If I recall correctly, the Volpe was sold as a cyclocross bike. I have never ridden one, thus I do not know much about them but I think that generically cyclocross bikes have a higher than average bottom bracket where most touring bikes have a lower than average bottom bracket. If that is the case for the Volpe, that could be an issue when getting on or off the bike for people with shorter legs.

On the topic of chainstays, I made this comment back in May in this thread: I have three touring bikes, one is a Lynskey Backroad. They no longer make the Backroad model, but my old Backroad looks a lot like their newer gravel bikes. But my Backroad has chainstays of 445mm and their current gravel bikes have chainstays of 430mm which is the same as my road bike. And for touring, a chainstay of 445 is still on the short side, my other two touring bikes have chainstays of 450 and 466mm.

In 2004 (wow, 21 years ago) I was looking for a touring bike, briefly considered the Volpe based on reviews I saw on the internet at that time. I had read that the Volpe was often used for touring. If I recall correctly, the Volpe lacked the mid-fork low rider rack mounting points which I think is the reason I did not look at it further. The only complete touring bikes I saw in stores at that time were the Trek 520 and a Fuji. There were the bespoke builders out there that built the more expensive touring bikes but the choices for off the shelf affordable touring bikes were quite limited.

Timi, I agree with you. I just noticed in the pictures of my Volpe that the panniers are centered behind the rear axel. It has never been a problem. This is a picture of my Volpe with only panniers ( Ortlieb Back Rollers) on the back. No Handling issues:)

Celebrating finding my wife's water bottle after riding a short distance back to where we ate lunch. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...954fb6e7_z.jpg

My body build is similar to yours, long legs and arms with a short torso. I am 5' 11" and have a 57 cm Volpe. I like the fit. When I was younger, I could ride and forget that I was on the bike; it just seemed like it was a part of me. I'm 82 now and it is a little harder connecting to my bike.

The newer Volpe now has rack mounting lugs on their fork blades, but on my 2005 Volpe I got along well with a Tubus product.
https://live.staticflickr.com/1909/3...0434f154_m.jpg

2005 Volpe
https://live.staticflickr.com/4585/3...4e867bcb_z.jpg

If you look at the design of most rear racks, independent of the bike and chain stay length , it is very difficult to center the pannier and weight over the axle. If you can do it, then congratulations, but most can get by with just keeping the weight as far forward as you can.

I might as well add some photos too since others are.

First touring bike is gone. This is my second touring bike, below, Thorn Sherpa. Bought the frame and fork used in 2010. I consider this my medium duty touring bike.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4c5ef8c1db.jpg

Third touring bike. Bought the frame and fork new in 2013. Thorn Nomad Mk II with S&S couplers, Rohloff hub. I consider this my heavy touring bike.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b2aa214166.jpg

Fourth touring bike, Lynskey Backroad. I built this up in 2017 from the frame. I consider this my light touring bike.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d2c32243eb.jpg

I obviously never learned that you are supposed to take the photo of the drive side, not the left side. I apologize.