shimoyjk

Hello again!

I was going to buy Surly Disc Trucker, and I was on my way and seller txt me that it had just sold...

and I remembered that there was a local bike shop that has bianchi volpe 2013 or 2014 model (2013 and 2014 model look like almost same, same frame color and components..)

sells $1000.

I know most important thing is fit, and fortunately I could try bianchi volpe 51cm(I'm 170cm, 5 feet and 6" ) and felt good.

My main riding would be commuting to school ( 12~15mile round trip) but planning Europe touring for next summer. (IT's going to be germany, netherland and some other

countries that have bike path for 2~3 weeks, will bring my own tent and sleeping bag and others). Also riding a lot in weekend in the city(mostly brooklyn,

manhattan) and also could riding in upstate NY. Friend of mine told me that there is a giant national park in upstate New York, so want to check it out before it gets too cold. (Maybe it's already pretty cold up there?)

So I narrowed my choice to Bianchi Volpe from 2013 (or 2014, both looks identical to me, from color to components) for $1000 from LBS.

For my purpose, I really wanted to buy Surly LHT or Disc Trucker but I think Bianchi will be suited better.

But I maybe wrong, so please share you're thoughts!

Thanks

DonValley

I am certainly not an expert, but tried two main touring bikes unladen and didn't really like them on brief test drives. (Surly Trucker and a Kona Sutra). Both felt harsh to me. I think if you are going to ride them loaded they would be in their element.

saddlesores

you should select your bike with the main purpose in mind.
in your case commuting in the big city.

the occasional short road tour should not define your bike.
especially not in europe where you don't need a specific
high-tech expedition tourer. there you'll be solely on
bike paths (or paved highway shoulder), and don't need
to carry much....staying in youth hostels is easy on the
budget.

why not look at hybrids?

shimoyjk

yeah, most will be in the city, but I also enjoy few day trips with my tent and sleeping bag, I've been doing few day trip for 2 years with my hybrid, and I saved up some money to buy new bike. I don't want to buy road bike, since my dad has a nice road bike back in korea, and I'm going back to korea for good in 2 years.

Therefore I want to buy a nice all round/touring bike that I can bring back to home, since some of brands is hard to buy. (such as Bianchi, Jamis, actually most of them. Surly is pretty easy to buy in Korea and almost same price as here, surprisingly)

Doug64

I have three touring bikes: a Surly LHT, Cannondale T2, and a Bianchi Volpe (don't ask). The Volpe is my favorite bike. I have crossed the U.S., toured a large portion of the Pacific Coast, several shorter tours and just finished 2 months in Europe; all done fully loaded on the Volpe. I have ridden it over every surface you can imagine. It is my everyday utility bike, and the one I use for most of my recreational riding.

You might want to tweak the gearing a little if you get it. The gears are low, but could go a little lower.

Am I biased? Heck, yes!

2007 Volpe- the frame was damaged and replaced with a 2013 frame.


2013 Volpe this summer.


The Volpe will do almost anything!


On a tour 4 years ago in Europe we rode over 400 miles on dirt or gravel roads and trails, and over 500 miles on cobbles, paver blocks and poorly surfaced roads. It was almost the same on the trip this summer. It all depends where you go.

Europe 2011.

shimoyjk

that's awesome, I'm not going to do that kind of heavy tour(next year tour will be 2~3 weeks so I guess it's kind a similar but less for sure) but once I go back, since Korea is such a small country and recently government built nice bike paths here and there, short touring in South Korea will be fun which I'm already excited.

and How about Bianchi volpe as commuter? Do you feel it's faster than Surly LHT?

It's going to be my main purpose for 2 year here, just curious.

DropBarFan

Disc Trucker gets my vote if you will do camping touring. More clearance for wide tires (& fenders), disc brakes, better gearing, more rack/fender eyelets etc. Will do commuting just fine so basically it's just a little more versatile. To me, LHT/DT's are pretty comfortable unloaded.

Doug64

IMO the Volpe would make a great commuter. As I said, I use it for just about everything. I also have a couple of light weight road bikes that seldom get ridden. I put 28 mm tires on it yesterday and used it for a club ride later in the day. It handles very well bare or carrying light loads. It is lighter than the LHT, and handles much better.

This is typical of what commuters around here carry, one small pannier,and maybe a bar bag (that is where I carry my camera).

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon.


P.S. My LHT has not been ridden in a year Actually, I believe the Volpe is more versatile, but that is just personal preference and one person's opinion. It has eyelets for both front and rear racks. If you are riding a 51 cm frame, you probably won't be riding super wide tires. There is room for 35 mm tires and fenders. I ride a 57 cm frame and do not use tires wider than 32 mm.

Having said all this, the Disc Trucker is also a pretty nice bike.

shimoyjk

great, thank you very much. looks like decent bike!

I've decided to go with bianchi volpe!

Thanks a lot!

shimoyjk

it may have better components or disc brake and stuff like that, but I guess I'll save up some money (about $350~600 price different) and it will be used buying saddle and rack, and panniers eventually.

Also I really wanted to buy Surly LHT and Disc Trucker, but since It's easy to get in Korea which I'll be back in 2 years and one local bike shop in my hometown carry small size(46~50) which is hard to find in the area where I live. I have to order or put some deposit and try it first, but for now I want something lighter and faster for my purpose.

I might buy Disc Trucker in the future, who knows

Thanks for your advice though!

Doug64

I sincerely hope you are not disappointed, regardless of the bike you ultimately decide on.

A few things to look at before pulling the trigger:gearing, seat height/ bar height relationship, heel/ pannier clearance, wheel size preference, and shifter preference.

The gearing on the Volpe is higher. I think the Volpe has a 50/39/30 crankset, higher than the LHT's 48/36/26; and I believe the rear cassette is an 11-32 on the Volpe vs. 11-36 (ten speed) on the trucker. It is an easy switch to 11-34 on the Volpe, but it will still be higher geared. This is important if you are planning on riding in hilly places. Changing cranksets, cassettes and rear derailleur can get expensive. I put a 44/32/22 crankset on my Volpe; I ride a lot of hills and mountains fully loaded. I'm also an old fart and need all the help I can get

The beauty of the LHT is that it usually comes with an uncut steerer tube. This allows more flexibility when adjusting bar height. The Volpe's steerer tube comes already cut and sized. What you see is what you get. If the bars are too low for you it might affect fit. This is an important one!

Another fit issue with LHT's is the long top tube. Surly's top tubes are longer than most other bikes of the same frame size. That is the primary reason I don't ride the Trucker very much. It just does not fit me as well as the Volpe.

Also, if you have large feet for your size, there is a chance of heel strike on the rear panniers due to the shorter chainstays. The 51 cm frame has 408 mm chainstays. My 57 cm fame has 415 mm chainstays; and with size 10 feet, I don't have a problem. It is not likely that less than a cm will make a difference, but they are pretty short. The Disc Trucker has 460 mm chainstays, hence good heel clearance and smooth ride. The trade-off is slower handling.

The 50 cm Trucker has 26" wheels, and the Volpe has 700c. Some people prefer one size over the other.

The Volpe has STI shifters, and the Disc Trucker has bar end shifters. I prefer the STI, but a lot folks like the bar end shifters.

Good luck on your decision.

shimoyjk

Ok, so I got the bike today, and really happy!

I didn't think about to add stand kick and buy a new rock, so I spend extra $100 for it, and I'm glad that I didn't buy Surly Disc Trucker (brand new) since I only saved enough to buy Volpe..

anyway, so I took this to city from home. From Brooklyn manhattan, and just came back home(queens). about 15miles, total.

First few miles I feel different since I've been riding with Jamis Coda sport which is great hybrid and has a flat bar, so I had to adapt this new thing called drop bar and STI Shifter.

But after a little while, I got used to it, and since drop bar offer few positions I realized that It's much fun riding compare to my old jamis bike.

And I also noticed that riding Jamis Coda Sport was actually more stable but much slow. I'm glad that Jamis has new owner which is my buddy who's like brother to me, and I'm just giving it to him for expensive sushi dinner

After all, I think I made a good choice, Thanks a lot Doug, this was what I was looking for. While riding in the city, I don't think I need a lower gear set for a while, and probably save up some money and put new lower gear next summer before the touring.

Cons : Brake reacts little bit clumsy, but I think once I put new brake pads it will be fine.

Also standover height, it almost touches my thing, it doesn't have 2 inches space between, since I have short leg and pretty short guy I tried 46cm and standover height was good with 46cm but bike was too small for my arm and leg, (they don't have 49cm stock and have to order 2015 model which costs $300 more and I don't think standover height is super important when it comes to bike like this. maybe I'm wrong). But after 15miles of riding here and there, I think 51cm size fits really well other than standover height. wish I was taller for few more inches, but what can I do

Anyway, I'm happy, and will ride almost everyday to go to school. I'm also thinking to ride to the academy that I teach, which is an hour away from here, will try this saturday.

chrisx

2 bikes
Big$ touring bike for Germany and Giant National Park
$40 bike and $80 lock for NYC, and shopping and school

shimoyjk

Thanks for your comment.. I thought about it too but I can't manage two bike since my room is tiny. And I know what you mean, but since I mostly leave my bike in front of the school, and when I come back home I bring it to my room.

I also ordered chain lock, so I'm using 2 locks to lock my front wheel and frame, and also rear wheel and frame. I see many bikes have only frame and hang on the street, so I'm trying to care my bike extremely well.

Thanks for your thought chris!

DropBarFan

Have fun! BTW I once read a blog about cycling in Japan that mentioned a college in Tokyo: students were not allowed to ride bikes to school because there wasn't enough space on the grounds--only teachers were allowed to bike-commute!

bradtx

shimoyjk, The Volpe is one of those bikes that seem to endear itself to their owners, my daughter loves hers. I think Bianchi really did themselves a favor by keeping this model in their line-up.

Brad