Bianchi Volpe question
 

I just got a Bianchi Volpe, but I'm a little confused about it. I did a bit of research about it online, and my conclusion is that mine is really weird....

First, it's all white. I found a site that listed all Volpe's colors through the years, and none were white.
Second, it's got a Suntour Component group. Everything I read online only mentioned of a Shimano group.

Anyone have any information on these bikes?

Thanks!

Someone built the frame up with the Suntour components. Sounds like they repainted it as well!

I have a white with blue accents Bianchi Volpe with Suntour components. I purchased it for $10 at a garage sale a few weeks ago.

Best I can gather, it is a 1995 or earlier model, as it had a 1995 bike license on it. It is NOT made in Italy, having what I believe to be Tange tubing (It is downstairs right now and my memory may be flawed). I can check other features if you'd like.

Steve

Or not!

I looked at bikepedia.com, which has archived bicycle data, I think dating back to 1993 (the site is down right now). I'm pretty sure there were no entries for the Volpe model from about 1993-1996, or thereabouts. So, perhaps it was discontinued as a model for several years and then reintroduced.

Here's one that was recently on Ebay. The seller states that Suntour was spec'd when new.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bianchi-Volpe-Ro...QQcmdZViewItem

According to the '92 catalog, the Volpe was fitted with SunTour components (but was not available in white). My guess is it's original paint and components...Except that site you found indicates that the paint is not original. Can you provide a link to that site?

Super-nice score!

It was probably made in Japan.

I just picked up a all pearle white volope with a blue/grey decal set, w/ sun-tour components....and bar end shifters. It also has 700c wheel set(thought it would have 27s).It was in very good condition. I got it for$20. On the front of the frame, just below the bianchi front decal, was a small made in Taiwan decal. So this bianchi was either made in Taiwan, or just the frame was. I think it's a 93.
It's a nice bike.

The 1990 & 1991 models definitely used SunTour as OEM. If it's Taiwanese or Japanese I may be able to decypoher the serial number. You may also want to check the component date codes against the infoon the Vintage-Trek website.

I remember seeing my first Volpe in a shop that went out of business in 1989, my sketchy memory says it might have been as early as 1986 that Bianchi first intro'd this model...and it definitely had 700c wheels and knobby "cyclocross" tires. They kind of positioned it as a do-all hybrid combined with an entry CX combined with a dirt-road touring rig...I studied the bike carefully on several visits but never bought one.

Yes, the first Volpe were definitely pre-1990. I was thinking circa 1987. My first thought on seeing one was an affordable, off the shelf CX bicycle but, as stated by unworthy1, Bianchi was targeting a broader application.

I also have a pearl white Volpe, probably late 80s/early 90s, with Suntour components. As far as I can tell it is dead stock.