are the $h1t. And he had some very nice Cdale cross bikes and a Bianchi something or other. Anyway she wants to use it for commuting, touring and CX racing next fall. btw this year the bike is all 105. The cranks are bonrager which are really Truvitiv... Plus it comes w/ cross levers. It's hard to beat.

[jfmckenna]

I use my Poprad as a commuter bike (at least I did when I had a job!) and it is fine. I don't know how well the new ones work as a touring bike. Mine doesn't have braze-ons for racks. It also is a good fitness bike. I purchased the frame and fork and built it up from parts I had lying around in the garage and some other new components. It's heavier than my Ti bike but it is very comfortable and forgiving ("steel is real").
The 04 has braze ons At least on the rear Not on the front if I remember correctly.

[boomforeal]

hey, while we're on the subject of propads, does anyone know what the rear hub spacing on these frames is? 130? 132.5 (blegh!)? 135? inquiring minds and all that!

[55/Rad]

130 on the rear spacing.

Poprads vary a lot in pricing - mostly because they were offered with Sora for a couple years and are now 105. Deals can be found for both new and used. I bought mine off Ebay and it came with a bunch of hardcore CX upgrades. Beautiful bike.

Since then, I've transformed it into full roadie - Ultegra grouppo, Neuvation M28 Aeros, Bonty Race Lite tires, etc. But, since I have the parts, I can switch it back and forth depending on my mood.

The bike is wonderful - everything a 853 steel frame should be - and a great alternative to my carbon racer. I originally bought it as a commuter but, as you can see, found it to be much better than expected.

55/Rad

[boomforeal]

hey dude, if you like the poprad and a 57 would fit you there's a 2003 frame going cheap on you-know-where. its listed under cyclEcross, so it may be floating under the radar.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3669260128&category=22681

[Diesel]

hey dude, if you like the poprad and a 57 would fit you there's a 2003 frame going cheap on you-know-where. its listed under cyclEcross, so it may be floating under the radar.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3669260128&category=22681

I believe it is a 2001 Frameset due to color scheme with the steel fork... still a great deal though. Good find!

[55/Rad]

[QUOTE=Diesel]I believe it is a 2001 Frameset due to color scheme with the steel fork... still a great deal though.

Tough to say. Most white ones come with the green banner. Note the lack of decals and striping. Very different.

55/Rad