Originally Posted by SarahTW
I'm preparing to buy a touring bike for my cross-country trip. I'm currently deciding between the Bianchi Volpe and the Cannondale(can't remember which Cannondale- but it's the most expensive!). I feel myself being seduced by the Cannondale, but am also pretty sure the Volpe would serve me well and fit my needs. Does anyone out there have evidence to the contrary? Any reasons I shouldn't save myself the $600 bucks by getting the bianchi volpe?
If you perform a search for "Bianchi Volpe" you will find a lot more information on this issue (including the gearing issues that I and other owners of this bike have dealt with).
That being said, my touring bike is a 2003 Volpe and I find it to be very comfortable and capable. I've modified it with the following:
Replaced 30-tooth chainring w/ 28 tooth (note the 2004 includes this modification w/ Sugino crankset)
Replaced 11-32 cassette w/ 11-34 cassette
Replaced stock saddle w/ Terry Liberator
Installed suspension seat post (note the 2004 includes a RockShox seat post)
Replaced AllTerrainasaurus tires w/ Conti Top Tourers (for smoother ride)
Installed fenders (note this prevents the use of downtube water bottle cage)
Installed Blackburn front/rear racks
I reject the comment someone else made about this bike being a "light tourer"; I'm 6'1"/220# and have taken my ride on numerous multi-day self-supported trips (including a tour on the Erie Canal towpath) and found it to be solid as a rock as well as forgiving and comfortable.
As for the cromo vs. aluminum debate, there was no question for me; I ride an aluminum mountain bike and enjoy the light frame for climbing, but it's noticably stiffer and I can really feel the difference after a long ride. It's really nice to be riding cromo again...
If I were to do it all over again, however, I would probably more seriously consider the Trek 520 (despite the fact that I was won over by STI shifting that I like very much on the Volpe). Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with my Volpe, but the post-purchase mods I made probably removed a significant portion of the price advantage that existed between the two bikes and there are some long-term inherent advantages with the Trek (e.g., bar-end shifters lend themselves to mountain bike crank installation for super-low gearing, wheelbase is longer, the frame may be stronger, etc.).
B.