Palta : Italian for Mud or Dirt, is where this new Basso whip belongs - but not exclusively. Clever design means this is an exceptionally versatile creature and one that is also extremely fast; on or off the road.
The frame of any bike is what defines the ride. The Palta by Basso is a Gravel frame that is built by hand in Italy from hi-modulus Torayca carbon fibre and it is something of a phenomenon.
Basso have a particular ride feel. Racy but stable; confidence inspiring yet engaging; fast yet fun. Like their road range, Basso have instilled in the Palta these same traits, to deliver a fast and captivating ride all the while remaining adroit and agile on all surfaces. What will come to surprise those that ride it, is that the Palta - while rapid and controlled off road - is remarkably capable on-road.
An increasing number of riders seek to vary their riding and break free from the constraints of tarmac roads, hunting the freedom that mixed surface riding provides. Basso's Palta remains faithful to thier tradition and values for the road, while optimising for new, varied terrain.
With over 40 years developing efficient geometries, Basso has created an innovative solution to the unique demands of Gravel riding - a very broad playground and one that is often difficult to define. The Palta combines both comfort and performance and ensures fantastic handling and impeccable manners in all situations.
A key element of the platform and one that delivers much of the ride is the specially developed fork. Visually it stands out immediately and it is fundamental to the versatility of the Palta in varied terrain. Combined with a geometry that delivers comfort and efficiency it allows for near road-like positioning if needs be. Because of this, you have the stability and agility for mixing it up over a wide range of uneven surfaces, while still having the opportunity to cut it - in a 'normal' road position - on the tarmac. Indeed, the Palta seems to change guise and behaves as though it were specifically engineered for your particular type of riding on any given day. It is a remarkable feat that leaves you wondering where compromise has been made in its construction.
Like all Basso carbon frames, the Palta is pure in its construction. While others use aluminium inserts and mechanisations in their frames, Basso are built entirely from carbon, thanks to in depth R&D and carefully selected materials and construction. As a result the Palta, like all Basso, has a ride that stands the test of time and remains consistent throughout the life of the bike
The Basso Palta is an adaptable beast and has ample tyre clearance up to 42mm and allows riders to dial their ride perfectly for the road, the rough stuff and everything in between. The meticulously considered layup of the 100% Torayca high modulus carbon fibre used in the Palta's construction, along with its unconventional gravel shape, leave the rider amazed at just how smooth a reactive and fast frame can be across all terrain. The Palta is ready for the long-haul too. While not as replete with mounts as the Tera, the Palta is still ready for all day epics with 7 bottle mount bolts for carrying up to 3 water bottles (or 1 more aerodynamically for racing scenarios) to increase the potential for adventure.
The Palta attracts gravel riders for largely the same motives: quality craftsmanship, long lasting performance and a ride quality that begs for speed. The same qualities that pervade Basso road bikes, find themselves incorporated into the Palta, albeit adapted for the versatile nature of gravel. It is why the press and riders alike fall for the Palta.
The uncompromising Palta is to the gravel world what the multi-tool is to your saddle bag : perfectly designed and completely essential.
The Palta is ideal for riders looking for a bike for road riding, gravel racing, cross riding or epic multi-day adventure rides, that can take them anywhere, across any terrain, with no compromise on speed or looks.
The Palta GRX comes with a suite of Shimano 1x11 GRX 600 components married to Basso's finishing kit and a Vision Team 30 wheelset for a deft balance of excellent value and performance.
PLEASE NOTE : IMAGE IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY - SPECIFICATION MAY VARY FROM THAT SHOWN
SEE TECHNICAL INFO FOR SPECIFICATION DETAILS
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!