The new 2021 Basso Diamante SV is 40 years in the making. It represents the pinnacle of carbon engineering, meticulous research and development, impeccable construction and an attention to the finest details in order to create a race bike that delivers in every sense. Incredible speed and efficiency in a design that demands attention and that, despite its unquestionable performance, also offers versatility and longevity - very typically Basso. Moreover it is an artisanal creation. Unlike so many "Italian" road bikes, the Diamante SV (like all Basso) is 100% hand built in Italy.
The Diamante has been a part of the Basso range for a long time. An elegant and purposeful machine that is built to race whilst remaing not only functional but beautiful and enduring.
With the recent revision of the Diamante into a racebike that is not only stiffer but more accessible as a platfrom for a wider demographic; Alcide Basso chose to reimagine his pure race bike. Since the award-winning Diamante is extremely capable in the arena, it was no small feat to make it better. Never resting on his laurels and enlivened by the challenge, Basso set about creating the Diamante SV - Super Veloce in order to better their best by improving performance while simultaneously increasing versatility.
A fine racing bike has a very specific remit: to assist its rider in going as fast as possible, under control and by consuming less energy. This principle is what drove the design of the SV. Indeed, extreme efficiency, reactivity and control render the bike capable of delivering incredible speed, hence the moniker SV, or Super Veloce.
In terms of construction Basso has used the very best carbon availabe. The frame is built from 100% 3K Torayca T800 and T1000 HM Carbon Fibre to deliver huge stiffness and low weight. Every tube has been optimised in terms of its internal structure and external form to render the bike incredibly reactive and efficient and this construction is varied across sizes to ensure the same ride feel and reactivity for all sizes of rider.
It is however the external form of these tubes that have been meticulously studied to provide an overall aerodynamic advantage that benefits the rider in a versatile manner. The Diamante SV's tubeset is more angular and aero-focussed than that of the Diamante, however Basso's Wind Shape design ensures the design is still 'real world' fast and therefore versatile in a host of conditions.
The fork provides wider spacing between the tyre and wheel to maximise the airflow and reduce drag. By widening this gap, Basso has made the frame not only faster but future proof and it is capable of accepting tyres up to 32mm wide. The fork has been designed to be both vertically compliant, yet horizontally rigid, so while there is some shock absorption within the carbon lay-up of the fork, it is completely rigid and reliable when you're out of the saddle and sprinting, or diving full-bore into a corner.
There is no question around control
The integrated head tube/top tube junction, by setting the headset below the head tube not only provides superior manoeuvrability and precise handling but also creates a cleaner look and adds to the aero aesthetic. The headset also features split spacers which provide easy adjustment which then lock into position. These spacers also feature an internal blocking system designed to stop the cables from being pinched.
The aero handlebar & stem combo for the Diamante SV is especially unique. While it is integrated to the frame, it remains modular in that you can adjust the handlebar fore and aft position to your liking. Full cable integration means a clean look throughout.
The Diamante SV is built for speed. An extremely stiff 'Spine' - from Bottom Bracket through Down Tube and Head tube - delivers amazing levels of reactivity for immediate response when you push the pedals. Married to the new, lower profile seat stays that are mounted lower on the bike, the entire chassis delivers incredible response and efficiency to drive you to the line faster while using less energy.
All this stiffness and speed is tempered with clearance for 32mm tyres and a simple, elegant and unique solution to absorbing road vibrations : Basso's 3B Seat Post Clamp System.
While integrated seat post clamps are not uncommon, the Basso solution goes beyond merely discreetly holding the seatpost in the desired position. The 3B seatpost clamp system uses a rubber gusset surrounding the seat post which is capable of absorbing road vibrations to deliver comfort. It is an elegant solution that does nothing to detract from the aesthetic and with minimum weight penalty.
Even the paintwork on the Diamante SV has been mixed and designed specifically to give the rider every possible advantage. The 3D structure of new ceramic nano particles in the paint create a less porous and more compact finish that is more uniform than conventional paint, and consequently less prone to drag. It is also said to be more durable than ever, even shedding water better.
Basso is famed for his geometry. Refined over 4 decades of frame building, Basso's is a unique ride that is more than measured in numbers, it is a ride feel that evokes emotion, that encourages and enhances.
The Diamante SV features a modern geometry and clever integration that allows for all types of rider to benefit from the incredible performance and speed that the Diamante SV delivers.
The Diamante SV warrants its name, it encompasses all of the expertise the Basso brand has accumulated in over 40 years of experience constructing fine racing bikes by hand, in Italy. Made to race, made to win, made to last. The Diamante SV is ready to become the road bike of your dreams, ideal for riders looking for a frame offering blistering speed, impeccable head-turning looks and the very best of Italian design, usually reserved for the riders in the Pro peloton.
The Diamante SV Record is built with a full complement of Campagnolo components. Race ready Recor 12 speed mechanical with Hydraulic discs deliver lightweight and reliable shifting and effortless control and stopping power. Campagnolo's new Shamal Ultra Carbon 2-Way Fit wheels take on rolling duteies and deliver swift pick-up and acceleration befitting the chassis. Their agility and precision perfectly controlled by Schwalbe's One Performance tyres.
Finishing kit is in the form of the Basso Integrated bar, stem and seatpost for the perfect complement to the frame
Basso are rare.
Almost all Italian, indeed European brands, struggle to compete with major bike manufacturers, if not on quality then certainly on price. Take a look at the likes of Pinarello and Colnago and it is difficult to see the value in their lower end models. Their Carbon tech and bike specifications struggle to come close to matching the counterparts offered by the big four : Cannondale, Giant, Specialized and Trek. Pinarello and Colnago are not small players in the game.
So, when a brand like Basso comes onto the radar it would be easy to gloss over it, dismiss it out of hand on the basis that, if the big boys can't compete, how would they?
Factor in that Basso are 100% Made in Italy - not known for cheap labour and mass bicycle production - and they become even more intriguing.
Visit any reasonably sized town in Italy and the chances are there is - or almost certainly was - a frame builder there.
Italians are in love with bike building. In much the same way that there is a frame building renaissance in the UK, with small outfits popping up all over, that approach permeates Italian society.
The beauty of Basso lies in their perfect balance to their approach.
By their own admission, they do not choose to advertise heavily - an approach more the preserve of North American 'manufacturers' (which is quite often a misnomer - I can name a very popular bike brand that doesn't manufacture a single product, they are simply a marketing company....)
Instead Basso choose to plough their passion and capital into producing bikes that do their talking on the road and, like most Italian brands, there's is more an experience; a particular quality of the ride that engages the rider and evokes emotion. Most of us want a bike to inspire us, but it is so easy to be overhemeled, not only with choice but with the sheer volume of marketing in the publications (who get their revenue from said) that are on offer and that are supposed to help guide our decisions. Understandable.
Basso - as I say - balance these elements particularly well. They deliver not only a signature 'Basso' ride quality - of which they are extremely proud, but they also are technologically savvy. They use the best processes and materials and where tech is not available - they develop their own. While many hide the quality of their materials or tech (by omission), Basso are transparent. As you will see in the detail below, they share not only information on the materials they use but go as far as to detail the lay-up schedules of their frames. I can't think of another brand that makes that level of detail readily available - certainly not at the lower end of the market.
This is testament to the quality of Basso frames. A self belief in their product, their production methods and materials that should instill confidence in you as a rider, as it does me as a dealer.
They are refreshing. Moreover - they are competitive.
This is the crux of it. Most large (let alone relatively small) Italian bike producers don't come close to being competitive, even with big companies' production outsourced to the far-east.
Basso are.
100% Handmade. In Italy. With transparency and high quality materials. Competitively priced. With a ride feel and handling designed not only to perform, but to inspire and delight.
Basso make it entirely possible to confidently purchase an handbuilt Italian road bike, without crippling yourself financially.
GEOMETRY QUICK GUIDE:Staring at geometry charts trying to fathom which bike will suit you best can be daunting to the non-geek and boring as much as anything else!
The price of a bike and the apparent position in the range do not necessarily relate to how racy a bike is. So, simply as a quick reference guide, the Basso Road Range is listed out below in GEOMETRY ORDER from most upright to most racy.
SIZING Guide :
XXS = 44
XS = 48
S = 51
M = 53/54
L = 56
XL = 58
XXL = 60/61
**Be aware that geometry doesn't necessarily dictate the type of riding that a bike is aimed at (though it is obviously a pretty good guide) - the Astra and Diamante SV are good examples. Always remember : a geometry that fits you will make you faster than a geometry that doesn't - if the bike is a top-of-the-line race bike but doesn't fit, it is unlikely to make you fast - more likely uncomfortable, distracted and slower as a result!**
Venta / Venta Disc : Endurance Geometry but with signature Basso ride feel that remains exciting despite the 'Endurance' tag. Exciting but comfortable.
Astra : All-Round geometry designed to crush everything. Constructed from high modulus carbon it is a stiff, light and engaging lay-up for a more spritely feel.
Diamante SV : Technically the most advanced frame in the range with a more 'modern' geometry than the Diamante Rim that sits below it. Accommodating, all-round geometry, yet entirely racy.
Diamante Disc : Sharing the same Carbon tech as the SV, the Diamante Disc uses super-light, round tube profiles and a similar but lightly more racy geometry. It is a great all-rounder and ideal for climbing.
Diamante Rim :Pure race geometry, long and low. Ideal for those looking to maximise their aero efficiency and adopt a racing tuck.
The table below details the most common technologies that are employed by Basso in their frames - these will often be referenced in the Technical Specifications of the models.
Not only that but you can see which carbon fibres that Basso are using and the lay-up schedules of each bike, so the differences between models is more apparent - this is also a useful guide as to what makes a specific frame behave a specific way.
Basso Components
Often a brand will have its own range of components to complement their frames and bikes - these are often scoffed at, but as Cannondale and Felt have ably demonstrated in the past, they can also be some of the lightest.
Basso components are also Made in Italy and their MR wheels are made in conjunction with Miche - a long established and forward thinking Italian brand. Basso components are excellent and perfectly complement the Basso brand - they are also key in delivering the Basso ride and keeping the bikes competitive - both in performance and price. They look good too!