Basso Diamante

hubcap

So I've got the itch for another bike and really like the look of the Diamante, I've done some googling for info and have found some but a lot of it is either related to the Diamante SV or older versions of the Diamante.

Anyone got some feedback on the latest model, I know they are supposed to be very stiff and racy, but would appreciate any first hand experience of the handling, comfort, stiffness, road buzz etc.

They are not a super popular bike so I'm not expecting a flood of replies but any info would be much appreciated...before I make a potentially very expensive mistake

Matthewfalle

This one? Utterly lovely. Buy it and hang it on a wall.

https://www.cyclerepublic.com/basso-dia ... gKL__D_BwE

hubcap

It is rather nice isn't it, I also like the eggshell finish that you can see on Basso's website.

It's pretty unusual but maybe a bit marmite! Then again, I'm one of those people that likes marmite.

Matthewfalle

Hubcap wrote:

It is rather nice isn't it, I also like the eggshell finish that you can see on Basso's website.

It's pretty unusual but maybe a bit marmite! Then again, I'm one of those people that likes marmite.

It's like very, very nice - really sweet.

Buy it.

ryan_w-2

Make sure you buy the SV version...

hubcap

Why do you say buy the SV version Ryan?

Matthewfalle

The one I linked to is much nicer.

Buy it. Buy it. Buy it now. Buy it. Buy it.

StillGoing

Basso don't make a bad bike, so buy with confidence. My old Astra from 2010 is still going strong and was a joy to ride fast, easy going or for 100 miles. Super stiff and responsive and I'm sure the Diamante will be just the same.

Basso make their own frames in house which is why you don't see many around. They refuse to entrust their reputation to anyone else making frames for them.

ryan_w-2

Hubcap wrote:

Why do you say buy the SV version Ryan?

Because it's the best bike they make.

Lighter and stronger than the 'normal' model.

EDIT: However, the special edition model linked is f-ing beautiful.

ryan_w-2

This is one of my dream bikes:



https://www.bassobikes.com/bicycles/roa ... range.html

hubcap

I love the blue and orange, seriously nice bike. I think the bank balance might be taking a beating at this rate.

johnnymcg259

Ryan_W wrote:

This is one of my dream bikes:



https://www.bassobikes.com/bicycles/roa ... range.html

ffs that is truly, truly gorgeous! If only.........
I had a Basso back in the early 1990's though....Columbus SL tubing.....rode like a dream. Sold it to a mate in mid 1990's....he's still got it and is refurbing it with a new paint job. Can't wait to see it!

Tiesetrotter

Don't forget to ditch the Shimano .... this is Italian design and putting anything but Campagnolo would be a travesty. I saw a wonderful C60 frame on Sunday made hideous with Ultegra on it.

StillGoing

Tiesetrotter wrote:

Don't forget to ditch the Shimano .... this is Italian design and putting anything but Campagnolo would be a travesty. I saw a wonderful C60 frame on Sunday made hideous with Ultegra on it.

Bollox!. Stick whatever groupset you like on it. I ran SRAM on mine. You ride with what works for you, not what some purist thinks is aesthetic.

Matthewfalle

philthy3 wrote:

Tiesetrotter wrote:

Don't forget to ditch the Shimano .... this is Italian design and putting anything but Campagnolo would be a travesty. I saw a wonderful C60 frame on Sunday made hideous with Ultegra on it.

Bollox!. Stick whatever groupset you like on it. I ran SRAM on mine. You ride with what works for you, not what some so called purist thinks is aesthetic.

This exactly. 100%.

I've also FTFY a bit.

Matthewfalle

I've also got an old steel uber Ascot like this: it's really nice.

https://www.pedalroom.com/p/basso-ascot ... 7076_3.jpg

dabber

philthy3 wrote:

Tiesetrotter wrote:

Don't forget to ditch the Shimano .... this is Italian design and putting anything but Campagnolo would be a travesty. I saw a wonderful C60 frame on Sunday made hideous with Ultegra on it.

Bollox!. Stick whatever groupset you like on it. I ran SRAM on mine. You ride with what works for you, not what some purist thinks is aesthetic.

1997... Alpe d'Huez... Pantani (Italian)... Wilier (Italian)... Groupset, Dura Ace (definitely not Italian).

Tiesetrotter

I'll stick with what works for me then on an Italian bike then, Campagnolo.

StillGoing

Tiesetrotter wrote:

I'll stick with what works for me then on an Italian bike then, Campagnolo.

So if Campagnolo works for you, you would put it on a frame manufactured by Canada, Germany, America, Taiwan etc etc. Sticking to a groupset manufactured by the same country as your bike makes no sense if it doesn't work for you.

pippi_langsamer-2

Tiesetrotter wrote:

Don't forget to ditch the Shimano .... this is Italian design and putting anything but Campagnolo would be a travesty. I saw a wonderful C60 frame on Sunday made hideous with Ultegra on it.

Same old stuck record from the Campagnolo stalwarts... :roll:

mfin

Tiesetrotter wrote:

I'll stick with what works for me then on an Italian bike then, Campagnolo.

You are quite right if it is a nicely designed italian bike. To me it is nothing to do with Campagnolo being italian, it is to do with what it looks like, Shimano make loud gopping groupsets that are shouty and detract from a nice frame, not understated good looking groupsets.

I saw someone on a C59 with Dura Ace on it the other day, it looked crap, such a shame, like putting an aftermarket bonnet intake on an Alpha Spyder, or ordering Lobster Themidor and it coming with a turd topping.

(Quite like the look of that dark blue Basso, wonder what it looks like in the flesh though, it's looks would be ruined by a few spacers too ... EDIT: On the link the spacer system looks quite neat https://www.bassobikes.com/bicycles/road/diamante-sv/diamante-sv-blue-fluo-orange.html)

StillGoing

Campagnolo attractive? That's a new one on me. Yuk!