Touring - bianchi volpe or cannondale?

I'm preparing to buy a touring bike for my cross-country trip. I'm currently deciding between the Bianchi Volpe and the Cannondale(can't remember which Cannondale- but it's the most expensive!). I feel myself being seduced by the Cannondale, but am also pretty sure the Volpe would serve me well and fit my needs. Does anyone out there have evidence to the contrary? Any reasons I shouldn't save myself the $600 bucks by getting the bianchi volpe?

Can't go wrong with either bike I think, the C'dale T2000 is the more expensive of their touring bikes but the Volpe is more closely spec'd to the cheaper C'dale T800.

Your best bet is to find these bikes in your size and test ride them.

Don't forget to check out the Trek 520 or the Fuji touring bikes.

Sarah,
in case you're wondering why there are no other responses.... Moose nailed it. I understand the Volpe changed this year, making it less desirable as a touring bike. But I'm not sure about that.
The most important thing is getting a good fit. This is one of the the things that seperates the good from the great in a bike shop.
Ask if they can get a proper fit on a particular bike. If they throw the bike on a trainer, have you hop on it, and start moivng stuff around, that's good.

The following is based on other people opinions and having looked at a T2000 in a lbs.....

It is a nicely put together bike but some parts look like overkill - in particular the forks are 1+" diameter alu tubing with no taper. This will make for a very harsh ride compared to a steel or carbon fork which is designed to flex more. In addition to this the alu frame is supposedly very stiff which adds to the harshness (the XL is the size in which the tubing comes into its own). It does come with a suspension seatpost but how much that will help I know not. I'd be dubious about the quality of the shimano dynohub and it is reported to have quite a high mechanical resistance even when the circuit is open. The T2000 is not a cheap bike and consider that you may need to get/replace the following:

Saddle - some people don't like brooks
Dynohub - see above
Front rack - it doesn't come with one!
Pedals - what shoes do you use?

Sorry for the lack of positive suggestions!

I just checked the Cannondale website, I don't believe the Dynohub
is standard, or a suspension seatpost, or a Brooks. The T2000 owners that post here seem to like their bikes a lot. I think your LBS must have built
up a frame to suit ther taste.

See

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/04/ce/model-4TR2.html

This the standard build cannondale T2000 according to cannondale, it has everything I specified.

Ahh,
I see. http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/02/cusa/model-2TR2.html

That is the one I was looking at. We were talking about different models.

The T800 is well appointed and has cro-mo forks.

I'm preparing to buy a touring bike for my cross-country trip. I'm currently deciding between the Bianchi Volpe and the Cannondale(can't remember which Cannondale- but it's the most expensive!). I feel myself being seduced by the Cannondale, but am also pretty sure the Volpe would serve me well and fit my needs. Does anyone out there have evidence to the contrary? Any reasons I shouldn't save myself the $600 bucks by getting the bianchi volpe?

I never considered the Bianchi, so I can't comment. I have an 04 cannondale T2000 and love it! Dynohub??? not on mine . .. Brooks Saddle, yes, and I love it . . Front Rack?? Is there a bike company out there that sells a front rack as standard equipment??? I am not aware of one. Harsh ride? I am so sick of hearing it . . Not my bike. I could change wheels/tires and make it that way I am sure. Seatpost suspension is standard as is the rear rack. But if that kind of money hurts you, certainly consider the Trek 520. Its not geared as touring friendly as the 2000, but its a proven, rock solid performer when it comes to true touring bikes, and its bar end shifters will be much easier to repair should that fail. I read a horror story about a guy crossing canada when his brake hood shifters failed. Although I love mine where they are, I really am considering replacing them with barend shifters.

Methinks with the confusion about what parts are on the T2000 is caused by cannondale (and most others) having slightly different setups for europe, japan and the usa. The usa spec T2000 cames sans dynamo and lights which is far more sensibe.

As for a tourer that comes with a front rack - I found one at last ;-)

http://www.dawes-cycles.co.uk/supergalaxy.asp

But yes, most don't so you need to add the cost of this and other bits onto the bike which is easy to forget to do. If I were in this position I would go for the volpe as it is steel ( I like steel.... ) and looks nicer ( again, personal preference ). Both seem to have similar specification parts and both have full touring braze-ons. Put tubus or blackburn racks on the volpe and all will be fine. Both have thousands of happy owners so try and see which one fits you better.

I'm happy with my Volpe. It's an '03 model casual glances at the '04s in the LBS the color changed but I didn't notice anything else. I had them trade the 32 rar cog for a 34 sso It climbs anything.

Good luck
Joe

Methinks with the confusion about what parts are on the T2000 is caused by cannondale (and most others) having slightly different setups for europe, japan and the usa. The usa spec T2000 cames sans dynamo and lights which is far more sensibe.

As for a tourer that comes with a front rack - I found one at last ;-)

http://www.dawes-cycles.co.uk/supergalaxy.asp

But yes, most don't so you need to add the cost of this and other bits onto the bike which is easy to forget to do. If I were in this position I would go for the volpe as it is steel ( I like steel.... ) and looks nicer ( again, personal preference ). Both seem to have similar specification parts and both have full touring braze-ons. Put tubus or blackburn racks on the volpe and all will be fine. Both have thousands of happy owners so try and see which one fits you better.


Blonde, The Dawes has the brake shifters also . . But is a great looking touring bike! Thanks for the link!
The cannondale comes with a really beefy looking rear rack. So far I LOVE mine! I don't know if its better/worse than Trek's rear rack, but it looks stronger because it is 10mm tubing vs the 8mm of Trek's.
This could be an issue though with people who have other/older bikes, as my older panniers won't work on my new bike! and my new panniers won't fit snug on my older bikes without swapping 10mm hooks with 8mm hooks.

To avoid getting into the same ole steel vs aluminum thread here, I will repeat what has been said a couple of times now . . . Test ride both bikes and find what is right for you. If you can, ride both bikes with a load! This will tell you how each bike performs since it will have a load on it when you do cross the country with it!

Methinks with the confusion about what parts are on the T2000 is caused by cannondale (and most others) having slightly different setups for europe, japan and the usa. The usa spec T2000 cames sans dynamo and lights which is far more sensibe.

As for a tourer that comes with a front rack - I found one at last ;-)

http://www.dawes-cycles.co.uk/supergalaxy.asp

But yes, most don't so you need to add the cost of this and other bits onto the bike which is easy to forget to do. If I were in this position I would go for the volpe as it is steel ( I like steel.... ) and looks nicer ( again, personal preference ). Both seem to have similar specification parts and both have full touring braze-ons. Put tubus or blackburn racks on the volpe and all will be fine. Both have thousands of happy owners so try and see which one fits you better.

I have the 04 Volpe and consider it a light tourer. I think what saves the Cannondale is the Brooks saddle! I would still avoid an Alu tourer like the racers avoid Reynolds 520.

Those Brits really know how to make proper tourer that are complete! I'll take that Supergalaxy over the Bianchi Volpe or Cannondale.

Well, after all of that, I ended up going to the bike shop yesterday and getting a Specialized Sequoia. I test-rode about a million bikes, and the Specialized felt best to me for whatever reasons. I rode it around a little last night and am pretty thrilled with it!

Well, after all of that, I ended up going to the bike shop yesterday and getting a Specialized Sequoia. I test-rode about a million bikes, and the Specialized felt best to me for whatever reasons. I rode it around a little last night and am pretty thrilled with it!

You were looking for a touring bike and the shop sold you a road bike?? It's too bad the real touring bikes are basically speciality cycles made by craftsmen. Buying a racing bike for touring is similar to a person wanting to race the Tour on a Trek 520? The Sequoia is a nice bike but it's not a traditional tourer. It's high geared for racing, short wheel base and hard alu.
These are touring bikes.

http://www.circlecitybicycles.com/tourbike.htm

You were looking for a touring bike and the shop sold you a road bike??

It does not surprise me in the slightest. When I was shopping for my touring bike (ended up with a 520) one of the guys at the local bike shop started showing me a bunch of road bikes geared for racing, claiming they were 'just as good' for touring as anything else. Yeah, I'd *LOVE* to ride my bike across country on a 700x18 tire. :)

Looks like the sequoia is more what we (brits) would call an audax bike. Basically a racer with mudguard and rear rack mounts and a more relaxed riding position. It isn't a touring bike. Sorry to sound critical but this bike MAY be a bad idea because of:

The Forks: Inability to attatch a front rack - you do get carbon touring forks but these aren't they!

The Brakes: Calipers are designed to shave off speed, not to stop a loaded bike. They also limit the width of tyres you can fit. Most tourers have cantilevers.

The Cassette: A low of 30/25 isn't really enough to haul a tired rider on a loaded bike up a 10% hill at the end of the day.

The Cranks: Most people end up with a 28 or 26 inner ring after meeting the aforementioned hill!

The Wheels: If it is built well a 32 hole rear is fine, I suspect this will have been machine built and therefore not fine! A 28 hole radial front is not ideal either.

It looks like a great bike but.........

I'm happy with my Volpe. It's an '03 model casual glances at the '04s in the LBS the color changed but I didn't notice anything else. I had them trade the 32 rar cog for a 34 sso It climbs anything.

Good luck
Joe

'04 model has a Sugino crankset geared lower than the '03 Truvativ. A significant difference for touring.

'04 model has a Sugino crankset geared lower than the '03 Truvativ. A significant difference for touring.

Good observation. I didn't know this fact.

Thanks.

I'm preparing to buy a touring bike for my cross-country trip. I'm currently deciding between the Bianchi Volpe and the Cannondale(can't remember which Cannondale- but it's the most expensive!). I feel myself being seduced by the Cannondale, but am also pretty sure the Volpe would serve me well and fit my needs. Does anyone out there have evidence to the contrary? Any reasons I shouldn't save myself the $600 bucks by getting the bianchi volpe?


If you perform a search for "Bianchi Volpe" you will find a lot more information on this issue (including the gearing issues that I and other owners of this bike have dealt with).

That being said, my touring bike is a 2003 Volpe and I find it to be very comfortable and capable. I've modified it with the following:

Replaced 30-tooth chainring w/ 28 tooth (note the 2004 includes this modification w/ Sugino crankset)
Replaced 11-32 cassette w/ 11-34 cassette
Replaced stock saddle w/ Terry Liberator
Installed suspension seat post (note the 2004 includes a RockShox seat post)
Replaced AllTerrainasaurus tires w/ Conti Top Tourers (for smoother ride)
Installed fenders (note this prevents the use of downtube water bottle cage)
Installed Blackburn front/rear racks

I reject the comment someone else made about this bike being a "light tourer"; I'm 6'1"/220# and have taken my ride on numerous multi-day self-supported trips (including a tour on the Erie Canal towpath) and found it to be solid as a rock as well as forgiving and comfortable.

As for the cromo vs. aluminum debate, there was no question for me; I ride an aluminum mountain bike and enjoy the light frame for climbing, but it's noticably stiffer and I can really feel the difference after a long ride. It's really nice to be riding cromo again...

If I were to do it all over again, however, I would probably more seriously consider the Trek 520 (despite the fact that I was won over by STI shifting that I like very much on the Volpe). Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with my Volpe, but the post-purchase mods I made probably removed a significant portion of the price advantage that existed between the two bikes and there are some long-term inherent advantages with the Trek (e.g., bar-end shifters lend themselves to mountain bike crank installation for super-low gearing, wheelbase is longer, the frame may be stronger, etc.).

B.

Hi Sarah,
the Seqouia is a nice bike. You may need to make some changes, but they can wait until you need them. Have fun!

Hi Sarah,
the Seqouia is a nice bike. You may need to make some changes, but they can wait until you need them. Have fun!

Thanks! I went into a bit of a panic yesterday, but after a good night's rest I think I'm comfortable with my decision. I can put thicker tires on it and change the gearing if I feel a need. Who knows, maybe i'll decide to do it once i've gone over some mountains, but it will be an adventure when it happens. :) plus, i'm confident this bike will stand up well and serve me proud after my trip, which is also a priority for me.

What exactly is the extent of the trip you're taking? I have to say, I've seen some CRAZY touring set-ups out on the road, so if you're comfortable with your bike, you'll probably have a blast regardless of what you're riding.

(Woot! 3 days til I ride across Colorado!)

I reject the comment someone else made about this bike being a "light tourer"; I'm 6'1"/220# and have taken my ride on numerous multi-day self-supported trips (including a tour on the Erie Canal towpath) and found it to be solid as a rock as well as forgiving and comfortable.

B.

I called the Volpe a "light tourer" when you compare the stock version to a more traditional touring bike (Trek 520). The changes you've made are significant thus making your Volpe a traditional tourer.

By the way, how can you tell if the Trek 520 has a longer wheel base? I have not been able to find this information.

Steve.

The Sequoia looks okay to me for "light touring". Like maybe a weekend ride to a neighboring town or city with an overnight stay that might or might not involve camping. That is my definition of light touring. Definately more stuff involved then a century or a group ride. More self contained. A century might involve some tools,tube and pump but not a change of clothes. I am also looking at the Sequoia,Volpe, Trek 100C/1200C/1800C, Specialized Globe, Trek 520 for my needs. Did you get the Sequoia with Sora? How is it working out?

I have a '99 Volpe with '04 Shimano 105 triple components. Put some Planet Bike Freddy Fenders and a NOS rack on the back. It is sweet, though if I had it to do over again, I would have put a Campy gruppo on it. 105 is a good deal, but I prefer the Campy gruppos.