On 04/29/2012 03:22 PM, SMS wrote:
On 4/29/2012 12:01 PM, Duane Hebert wrote:
On 4/28/2012 5:03 AM, Lou Holtman wrote:

snip

The toptube is also slightly sloped. Some people qualify that as
'wrecked' and limiting their choice enormously.


Well I have a Specialized Tarmac that fits me like a glove and it has a
fairly bent top tube. I don't consider it wrecked.

For the Bianchi Volpe in question, I would miss the lugged frame most of
all if I traded in my old one for that one. Just because I like the look.

Actually Bianchi's geometry has remained pretty good, at least for some
of the steel models. I went back and compared the specs between 2012 and
2006 on their steel models and they are similar, though it's hard to
compare because the Bianchi USA web site is so poorly done.

One big decontenting at Bianchi took place from in 2006 for the Brava,
and 2003 for the Volpe. When did they drop the lugged frame?

The Brava's problem is the CF fork. The Volpe has a steel fork which is
well worth the extra $200 (besides having other upgrades).

I think it'll come down to the Surly Pacer (with a crankset plus front
and rear derailleur change will be about $300), the Bianchi Volpe, or
something from Habanero.

Not sure when Bianchi dropped the lugged frame. I bought mine in 1994
but it was a 93 model.

Looking at the geometry for the 2012 Volpe, they have 9 "sizes" so I
don't see any big difference from mine. I think that when I bought it,
for a size 52 there were 2 choices of TT length. The size then as the
seat tube lenght IIRC. Now there seems to be only one TT length per AS
but given that you can change stems I don't see a big problem. They
still have more selection than the Specialized Tarmac that has 6 basic
sizes.

I would have bought one of their road bikes when I was shopping for one
but Bianchi is not readily available in Montreal for some reason and I
prefer to have a bike that I can get parts for easily from the LBS. I
would not have any problem recommending a Bianchi. I still ride mine
and it's nearly 20 years old.