Basso gravel bike - This makes riding off paved roads fun
The company was founded significantly by Alcide Basso and his brothers Renate and Marino. The latter won the professional world road race title and the Italian championship in 1972 and also won two stages in the legendary Tour de France during his career. Alcide Basso set out to learn the art of engineering in Germany in order to then apply the wealth of experience he had gained to his own bicycles. In the beginning, the country where he perfected his craft was also one of the main buyers of his bikes, which at that time were still made of steel before trying other materials. Now the Italians are present in 25 countries, with a dealer network of more than 400 stores.
Basso's gravel bikes come in mixed aluminum and carbon versions, like the Basso Tera, as well as pure carbon framesets, like the Basso Palta or Basso Volta, with a motor in the frameset. Even if you try to keep the weight of equipment and accessories as low as possible, it can be advantageous to choose an e-bike for your excursions, because especially on steep, albeit short climbs, the extra luggage becomes noticeable. With a little electronic support, you can also manage these sections and then still have enough air for the rest of the route. Especially on flat terrain, you can do without the motor so that the battery lasts until the end. Gravel bikes are best suited for the road, gravel and forest and meadow paths. They achieve a reasonable speed on the asphalt and have a reasonable traction control on uneven terrain, which provides safety in addition to confidence in their own ability. Depending on the model, the bikes come in frame sizes ranging from XS to XL, and their versatility means they can also be used as cyclocross bikes. With the right tires, you can plow through the mud properly even in cyclocross-like conditions.
The Palta, which is available for purchase as the Palta SRAM Rival, Palta Campagnolo Ekar, Basso Palta II, or even the Palta Shimano GRX, among others, is the higher-end version of a gravel bike from the Italians. The Basso Palta II is the predecessor model of the current novelties, which are again a bit faster, but can also come up with higher comfort. For the Palta own ways were taken, instead of following any conventional procedures or definitions. For a more agile driving, which at the same time still offers a more comfortable ride, the angle of inclination of the seatpost was increased and the mounting option with the 3B Clamp System Gen 2 optimized. Through the novel 3-bolt system, with hardened steel plate, vibrations are absorbed so that you sit more comfortably in the saddle and also still have full control of the bike and can enjoy the ride. The raised head tube means that fewer spacers are needed and you have the stem almost seamlessly attached to the head tube. These two improvements provide more speed as well as comfort and the specially developed Paradigma integration system rounds it all off. It connects the stem, spacers and headset, which then allows the cables to be routed directly inside the frame. The fully integrated cable pulls provide a better look and still protect against the contamination of the cables, which brings less wear. Everything that is not newly developed is due to the Palta II or even other predecessor models, whose best features have been integrated into the novelties.
In order to improve the aerodynamic properties also something, one has left a wider distance between fork and tire, which also still allows a greater tire clearance and thereby the air passes better. For longer tours, there are enough fixed screw options such as on the down tube and on the seat tube, where you can attach your bottle cages, as well as on the top tube, where the appropriate bags can be brought to be best equipped. The down tube also offers extra protection, which consists of a polymer shield to protect against rough gravel and stone chips. The protection can be attached as needed, but it's best to just leave it on to be on the safe side, because it doesn't weigh that much that it would be a weight. The cockpit also got an upgrade with the carbon handlebars, which provide an improved seating position, which in turn increases riding enjoyment and efficiency. At the same time, the grips were designed so narrow that you can wrap a 4.5 mm thick handlebar tape around them, which provides a comfortable as well as firm grip that keeps you from slipping off even on rough terrain.
With the Tera Gravel one has ventured into completely new territory and it was created a semi-suspended bike made of two different materials, which in addition to a good performance also has a very good control behavior and also still allows a comfortable ride. This type of bike was usually found in the niche sector, but thanks to the excellent development work on the Tera Gravel, this is now also the mass audience. Multiple layers of carbon provide a flexible frame that is easy on the body while maintaining excellent lateral stiffness. As with the Palto, the Tera also has cable pulls integrated into the frame to protect against dirt as well as the elements and give the bike a better look.
The Basso Volta, with its powerful motor, is in no way inferior to the Palta or even Tera Gravel, it just comes with the difference that you can use an electronic aid when the power runs out, especially on longer trips or longer rides uphill. The frameset and components are equally tech-savvy and you don't have to compromise on handling either. It has the same freedom between fork and tire and the 3B Clamp System Gen 2 for the Seatpost for more comfort while riding. With the new TFT color screen you have the possibility to measure your power, as well as the motor power and the cadence and also the range is shown on the display. To better cope with the change of light and shade, the brightness adapts to the light influences.
Other Basso bikes can be found as a road bike, commuter bike, or a steel bike in retro look, as well as a selection of e-bikes. For a wide array of options, you can explore our [Gravel bikes under $500](https://buycycle.com/en-us/shop/categories/gravel/max-price/500), [Gravel bikes under $1,000](https://buycycle.com/en-us/shop/categories/gravel/max-price/1000), [Gravel bikes under $2,000](https://buycycle.com/en-us/shop/categories/gravel/max-price/2000), and [Gravel bikes under $3,000](https://buycycle.com/en-us/shop/categories/gravel/max-price/3000). We also offer a selection of [women's gravel bikes](https://buycycle.com/en-us/shop/bike-types/road-gravel/categories/gravel/frame-sizes/l,m,s,xs,xxs,xxxs) for the female cyclist.
Through the Basso bike configurator you have the possibility to choose the components individually.
In addition to innovations from its own ideas workshop, the company also relies on proven performance products from Campagnolo, Shimano, SRAM Fizik and Continental for its gravel bikes.
Derailleur groups & brakes
For the shift groups, there are several options, such as the Campagnolo Ekar, SRAM Rival eTap AXS, Shimano GRX, Shimano 105 or even the SRAM Apex. The new Gravel bikes are only available with disc brakes, which from the MTB sector have now also entered the road and gravel bikes, due to their superior performance.
Shock
Basso Gravel bikes come without shocks as standard, but the struts on the fork, with their vibration dampening properties, provide a smooth and comfortable ride. If you want, you can also upgrade your gravel bike with a suspension fork, which opens up a whole lot more possibilities for your excursions without needing an MTB.
Saddle / seatpost & handlebar / wheels
The Fizik Vento Argo R1, for example, is a saddle that fits perfectly and for the seatpost, handlebars and stem they use almost exclusively parts from their own research laboratory. For the wheels, they also like to use their own products, such as the Microtech MX25 or the Microtech RE38 wheelset, and the Continental Terra Trail tires cut a fine figure in all conditions.
Additional equipment
For his next trips, you can buy a bottle cage including bottle, as well as a waterproof bike bag or even a new computer mount.
Which of the Basso gravel bikes will be the faithful companion on my excursions?
Among the road bikes you can find, for example, the Venta Disc Shimano 105, Venta Disc Shimano Ultegra, Venta, Rim Shimano 105 or even the Venta Rim Campagnolo Centaur. Furthermore, there are also the Basso Diamante, Basso Diamante Rim, Diamante SV Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, Diamante SV SRAM Force eTap AXS as well as the Diamante SV Campagonolo Super Record EPS, along with other road bike models. The Commuter Bikes can be used in everyday life in the best way and with the Viper steel bike you have not only a cool retro bike, but also still a bike that was made with love and by hand.
If you have any questions about the components or the different models, please do not hesitate to contact us at Buycycle, so we can help you choose the right bike.
