Bike Test: Basso Venta R

Weight 9.03 kg (56 cm) Carbon frame Carbon fork Drive Shimano 105 12-speed (11 – 34, 50/34) Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes Microtech MCT wheels , aluminum rims Rest of the equipment Basso Heart carbon saddle, Selle Italia Model saddle X, Basso stem, Microtech aluminum handlebars, Continental Ultra Sport 28 mm tires

The brand was founded 50 years ago by the Italian Alcide Basso, brother of the world champion from 1972. All bicycles are still manufactured in Italy. Like the other bikes in this test, the Venta R has a full mechanical set of Shimano 105. It is accompanied by a fairly high-quality rest of the equipment. And although it is an endurance model, the geometry is sharper and promises more playful handling. At first glance, not much has changed from the previous generation – there's still the horizontal top tube and the chunky aerodynamic profiling, including the rear wheel cut-out in the seat tube. However, closer inspection reveals that the wiring no longer enters the frame at the head tube, but under the stem and through the head assembly.

In addition, the frame no longer has a subjectively not quite nice "bump" in the joint of the upper and seat tube. It used to house a seatpost sleeve that didn't tighten very well. It was replaced by a lock with three Allen keys. It is enough to keep it clean and everything will work without problems. There is even a vibration-reducing rubber insert inside the sleeve.

Despite the visually large frame, the Basso Venta R has the lowest stack of all three bikes tested. Reach is again the longest, but both differences are within a few millimeters. However, the overall geometry is a little more racing than most endurance models on the market, despite the 179mm long head tube. In the tested L, the wheelbase is under one meter, and the rear structure is only a short 406 mm.

The head and saddle angles are steep at 73.5 degrees. The heart of the equipment is a complete 105 with compact converters and an 11-34-tooth cassette. As with the other two bikes, you will also find wheels of our own (or sister) brand with aluminum tubeless-ready rims. They are fitted with 28 mm Continental Ultra Sport tires that can also be used without inner tubes. It is a training model of the middle class. The contact points fit us very well. Likewise, the Italian Selle Italia X saddle is relatively short and has a large central channel to reduce pressure on soft tissues. The handlebars are wrapped in a very comfortable wrap, and while they are 40 cm wide at the top, the rams are pushed out to 44 cm. Thanks to the narrower top, you will be in a slightly more aerodynamic position with the upper grip, and the wider bottom will give you more control on the descents. Today it is a very popular combination.

A unique headpiece

The stem is very thick and probably adequately rigid. It fits very nicely with the head assembly with integrated cable routing. Compared to the previous generation with exposed cables, the new one is definitely a bit more aerodynamic. However, as always, we would prefer a more universal system. This one, developed by Microtech, greatly limits your choice when replacing components. The Basso is 300g heavier than the Merida.

The weight penalty, which the heavier wheels also contribute to, can be felt a bit when accelerating and going uphill. However, once you start the bike, you won't be restricted in any way. Handling is, as you'd expect from the numbers, quite aggressive for an endurance bike. The head tube and stem are uncompromisingly stiff, but even with the relatively narrow 28mm tires, the bike is not downright uncomfortable – just one of the tougher ones. The middle area is also stiff, so the Venta R reacts to footsteps as quickly as it does to changes in direction.

Comfort or agility?

If you want to be comfortable on the bike, but at the same time know exactly what is happening under the wheels, the Basso Venta R is a solid choice. However, if you want to tilt the scales more towards comfort, you can fit up to 35 mm tires here without any problems. And if you also throw them without souls, the difference will be really noticeable. And personally, we would go exactly this way.

01 It has compact 105 cranks with 50/34 gears, like the other two bikes we tested.
02 The cut-out seat tube provides plenty of room for the rear wheel.
03 The wide handlebars give you more control on uneven surfaces.
04 The Venta rides fairly stiff, but still comfortable over longer distances.

• reasonable price

Cons:

• narrow coats

• non-standard head composition

Also consider...

For a little more...

Basso Venta 105 DI2

€3,499

For a few hundred more you get Mavic Aksium Disc wheels and a 105 Di2 electronics kit. It has a very favorable price tag for an Italian machine.

For much more...

Basso Palta GRX 1x12 ALLroad1 Poseidon

€3,799

A beautiful gravel bike equipped with a specific Shimano GRX set with a very special name. Coat? Poseidon?

Source: Sportmedia