Bianchi Bike Help!!

[lizbids]

I'm looking for a touring bike. I'm new to all of this, but the more I plan, the more I realize I want to go across country (don't worry, I want to begin training ASAP). I stand 5'4'' and don't have stubby arms or legs, but I'm not sure if a small men's bike would be okay. I mean, riding 6 days a week hard...I'm going to want to keep my body in good condition and not have it damaged by an improper fit.

I wish I had the pic to post, but here's a link to look at, plus the specs. Does this seem like a good touring bike? Ladies, help out a newbie!

http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_volpe.html

I also looked the next step up, an Axis (you can find it on the site), but there doesn't seem to be options for front-panniers...not built for touring? :confused:

[mimitabby]

I tried the Volpe myself and LOVED it. it's got a nice geometry i thought, nicer than the Veloce. It can take bigger tires too. It's a great bike for the price!
I am just under 5'4" myself. What i didn't like was the color, not into that glum green.

[lizbids]

Thanks for responding. Do you think it's tough enough to handle 40 lbs of gear for a loaded tour? I'm about 130lbs myself, but I'll probably drop a good 5 lbs as I train harder for this major trip.

Did you own this bike or simply ride it a few times? :)

[mimitabby]

i'm no expert, but i think so, yes, it's a cyclocross bike and you don't weigh much... that's not a lot of gear

I went to the bike shop and on a mad impulse, tried the bike out and loved it.

[Pedal Wench]

I've never ridden a Volpe, but I'm 5'4" and have no problems with the geometry on any of my Bianchis (yes mimi, that's plural!)

[roguedog]

Liz,

My **inexperienced** 2 cents....

If you truly want to go across country, Ii'm wondering if you'd be better served by a touring specific bike.

While I do love the Volpe as a "do it all" bike, I wonder if because it was designed as a "do it all" bike if they didn't compromise a bit on the various applications. This might be fine as a couple day "light" touring or credit card touring but for the long haul of a loaded tourer...??

I dunno. Just offering my 2 cents with nothing to back it up except my observation that when any product tries to be a "do it all" it necessarily must make compromises.

I'm not sure who amongst us is an experienced multi-day tourer.. The only ones I know of are perhaps Denise, Triskeliongirl and it sounds like debW is looking into touring as well from this thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=13096

[Triskeliongirl]

I have a friend who bought this bike, and was sold it specifically for touring. I like it more than the higher end models since its steel not aluminum and has a triple. The guy at our LBS said the higher end models are more suited for cyclocross, whereas the volpe is more suited for touring. I road with her once on it, and it seemed like a very solid touring bike to me. You are light, so your rider plus cargo weight is well under many male rider weights, so you don't have to worry at all about that. She went with the 44 cm (it has a sloping top tube hence the small apparent size), and that seemed like a good fit for me too and I am your height, although for me the seat tube angle was too steep, but I am built a bit odd that way. I did notice that the 44 cm frame had a reasonbly short top tube but not toe clip overlap which is good. She tried the 44 and 49 and liked the 44 the best. I'd say go to a LBS that carries it and have them size you up for fit.

[lizbids]

Thanks, ladies! I'll definitely take a look into this and have my bike shop see what fits me best! I was wondering if you have an email addy for your friend who actually owned the bike? It would be nice to hear some feedback :D

[Triskeliongirl]

Thanks, ladies! I'll definitely take a look into this and have my bike shop see what fits me best! I was wondering if you have an email addy for your friend who actually owned the bike? It would be nice to hear some feedback :D

Yes, I forget that we MET on TE. Her name is Lauren, so maybe you can PM her. Her handle on TE is BeeLady.

[VeloVT]

I have tried both the Volpe and the Axis -- and took the Axis home. Mind you, I bought it primarily for commuting and also harbored wild thoughts of actually trying cyclocross (I actually really want to) -- so I'm sure my needs and criteria were different from yours.

My two cents, though, are that the Axis is lighter and snappier -- the aluminum is noticeably stiffer while not seeming much harsher because of the wide tires, and I believe there's nearly a four to five lb difference between the bikes, which I definitely felt.

What really stood out though -- aside from the Axis feeling much "faster" and accelerating more responsively -- was that it has zippier handling -- it's quick but stable, it wants to dive into corners, it makes you feel like a better rider. At the same time I was testing cross bikes for me, I was "helping" my boyfriend test carbon bikes (Trek Madone, Cervelo R3, Cannondale Six13, other bikes way out of my price range) -- and the Axis had some of the handling characteristics that made the best of those bikes stand out from the rest, while the Volpe felt pretty pedestrian by comparison. And I went in wanting steel, and just tried the Axis on a lark, as due diligence.

They're both very comfortable bikes (for me at least). And while I was skeptical of the low-low gearing at first, it's actually nice when riding with a heavy pack as I often do.

Again, though, I'm not offering an opinion on the merits of either bike as a touring bike -- just on their respective ride differences.

Hope it's a little helpful -- if you decide either of these will suit your needs I would definitely recommend riding both.

[roguedog]

Hey Liza, thanks for the review of the Axis vs Volpe. I've often drooled over both and always wondered.

I was also looking for a do all, commuter, type of bike as well.

Nice looking bike too was just a tad too pricey for me. I'm jealous :)

[mimitabby]

yes, the Axis is nice but costs a bit more than the Volpe.

thanks for the report.