deepsurface

I found the Castro Valley in my size at an LBS for $600. It seems like a great deal, especially after reading what others have posted on here about that model- and the Volpe and San Jose.

I'm going to use it mostly for commuting, but would like to take it in to the hills on single track now and then. I was pretty set on buying a cyclocross bike, and this frame should be fine for off-roading if I swap out some components in the future.

I can spend another couple hundred and would like some advice on the best way to spend it.

Upgrades? Should I get parts of the drive-train swapped out for 105 components everyone seems to like? What other components would be best to swap out before the bike leaves the shop?

or

Another bike? I want steel, and I don't really want to spend more than $800.

The Volpe is about $880 at the same bike shop and it doesn't seem worth the extra $280 for the extra gears and the loss of the light, generator and fenders.

The San Jose is $520, and I really like the single speed simplicity, but I'm not sure I'm ready to loose the gears. The Castro Valley seems like a nice compromise. It trends toward the simplicity of the single speed, but still gives me options.

I looked at the Surly Cross Check, and can get one for $750, but the components seemed a little cheaper than those on the Castro Valley- and there's no light, generator, or fenders.

I can build one up, of course, but the Castro Valley is based on the Volpe frame that everyone seems to love, so I don't think it's a good trade-off.

Opinions?

newbojeff

Sorry to go with the most expensive option. I've ridden both the Castro Valley and the Volpe. The Volpe was much more fun to ride. I almost didn't give it back to the bike shop. I'd have to review the componentry, but the Castro Valley seemed like too much of a compromise, I recall not liking the gearing as much.

genericbikedude

THe Castro Valley looks like a neat bike. If I was only going to have one bike tho, I'd get the surly.

marqueemoon

Cross Check! For $750 you really can't go wrong. If it's the stock build, I'll take bar end shifters over lower-end brifters any day. It can run HUGE tires. If you want to run it fixed/singlespeed later the frame has horizontal dropouts so you can do it easily.

SKS fenders are $35-$38 and a snap to install. Dynamo lighting like that on the Castro Valley is cool, but for commuting, recharging a light a few times a week is not that big a deal.

deepsurface

Just looked at the Cross Check again over lunch and I do like it. The shop selling the Cross Check for $750 is pretty small and, according to another local bike shop, only has a store-front so they can have an internet business. Another LBS has it for around $900, and they seem a bit more reputable.

I'm still leaning toward the Castro Valley for $600. It's a good looking bike and I like the simplicity of having no front derailer. My experience with the gears was fine. newbojeff I'm not sure what you mean about not liking the gearing. I figure if I don't like the sizes, I can swap stuff out.
The Surly does come in black, and black's my color. I thought the 'brifters' were cool. They seemed easier to shift than the bar-end shifters. But then I've never had a bike with drop bars before.

Thanks for the input so far.

DanO220

If I didn't have a bike and was in the market I'd be all over that Castro Valley. My beater/commuter is an REI Buzz (a 26" wheeled, aluminum frame city-kinda-bike with a 42 tooth chainring and a nine speed cassette. It's plenty of gears for anything short of touring or racing.

But I also have a Crosscheck which began life with a 7 speed internally geared hub, then a single speed, then 2 chain rings up front and 1 in the back. Now I'm thinking about a eight or nine speed rear wheel and one ring up front like my Buzz and the Castro Valley. And that's one reason you should seriously consider the Crosscheck. It can be built up all sorts of ways. If you decide you'd like to try something else you don't have to buy a whole new bike. Just modify the drive train. The frame is a really versatile investment.

DanO

CastIron

The Castro is a great out of the box commuter. BUT you mentioned some other uses that make me STRONGLY suggest the Volpe. As to the Surly option: I don't understand the appeal of those things. 4130 Cro-Mo was pretty pedestrian 20 years ago. Today it's glorified gas pipe IMHO. Still though, must be popular for a reason.

marqueemoon

I think DanO220 gave a pretty good summary

I was seriously eyeing the San Jose, but I eventually heeded my wise girlfriend's observation that I will be happier with a bike I can tinker with and the Cross Check offers a lot of tinkering possibilities. Glorified gaspipe? Probably. Overpriced? I'm sure. It's also a tank in the best sense with stable geometry that takes common-sized parts.

Still, there is not a bad option on the OP's list IMO.

deepsurface

The Volpe has taken the lead. I'm still can't make up my mind. So Bianchi uses better steel that Surly? Didn't know that. So you Volpe guys would pay almost $300 more for just three gears in the front?

My problem is that I started out looking at and test-riding single speeds. The SS fans are really into their bikes, and one of them is a good friend of mine. I talked myself out of that option, even though I put it on the survey, but I still like the idea of simplicity. So the Castro Valley still seems like a good option, and from the number of votes it, got some other folks think so too.

I guess I could take out a few chain rings from either the stock Volpe or the Cross Check and ditch the front derailleur. But will I ever really want to get rid of all my gears? Damn. I still can't decide.

I did test ride a Redline Conquest that's blowing out of the local bike shop for $750. Nice set-up but the aluminum was way to harsh for my aging frame.

Thanks again for the comments.

marqueemoon

Not for the three bikes on your list as far as I know. They do use Reynolds for some of their higher-end bikes but not these.

deepsurface

So three people have left comments lauding the Surly, but the poll has not one vote for Surly. What gives? It looks like the silent voters unanimously are telling me to buy one of the geared Bianchi. Hmmm.

Is it true that many cyclocross racers set up their bikes with just one front chain-ring? If so, that makes the Castro Valley more attractive.

Maruee, it looks like you're bidding on that Specialized S-works just outside of Portland on ebay. I just may have to compete with you on that. Too bad I'm out of town this weekend or I would go up and ride it.

So if the Surly doesn't use better steel than Bianchi, how what does the comment about glorified gas pipe mean? CastIron?

This is an interesting place. I didn't expect so much input in less that 24 hours. It must be the place for bikers to hang out on the net.

elbows

The Castro Valley looks great as a ready-to-go commuter. You can't beat generator lights for reliability and convenience, and 9 speeds is plenty for commuting. And the price is great -- don't forget to factor the cost of lights and fenders into the other bikes.

As others have said, the Cross Check is a really versatile bike, so if you're the tinkering type it's a good choice. However, it's more expensive in the short term.

DanO220

[QUOTE=deepsurface]So three people have left comments lauding the Surly, but the poll has not one vote for Surly. What gives? [QUOTE]

Surly fans don't like poles.

[QUOTE=deepsurface]Is it true that many cyclocross racers set up their bikes with just one front chain-ring? If so, that makes the Castro Valley more attractive. [QUOTE]

I personally dig a 1x8 or 1x9 drive train. And believe it or not, the rear derailleur is the easier of the two to adjust when it's needed.

[QUOTE=deepsurface]So if the Surly doesn't use better steel than Bianchi, how what does the comment about glorified gas pipe mean?[QUOTE]

I take the 'glorified gas pipe' description to mean that the Surly's steel is nothing spectacular. And that is true. There are newer steel alloys which are both lighter and stronger. But a production frame built with markedly better steel than the Surly will also cost you $800 to $1500. Suddenly, Surly's Crosscheck (cyclocross) or Pacer (road) or Steamroller (fixed/single speed) frame with fork for about $400 seems like a pretty good deal. Especially when you consider that while the steel used by Surly might be plain Jane, it's by no means the cheapest either. The truly 'glorified gas pipe' steel is used for cheap Walmart and K-Mart bikes. And you can tell by picking one up. They truly weigh a ton.

Frankly, I defy anyone short of a racer or other expert to be able to really tell the difference between a $400 Crosscheck (frame and fork) made out of 4130 Chromoly and say, a $850 Kelly Knobby X (frame and fork) made out of True Temper OX Platinum, simply by riding them down the road. Maybe if you had them to swap back to back, on the same stretch of bad road, with identical wheel sets. But some commuters just wouldn't be able to tell. Even if you got the scale out and went all weight-weenie on 'em, the total bike weight would be within a pound or two. And I've got better things to spend that money on, like accessories.

DanO

gorn

From https://bianchiusa.com/06_castro_valley.html and https://bianchiusa.com/06_volpe.html it looks like they have the same frame (Same geometry and tubing).

Component wise they're pretty similar aside from the things you've noted, and you seem to be leaning towards those things anyway. I'd say go for the castro.

The crosscheck is nice, I'm helping a friend build one up, but it's more expensive and it sounds like you have a better impression of the castro anyway. Both are fine bikes, enjoy whichever you get.

marqueemoon

Ok. I voted. I'm now the only Cross Check vote apparently.

I'm not bidding on an S-Works. My ebay username is different. It's all yours. The only bike in my future is (surprise) a Cross Check.

A far as the tubing issue goes, a step up in quality is noticable, but for commuting features and affordability win. The Soma Double Cross (Tange Prestige) is a fantastic frame for the money, but you probably won't be able to find a new built up one for $750.

Dahon.Steve

I have the Volpe and if you're going to the hills, you'll miss the small chain ring. In fact, you'll be doing lots of shifting with the derailluer since you only have 42T chainring and a 26T cog makes for a high geared bicycle. The Volpe has a 28T chainring and a 32T cog for a fairly low geared bicycle for those hills. You can go for the less expensive Castro V. but you lose the rings. As they say, you get what you pay for in life.

deepsurface

I guess I don't think adding two chain rings and a derailleur while loosing a light, generator hub and fenders is worth $280. I agree you often get what you pay for, but in this case the value isn't in the Volpe.

I rode the Castro Valley again today and decided to buy it. The two votes in this pole for the single speed San Jose can be subtracted from the Volpe total, I think.

Thanks again for the input.

DanO220

Congratulations! Be sure to let us know what you think of it once you've got a some miles in.

DanO

Dahon.Steve

To upgrade your drivetrain to a tripple will cost you very close to $280.00 dollars. The Volpe is a lite touring bike giving you options to use a low rider rear racks and a fender.

Putting on fenders is cheap and will only set you back about 20-40 dollars. The generator hub is a question mark because no one really knows about the quality of that hub. Inexpensive generator hubs tend to have high friction and we don't know about the long term durability of that hub or replacement lights. I guess you're about to find out real fast. To be honest, I like battery operated lights with rechargable batteries.

Personally, the only generator hub I would use is a Schmidt dyno hub but that would set me back almost $300.00 or more including the wheel build. The quality of the Schmidt hub is the best in the industry.

Congraduations on your new bicycle.

deepsurface

Hey Steve,

I'm pretty happy at this point with the singe chain ring on the front and imagine it will work fine unless I decide to tour. It's certainly easier than one of my options- mashing up hills on a single speed.

Regarding the generator hub, I did a Google search after reading your message using 'Shimano generator hub review' and everything I read was positive. Hopefully this plays out in the long run.

Anyway, I'm pretty happy with my purchase, even if my girlfriend doesn't like the color.

Dan, I will post some picks and a review after a week or so of commuting.

Thanks!

deepsurface

It felt good, but was harder than I remember. My ride is mostly flat except for the hill that I live on, but 9 miles still took a while- especially going to work with a head-wind.

I'm really glad I did not get a single speed. Against the wind, I was not in my top gear and appreciated being able to keep my cadence up. Coming home I had a slight tail wind and the top gear was perfect.

The Castro Valley's lowest gear did make me work harder coming up the hill at the end of the evening ride. I was standing up, definitely went anaerobic, then stood over my bike and panted after reaching my front porch. Again, I was glad to have more than just one gear. I would have been unhappy with the San Jose.

On the other hand, I will get stronger on the up-hill to my condo, since I will no longer be able to sit down and spin the granny gear like on my mountain bike.

At this point I highly recommend the Castro Valley. The commuter seat was comfortable, and I wasn't wearing padded bike shorts or pants. I enjoyed the options the drop bars offered (my first bike with drop bars at 34). When we get into the dry summer months I'll probably take the stock fenders off for looks, but I'm happy with the bike so far. Now to get a suitable system for carrying stuff...

DanO220

You know, whenever I see a picture of that bike I wonder why Bianchi didn't fit a rack. After all, isn't that the heart of a true commuter? (Great. Now I'll hear from all the messenger wannabe's about shoulder bags.) Does it at least have the braze-ons for a rear rack?

DanO

gorn

Who needs a rack when you can where a messenger bag?

deepsurface

Yes, there are braze-ons for a rack. One of the two on each side is currently being used as fender support.

A rack is actually my next purchase - along with a tail bag or pannier. Still doing forum searches and checking bike shops before making a decision.

DanO220

My advice is to go with a set of pannies. I got a good deal on a light weight set at REI. Together they hold more and maintain a lower center of gravity than my overstuffed top bag. That means that when you stand up to crank it up a hill or mash away from a stoplight it doesn't feel like you have a refrigerator full of bowling balls strapped to the back. And if your load is light on a particular day, just leave one at home. There's no law says you have to ride with both of them all the time. Then again, if you're panning on stopping by the grocery store on the way home take both. You'll appreciate the extra capacity.

DanO