The new Basso Diamante SV road bike has just arrived at road.cc for review, and here’s a quick look at it before it goes out on the road.
The Diamante SV Ultegra (in a Shimano Ultegra build, obviously) with MicroTech MCT38 alloy wheels is available off the shelf for £4,495. The model we have here, though, is almost twice as expensive. It’s built up with Campagnolo’s Super Record EPS electronic groupset and MicroTech’s superlight M138 wheels, and it costs £8,879.
We don’t usually review many bikes this expensive although we’ve actually featured a few recently.
The Storck Durnario Platinum that Dave tested last month was £8,250.
Built up with a Shimano Dura-Ace (mechanical) groupset and DT Swiss RC 28 Spline C Mon Chasseral carbon fibre clinchers, the Storck was marginally lighter than the Basso (6.4kg/ 15.1lb versus 6.65kg/14.7lb).
David said, “A stunningly light endurance ride wth race bike handling that doesn't fail to impress, except in everyday practicality.”
The Bianchi Oltre XR4 Super Record that we reviewed earlier in the year was even more expensive at £9,500.
The Oltre XR4 is a full-on race bike that uses Bianchi’s CounterVail technology to help damp road vibration before it reaches the rider.
As the name tells you, it’s another bike in a Campagnolo Super Record build although this time with mechanical shifting. Another very light bike, the Bianchi tipped the scales at 6.53kg (14.4lb).
We concluded: “Lightweight, quick to react and very, very smooth, this is a superb pro-level race bike.”
The Pinarello Dogma F8 that we reviewed in September was £8,250. This is the bike that Team Sky has ridden to massive success over the past few years. Again, it’s lightweight, our review model hitting the road.cc Scales of Truth at 6.6kg (14.6lb).
Our version was built up with Campagnolo Super Record (mechanical).
“Incredible speed, performance and handling from a Tour de France-winning bike,” we said.
To be honest, if you spend this kind of money you’re never going to get a bike that’s anything other than excellent so it’s a question of deciding on your priorities and targeting them.
We’ll be back with a review of the Basso Diamante SV soon to help you decide whether it’s worthy of space in your garage/hallway/bedroom.
For more info go to www.bassobikes.com or www.cyclerepublic.com.
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