I've decided on the Bianchi Volpe as my commuter bike. The LBS is ordering it now. It might be a while before I get it if they have to wait for the 2007 stock to show up. I just had some questions about initial setup and what other items I should look into getting at the same time. Also... anyone know what is changing, if anything, between the 2006 and 2007 volpe.

My budget will $1400 for everything. Right now I know I'll get the following:
Bianchi Volpe (my shop quoted a price of $950'ish... isn't the retail on this only $899)
Second set of tires (probably armadillo's or similar)
Ultimate Pro-Elite stand (just about $200 off ebay)... maybe just the pro if I go over in other areas

So I'm setting at about 1250 with tax and such. That leaves about $150 for misc items.

I have SPD shoes with Shimano M520 pedals on my Mt bike so I'll stick with something similar on the Volpe. I've read that the Wellgo pedals on the Volpe are junk but I'll wait to swap them out till they go bad.

I wear a camelback when I ride so I already have the pump, patch kit, multitool and such so I don't need a seat bag... maybe just a spare tube.

With the remaining $150 is there any stock parts on this bike that I should consider upgrading that I could manage with that amount of money. Maybe the rear derailer or I can just keep that till it gets bad? I will also have to snag a couple tools for regular maintenance. I have a chain whip, casset tool, and hex wrenches. What else should I get? What will I need to pull the bottom bracket and work on the headset of this bike. I can get these around Christmas time if money runs thin again. The $1400 is truely a hard limit.

I'm going to use my Existing Mountain bike with fenders as the bad weather commuter. So I don't need the fenders on the volpe just yet. I'll also be using studded tires on the Mt. Bike on the slick days. I have cold weather running clothes but I may need to look into a REALLY cold weather set of pants,gloves,shell. That could easily eat up $150 right there. But Christmas is around the corner so I can always ask Santa for some items.

Anyways... given the above. What would you spend that last $150 on?

BTW... I also have a 35watt halogen light system that can move easily from bike to bike. I suppose I should get a second rear blinker (I Have one on my backpack too, so one should be enough) to put on the Volpe so I don't have to swap that among the two bikes.