Basso’s Legendary All-Round Performance Road Bike

The beautiful Basso Astra continues to build on the legacy of its predecessors. Always a fast road bike, the Astra has further expanded its appeal with some tweaks to geometry and capacity for significantly larger tyres. The Basso Astra is every inch a race bike, but one that is adaptable to different riding styles and perfectly capable of tackling the UK’s roughest back lanes.

Basso will never compromise on their mission to design and build framesets that are focussed on fast riding, but alongside all-out speed they have introduced refinements to the latest Astra that delivery more comfort over longer distances, the capability to tackle a wider variety of surfaces and an adaptable geometry that opens the Astra up to a wider range of riders. The slightly shorter top tube and higher head tube offer riders the choice of a more relaxed riding position, which helps relieve tension in the arms, shoulders, neck and back, or a more traditional ‘racing position’, but with fewer or even no headset spacers.

“From the off, it feels quick. The position it sets you in is comfortable but not too head-upright. It’s similarly noticeably stiff and fast to get going. Steering is direct, while the general staunchness of the bike makes it feel pleasingly responsive. Basso’s blurb for the Astra suggests it’s a bike that could pick up wins at local road races, and I’d agree. It’d also provide a storming ride at a sportive or on a club run. The bike’s promise of versatility certainly doesn’t eat into its abilities on the tarmac. Applied to the soggy and decaying roads of the UK in December, the Astra is robust enough to inspire confidence but never risks being a drag.” Cyclist Magazine

The Astra now has room for tyres up to 35mm in width, which means that riders can introduce more comfort and increased grip, as well as allowing for tyres with a bit more tread or a more robust carcass for tackling the very worst of surfaces.

Road ‘buzz’ is reduced by the use of some slightly more compliant fibres in areas like the seat stays, and by their tried and tested seatpost design that incorporates vulcanised inserts to help absorb any vibrations coming up through the seat tube.

Pedal hard, and the Astra reacts with almost the same verve as the Diamante, which is no mean achievement given that bike’s racy credentials. Whether you prefer to climb in the saddle or stomp on the pedals, the Astra always feels stiff and efficient. BikeRadar

The Paradigma Integration System of stem, spacers and headset offers a slick solution for the complete internal integration of cables, compatible with all types of disc brake group sets – 1x and 2x, electronic and mechanical. The passage of so many cables in a small space often results in slow and heavy steering. Basso, through the Paradigma system, are able to smoothly integrate mechanical groupset cables, even with a front derailleur, maintaining maximum steering lightness for precise handling.

The Paradigma stem itself remains free from internal cables so that it can be removed at any time without the need to disconnect the cables. This makes it easier to maintain the bike, transport it in travel bags and customize the length of the stem.

COLOURS

The Astra is available in three premium full gloss colourways – Chroma White/Red/Blue fade; Cobalt Grey; and Black Opal White.