First look: Basso Astra road race machine

8 comments
By Matthew Cole | Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008 9.06am

We had a sneak peak at the new Basso Astra racing bike recently and it’s a beautifully finished Italian marque that we can’t wait to get our legs over.

The company manufactures a wide range of frames from the luxury to the practical, priding themselves on the quality of their paint jobs and their ‘made in Italy’ exclusivity.

The T700 3K monocoque carbon fibre frame used for the Astra is treated with anti-UV resin, which also protects the bike from superficial scratches that could damage the fibres. The frame then receives three coats of high quality paint.

The front and rear triangle tubes are shaped to resemble a four-leafed clover, adding to the strength of the frame and improving handling. Strength is also added by using oversized chainstays for optimum power transfer during the pedal stroke.

The Astra also features a 1 1/5” headset that's designed to improve power as well as reduce stress on the headtube.

The likely retail price of the Astra (frame only) is around £1,599. The bike is distributed in the UK by Moore Large.

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User Comments

There are 8 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 comments

  • Am i reading this correctly, the complete bike is only 1900 quid. Campagnolo super record equiped and carbon frame, surely this cannot be correct. Ademort

  • think thats frame price only!?

  • Yes, i think it,s probably the frame price aswell, but it is not very clear is it, can anybody from bike radar help with this.If it is 1900 quid for the bike i want one. Ademort

  • chain could do with some lube!

  • How can a headset improve power? Why on earth have a 11/5 headset? The bike looks good though!

  • I'm guessing it means that the front end flexes less so more power goes towards forward motion....

  • It seems that somebody has inserted the words (frame only) by the price. Thought it was to good to be true. Ademort

  • Or could the "power improving headset" be what marketing execs call "a unique selling point". Translation: An unproven gimmick designed to assist the parting of fools and their money. I'm not saying the bike's no good, I just hate marketeers developing solutions where there are no problems.

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