I bought the Volpe, partly because of Doug64's recommendation. I never regretted my decision. If you do light touring, keeping your load<20lbs, by not cooking, the CX bikes do offer attractive alternative. You can meet challenge from cyclists who happen to cross your path. I too changed the crank set to 44-32-22, and retain the rear cog set 12-30. I changed tyres to Panaracer T.SERV PT 700x28c
THe Volpe is light and lively. My son's friend has a Masi CX Comp, and bare bike, it was definitely heavier than my Volpe. The Volpe simply ate Masi CX Comp for breakfast, or snack for that matter.
[IMG] http://f.ptcdn.info/915/016/000/1395...-Volpe33-o.jpg [/IMG]