touring bike set up

Hi Nun,

The Nitto technomatic is a great stem. The comfort and control is amazing. I just got one too and a brooks seat as well. I use Cane Creek SCR 5 brake levers (they must not be used with V brakes! Only with cantis or old style side pulls). They have wide hoods for comfort. If you have STI shifters, they may make a model for those. A 45 cm Nitto drop handlebar is very nice too, especially if wrapped in two layers, with Cinelli cork tape on the bottom and then with cloth tape over the cork.

I have heard great things about Avid Shorty brakes if you want cantilevers. The Sheldon Brown/Harris Cycle site has good recommendations for Shimano long reach side pulls that fit with fenders. Kool Stop brake shoes are supposed to be great and I bought some.

Last, since your largest front chainring is 46, do you use, or have you thought about using, a rear cassette with 11 or 12 teeth? That way you might be less likely to spin out.

aebike.com has a great catalogue and good prices in US.

I built up my 1986 Trek with modern components. One important factor is the year of your Volpe. There are many different measurements and sizes of components. Before shopping for components, if you have not already done this, I suggest starting by asking your LBS to determine which measurements your bike has and which size components you should look for. The compatibility between components and the compatibility between components and frame can be complicated and is very important.

Thanks for the comments, I have the Avid brakes and Nitto handlebars, now
wrapped in cotton, not the nasty foam it came with. I have the STI shifters and I really like them, although I've never used bar end. The rear cassette is 12-28 and combined with the 46/36/26 its a good match for my ability level. I do find myself free wheeling going down steep hills, but why would I want to go much faster than 30 to 35 mph anyway. The Volpe is a size 52 cm 2002 model. Now I think I should have gone with a 53 or 54 cm. I've looked at Rivendell's sizing "strategies" and I agree with their philosopy.
I'm a bit of an odd shape, 5'11", but with short legs, 31" (79 cm) pubic bone height. Taking 25cm off that puts me at a 54cm frame. I do ride with the seat post up quite high so that my legs don't feel cramped and I think an extra 2cm in frame size would reduce this and not require me to use the Nitto technomatic stem. Still this is all a learning experience and I'll know exactly what I want when I buy that really nice next bike.

lugger said:

Hi Nun,

The Nitto technomatic is a great stem. The comfort and control is amazing. I just got one too and a brooks seat as well. I use Cane Creek SCR 5 brake levers (they must not be used with V brakes! Only with cantis or old style side pulls). They have wide hoods for comfort. If you have STI shifters, they may make a model for those. A 45 cm Nitto drop handlebar is very nice too, especially if wrapped in two layers, with Cinelli cork tape on the bottom and then with cloth tape over the cork.

I have heard great things about Avid Shorty brakes if you want cantilevers. The Sheldon Brown/Harris Cycle site has good recommendations for Shimano long reach side pulls that fit with fenders. Kool Stop brake shoes are supposed to be great and I bought some.

Last, since your largest front chainring is 46, do you use, or have you thought about using, a rear cassette with 11 or 12 teeth? That way you might be less likely to spin out.

aebike.com has a great catalogue and good prices in US.

I built up my 1986 Trek with modern components. One important factor is the year of your Volpe. There are many different measurements and sizes of components. Before shopping for components, if you have not already done this, I suggest starting by asking your LBS to determine which measurements your bike has and which size components you should look for. The compatibility between components and the compatibility between components and frame can be complicated and is very important.

Your project sounds exactly like mine. Starting with a good frame that is a bit small, building it up with new components and learning about what feels good for, as you say, that really nice next bike. I too have found a combo of components that is right for me. I will have to be careful that the components will fit the new frame and I hope the components still feel right on the new frame. Thanks for mentioning the Rivendell sizing strategies. I will look.
What are you going to do for a new frame and wheels? If you see my other postings, you will notice I am pretty settled on Mavic Open Pro rims and a Bob Jackson frame. I will buy a lugged steel stock frame or get fitted and have them make a custom frame with longer chainstays and curved fork with a lot of rake. I know for touring my Trek 400, and I think your Bianchi Volpe, has fairly short wheelbase. Have you thought about your new frame?

Rivendell has a great site, www.rivbike.com, with lots of information and opinions. I like it because they stress enjoying your cycling and have a fairly traditional approach to design. I'm not the "shades and lycra" type of cyclist being over 40 and over 200lbs so I like siting a bit more upright and rarely exceed 20mph on the flats.

As for the frame I'm considering Rivendell, but I've looked at Waterford and even Litespeed, I'm not sure about Ti for a frame and the price is a bit
outrageous, and most of the major touring shops. It'll be a couple of years before I invest. My rims are the ones the bike came with, Araya, and I have 700cx30 Ritchey "Tom Slick" tires which can carry my weight plus some load.

lugger said:

Your project sounds exactly like mine. Starting with a good frame that is a bit small, building it up with new components and learning about what feels good for, as you say, that really nice next bike. I too have found a combo of components that is right for me. I will have to be careful that the components will fit the new frame and I hope the components still feel right on the new frame. Thanks for mentioning the Rivendell sizing strategies. I will look.
What are you going to do for a new frame and wheels? If you see my other postings, you will notice I am pretty settled on Mavic Open Pro rims and a Bob Jackson frame. I will buy a lugged steel stock frame or get fitted and have them make a custom frame with longer chainstays and curved fork with a lot of rake. I know for touring my Trek 400, and I think your Bianchi Volpe, has fairly short wheelbase. Have you thought about your new frame?