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On the outside, the 8th generation of Basso’s classic Diamante road bike looks like a simple aesthetic update. But into the details there are real upgrades… like tweaked modern geometry, 15% bigger tire clearance, more than 20% weight loss, plus of course the requisite shift to full internal routing. In a world overrun with aero bikes, the new Basso Diamante retains a more classic subtle round-tube diamond-frame look, while delivering lightweight modern carbon Italian all-rounder road bike performance…
Basso Diamante modern classic Italian road bike
There aren’t a ton of road models that have been around for 22 years like the Diamante. But this bike has continued to evolve, much like road component tech and the way we actually ride roads have changed. Lighter carbon, bigger tires, disc brakes, sleek yet comfortable aerodynamics, multi-system integration… the new Diamante hits all the highlights.
What’s new?
The new Diamante remains a bit of a throwback to classic styling while still incorporating dialed-back aero features. Like the small rear wheel cutout in the otherwise round seattube that now allows for 32mm tires.
Or the updated second generation 3-bolt clamp above the still-high seatstays that pushes against the seatpost that looks round, but actually features a concave scallop down its back (no also available in 0mm & 15mm offsets). Or the way the integrated handlebar cockpit sits down ever so slightly at the toptube.
The Diamante frame is also a surprising 200g lighter than before thanks to a new hi-mod carbon mix, down to a claimed 760g for a 53cm frame. There is no mention of a lighter fork. But it is certainly lighter visually with thinned straight legs that smoothly transition through a setback crown into the downtube – reminiscent of both their aero road Diamante SV or gravel Palta II bikes.
Road Geometry updates
c. Basso
As the Diamante evolves, its proven ride geometry hasn’t really changed so much since gen 7, although this new Diamante does opt for a 0.4° slightly slacker headtube angle and a bit longer front center lengths while keeping the same short 400mm chainstays even with room for bigger tires. They say that paired with bigger tires, these geo tweaks provide “responsiveness at low speeds and stability at high speeds”.
Fits across the wide 7 size range (45-61cm) do get tweaked a bit though, with a few millimeters less frame Reach and around 1cm higher frame Stack mostly due to longer fork axle-crown length.
Tech details
The new Basso Diamante sticks with 12mm thru-axles, flat mount disc brakes, and a PressFit BB86 bottom bracket.
It gets a new integrated 1.5″ headset design with ultra-low-stack headset & low-stack stem (or additional spacers) that smoothly guide cables into the inside of the frame for clean routing.
The new integrated bike also comes with a new one-piece Basso Levita integrated aero handlebar & stem combo with fully internal routing. At 330g (110×420), the compact ergonomic bend Levita bar measures center-center at the hoods and gets a slight 4° flare in the drops to make better room for your wrists in the 76.7mm reach / 119.7mm drop. Available in 6 sizes (90×400, 100×420, 110×420, 120×420, 120×440 & 130x420mm).
New Basso Diamante – Pricing, options & availability
The new made-in-Italy Diamante is available now from your local Basso dealer either as a complete bike, as a custom frame build kit, or a frame kit with frame, fork, headset, seatpost & handlebar.
In fact, everything is customizable with Basso’s online configuration tool in three paint jobs – Opal White, Stealth Black & Candy Red – with many groupset and wheel build options possible. Complete bike builds start at 8300€ with Ultegra Di2 12sp and Basso’s own carbon Microtech RE38 wheels. And they go up from there.
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