Basso’s Fastest Ever Bike

The stunning new Basso SV, or Sempre Veloce – Italian for “always fast” – is designed to deliver maximum speed for the widest range of riders. Tailored to enthusiastic amateurs rather than exclusively pro riders with their specialised needs and physiologies, the SV offers a perfect balance of aerodynamics, lightweight performance, and precise handling.

Copyright: Cyclist Magazine

With its thoughtfully crafted geometry and impressive comfort, the Basso SV is built to excel across a variety of riding conditions, making it a truly versatile and accessible high-performance bike.

Entirely hand-built in Italy, the Basso Sempre Veloce sets a benchmark for quality and craftsmanship. From the premium materials used to the meticulous construction techniques employed, every detail reflects class-leading excellence.  It’s a thing of beauty, with a pedigree and performance to match.

Weighing just 780g in a medium frame size, the SV boasts tube profiles engineered for minimal wind drag, ensuring that every pedal stroke translates into forward motion while delivering thrilling handling. Crafted from advanced Torayca T1100 and T1000 carbon fibres, the SV frame is paired with an aerodynamic 370g fork. This combination offers an unrivalled blend of stiffness, responsiveness, and lightweight performance, making it a true standout in its category.

As a relatively low-volume ‘artisan’ builder, Basso has intentionally chosen not to support a World Tour team. This decision frees them from the constraints of catering solely to professional racing demands, allowing them to focus on designing bikes that meet the needs of everyday riders.

Basso recognises that true performance goes beyond speed—it starts with proper fit and comfort. Without these elements, even the best-performing bike falls short. By prioritising fit and comfort, Basso ensures every rider can fully enjoy and maximise their experience on the bike.

The Basso SV reflects this philosophy with a slightly higher stack and reduced reach compared to other high-performance frames, combined with a 25mm shorter seat tube. These features deliver optimal positioning and long-lasting comfort for all-day riding. Additionally, this design minimises the need for excess headset spacers, preserving front-end stiffness and enhancing precise handling.

Compared to other high-end models in the current Basso range, the SV offers significantly enhanced bottom bracket (BB) and headtube (HT) stiffness, while maintaining consistent rear triangle stiffness at the axle to optimise comfort.

The 85.6mm BB width creates a wide, stiff foundation for the downtube and chainstays, maximising power transfer and stability. Meanwhile, the deep 67.9mm headtube design further enhances handling precision, delivering exceptional control — especially at high speeds.

Enhanced Aerodynamics

In designing the SV, Basso focused on enhancing aerodynamics by primarily reducing the bike’s frontal impact area, achieving a 16% drag reduction compared to its predecessor, the Diamante SV.

The front wheel is seamlessly integrated into the downtube, minimising airflow disruption and optimised for 28–35mm tires. Additionally, a truncated aerofoil design is applied across all tube sections, further boosting aerodynamic efficiency and ensuring the bike slices through the air with ease.

Tyre Clearance

The Basso SV now accommodates tires up to 35mm wide on 25mm internal rims. This innovation bridges the gap between aerodynamic performance and all-road versatility, providing an ideal balance of speed, compliance, confidence, and safety across various surfaces.

With the capacity for wider tires, the SV is perfectly suited for mixed-surface riding, whether tackling cobblestones, rough tarmac, or more adventurous terrain. This adaptability opens up a world of possibilities for riders seeking both performance and versatility.

3B Seat Clamp

Basso’s 3B Gen II seat clamp is a game-changer in vibration absorption, seamlessly combining cutting-edge technology with sleek design. Invisible on the frame, it integrates a rubber gusset and features a vulcanised steel plank, enhancing comfort. This unique Basso solution effectively dampens vibrations, improving the ride quality.

Complementing the 3B Clamp, the extended Diamante seat post (380mm) and sloping geometry further improve compliance. This setup ensures that even the most challenging surfaces feel noticeably smoother, allowing riders to focus on performance without sacrificing comfort. The result is a ride that is as comfortable as it is fast, no matter the terrain.

Integrated Cockpit

To cater to the varied needs and preferences of riders, the SV offers two integrated carbon cockpit options: the Fuga and Levita.

• The Fuga is optimised for an aerodynamic position and a narrow 370mm centre-centre width at the hoods.  It features a 1° back sweep and down sweep for enhanced comfort and a neutral wrist position, with a modest 6 degree flare for a 30mm wider hand position in the drops.  The Fuga has a short 65mm reach for optimal lever/handlebar integration and is compatible with all Basso EcoSystem accessories, such as the GPS mount.
• The Levita is for those who prefer a more classic cockpit geometry.  The Levita offers the same seamless compatibility as the Fuga, but with additional width options from 380mm to 440mm and a 4 degree flare – it weighs in at just 330g in a 110/420mm configuration.

Baso Fuga (left) and Levita (right)

Lightweight, stiff, and incredibly responsive, the Basso SV delivers exceptional power transfer and precise handling for riders who demand the very best. Whether you’re chasing a personal best, conquering tough climbs, or simply savouring the unparalleled joy of riding an Italian masterpiece, the SV is engineered to elevate every aspect of your cycling experience.