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 Giro finale
Photo ©: Bettini
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EICMA show -
Milan, Italy, September 15-18, 2006
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Part 4- September 15-18:
Not that Basso, silly!
The all-carbon Laguna
Photo ©: Anthony Tan
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Close-up of the top tube.
Photo ©: Anthony Tan
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Each of the tubes
Photo ©: Anthony Tan
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The ecliptically-shaped downtube
Photo ©: Anthony Tan
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The shapes of each tube
Photo ©: Anthony Tan
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The Zero.9 uses the same carbon
fork
Photo ©: Anthony Tan
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The seat tube.
Photo ©: Anthony Tan
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Basso's titanium model, the Zero.9,
Photo ©: Anthony Tan
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The carbon fork.
Photo ©: Anthony Tan
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A rear view
Photo ©: Anthony Tan
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By Anthony Tan at EICMA in Milan, Italy
Now the name rings a bell, but this time it's the bike, not the rider, we're
talking about. A brand that dates back to 1977, Bassobikes are based in Dueville,
Italy, in the province of Vicenza. 13 models will form part of next year's line-up,
with the focus very much on the road or 'strada' sector.
Much has changed since Basso released the Gap road frame some 30 years ago,
their first hand-made steel bike, where triple anti-rust protection inside and
out and 'due componenti' (two components) protective paint were considered innovations.
In 2007, the Laguna is their flagship model: a glamorous carbon monocoque finished
with BASF paint, aimed to prevent ageing of carbon due to ultraviolet light.
Bassobikes' Diamente model also sits on the top shelf, but a company representative
told Cyclingnews it's not a product as heavily marketed as the Laguna. A completely
hand-built carbon frame, the production of the Diamente is limited to 200 frames
per year, and boasts a retail price to match: don't expect to get much change
from two and a half thousand Euro.
Anyway, back to the Laguna. More than 1000 of these frames went out the door
in their most recent financial year (running from September to August) and consequently,
the Laguna is Basso's top production model. The monocoque frame has been shaped
to obtain the greatest rigidity for the least weight, and because of this, the
walls of each tube incorporate lateral ridges to stiffen its structure. The
ridges are then connected to each other in the head tube, bottom bracket shell
and seatpost.
Two colour choices will be available for the Laguna next year: black carbon
weave with red and silver highlights, and black carbon with white highlights.
And both very pretty for 1.100 Euro apiece (frame only).
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click
here
Images by Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com
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