Bianchi Volpe question
10-26-18 | 09:12 AM
#1
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Bianchi Volpe question
I have always wanted one of these and stupidly passed up a frameset in my size last year. It was quite heavy for a frameset which made perfect sense as it is a touring bicycle.
Anyway.....what in the world are the threaded brazeons in the sizes of the downtube about mid way down? I have seen fork braze on mounts and bottle cage mounts ......and rear rack mounts but what are the ones in the middle of the sides of the downtube? Pump mount location perhaps?
for reference:
The frameset i had a chance to buy and passed on was not this nice or i would have really been kicking myself.
What the heck is that middle hole for?
I also wonder why they went to a unicrown fork vs lugged? Maybe strength? Either way that is one nice bike.
Anyway.....what in the world are the threaded brazeons in the sizes of the downtube about mid way down? I have seen fork braze on mounts and bottle cage mounts ......and rear rack mounts but what are the ones in the middle of the sides of the downtube? Pump mount location perhaps?
for reference:
The frameset i had a chance to buy and passed on was not this nice or i would have really been kicking myself.
What the heck is that middle hole for?
I also wonder why they went to a unicrown fork vs lugged? Maybe strength? Either way that is one nice bike.
10-26-18 | 12:10 PM
#3
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They're for a carrying strap. When the Volpe was introduced, it was marketed as an "adventure bicycle" and it was envisioned that the bicycle would be carried in some off-road situations, akin to a cyclo-cross bicycle. The other braze-on for the strap is above the seat tube bottle bosses. I've got pictures of one with the strap. I'll try to find it.
Edit: Found it...
Edit: Found it...
Last edited by T-Mar; 10-26-18 at 12:41 PM.
10-26-18 | 12:56 PM
#4
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They're for a carrying strap. When the Volpe was introduced, it was marketed as an "adventure bicycle" and it was envisioned that the bicycle would be carried in some off-road situations, akin to a cyclo-cross bicycle. The other braze-on for the strap is above the seat tube bottle bosses. I've got pictures of one with the strap. I'll try to find it.
Edit: Found it...
Edit: Found it...
Wow....cool. I never would have guessed that. I like it.
10-26-18 | 02:26 PM
#6
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From: Greenwood SC USA
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
The model the OP posted is a wonderful bike, and I kinda regret selling mine more than 20 years ago ... I still see it around town occasionally.
10-26-18 | 02:27 PM
#7
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From: Seattle WA
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
[MENTION=20650]T-Mar[/MENTION] for the win!
10-26-18 | 06:57 PM
#9
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Richmond, Virginia
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT, Jeunet mixte
10-27-18 | 07:14 AM
#10
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From: Concord, NC
Bikes: 1984 Bianchi Tipo Corsa, 1985 Cannondale SM600 (24/26)
I was going to guess: "Mud-infiltration port". 
I was actually considering buying one years ago and never noticed that feature.
I was actually considering buying one years ago and never noticed that feature.
Last edited by Bianchi84; 10-27-18 at 07:22 AM.
10-27-18 | 08:20 AM
#11
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It's possible that the Volpe you were considering did not have this feature, depending on the exact year. It was only used on the early Volpe, circa 1986-1989.
10-27-18 | 08:31 AM
#12
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From: Fredericksburg, Va
Bikes: ? Proteous, '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, 'Litespeed Catalyst'94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster
Interesting! A couple of years ago (2016), [MENTION=29368]rootboy[/MENTION] made these:
P1030672, on Flickr
P1030672, on Flickr
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