A diamond is everlasting - at least that's what the advertising claims. The Diamante has indeed been sparkling at the top of the Basso range for several years: in 2004, a carbon frame of the same name was tested by TOUR for the first time and came in a good fourth place out of 20 competitors (TOUR 1/2004). Characteristic features at the time were the main frame with large-volume, round tubes, the monostay rear triangle and the triangular-shaped chainstays and fork blades. The durable paintwork and clean finish were among the strengths of the frame, which the Italians produced almost unchanged until 2009. In 2004, Basso fans had to fork out 3,000 euros for this "gem".
New finish
Six years later, the frameset costs 2,949 euros - 50 euros less. The new Diamante has an incredibly voluminous appearance - the former masters of the filigree steel tube have almost gone to the opposite extreme with their latest Caron frame. The eye is drawn to the solidly moulded bottom bracket area, where the down tube merges seamlessly into the bottom bracket with the integrated press-fit crank bearing. In the head tube, the top tube and down tube also merge to form a large-volume unit, with the tapered steerer tube rotating in a 1-1/8 inch bearing at the top and a 1-1/2 inch bearing at the bottom. The brake cable runs through the top tube. The monostay rear triangle and the triangular fork blades are reminiscent of the Diamante history. This €5,790 complete bike is equipped exclusively with Italian components, apart from tyres and tubes. Gears and brakes are provided by Campagnolo's Chorus groupset. The stem, handlebars and seat post come from the company's own Microtech brand, whose logo also adorns the carbon wheels. The design theme of black and white is consistent right through to the Antares saddle from Fizik; for those who like it more colourful, there are two versions with red or blue accents in the Basso range. On the road, the black and white Bolide is consistently impressive. Riding stability is good in every riding situation, although the bottom bracket is less stiff than you might expect given the volume: The best frames in this discipline still outperform the Basso's 50 newtons per millimetre by around 30 per cent; on the other hand, even athletic sprinters will struggle to upset the frame. The riding position is sporty, the steering behaviour is Italian agile. The frame set weight of just under 1,800 grams is not a top value, but you don't get a black standardised carbon racer on which the manufacturer has saved 200 grams of paint.
Praise and blame
The handlebars have pre-moulded recesses on the underside - cyclists whose fingers fit into them may like this, but others may find it annoying. Basso is criticised for the rear brake which, despite the special Campagnolo carbon brake pads, barely decelerates the Microtech carbon wheel. The braking effect on the front wheel is at least acceptable. Conclusion: Basso's two-wheeled Diamant, which is produced and painted in Dueville near Vicenza in the Veneto region, does not occupy an absolute top position in technical terms. However, it holds its own against the competition not only with its overall score of 2.0, but above all with its extroverted design, which is consistent down to the last detail. A little more fine-tuning in the choice of components and this diamond could indeed become everlasting for its future owners.
Reference/Info Racetec Bicycles, phone 0911/7234457 www.bassobikes.com
Frame sizes** 45, 48, 51, 53, 56, 58, 61 cm
Seat/steering angle 73°/74°
Seat/top/head tube 545/580/201 mm plus 11 mm headset
Wheelbase/caster 1,000/50 mm
Stack/reach*** 612/396 mm/1.55
Equipment
Basso Carbon fork
Steering bearing Microtech top 1-1/8, bottom 1-1/2 inch
Brakes/gears/bottom bracket Campagnolo Chorus Press-Fit (50/34 t.)
Wheels/tyres Microtech Carbon/Schwalbe Ultremo ZLX (clincher tyres)
Handlebar/stem Microtech Quantum Carbon/Race Carbon
Saddle/post Fizik Antares/Microtech Race Carbon (31.6 mm)
Measured values & individual scores
Weight of complete bike 7.2 kilos (without pedals)
Weight frame/fork/headset bearing 1,300/412/78 g
Standardised weight frame set**** 1,775 g: 3.0
Steering head stiffness 104 Nm/°: 1.0
Lateral stiffness fork 52 N/mm: 1.0
Bottom bracket stiffness 50 N/mm: 2 .7
Comfort frame 272 N/mm: 2.3
Comfort fork 140 N/mm: 5.0
* The grade includes further individual grades which we cannot print for reasons of space. ** Tested frame size in bold. *** Stack/reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the headset; STR (stack to reach): Values between 1.45 and 1.55 indicate a sporty riding position, values below are race-like, above are comfortable. **** Adjusted weight for frame size 57 cm and fork steerer length 225 mm.
