A month ago I sold both my single speed and my commuter bike to replace my commuter. I had bought the planet X kaffenback to commute on in a medium, but really I needed a large.
The Planet X was a great commuter bike, but it just didn’t fit. I also this year started keeping track of my cycling and notice I spend the most time of all my bikes on the commuter so I might as well ride something that fits.
I also loved the way the single speed bianchi san jose I owned rode. I decided I just couldn’t justify owning that bike. I did not ride it enough.
It just so happens that Bianchi uses the same frame as the San Jose on the Volpe and the Castro Valley. The Castro Valley is a purpose built commuter.
It is a 1×9 drivertrain which comes with only one downtube cable stop.
It comes with a Shimano Nexus Dynamo front hub, and Shimano led/halogen headlight. Which is perfect for commuting. People say you can feel the drag of a dynamo front hub, but I can’t tell while riding. You can pick the wheel up off the ground and spin it with the light on and then feel it, but thats not how you ride…
This is a nice wheel, so I did not want it stolen, I used pinhead locking skewers on the front and rear wheels. 
It comes stock with reflective Victoria Randonneur tires. I like the tires a lot, smooth rolling. Also it comes stock with fenders. 
The only things I added were crank bros pedals, blackburn metro rack, a ritchey comp fork and I switched out the stock gearing of 12/26 x 42 with 12/32 x 34 cause we gots hills in the burgh and apparently I am a pussy.
It is a great bike, tons of room for fenders and studded kenda tires, handles great, light and zippy. Also when loaded down with pannier it handles very nicely and the long chain stays make heal/pannier clearance no problem. Its a deal at the price considering the fenders and dynamo.
How much did you pay? I want one too, but would love to get it used or on a good deal. Any advice? I want to spend closer to $500.
Hi Whitney. It sure wasn't $500. You're looking for a road commuter bike? Or a hybrid? Straight or drop bars?
Hi. It's been a few years now; how do you like the bike now? I'm looking at a used one on Craigslist.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Peter
Hey Peter – I loved that bike. I commuted on it for 2 years and sold it to commute on a bike with disc brakes.
It is a very comfy bike and versatile. I used it to commute in the rain and snow, and also to ride the C&O canal from Washington DC to Pittsburgh PA.
We get too much rain and snow here for me to not like disc brakes.
If you don't have that rain and snow problem I would not hesitate to ride one.
Cheers,
-Joe