Crosscheck vs. Bianchi Volpe
02-15-10, 05:44 PM
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Sheik Yerbouti
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Crosscheck vs. Bianchi Volpe
I've done my searches, and really checked out both. However, after thinking Crosscheck, now it's 2010 Crosscheck for $1050, or 2009 Volpe for $855. So...thoughts, comments?
02-15-10, 05:57 PM
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If you want road gearing, choose the Surly. MTB gearing, choose the Bianchi. Two different animals.
02-15-10, 06:34 PM
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Prefer integrated levers? Volpe.
Prefer barcons? Crosscheck.
One more thing is that the Volpe feels very, well, Italian. Italian bikes seem to have a very distinctive feel, and the Volpe has it. A friend has one and that's what I noticed with it. She says it feels alive, like a horse.
Otherwise, ride each one and buy what works best for you.
Prefer barcons? Crosscheck.
One more thing is that the Volpe feels very, well, Italian. Italian bikes seem to have a very distinctive feel, and the Volpe has it. A friend has one and that's what I noticed with it. She says it feels alive, like a horse.
Otherwise, ride each one and buy what works best for you.
02-15-10, 06:54 PM
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Sheik Yerbouti
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I"ll use it almost solely as a commuter, so road gearing=Surly... and commuter type riding is obviously more on the integrated levers side of things= Volpe. This is going to be tougher than I thought.
02-15-10, 07:13 PM
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While the Volpe's derailleurs are MTB stuff, the gearing isn't very far off from road. Compared to road triples, the middle ring is only one tooth less and the big and little rings are each two teeth less. Not a major deal. If the 11-32 wide-range MTB cassette isn't your thing (I don't like them), nine-speed road cassettes come in close-ratio versions (like a 12-23), are pretty cheap, and work just fine.
02-15-10, 07:27 PM
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While the Volpe's derailleurs are MTB stuff, the gearing isn't very far off from road. Compared to road triples, the middle ring is only one tooth less and the big and little rings are each two teeth less. Not a major deal. If the 11-32 wide-range MTB cassette isn't your thing (I don't like them), nine-speed road cassettes come in close-ratio versions (like a 12-23), are pretty cheap, and work just fine.
02-15-10, 08:26 PM
#7
In the right lane
Prefer integrated levers? Volpe.
Prefer barcons? Crosscheck.
One more thing is that the Volpe feels very, well, Italian. Italian bikes seem to have a very distinctive feel, and the Volpe has it. A friend has one and that's what I noticed with it. She says it feels alive, like a horse.
Otherwise, ride each one and buy what works best for you.
Prefer barcons? Crosscheck.
One more thing is that the Volpe feels very, well, Italian. Italian bikes seem to have a very distinctive feel, and the Volpe has it. A friend has one and that's what I noticed with it. She says it feels alive, like a horse.
Otherwise, ride each one and buy what works best for you.
Prefer a granny gear --> Volpe.
02-15-10, 11:25 PM
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The Crosscheck is a Surly, the Volpe isn't. That's all you need to know. 
Cyclaholic - an LHT driver and Surly fan.
Cyclaholic - an LHT driver and Surly fan.
02-15-10, 11:44 PM
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I just built a volpe into a fixed gear and I llike it. It is taking over most commuting duties as my ss road bike can't take wide enough tires for the winter. The volpe has horiz dropouts like the crosscheck so you can easily go fixed or ss on either, but the volpes dropouts ave less adjustment than the crosscheck. It also has less tire clearance, but 38s are no problem in the frame and I have a 45m fire cross in the front temporarily.
Things I like about the volpe are the flattened top tube (not common on steel frames I think) which wil be nice if I decide to race cross with it, and it seems like a prety light frame for a no-name chromoly deal. The ride also seems comfy. Things I dislike compared to the crosscheck are the graphics, shorter dropouts and less tire clearance.
I can't comment on the stock parts since I bought mine used from a friend as a frame.
Here are some crummy cell phone pics from a ride on Friday
02-16-10, 12:06 AM
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Don't both of those have "short" chainstays... 425's?? That's a deal breaker for me.. I need the option of panniers.
02-16-10, 08:43 AM
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I'd also consider the Masi Speciale Randonneur and the Speciale CX as well - you get good looks, and they're similar bikes (the Rando being more relaxed). IMO, I really like the Bianchi and the Masi SCX, but the problem with both (IMO) is brifters. That's a deal-breaker for me. If I could get them ordered with bar-end shifters or downtube shifters, I'd go with that. As it sits though, I'd contemplate the Randonneur or the Cross Check, with the Rando beating it out simply for looks alone (and the fact that you get free fenders).
02-16-10, 09:25 AM
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I agree about the Masi... I had one in my stable back in the racing days... plus they have long chainstays!!
02-16-10, 09:31 AM
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For an off-the-shelf bike, Volpe, hands down.
If you want to build to spec, Crosscheck.
If you want to build to spec, Crosscheck.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
02-16-10, 10:37 AM
#16
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The crosscheck has a lot more tire clearance.
02-16-10, 10:49 AM
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02-16-10, 01:19 PM
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Sheik Yerbouti
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[QUOTE=mickey85;10409986]I'd also consider the Masi Speciale Randonneur and the Speciale CX ).[/QU
OTE]
JUST when I had it narrowed down to two choices, you had to throw this in.
OTE]
JUST when I had it narrowed down to two choices, you had to throw this in.
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