News and Views

Basso Palta gravel bike

Gravel attracts cyclists for a wide variety of reasons but the Basso Palta attracts gravel riders for largely the following capabilities — quality craftsmanship, long-lasting performance and a ride quality that begs for speed.

The Basso Palta is designed as a fast riding gravel bike, it’s compliant enough to smooth out the roughest terrain. Yet it remains as reactive and efficient as Basso’s road specific frames. Leaving even the most demanding cyclist wondering where this frame makes a compromise.

The same qualities that have made the Basso frames so highly coveted on the road find themselves incorporated into the Palta – adapted for the versatile nature of gravel.

Specifically versatile — the Basso Palta

The word Palta, which in Italian dialect means “mud” or “dirt”, has gained an international following and universal respect thanks to its unrivalled versatility.

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The Basso Palta is made for cyclists looking for a bike that can be used for road riding, gravel racing, cross riding or even multi-day adventure rides without compromise on speed or looks.

Gravel takes on several definitions but no matter how you choose to ride, the Palta delivers a fantastic riding experience as if it were specifically designed for your particular type of riding for any given day.

The Palta maintains that same speed over any terrain, in comfort and control. Versatility has a new name – Palta!

Built better and build in Italy

Adventure requires the ability to adapt to a wide variety of conditions and the Palta does just that.

Ample tire clearance for up to 42mm rubber allows the rider to dial his or her ride perfectly for the road, the rough stuff and everything in between.

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The meticulous layup of the 100% Torayca High Modulus carbon fibre, along with its unconventional gravel shape, prove how smooth a reactive and fast frame can be across all terrains.

The meticulously studied layup of the 100% Torayca High Modulus carbon fibre used in the Palta’s construction, along with its unconventional gravel shape, leave the rider amazed at just how smooth a reactive and fast frame can be across all terrain.

Adventure awaits

Ready for any type of riding and any type of ride, the Palta takes on design elements that see it fit for all scenarios.

Seven bottle cage bolts for carrying up to three water bottles increases the autonomy of the rider and increases the potential for adventure.

Innovation solution, unique shape

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Basso developed an innovative solution that combines both comfort and performance.

With over 40 years of expertise in developing efficient geometries, Basso developed an innovative solution that combines both comfort and performance and ensures fantastic handling in all situations.

The specially developed Basso Palta fork stands out and is fundamental to giving the rider great versatility amongst varied terrains.

In addition to a geometry that provides comfort and efficiency while allowing for near road-like positioning if need be.

View the Basso web page for Palta

Basso Venta, technically sound and beautiful.

The Venta is the entry point carbon road bike made by Basso and is available in rim and disc brake versions. It is designed for the cyclist who is looking for Basso’s signature racy but confident feel – with a more relaxed position and compliant ride.

The 20th anniversary Venta model blends head-turning and function-driven design with performance that makes it a more than capable race-ready steed.

Sleek lines and minimalist graphics make sure that this frame perhaps one of the most elegant within its class.

While aesthetics go a long way into defining the beauty of the Venta model it is the craftsmanship that sets this frame apart from its competition. Made by hand in Italy by Basso with the same extreme attention to quality and detail used to make the most premium frames in the range, the Venta represents fantastic value.

Made to race, made to last, the Venta promises a lasting performance for years to come.

Your power, your speed — delivered by the Basso Venta

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The straight fork and compact rear triangle make for an extra responsive handling performance, making the Basso Venta agile enough for even the fastest most technical situations.

The oversized bottom bracket and down tube meet with a reinforced head tube junction to resist torsional stress and result in an extremely efficient power transfer.

No power loss to flex means more efficient riding, more energy for the final sprint and more speed for equivalent watts.

Fast, smooth, the Venta knows no compromises.

A more relaxed geometry gives additional comfort to the meticulously developed carbon layup created to confer both a reactive and comfortable structure.

The straight fork and compact rear triangle make for an extra responsive handling performance, making the Basso Venta agile enough for even the fastest most technical situations.

Details matter

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The Basso Venta includes advanced features usually reserved for higher specification bikes, such as internal cable routing and an integrated seat post clamp.

The Basso Venta’s beautiful shape and construction meet with advanced features, generally reserved for higher tier offerings such as internal cable routing and an integrated seat post clamp.

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Sleek lines and minimalist graphics make sure that Basso Venta frame perhaps one of the most elegant within its class.

The Basso Venta, even after 20 years continues to represent the fantastic design premise of the original model. The latest version is a testament to the fact that impeccable craftsmanship, performance and design, built to race and built to last are qualities found throughout the entire range of Basso Bikes, no matter their price point.

See further details of the Basso Venta

Basso Astra is a thoroughbred Italian bicycle, made in Italy.

The Basso Astra has a heritage of over 40 years of bike building and is 100% manufactured in-house and in Italy, making the Basso Astra more than just an Italian surname on a down tube.

This bike is ideal for the rider looking for an impeccable balance of technology, performance and all-day comfort. The Astra delivers all of this in spades – with the added bonus of Italian beauty thrown into the mix.

The Basso Astra is a thoroughbred.

Taking its design cues from the Diamante framesets, the Astra is a thoroughbred racehorse ready to take you further, faster and with more confidence.

Basso have developed a geometry designed to confer the perfect blend of snappy handling and acceleration and a comfortable position for the long haul.

High-end carbon construction.

Made by hand in Italy the Basso Astra frameset is 100% constructed from 100% 3k Toray High Modulous Carbon Fibre and is capable of offering performance on par with the Diamante SV, even though lightly compromising on weight.

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The Basso Astra frameset is 100% constructed from 100% 3k Toray High Modulous Carbon Fibre.

A larger, more solid head tube joins with an extremely efficient downtube, made more so thanks to a particular form highlighted by its characteristic side “channel”.

Both tubes couple with completely redesigned chainstays to confer fantastic power transfer thanks to a solid, reactive complete unit of lower tubes (head tube, down tube, chainstays).

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The Basso Astra features completely redesigned chainstays for fantastic power transfer.

Podium worthy and fantastic value

Added to the prestigious structure of the new Basso Astra are several design characteristics most commonly seen in higher priced cycle frameset offerings. So you not only have a podium worthy race bike but one that also represents fantastic value.

Basso Astra – see further information on the Basso website.

Basso Diamante – an essential race bike.

The Basso Diamante is the result of years of hard work and research to develop the finest racing bike that is timeless not only in terms of performance and reliability but also in terms of form and beauty.

The Diamante follows only the footsteps of its previous versions as it leads all others in the category of essential race bikes. The classic lines, flawless geometry and rounded tube shapes meet with construction aimed at offering race-winning performance.

The build quality and specification are of the highest standard, creating the perfect tool of the trade no matter where, how or over what terrain you race on.

The Basso Diamante is available with rim or disc brakes.

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The Basso Diamante Disc, shown in Opal White.
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The Basso Diamante rim brake version resplendent in Opal White.

More than meets the eye.

This frame is far more than what meets the eye, Basso has eliminated all superfluous design elements and concentrated on its core mission: racing. The elegant and minimalistic design hides the story of an extremely complex design.

Ride perfected

Stable, reactive, efficient and has got exceptional handling characteristics. The Basso Diamante is a versatile road racing bike that is capable of performing everywhere and in every type of racing scenario.

More than great geometry and fantastic craftsmanship or materials, the details behind the long list of technological solutions contribute greatly to its exceptionally versatile performance. The curved fork stands out amongst conventional design and adds a great deal of stability.

The Basso Diamante is hand made in Italy

Made by hand, in Italy, by Basso, the Diamante is a true representation of exactly what a fine, authentic Italian racing bike should be.

Using only the finest high modulus carbon fibre from Toray the Basso engineering staff have produced a frame capable of efficient performance that lasts and excels over all terrain.

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The Basso Diamante Tube shapes and carbon layup allow for a reactive frame minimal flex and torsion.

Tube shapes and carbon layup allow for a reactive frame with bottom bracket flex of a mere 0.4mm and a head tube torsion of an amazingly low 0.2mm…a 50% improvement over previous models.

Available in both disc and rim versions, the new frame has been optimized to allow for up to 28mm tires, thus increasing even further the Diamante’s versatility.

To sum up – we’d say the Basso Diamante is an example of undeniable Italian design and class. Functionally beautiful and beautifully functional.

Get further details of the Diamante on the Basso website

Basso Diamante SV

A perfect blend of technology and design makes the new Basso Diamante SV the best Basso bike.

A fine racing bike has one job and one job only: to aid its rider to go as fast as possible, under control and by consuming less energy. This is the design remit behind the development of the Basso Diamante SV.

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The Basso Diamante SV is not only fast but is surprisingly smooth too

Extreme efficiency, reactivity and control, render this frame capable of delivering incredible speed, hence the moniker SV, or Super Veloce.

Hand made in Italy to a high specification.

The frame is one hundred per cent handmade in Italy using Toray T1000 and T800 carbon fibres, with “only the best carbon selected”, according to Basso. This blend of carbon has a very high tensile strength, which has allowed Basso to make a very stiff frame with less material to bring the weight down to 954g.

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The Diamante SV has dropped seat stays for maximum ‘reactivity’.

Its production facility experts also produce composite structures for the aviation and automotive industries and the Basso engineering staff have undoubtedly produced a frame capable of efficient performance that lasts and excels in all race conditions.

Every tube in the Diamante SV’s construction has been optimized in terms of its internal structure and external form, using the most sophisticated ultra-high modulus carbon fibres available, to render the bike incredibly reactive and efficient.

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The Diamante SV front fork is designed to be rigid and reliable when you are out of the saddle and sprinting.

The fork has been designed to be vertically compliant, yet horizontally rigid. This simply means that the while there is some shock absorption within the Carbon lay-up of the fork, it’s completely rigid and reliable when you are out of the saddle and sprinting.

Aero optimised for the real world.

It is however the external form of these very tubes that have been meticulously studied to provide an overall aerodynamic advantage that benefits the rider in a versatile manner.

The Basso aerodynamic approach seeks to develop a versatile design that takes into account the highly variable wind situations and angles that the rider may find themselves in. Aero optimised not for the wind tunnel but rather for the real world.

The Basso Diamante SV is available in three colours.

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The Basso Diamante SV in the ultra pretty Camaleont Black
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The Basso Diamante SV looking classy in Pastel White
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The Basso Diamante SV looking smart in Sharp Silver

See the Diamante SV on the Basso site

Orro Terra Gravel 105 Hydro

The 105 Hydro version of the Terra Gravel is the latest evolution of Orro’s original gravel bike. With the additional braking power that is provided by hydraulic disc brakes, you can be more confident when stopping even in wet and icy conditions. The extra braking power combined with our Terra G frame makes for an excellent combination. Pictured here in the Copper colourway, it is also available in Raw Silver. There are also carbon frame options.

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Orro’s copper coloured Terra Gravel shimmering in the morning sun

Designed and Assembled in Sussex

All Orro bikes are designed in the heart of Sussex at our dedicated facility at the foot of the hallowed Ditchling Beacon. Orro is firmly at the forefront of UK bicycle design and manufacture – working with the industry’s leading technicians and mechanics we have championed tapered headtubes, bolt through axles and disc brakes. We utilise the finest materials available to us, and when we cannot find one that we deem sufficient, we develop it ourselves.