New Basso Venta R: Affordable marathon bike from Italy

"This all-round road bike was developed for versatility and performance," says the traditional manufacturer from Vicenza and presents the Venta R, currently the most affordable disc model in its portfolio. The Venta R is an uncomplicated marathon bike that is equipped with robust components and, in the style of an all-road bike, can also take on unpaved paths under its tyres.

Basso Venta R: The most important facts

• Weight: not specified
• Stack/Reach/STR: 580/383 millimetres/1.51 (size 56)
• Maximum tyre clearance: 35 millimetres
• Frame sizes: 42, 48, 51, 53, 56, 58, 61
• Price: 2849 Euro

The new model is based on a no-frills carbon frame. Only the seat tube deviates slightly from the classic look, nestling slightly around the rear wheel and hinting at an aero shape. Basso did not provide any weight information on the frame, fork or complete bike, only that the carbon fibres (T700) are sourced from the Japanese specialist Toray. The Basso Astra provides a clue: The frame of the significantly more expensive Endurance model weighed in at almost 1300 gramsrobust gravel bikes are on a similar level.

The riding position is relatively upright; according to the Italians, the STR ratio for frame size 56 is 1.51. Comparable marathon bikes achieve similar values, although the Venta R tends to be designed to be a little sportier. For comparison: on the Astra, for which the manufacturer quotes an STR of 1.58, you sit much more upright.

Space for 35-millimetre tyres

The Venta R inherits the carbon seatpost with integrated clamp from its more expensive brand brother. Both models also share the maximum tyre clearance of 35 millimetres. The Venta comes with 28 millimetre wide Continental Ultra Sport tyres on the stable aluminium wheels from Microtech. An inexpensive rubber that, in our experience, rolls relatively slowly and offers little suspension comfort.

Basso relies on the mechanical twelve-speed version of Shimano's 105 with mountain-compatible gearing (50/34, 11-34 t.). There are no mounting points for mudguards etc. The Venta R will be available in seven frame sizes, with a black and a white colour option to choose from.