Originally Posted by
wheelinthai
If you do light touring, keeping your load<20lbs, by not cooking, the CX bikes do offer attractive alternative.
I'm really glad you like your bike!
I've actually carried up to 35-40 lbs without a problem, and I think your newer model will do an even better job with that weight.
One of the complaints sometimes heard about the Volpe was fork modulation when braking. I've never had that problem, but some folks have. The new forks have about an 1/8" more diameter at the area around the brake bosses, and more diameter distributed proportionally over the rest of the fork. It also has two eyelets on the front fork dropouts instead of just one and mid-fork bosses on the fork blades. I just got the new fork back from the powder coating guys; it was the same blue as your bike, and just was not going to cut it with the green on my bike. It will be interesting to see how much heavier the newer forks are, but I'll bet they don't get any modulation complaints.
What crank did you use, and did you have to change the bottom bracket? The cranks I really like are no longer available, and I'm looking for a replacement crank to lower the gearing on my daughter's bike. The OP might also be interested.
rybakery
and have medium size feet, 9 1/2.
I have size 10, and those are Ortlieb backroller panniers. I have not had a problem with my heels hitting the panniers; and as you can see in the picture, the panniers are centered over the rear axle.