I’ve been running this blog for quite some time, yet I haven’t introduced my blogdom to the weapon between my legs. It took me awhile to find the obligatory backdrop for my photo shoot, a suburban garage door. Let me now introduce the crown jewel of my bike collection, my favorite bike the Basso Diamante:
Click for full-resolution image.
I finished building this bike in December 2004 and this is my third season racing it. Yet, during this time the bike hasn’t been complete until just recently when I purchased some genuine racing wheels. There is only one more piece I may add, a Campy UT Carbon Crankset since they just came out in 180 length. Otherwise, I’m really happy with the entire setup.
Every time I ride this bike, I like it more. It is very comfortable, yet very responsive in performance. It basically does what I ask. The mostly black parts give it a stealth appearance that features the rider, not the bike. The black is offset by some silver highlights that complete the feng shui of the setup; silver ”go” parts include stem plate, cranks, chain, cassette, saddle clamp, hub ends, and dropouts.
The new Winwood handlebars I added this year are very comfortable. I particularly like how these cleaned up the cable routing for my Campy levers. Another thing I’ve tried is athletic tape (or hockey tape as I call it). I put this on as kind of a gag, but ended up really liking it. It is very light and makes me feel at one with the bar. My hands are big, and I thought the limited girth would be a problem, but this hasn’t been an issue. I liken it to the grip on a golf club, having it too fat limits your ability to whip the club. The other advantage of hockey tape, is that you can just tape over it when it gets dirty, just like the hockey guys do. Are we still talking about a bike?
I’ve also got a thread going for the technuts over at Serotta Forums if anyone wants to vote on the bike. Comments and critique are welcome here too.
The weight as pictured is 16.5 lbs.
Here are the specifics:
| Part | Brand | Model |
| Frame | Basso | Diamante 2003 |
| Fork | Microtech | |
| Wheelset | Nimble | Fly tubular rims, Sapim CX-ray spokes 20/28, White Industries hubs |
| Tires | Veloflex | Carbon Pro |
| Handlebar | Winwood | Road Scholar |
| Ribbon | Mueller | Athletic Tape |
| Stem | Ritchey | WCS |
| Pedals | Time | Impact Mag |
| Cage | Brontrager | Race Lite |
| Saddle | Selle Italia | SLR |
| Seat post | Brontrager | X Lite |
| Shifters | Campagnolo | Record Ergo |
| Brake Levers | Campagnolo | Record Ergo |
| Brakes | Campagnolo | Record |
| Crankset | Campagnolo | Record Alloy 177.5 |
| Bottom Bracket | Campagnolo | Record |
| Front derailleur | Campagnolo | Record |
| Rear derailleur | Campagnolo | Record |
| Cassette | Campagnolo | Record 11-21 |
| Chain | Campagnolo | Record UltraNarrow w Connex link (Shimano width) |
Click for full-resolution image.
Click for full-resolution image.
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