58cm Bianchi Volpe (partial bicycle) $75

[mello yello]

Hello everybody,
BTWD gave me the impetus to transition my fixed gear commuting setup to my IRO rob roy frame, which leaves me with a trusty and true, but somewhat aesthetically lacking Bianchi Volpe frame +.

This is a great frame, lighter than expected and relaxed enough to be comfortable for very long rides. I loved the massive number of bottle braze ons – two inside the triangle and one underneath, halfway up the fork, two at the front axle dropouts, rear axle dropouts, rear rack attachments, etc.
This can be set up as a tourer, cyclocross, road bike (not racing), or even fixed. The dropouts are horizontal, but relatively short – careful gear selection and a half link may be necessary.

However, when I got it, it had been scraped against something, creating a series of paint chips on the top tube. I treated these, but it was on my (covered) porch for a very long time recently, and during that time they developed some surface rust. Also, the dropouts, rack attachments (more from the screws holding the rack on and rusty track nuts). There are also a few paint drops that seem like they don’t want to come off. To me it just meant not worrying about leaning it on the rack to lock up.

The goods:
I believe this is a ca 1998 Bianchi Volpe frame, 58cm
a modern lugged steel frame, using “Bianchi Exclusive Superlug Construction” (Superset 2)
Tange Infinity Cr-Mo tapered double-butted tubing

Comes with:
Headset, bottom bracket (turns smooth), stainless stem, Shimano cranks, Tioga Surefoot II pedals, Avid canti brakes, what’s left of the Kool-stop pads on there (I rode as fixed – not much wear, but aged), seatpost, and the two biopace chainrings that I took off as soon as I acquired the bike. All original to the bike.

I think it’s worth $75. You are welcome to make me an offer.

What is missing is – obviously – handlebars, brake levers, shifters, wheels, chain, cables and housing, seat, and whatever else you need for your custom ride.

more here: http://jqmello.smugmug.com/Sports/Bianchi-Volpe/

Topic

[DismalScientist]

I think my wife would kill me.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Once again, forum members are TOO TALL.

[jrenaut]

I’m actually really glad this is a 58 and not a hair smaller. If it was my size I would have already bought it, and then I’d be in trouble with the wife.

[grandallj]

I’m tall enough but I’m not sure I’m man enough to build up a bike. Hm.

[DismalScientist]

@grandallj 55805 wrote:

I’m tall enough but I’m not sure I’m man enough to build up a bike. Hm.

Go to VeloCity or feed some fellow forum members beer and you will have all the help you would ever need.

[mello yello]

@DismalScientist 55808 wrote:

Go to VeloCity or feed some fellow forum members beer and you will have all the help you would ever need.

I hear Bicycle Space is a good option too?

It’s really not too bad building up a bike… the most expensive pieces are going to be the wheels, br/shifters, and derailleurs, in that order.
There’s someone on CL selling wheels/tires taken off a 2012 Volpe, that look worth the money. Ebay is good for marked-up components, although some fall through the cracks. You might be able to stop at Pheonix and see if they have anything in the way of take-off components that would work.

I do have a selection of aluminum drops and a seat I can throw in for a little ($15?) extra.

It’d be some work to get it polished up, or a whole ton of work to strip and repaint to make it look stunning. I took some CLR on a rag and some of the rust stains started to lighten up, I think some more / soaking would help.

[americancyclo]

@ShawnoftheDread 55789 wrote:

Once again, forum members are TOO TALL.

I vote that your forum title be changed to TOO TALL, or maybe “Shortest Man on Two Wheels”

[DaveK]

Great bones to build almost any sort of bike. If it was a 54cm we’d be talking…

[mello yello]

you could even re-build as a fixed gear with these wheels (no affiliation) – bianchi track hubs to match!
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/3830121786.html

or go cyclocross with these – which I’d referenced earlier (no affiliation) w/ tires
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/bik/3826750646.html

[ShawnoftheDread]

@americancyclo 55859 wrote:

I vote that your forum title be changed to TOO TALL, or maybe “Shortest Man on Two Wheels”

The former is taken by another local cyclist, and the latter is just silly.

[mello yello]

Volpe has passed to hozn. Have fun with the build!

[Author]

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