Basso has updated their top-level carbon Diamante SV aero road bike with a number of sometimes subtle aerodynamic tweaks that create an all-together faster bike. Dubbed SV for Super Veloce or super fast, Basso promises some extra veloce by way of small frame reshaping, a totally internal routed cockpit, and an all-new fork with more tire clearance.
2021 Basso Diamante SV aero road bike gets integrated overhaul
The overall shape of the SV frame itself looks mostly unchanged from the original SV debut three years ago – outside of a few outward tweaks here and there. The all-new OpenFlow fork design is a big one, completely reshaping the entire fork, tire & wheel interface up front with extra space allowing for smoother airflow and decrease aerodynamic footprint overall.
Thinning the fork crown and pulling it away from the downtube also meant improved tire clearance. Combined with extra room trimmed out in the rear, the Diamante SV now fits up to 32mm wide tires, because we’ve seen that, especially when road surfaces get rough, wider can be faster – and without a doubt more versatile.
Beyond the major front end change, the back gets tweaked with a more angular shaping to the rear wheel cutout smoothing airflow now that a vestigial brake arch is gone – as is any mention of a rim brake Diamante SV option!
The frame also gets one more outward tweak in a new flush design to the top tube, sliding the 3-bolt seatpost clamp expander that was already set from the back of the seattube down a bit more for a more tidy aero solution.
Diamante SV, fully integrated but adjustable
Not to be ignored is the obvious lack of cables as the new Diamante SV goes the way of most recent aero road bikes with complete internal cable routing. A fully integrated aero cockpit goes a long way to making the new Diamante SV both look faster & quantifiably reduced drag. But the updated bike does not skimp on flexibility.
Instead of a fixed one-piece solution, Basso reshapes their low-profile aero stem with new internal channels, and pairs it to a separate aero carbon bar for maximum adjustability. Even with completely integrated full internal cable routing, it also letting you put split integrated spacers under the stem and adjust the angle of the bar to get your perfect fit.
The bar is available in five widths (38-46cm outside) and the stem five lengths (90-130mm). Up front, there’s also a new internal blocking headset to protect the internal routing, while keeping the bikes front end sleek from the outside.
The last aero improvement on the outside, is one you won’t notice – faster paint with nanoparticles. Basso claims the 3D structure of new ceramic nano particles in the paint create a “less porous and more compact” finish that is more uniform than conventional paint, and “less prone to drag”. It is also said to be more durable than ever, so your Super Fast Diamond road bike will look good longer – even shedding water better.
Geometry, options & availability
Inside the Italian-made carbon frame is again tweaked in its carbon layup to provide size specific stiffness & even tube profiling to make sure everyone gets the highest performance ride from the smallest 48cm frame up to the 63cm (seven size range).
The new 2021 Basso Diamante SV is available now from your local Basso dealer, with plenty of options for final build customization.
Three frameset finishes are offered – black chameleon, sharp silver & pastel white – and plenty of premium build kits from Campagnolo, Shimano & SRAM. Interestingly enough, while the bike uses full internal routing, it is not limited to electronic groups. Basso offers builds with Chorus & Super Record 12-speed mechanical groupsets, alongside EPS, Di2 & eTap AXS.
