The rider’s ride

Basso Diamante SV, £3,899 frameset (approx £9,000 as built), chickencyclekit.co.uk

In a sea of well-mannered conformity, Basso sails close to the wind with its geometry. Its bikes are short of rear end and wheelbase, and aggressive in angles. This latest Diamante is no stranger to that playbook, albeit Basso has toned down its aggressive rider position by raising the front end 30mm over its forebear and losing nearly 10mm in reach. But this size 56cm still commands a stout set of 406mm chainstays and 985mm wheelbase such that it can swivel on a centime, and the SV bit

– super veloce – means the tube shapes are aero tuned, if not actually wind-tunnel tested.

The result is a highly reactive bike that’s thoroughly engaging to ride, displaying superb cornering and descending abilities down the Dolomites’ steep slopes. An added bonus is the Diamante is now roomy enough for 32mm tyres, and even with the slimmer 28mm rubber fitted here the extra grip and smoother ride quality is telling, and helps offset the bike’s pronounced – and potentially otherwise jarring – stiffness.