Buying my first new bike - Volpe vs Cross Check
07-02-13, 03:27 PM
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Buying my first new bike - Volpe vs Cross Check
Hi everyone! I'm new to these forums so I hope this is the right place to ask questions.
I'm a fairly casual but frequent cyclist (I do a daily commute, half-day recreational outings, and am interested in trying some light touring) and I've been riding a faithful old Bianchi Nuova Alloro for many years. I've finally decided it's time to upgrade to a new bike, and that I want to go with a versatile steel-framed bike that can handle commuting, pavement, the occasional fire trail, and maybe some future short tours.
I've tried a couple of bikes at my local shops, and my two favorites within my budget have been the Bianchi Volpe and Surly Cross Check. It's a tough decision (especially since it's a big investment for a poor grad student!) and I thought I'd solicit some outside opinions. Basically, I think it comes down to:
-STI vs bar-end shifters: The Volpe has Shimano Tiagra STI shifters and the Surly has bar-end shifters. I'm used to friction shifters and I like their sturdiness/simplicity, but if I start doing some longer rides/touring, are STI shifters significantly better? They're convenient, but I worry that they seem a little delicate/high-maintenance.
-Gearing: I like that the Volpe has a granny gear, especially since one commute I do has a steepish 750 foot plus elevation climb. The bike shop said it would be really expensive to put a third chain ring on the Cross Check (it currently has 48/36 cranks and a 12-25 cog), but that it has mountain gearing that should let me climb pretty easily. Is this true? It took it up a small hill fine but there wasn't anywhere steep around to really test it.
-Feel/fit: I rode the 58 cm Cross Check and the 57 cm Volpe (I'm a 5'11" woman with a 34" inseam) and they both felt great, but the bike shops weren't very helpful with sizing. Can I just assume if it felt good, it's the right fit? I'd say I sliiightly preferred the feel of the Cross Check overall.
Thanks for reading all this, and I'd love to hear any thoughts (even if it's just "flip a coin and get one already!").
Also, here are links to the two bikes if anyone's interested:
https://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/steel/volpe/
https://surlybikes.com/bikes/cross_check
I'm a fairly casual but frequent cyclist (I do a daily commute, half-day recreational outings, and am interested in trying some light touring) and I've been riding a faithful old Bianchi Nuova Alloro for many years. I've finally decided it's time to upgrade to a new bike, and that I want to go with a versatile steel-framed bike that can handle commuting, pavement, the occasional fire trail, and maybe some future short tours.
I've tried a couple of bikes at my local shops, and my two favorites within my budget have been the Bianchi Volpe and Surly Cross Check. It's a tough decision (especially since it's a big investment for a poor grad student!) and I thought I'd solicit some outside opinions. Basically, I think it comes down to:
-STI vs bar-end shifters: The Volpe has Shimano Tiagra STI shifters and the Surly has bar-end shifters. I'm used to friction shifters and I like their sturdiness/simplicity, but if I start doing some longer rides/touring, are STI shifters significantly better? They're convenient, but I worry that they seem a little delicate/high-maintenance.
-Gearing: I like that the Volpe has a granny gear, especially since one commute I do has a steepish 750 foot plus elevation climb. The bike shop said it would be really expensive to put a third chain ring on the Cross Check (it currently has 48/36 cranks and a 12-25 cog), but that it has mountain gearing that should let me climb pretty easily. Is this true? It took it up a small hill fine but there wasn't anywhere steep around to really test it.
-Feel/fit: I rode the 58 cm Cross Check and the 57 cm Volpe (I'm a 5'11" woman with a 34" inseam) and they both felt great, but the bike shops weren't very helpful with sizing. Can I just assume if it felt good, it's the right fit? I'd say I sliiightly preferred the feel of the Cross Check overall.
Thanks for reading all this, and I'd love to hear any thoughts (even if it's just "flip a coin and get one already!").
Also, here are links to the two bikes if anyone's interested:
https://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/steel/volpe/
https://surlybikes.com/bikes/cross_check
Last edited by anethole; 07-02-13 at 03:38 PM.
07-02-13, 03:33 PM
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Get the Bianchi and have them change the 30T granny ring to a 24T.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
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07-02-13, 03:39 PM
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07-02-13, 03:55 PM
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It comes with a Triple Crank set. 50/39/30. The 30 is a granny gear. Must have for touring with a loaded bike and steep hills.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
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07-02-13, 04:03 PM
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07-02-13, 04:09 PM
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Post in The Nor Cal Forum and ask what they ride.
https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ern-California
https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ern-California
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Fred "The Real Fred"
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07-02-13, 04:26 PM
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-Gearing: I like that the Volpe has a granny gear, especially since one commute I do has a steepish 750 foot plus elevation climb. The bike shop said it would be really expensive to put a third chain ring on the Cross Check (it currently has 48/36 cranks and a 12-25 cog), but that it has mountain gearing that should let me climb pretty easily. Is this true? It took it up a small hill fine but there wasn't anywhere steep around to really test it.
Same ballpark as the bottom 42 with 28 gear on my road bike, ~ 40".
Though I'm 50+ I'd say totally forget loaded touring on that sort of
gearing. (I can manage modest hills with ~ 40 gear inches, unloaded.)
This "road bike" does 28 with 28, that is MTB gearing. (rear is 14 to 28).
https://www.walmart.com/ip/GMC-Denali...edium/16203487
The Bianci does 30 with 30, it should be low enough with ~ 28 gear inches.
FWIW IMO a 24 front and 30 rear, 22 gear inches is an alternative to walking,
and generally for longer riding the relief of walking up a hill is the better option.
Last edited by sreten; 07-02-13 at 05:06 PM.
07-02-13, 04:42 PM
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Volpe for brifters,triple,and stock street tires.
Wish Surly would realize that a significant percentage(maybe majority?) of their CC's are street ridden. Should come with a compact double and street tires.
Wish Surly would realize that a significant percentage(maybe majority?) of their CC's are street ridden. Should come with a compact double and street tires.
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07-02-13, 07:24 PM
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-Feel/fit: I rode the 58 cm Cross Check and the 57 cm Volpe (I'm a 5'11" woman with a 34" inseam) and they both felt great, but the bike shops weren't very helpful with sizing. Can I just assume if it felt good, it's the right fit? I'd say I sliiightly preferred the feel of the Cross Check overall.
[QUOTE]
Demo ride experience with the Volpe, rode a cross check a lot. IMHO - the sizing seems a little on the large side, suggest a 56,
[QUOTE]
Demo ride experience with the Volpe, rode a cross check a lot. IMHO - the sizing seems a little on the large side, suggest a 56,
07-02-13, 11:41 PM
#10
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Ford, or Chevy. you will find fans for both, when you ask..
48 ~ 36 on the Cross Check is what a bike used for Cyclocross uses, for many courses.
48:11 is plenty high.. 36 could be changed to 34 to get the same 1:1 low as the 30:30
48 ~ 36 on the Cross Check is what a bike used for Cyclocross uses, for many courses.
48:11 is plenty high.. 36 could be changed to 34 to get the same 1:1 low as the 30:30
Last edited by fietsbob; 07-03-13 at 10:53 AM.
07-03-13, 10:10 AM
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I actually didn't like the stock tires on the Volpe, but the bike shop offered to switch them out for me. The brifters and triple may sway me in the end!
07-03-13, 10:40 AM
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thing is a 50/39/30 though the shifting up from the 30 to the middle will be easier
because the difference is only 9t, for all the complexity most of the ratios
are redundant with combinations using the middle ring..
with a 15t drop the number of lower ratios below the middle ring & largest cog
on the back , is greater.. , making the 3rd cog more useful..
Though once you are in that ring, the upshift may have to wait till the summit of the hill.
or at least a place where you can spin lightly, so the chain can upshift.
I used a 50 - 40 - 24 on bike tours for a long time , camping gear aboard.
because the difference is only 9t, for all the complexity most of the ratios
are redundant with combinations using the middle ring..
with a 15t drop the number of lower ratios below the middle ring & largest cog
on the back , is greater.. , making the 3rd cog more useful..
Though once you are in that ring, the upshift may have to wait till the summit of the hill.
or at least a place where you can spin lightly, so the chain can upshift.
I used a 50 - 40 - 24 on bike tours for a long time , camping gear aboard.
Last edited by fietsbob; 07-03-13 at 10:47 AM.
07-03-13, 12:26 PM
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bill nyecycles
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thing is a 50/39/30 though the shifting up from the 30 to the middle will be easier
because the difference is only 9t, for all the complexity most of the ratios
are redundant with combinations using the middle ring..
with a 15t drop the number of lower ratios below the middle ring & largest cog
on the back , is greater.. , making the 3rd cog more useful..
Though once you are in that ring, the upshift may have to wait till the summit of the hill.
or at least a place where you can spin lightly, so the chain can upshift.
I used a 50 - 40 - 24 on bike tours for a long time , camping gear aboard.
because the difference is only 9t, for all the complexity most of the ratios
are redundant with combinations using the middle ring..
with a 15t drop the number of lower ratios below the middle ring & largest cog
on the back , is greater.. , making the 3rd cog more useful..
Though once you are in that ring, the upshift may have to wait till the summit of the hill.
or at least a place where you can spin lightly, so the chain can upshift.
I used a 50 - 40 - 24 on bike tours for a long time , camping gear aboard.
07-03-13, 07:38 PM
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