Cyclist
New Basso SV all-round road bike replaces aero Diamante SV
Basso’s launch of the Sempre Veloce (SV) sunsets the brand’s aero Diamante SV after three generations. The new SV – sempre veloce means ‘always fast’ in Italian – perseveres with the Diamante SV’s racy geometry and aerodynamic design cues but has increased tyre clearance while shedding significant weight, with Basso claiming builds of 6.7kg are possible.
Despite some narrower tubing, the bottom bracket and head tube are now claimed to be stiffer, while Basso says alterations to tube shapes and a new integrated handlebar have reduced the frontal area of the bike by 16%, improving aerodynamics.
Some of the changes to the SV’s design have addressed rider comfort. The increased 35mm tyre clearance is 3mm more than the brand’s lightweight race bike, the Diamante, and the proprietary 3B seatpost clamp system is said to further damp vibrations. Basso says the introduction of a more compact frame design has exposed more seatpost and should provide more compliance.
The Basso SV will be available at nine spec levels and in seven sizes with builds using all three major groupset suppliers. UK prices range from £8,995 to £13,295.
Increased tyre clearance and comfort
Three iterations a dynasty does not make, but after less than a decade it’s curtains for the Diamante SV, with the new SV incorporating the racy elements of its predecessor, while falling into line with some more versatile design trends.
‘It’s a bike in the middle of these categories,’ says Basso’s head of product and marketing Leonardo Basso. ‘Because we don’t have a WorldTour team we don’t need to produce bikes for pro riders. Instead, we can create a bike that is for real world riders.’
Basso has kept the geometry largely unchanged from the Diamante SV, with a short 985.7mm wheelbase and a compact rear end contributing to what should be quick handling, though the 408mm chainstays (size 56) are 2mm longer than on the Diamante SV.
This slight increase creates space for 35mm tyre clearance which brings the SV into line with Basso’s endurance bike, the Astra, and follows the industry-wide trend of giving riders more clearance on even race-going framesets.
As well as continuing with dropped seatstays, the increased slope on the SV’s top tube exposes additional seatpost for more flex. It’s also been straightened, following the example of the Diamante and the Astra, ditching the scalloped outline of the Diamante SV’s seatpost.
The 3B Clamp System Gen II, used elsewhere in the Basso range, operates from the back of the seat tube and is said to damp vibrations via a rubberised metal insert.
Changes to stiffness, tube shapes and aerodynamics
Though Basso says its wind-tunnel data isn’t available yet, many of the tubes used in the SV are now narrower, and more aerofoil in profile.
The new aero Fuga handlebar hides away cables inside its smooth, flat-topped and one-piece shape, which should also reduce drag. It weighs 300g and comes in six stem lengths. However, since Basso says it’s designed for narrow-shouldered riders, 370mm is the only width available.
Alternatively, the SV can be built up with the 330g Levita bar, which comes in ten different stem and width combinations, has rounder tube profiles and lacks the back sweep and 6° flare of the Fuga. The Fuga also has an 11.7mm shorter reach and 5mm shallower drop than the Levita.
This is part of a front profile that Basso says is now 16% smaller thanks to narrower forks, a skinnier head tube and the slim Fuga bar. There is also a cut out to the down tube to help smooth airflow from the front tyre.
Despite the alterations to tube shapes, Basso says the SV is now stiffer in some key areas. The bottom bracket is claimed to be 1-2% stiffer than the Diamante and the Diamante SV’s, with the head tube also 16-22% stiffer.
‘The tubes are narrower but they’re a different profile,’ says Leonardo Basso. ‘Everything that was lost in width has been replaced by height or depth. That allowed us to stiffen some parts of the frame.’
Groupsets, weight and sizes
The Basso SV is only offered in one carbon grade, with a combination of T1100 and T1000 Torayca carbon contributing to a frame weight of 780g. The fork is an additional 370g. Basso claims a size 56 frame with Dura Ace, DT Swiss wheels and 28mm Conti 5000s can be built to weigh 6.7kg.
Basso is selling builds with Shimano Dura-Ace, Ultegra, SRAM Red AXS and Campagnolo’s Super Record S groupset. The wheel options include DT Swiss Arc 1100DB, Fulcrum Sharq, DT Swiss ERC 1600 and Campagnolo Bora WTO 45. Basso is not offering its in-house Microtech wheelsets on the SV, which is a departure from its other top-tier bikes.
Customers have the choice of two different setback options on the seatpost, -15mm or 0mm, while there are ten different handlebar and stem size combinations on the Levita (80-130mm and 380-440mm) and six stem lengths (80-130mm) available on the Fuga. The frameset comes in seven sizes, from 45-61cm.
Basso SV specs and pricing
Basso SV Frameset
- Frameset: Basso SV
- Price: £4,799
Basso SV Shimano Ultegra Di2
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 8170 Di2
- Wheels: DT Swiss ERC 1600 / DT Swiss ARC 1100DB 50 / Fulcrum Sharq
- Tyres: Grand Prix 5000 S TR
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow
- Price: £8,995 / £9,995 / £9,995
Basso SV Shimano Dura Ace Di2
- Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
- Wheels: DT Swiss ERC 1600 / DT Swiss ARC 1100DB 50 / Fulcrum Sharq
- Tyres: Grand Prix 5000 S TR
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow
- Price: £11,695 / £12,995 / £12,995
Basso SV SRAM Red AXS
- Groupset: SRAM Red AXS
- Wheels: DT Swiss ARC 1100DB 50 / Fulcrum Sharq
- Tyres: Grand Prix 5000 S TR
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow
- Price: £13,195
Basso SV Campagnolo SRW S
- Groupset: Campagnolo Super Record Wireless S
- Wheels: Campagnolo WTO 45 Dark Disc
- Tyres: Grand Prix 5000 S TR
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow
- Price: £13,295
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