I don't know how if the OP's Volpe was designed and intended as a loaded touring rig, so this may not apply.
In my experience, a purpose-built loaded touring frame, unloaded, will never have the same liveliness of a racing or sports touring frame. The touring frame is intended to carry a load, and that is when a good one really comes into its own. I have an early 1990s Trek 520 (which I need to dig out and put to work) that feels livelier and is more fun to ride fully loaded - it feels okay but kind of blah unloaded, That Volpe may be the same way
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