BIKE LAUNCH
Basso Diamante SV Super Record WRL
£9,999
Handcrafted Italian Superbike with Campagnolo’s wireless Super Record groupset
Bike as shown: Weight 7.67kg (56cm) Frame Carbon Fork Carbon Gears Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 12x Wheels Basso Microtech RE 38 Brakes Campagnolo Super Record hydraulic disc Finishing kit Basso Integrated seatpost, San Marco Monza saddle, Basso Levita Integrated carbon handlebar, Schwalbe One Performance 700c x 28c tyres
Italian bike builder Basso make all of their carbon frames in-house in their Treviso facility and, since Alcide Basso founded the company in 1977, they have been creating Italian-made bikes from the ground up.
The Diamante SV (the SV stands for super veloce, or super-fast) is the pinnacle of the brand’s road-racing range. The frame has been designed to marry low weight, aerodynamic profiles and enhanced stiffness: no tall order when it comes to aerodynamically shaped tubing.
If you’re looking for a fast, beautiful, Italian-made bike, does the Diamante SV warrant consideration against its competitors in the shape of Colnago, Pinarello and Bianchi? Let’s find out…
01 Low weight
This latest generation of the SV frameset has a claimed weight of just 820g (56cm) and a lightweight 400g fork. While the stiffness has been improved and the weight and drag lessened, Basso also wanted to improve the ride comfort.
02 Comfort boost
They’ve reshaped the rear triangle and designed a whole new fork. Both now offer more compliance, and both have been expanded to accept tyres up to 32mm wide, keeping up with the current trend for wider tyres in racing.
“At the front, there’s an all-new integrated handlebar called the Levita. Its slender aero shape also hides the brake hoses, keeping the cockpit area uncluttered”
03 Aero bar
The details of the Diamante have been improved too. At the front, there’s an all-new integrated handlebar called the Levita. Its slender aero shape also hides the brake hoses, keeping the cockpit area of the bike uncluttered. As we’d expect of a premium race bike, it’s designed around electronic drivetrains, so there’s no need to worry about gear wires and cables as this latest Campagnolo Super Record electronic groupset has joined SRAM and Shimano in going wireless at the lever controls.
04 Spokey dokey
The Italian-made theme continues with the Microtech RE 38 wheels, also handmade by Basso. These 1,560g, 38mm-deep, tubeless carbon hoops are designed for all-round speed uphill or down. Only the premium German-made Schwalbe Pro One Performance tyres step out of the all-Italian theme.
05 Clever clamp
At the rear, the aero-shaped carbon seatpost is held within Basso’s new, innovative 3B Gen 2 clamp system, which also brings anti-vibration qualities, improving rider comfort on uneven surfaces. The seatpost is topped with an Italian-made San Marco Monza saddle.
BIKE LAUNCH
Canyon Grizl:ON CF 9
£6,699
New e-gravel ride gives you more feel
Bike as shown: Weight 15.3kg Frame Canyon Grizl: ON CF R112 Fork Rock Shox Rudy Ultimate XPLR Gears SRAM Force AXS XPLR 12-speed (10-44t/42t) Wheels DT Swiss HGC1800 Motor system Bosch Performance Line SX motor 55Nm and 400Wh battery Brakes SRAM Force AXS Finishing kit Canyon S14 VCLS 2.0 seatpost, Fizik Argo Terra X5 saddle, Canyon ST0037 stem, Canyon HB0064 Ergo AL handlebar, Schwalbe G-One Bite Evo, 45mm tyres
Canyon has expanded its range of e-gravel bikes by electrifying the Grizl to create the Grizl:ON. With a carbon frame, a gravel suspension fork across the range, integrated lights and the latest, compact Bosch Performance Line SX motor with 55Nm of torque, the Grizl:On takes a different approach to gravel compared to the brand’s existing Grail:ON gravel bike. There are four models, with UK prices ranging from £4,799 for the Grizl:ON CF 7 up to £7,649 for the Grizl:ON CF Trail.
01 Faster and lighter
While the Grail:ON comes with a chunky Bosch Performance Line CX motor with 85Nm torque and 250W power output, the new Grizl:ON’s Performance Line SX motor provides a lower 55Nm peak torque for those who prefer to use their own power a bit more. The bike weighs less too, with the new motor plus a 400Wh battery having a claimed 4kg all-in mass. Canyon says you only get peak motor power at higher cadences and that the lower weight leads to a more natural ride feel.
02 Slacking off
The company has used its eMTB experience to provide the Grizl:ON with slack front-end geometry to calm steering responses. The 69.5° head-tube angle for all five sizes is down from the non-assisted Grizl’s 70 to 72.75° across the size range. The seat-tube angle is steeper than the Grizl, though, at 74° versus 73.5°, which Canyon says promotes efficient climbing.
03 Hidden cables
Also in MTB fashion, the Grizl:ON has a short 60mm stem and wide handlebars, to help with bike handling in tough terrain. There’s front-end cable integration, which uses the Acros system to route all cables and hoses through the stem and headset, except the front brake.
04 Shock absorbers
All spec levels of the Grizl:ON are also fitted with a Rockshox Rudy XPLR suspension fork with 40mm of travel. The two higher specs get the Rudy XPLR Ultimate, while the other two have the standard Rudy XPLR.
05 Bits and bobs
Lighting is powered by the central battery, as is the rear derailleur, and you can choose from options to equip the ebike for commuting or longer adventures. Canyon has worked with Lupine to integrate the lights into the bike. There’s a pair of rear lights fitted into the rear dropouts, to provide dual-sided visibility. Fidlock Quickloader mounting points mean you can add a strap-free frame bag inside the main triangle. You can also fit Canyon’s proprietary full-length mudguards for tyres up to 45mm wide.
Paul Norman