Basso Astra - Italian masterpiece
The new Astra has only been on the market for five months, and the first instalment has apparently already been sold. According to the configurator, the model with electronic 105 - the cheapest of the five equipment variants - will not be available again until June. However, "affordable" is somewhat euphemistic in this context, as the Basso is one of the most expensive racing bikes in the comparison test.
Does this make the marathon bike, whose frame is made in Italy, one of the best? The frame geometry is typical of an endurance racer: for an Italian racing bike, you sit very upright in the saddle, a result of the long head tube. In terms of handling, the Astra shows its marathon genes and presents itself as a smooth-running companion.
However, it cannot conceal the weaknesses in suspension comfort. Although a different carbon seatpost with offset and maximum 35 millimetre wide tyres can still provide some damping, the Basso is relatively hard overall. Like the version with Campagnolo's Chorus groupset (tested in TOUR 3/2023), the test bike with electronic 105 is also heavier than average. Due to the robust carbon frame and the additional weight of the Shimano components, the Astra is one of the heavyweights in the test field and accelerates correspondingly slowly.
Without the carbon wheels (€ 1054), which are available at extra cost, there would be a nine in front of the decimal point. On the other hand, no other marathon bike in the test is more straightforwardly finished than the Basso, whose handlebar-stem unit has integrated cables - but which unfortunately also has no mounting eyelets for mudguards or bags. Whether you want to spend more than 5000 euros on a road bike with Shimano's 105 Di2 is up to you. However, the limited availability suggests that the Astra will appeal to buyers.
The Basso Astra in detail
- Price: 5249 Euro
- Weight: 8,8 Kilo
- Frame/fork/steering bearing weight* 1278/460/90 grams
- Frame sizes** 45, 48, 51, 53, 56, 58, 61
- Seat/top tube/head tube 565/560/180 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 605/381 millimetres/1.59
- Wheelbase/caster 985/55 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/Circuit Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes Shimano 105 (160/160 millimetres)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Microtech RE38/Continental Ultra Sport 28 mm (f./h.: 1328/1795 g)
Strengths: Large tyre clearance, very many sizes
Weaknesses: heavy frame, moderate comfort, simple tyres, expensive
The Basso Astra receives an overall TOUR score of 2.2
More marathon bikes with Shimano 105 Di2 in the TOUR test
>> BH SL1 2.9
>> Canyon Endurace CF 7 Di2
>> Cube Agree C:62
>> Giant Defy Advanced 1
>> Look 765 Optimum
>> Ridley Grifn
>> Rose Reveal Four 105 Di2
>> Storck Fascenario.3 Comp 105 Di2
* Weighed weights.
** Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
*** Stack/Reach Projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube;
STR (Stack to Reach)1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright sitting position.
**** Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.
Julian Schultz
Editor
