Once once more I discover myself dealing with a clean web page, looking for a technique to tactfully write shopping for recommendation for a motorcycle that’s far past the realm of affordability for therefore many people, throughout a value of residing disaster. I’m, nevertheless, all the time reminded when attempting to put in writing these opinions of primarily Italian superbikes that after I was 14 years previous I’d fortunately learn Top Gear journal for hours, scraping collectively my pocket cash to purchase some new cranks and a far cry away from having the ability to put a downpayment on a Ferrari. For a few of you, I’m positive this can be a technique to dwell vicariously and get a style of what it is prefer to experience one thing that’s clearly in ‘dream bike’ territory.
The Diamante SV, the ‘Super Veloce’ model of the Bassano-based model’s range-topping highway bike, is premium, and whereas it makes some light-hearted aero claims it’s much more a motorcycle that rubs shoulder with the Colnago C68 than it does with one thing just like the really race-oriented Bianchi Specialissima.
My take a look at unit is kitted out with the now outdated, not wi-fi Campagnolo Super Record EPS groupset, simply to up the bling issue. The bike you should purchase off the shelf proper now’s $11,899 / €11,599. If you wish to improve the inventory wheels, which we are going to get into additional on within the evaluation, you may want so as to add an additional €900.
Design and aesthetics
Some time in the past I penned a little bit of a rant, centering on how all aero bikes look the identical. This has fortuitously modified considerably, with manufacturers now coalescing on a brand new commonplace of a one-bike resolution, however even towards a diversifying visible backdrop, the Diamante SV silhouette is comparatively distinctive. Within the Basso model, the straight-legged forks are the norm and shared with even the brand new, way more inexpensive Venta R that I reviewed earlier within the 12 months, however the stance of the Diamante SV is extra purposeful. The kinked ahead fork legs look nice, and even supposing no actual substantive aero claims are made the bike at the least seems like a passing nod has been given to aerodynamics.
The primary factor that most likely strikes you is that it seems tall. Compared to bikes of equal dimension from different manufacturers the Diamante SV (in addition to many from the Basso vary) has a a lot taller head tube and a taller seat tube. This offers a novel look, but in addition for a similar bar peak it makes the bike longer. If you’ve gotten a shorter head tube and take up the extra peak with spacers on the steerer you successfully transfer the bars rearward on the identical time because of the rake of the top tube. Fewer spacers for a similar bar peak means an extended attain – simply one thing to keep in mind for those who ever want to suit your self as much as one in every of these. I discovered myself having to slam the saddle ahead maybe greater than I often would.
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The paint can also be fairly particular. Each of the 4 choices is pearlescent, and this blue-white is reasonably ethereal. It’s additionally shiny, which is best in my e book because it’s simpler to wash. It additionally higher matches the gloss of the Super Record EPS groupset, and as I’ll get onto it could additionally match the excessive gloss of a set of Campagnolo Bora WTO wheels.
The cockpit is offered in widths right down to 38cm, although solely with stem lengths of 80 or 90mm, however on the largest finish you may get a 130mmx44cm possibility on the different excessive. The cockpit itself is ok, although I don’t notably just like the bulbous clamp space, and whereas I don’t thoughts the truth that the drops level each so barely downward, cocking your wrists ahead, it is probably not to everybody’s tastes.
What I do take situation with, and it’s a fairly large situation, is that the entrance finish creaks beneath load. It’s one thing that occurred with the Venta R, and I put it right down to perhaps a QC situation on an preliminary run. The identical factor occurred right here, although, and I’m additionally conscious of it occurring on different fashions despatched to different publications.
Even with applicable fibre grip paste, on the right torque the bars might simply spin independently of the entrance wheel. I known as Basso to ask in regards to the creaking, and having deduced that it was possible the increasing bung within the steerer I used to be instructed that that part had ‘no most torque’. I can not inform you how a lot I needed to do the bung up, even slathered in fibre grip itself, to quiet the entrance finish, as a result of it’s greater than I used to be prepared to place my torque wrench by way of.
If you’ve spent three grand on a motorcycle this is able to be annoying, and result in a sense of insecurity given how catastrophic fork failures might be. On a motorcycle that’s almost 4 occasions that value, it’s basically unforgivable. Yes, creaks occur, however almost each different bike model on the market has at the least managed to make sure that it’s often simply the underside bracket and never the cockpit that creaks.
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Performance
Setting apart the creaky entrance finish the Diamante SV is a fully beautiful bike to experience. The experience traits are among the many greatest I’ve tried. It doesn’t have fairly that unstable, racy edge {that a} pure racer has. I’m pondering primarily of the dealing with of the Specialized Tarmac SL8 or the Canyon Ultimate. Like many Italian bikes (primarily Colnago on this occasion) it is a bit more mellow than these from elsewhere, however whereas I discovered the Colnago V4Rs somewhat sedate when it comes to dealing with, the Diamante SV is on the cash.
Cruising round whereas simply mile munching it has not one of the bite-your-head-off traits that always make for an uneasy time. In reality, it looks like an endurance bike, dressed up within the trappings of racing. Don’t take this as a detrimental, as a result of it isn’t. The dealing with, particularly downhill when excessive speeds can typically make extra aggressive bikes really feel jittery, is excellent. It’s balanced, planted, and sure-footed, however not uninteresting. It feels loads just like the Pinarello F7 that I examined final 12 months.
What actually struck me was how light the bike felt. The supple Vittoria Corsa Pro tyres assist loads right here, regardless that they’re the earlier non-tubeless mannequin, however not like many prime flight bikes the place I typically felt like I needed to experience it on the restrict with a view to do it justice, the Diamante was much more forgiving of and much more satisfying to only cruise round on. Long, meandering rides within the solar are the place it felt most at residence. You can throw it right into a chicane and really feel like a racer, after which sit up to soak up the view afterwards.
On the flat, you’ll be able to discover the distinction between it and a real aero-optimised machine, however I don’t suppose that’s actually what this bike is about. It doesn’t declare to be a watt-saviour, and I believe it’s all the higher for it. It retains that intangible Italian-ness that mainly solely comes from ignoring efficiency in pursuit of aesthetics.
Descending on it’s chic. Where one thing just like the V4Rs solely got here alive over about 50kmh, this felt confident sufficient to hold on as much as bananas speeds… or it could if I didn’t have a voice at the back of my head continually reminding me of how a lot bloody torque I’d put into the expander and reminding me how briskly my face would grate away if met with tarmac at 70kmh. It actually did detract from the expertise I’m afraid to say.
The tall seat tube means there may be little saddle stick up, although the carbon seat submit is definitely fairly snug so long as you’ve acquired a saddle that fits you. The bars are additionally fairly ergonomic, and whereas they had been far too large for my liking you’ll be able to spec them narrower so no minus factors there.
The wheels are the place issues maybe begin to go awry. I believe I’ll by no means get to a degree in my life the place I can drop this a lot cash on a motorcycle, but when I ever get there (runaway inflation apart) I’d actually hope to not have personal model wheels. The Microtech wheels that come fitted are in their very own proper completely okay, however working an Italian superbike with Super Record EPS and personal model wheels, nevertheless, okay they’re, is somewhat like turning as much as your individual wedding ceremony in a customized swimsuit, a tie that matches the decor, and a set of flip flops.
You can spec this bike with Bora WTO wheels, that are most likely a superb match, although I’ve but to experience a set. In my capability as some type of unusual wheel sommelier, I believe the Hyperon Ultra wheels would really be a greater wager. Sack off the aero claims, and run a set of shiny hoops that ought to counterpoint the remainder of the bike splendidly. Super stiff, whippy, and sufficient to sharpen up the dealing with a contact.
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Value
Don’t chunk my head off right here, however I believe that is really a good-value bike. It’s furiously costly and if you’d like bang on your buck then some direct-to-consumer manufacturers will definitely give you higher worth, particularly with Shimano or Sram componentry.
However… If you’re looking to buy a Basso Diamante it’s since you wish to purchase a Basso Diamante. I’m going to exit on a limb and recommend you most likely don’t give a hoot about wattage financial savings, and to you, it’s extra about aesthetics, and that intangible Italian superbike-ness that I touched on earlier. The Colnago C68 has it, and that’s most likely the benchmark for foolish cash Italian bikes. The Pinarello Dogma doesn’t. Its picture has been sanitised to fairly a big diploma by the Ineos partnership.
The Basso Diamante has it in spades, and it’s cheaper than the Colnago, even with a set of Bora WTO wheels, so pay the upcharge of £900 and simply have executed with it. How do I do know it has it in spades? An area graffiti artist remarked how fancy it appeared. Non-cyclists will instinctively comprehend it’s particular, you’ll comprehend it’s particular, and whereas the experience is fairly fantastic, the specialness is up there with the Colnago C68 for much less cash. That’s what you are paying for.
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Verdict
The Diamante SV from Basso is an excellent bike. It has a beautiful set of dealing with traits that err in direction of the light fairly than aggressive and can be complemented higher by a stiff, premium set of Campagnolo wheels to match the groupset and liven issues up only a hair. The creaky entrance finish is unfortunately an actual black mark, and the answer of simply tightening the bung till it shuts up feels fairly wild to me – it doesn’t go the sniff take a look at.
Regardless, I nonetheless significantly loved driving it. If I used to be within the enviable place to spec one myself I’d ditch the Basso cockpit and the personal model wheels, slap a set of Hyperons on, and select a cockpit that fits your match and ergonomics.
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Testing scorecard and notes
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design and aesthetics
Beautiful to behold, with a particular silhouette, let down in a giant means by a badly designed cockpit
7/10
Build
Great tyres, nice groupset, common wheels
7/10
Performance
Really beautiful to experience. Gentle, environment friendly, and sharp with out ever feeling unstable
8/10
Weight
7.94kg with out pedals or cages is mild, however not something to bother the UCI
8/10
Value
Madly, I believe it is good worth. If you need an italian superbike that is going to show heads then it is a comparatively low-cost technique to do it