I have both volpe and LHT. I was making peace with the volpe for touring, and low and behold my wife told me to get something I liked and gave me money to boot. 60 th birthbay. I built the LHT with parts I had and a fiew mew ones , The diference is the LHT is a real touring bike very strong and stable, I would compair the LHT to a moter home or Herse. The volpe feels like a sports car after the LHT. I've found that vopes are built in tiwan and over the years there has been variations in the equipment. Mine is a 97 model with 435 mm chain stays amd 127 rear spacing this is good for me and my big feet to clear csts. The volpe has worked well for a couple week tourers w2ith camping gear, and I go about 230 lb. If you cant do an a volpe what you want to do practice more!