Classic & Vintage - My winter project? Some of you will be a little surprised.

Short version: It's a Basso! :eek:

Long version: It's still a Basso! But it's really a long story....

Ten or fifteen years ago my father in law made some upgrades to his bike, which was an early 90's Specialized road bike. He gave me the stuff he took off, which was Shimano 105 8 speed sti's, derailleurs, cranks, and some other bits. I tried selling the stuff once or twice, but always found myself asking more than the market would bear, from which I was forced to conclude I wanted to keep it. So I decided I would build a bike with it, if I found the appropriate frame.

And then I proceeded to pick up some more components from that same group. The great Box-O-Crap that went around a year ago came my way with a pair of 1056 pedals, and left without them. Kurt offered a 1055 headset in the for-sale forum, and I snapped it up. Before long, I had pretty much everything. I put it all on a very nice early 80's frame, which was blue, so I got blue bar tape and blue cable housing for that. But (alas!) that frame proved a little too big for me; too long. I like a short top tube.

Then in December I saw this Basso Gap frame on ebay for a $150 buy-it-now price, and I thought, yes, that will do. I put the money down.

Once the frame was in the stand I realized some things were still missing, so I placed an order... screwed that up and had to try again... and the necessaries continued to pile up in December and the first week of January. Last Wednesday the last package arrived, with a bottom bracket in it, and I put it all together. Ha! It all seemed to work.

Not having a chance to test ride it, I rode it to work on Friday. That worked out pretty well. I stopped a few times to adjust the seat forward, then up, then forward some more; changed the angle of the handle bar; futzed with the fender line (this thing has close tolerances). Fiddled with it some more Friday around which time TimmyT arrived and we downed a couple beers while I changed the seat, pumped up the tires, and added a few cheap battery-powered LED lights (I prefer dynamo lighting, but this didn't seem the bike for it).

It all looked good. Well, it looked pretty strange to my eye, being purple (which I can't even see, but it looks like blue to me, and I like blue) and green (I can't always see green, but this green I can see) and blue (:thumb:). But it looked like a bike.

We went to bed late and got up early, hit the dark and foggy roads at 6 AM, rode through low hanging clouds until we could legitimately stop for breakfast. It did eventually get light, but we never saw the sun. The roads were wet all day long, even though it never really rained.

We put in a total of 105 miles on Saturday, and I have to say this bike is okay. It more or less disappears under you. I can't call the ride magical; way too bumpy for that. And even with the skimpiest fenders I could find, the tires seem to be maxed out at 23 mm. I don't really understand why they make bikes that won't take fatter tires, but whatever.

Anyway, without further ado, here are some photos I took on Sunday.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4m-njW2zk0w/UPQQ9o9Cz4I/AAAAAAAADFI/dJ4ByuwV6J4/s640/IMG_7307.JPG
The pump is a Topeak Master Blaster Road. It fits the frame nicely. I don't like using it, but it handles very high pressures.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oOcll8Iw7rw/UPQSr1DUgXI/AAAAAAAADFg/50I8LHGlin4/s512/IMG_7317.JPG
Crud Guard road fenders. They seem to be the best suited fenders to a bike like this; vintage Bluemels would be all wrong and probably wouldn't fit anyway. They wangle around a bit on the bumps, and Tim complained that they made an occasional rubbing noise, but he did not complain about getting sprayed with road grime so I consider the fenders a success.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nppgpnEl2yQ/UPQSle6PE1I/AAAAAAAADFY/megw3HJ-pqU/s640/IMG_7319.JPG
Like I said, I bought the blue bar tape and blue cable housing for a different bike. But since blue and purple are indistinguishable to me, they look about right. Note the cheap LED lights on handlebar (obvious!) and the Planet Bike "Spok" safety light on the front fender (aw, isn't that cute...). If you're going to ride a century in January, you need lights. The daylight hours are too short.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ycHXqnS2R6M/UPQS5YPHuPI/AAAAAAAADFw/_3zp1eLjPrQ/s640/IMG_7309.JPG[
More Shimano 1055 / 1056 components than you can shake a stick at! This is not, in my opinion, the ugliest group ever made (Mavic starfish crank, anyone? :lol:) though it deserves an honorable mention. But it suits the bike.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rzU7H7RZN8E/UPQTCNRIiYI/AAAAAAAADF4/AirYJC7yl7I/s640/IMG_7312.JPG
RHM#3 saddle. This was the Brooks Pro frame I rode to its demise 1980-1995 and was the third saddle I recovered. Not a great success, but I reworked it a year later with hammered rivets and lots of holes in the top in the manner of Ottussi. Note the stamps on the side: Shimano 11t cassette cogs! It is actually a pretty comfortable saddle.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j9V75YzpW18/UPQdwzksIsI/AAAAAAAADGs/yJjXCV--mKg/s512/IMG_7315.JPG
Oh, yeah, it's goofy, but I even stamped the rivets.

Anyway, there you have it. My winter build. Frame and components all "period correct" for 1993. It's a fun and fast bike. Top tube might be a little long for me, but really my only complaint is that there's no room for fatter tires and better fenders.

Tight clearances, long top tubes and gaudy color schemes. Italian bikes ftw?

Super cool saddle, man!

I can't believe you did that to an Italian bike.

Nice build! The paint looks blue/green to me, not purple. The Basso frame is sweet!

I can't believe you did that to an Italian bike.

What, you're not supposed to ride them? :eek:


Nice build! The paint looks blue/green to me, not purple.
Thank you! :thumb:
That is exactly how I see it. I don't really believe purple exists at all, it is just a hoax perpetrated on the naive. Ha! I'm not falling for that. The word gullible is in the dictionary, I know, 'cuz I looked once.

Great looking Basso. Personally I always like that group.

They do make bikes that take bigger tires, they are called Touring, Hybrid and Mountain bikes LOL. I bet without the fenders you could shoehorn a x28 in there but if you want fenders then x23 will simply have to do.

Ditch the fenders now! If ever a frame was made for the Speedblend tires, it is this very Basso.

http://store.somafab.com/rirutuspti.html

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-3773699254952_2240_83838894

^Oh, my! If those ever go on sale, please let me know.

Those are pretty groovy!

I love the text in the add... nothing like spending $100+ on tires for your 'beater'

"" Perfect way to add a lot of color to that all-black beater you've been riding and thumb ur nose at bikesnobs. Underneath the rubber it's all business with a Kevlar belt for flat protection and taffeta reinforcement of the side walls. 700x28c. Made in Japan ""

Ehhh, it would look better with an IGH ;)

The coolest thing there is the saddle...that is just AWESOME, especially the signature in the rivets. If I had the skill to do that, I'd put my mark down as well.

Ehhh, it would look better with an IGH.

You make a good point, but sadly this bike has vertical dropouts and every other optimization for indexed shifting derailleurs. But it's okay, I have other bikes with IGH's :thumb:

(and thanks for the kind words about the saddle!)

^Oh, my! If those ever go on sale, please let me know.

They're on sale.

They're on sale.

Indeed they are!

Then again, you could consider converting this bike to 650B.

Indeed they are!

Then again, you could consider converting this bike to 650B.

Yeah, but 1055 long reach dual pivot calipers are really hard to find. I searched on ebay for a while, and all the ones that came up were in far away lands and outlandishly priced.

I'm really loving this bike.

If you're unhappy with the harsh ride on the 23mm tires it maxes out at, maybe you should relace the hubs into some tubular rims? Then you could run 85 or 90PSI for a nicer ride without fearing pinch flats.

More Shimano 1055 / 1056 components than you can shake a stick at! This is not, in my opinion, the ugliest group ever made (Mavic starfish crank, anyone? :lol:) though it deserves an honorable mention. But it suits the bike.

So... Now I see you're taking potshots at my Alpine. Nice work! :mad:

Now about your Basso, that is a pretty neat bike and definitely outside the norm for something you typically build. I've never seen those Crud Guard fenders before. Those may be an option for a couple of my road bikes. Where did you hear about them?

You misunderstand me, sir! I am proud of the ugliness of my 105 group but have to give credit where credit is due. I am awed by the starfish. In am era not known for sensitive and subtle design, it's ugliness stands out. No doubt when the other designers saw that, they shrugged their shoulders and went home.
Fire the crud guards, I saw them on the internet!

I actually kind of like the Starfish; at least it's distinctive. I have to say...the DA 7400 crank is uglier (and it scuffs if you look at it cross eyed). Suntour's derailleurs are also largely hideous...

But the ugliest thing in the history of ugly are bulbous IGH hubs :p

Very interesting.

http://youtu.be/krD4hdGvGHM

I actually kind of like the Starfish; at least it's distinctive. I have to say...the DA 7400 crank is uglier (and it scuffs if you look at it cross eyed). Suntour's derailleurs are also largely hideous...

But the ugliest thing in the history of ugly are bulbous IGH hubs :p

I heard that about you.........:eek:

I heard that about you.........:eek:

From a maternal relative? :fight:

Great job on the Basso!

It really came out great. I know this is unchartered territory for you, but I hope you like the change. I ride a Basso, and I really like it. The bike always urges me to go faster and harder, and I can't seem to go easy with it. That SL frame is pretty special IMHO. Basso's give you the best characteristics of Italian bikes without the high price tag (relatively speaking of course!) and they always have those wacky, but cool two tone paint jobs. You got your frame for a great price!

Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the fenders though. I understand you wanted them for rain, but they don't do the frame justice. After all, she is Italian and she should always be racy and scantily clad. As for the saddle, I agree with everyone else, it looks really good! Nice job. Brown bar tape would go great with that. Nothing wrong with the Shimano 105 IMO. I've got a bike with that group and she is fine.

You really broke her in right on that long ride in pretty dreary weather, glad you enjoyed it. It's nice to see another rider enjoy their Basso!:thumb:

I'm really loving this bike.

If you're unhappy with the harsh ride on the 23mm tires it maxes out at, maybe you should relace the hubs into some tubular rims? Then you could run 85 or 90PSI for a nicer ride without fearing pinch flats.

I'm doubtful you'll be talking rhm into using tubs anytime soon. Of course, who would've thought he'd be riding an Italian bicycle for that matter! :eek:

I actually kind of like the Starfish; at least it's distinctive. I have to say...the DA 7400 crank is uglier (and it scuffs if you look at it cross eyed). Suntour's derailleurs are also largely hideous...

But the ugliest thing in the history of ugly are bulbous IGH hubs :p

Ya better watch out taking potshots at IGH's. I'm liable to build up my Appel as an IGH if you push it. :P

Of course, who would've thought he'd be riding an Italian bicycle for that matter! :eek:

They all come around eventually... :D

...
Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the fenders though. I understand you wanted them for rain, but they don't do the frame justice. After all, she is Italian and she should always be racy and scantily clad. ...

Hmm... you know, I'm not really sure how to respond to that in a 'family friendly' spirit! :lol: These fenders are my idea of 'scantily clad' while being without them would be, well, nekkid.

Hmm... you know, I'm not really sure how to respond to that in a 'family friendly' spirit! :lol: These fenders are my idea of 'scantily clad' while being without them would be, well, nekkid.

Well, being that we're now brothers in the Basso family, let's me and you have a sit down.:)

You've entered a whole new and crazy world my friend. The Italians do it different. The Italians like to show off what they have. They have great legs and they like to showcase them. Their not like the the more staid English, which like to cover up their gams and look good while doing it. Probably has a lot to do with the rainy climate. The French, as sexy as they can be at times, also don't mind covering up and giving you something for the imagination. But the Italians will have none of that. They like to be sleek, chic, and bare. I think you'd be hard pressed trying to find even one Italian wearing fender's or even one pretending to be a tourer. It's normally just not done. These are fast, sleek machines with racing geometries that have climbed the Alps in countless TDF's and Giros with the worlds greatest riders in their saddles. Your bike, our bike, is named after the famous section in the South of France named Gap, where Marino Basso won the stage in the TDF. He did it without fenders! He might be aghast at the site of fenders on his racing steed! They're built for speed, handling, sprinting and climbing and it just can't be done with fenders. And even if it could, how would it look crossing the line - with fenders!:eek:

It's kind of like telling a thoroughbred race horse that it has to work with the Clydesdales pulling the Bud beer wagon. Or like telling Lady GaGa to put some clothes on that gorgeous bod(wait, that would actually help, so, umm, skip that one!)or trying to put fenders on a Formula 1 Ferrari. It's just isn't right...:D

But in the end, she's your bike and you can certainly do what you like with her, however proper attire for this machine is "nekkid"! IMHO of course!:)

I like it.
Your "trade mark" on the rivets is a really nice touch.

Hmm... you know, I'm not really sure how to respond to that in a 'family friendly' spirit! :lol: These fenders are my idea of 'scantily clad' while being without them would be, well, nekkid.

By your non-response, I'm guessing you still like the fenders?:innocent:

By your non-response, I'm guessing you still like the fenders?:innocent:

I don't really really like riding without fenders. I have a couple bikes without fenders, such as my 1954 Drysdale, and a track bike, but the lack of fenders contributes to them not getting ridden. I got this one to ride it, so it is going to have fenders. These are not the best fenders ever, but they suit the bike well enough.

It's a bit of Hobson's choice, though. If I took off the fenders, I could fit better tires. Can't have both unless I convert to 650b wheels, and I am not going there yet.

I must admit I am kinda mystified... What is the benefit of a bike with such close tolerances? Does the relentless pounding of the skinny tires make people think they are going faster or something?

Eh, whatever, I will leave it like this, put it into century rotation along with the Fotherrgill and Quiring and Lambert, and maybe I will develop a preference for one or the other!

I must admit I am kinda mystified... What is the benefit of a bike with such close tolerances? Does the relentless pounding of the skinny tires make people think they are going faster or something?

Well, this frame, like nearly all Italians, is about speed and handling. Not meant to be a tourer or cyclo cross or randoneur with big, fat tires, racks and bags, and yes, fenders, mounted to it, hence the close specs. It certainly can be done, it's just not purpose-built for that. And skinny tires do mean speed, or else the pro's would be riding on big, fat 28's/32's to!:)


Eh, whatever, I will leave it like this, put it into century rotation along with the Fotherrgill and Quiring and Lambert, and maybe I will develop a preference for one or the other!

Hey, it's cool, whatever it takes to get you to ride her is good!

And skinny tires do mean speed, or else the pro's would be riding on big, fat 28's/32's to!:)

Well, maybe not:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/03/bikes-and-tech/technical-faq/tech-faq-again-bigger-tires-roll-faster_209888

Relevant passage:

Generally, though, the decrease in rolling resistance becomes smaller as the tires get bigger. So for example, going from a 19mm to a 20mm may save 1 watt, from a 20mm to a 21mm may save 0.8 watt and from a 23mm to a 25mm may save 0.3 watt. There is great data on this in “Bicycling Science,” using old Avocet Fasgrip tires, which were available from 18-32mm. The 28mm and 32mm were nearly identical, but moving from 18mm to 25mm saved a few watts.

Interestingly, the aerodynamics of the rim design plays a key role.

And skinny tires do mean speed, or else the pro's would be riding on big, fat 28's/32's to!:)

Well, maybe not:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/03/bikes-and-tech/technical-faq/tech-faq-again-bigger-tires-roll-faster_209888

Relevant passage:

Generally, though, the decrease in rolling resistance becomes smaller as the tires get bigger. So for example, going from a 19mm to a 20mm may save 1 watt, from a 20mm to a 21mm may save 0.8 watt and from a 23mm to a 25mm may save 0.3 watt. There is great data on this in “Bicycling Science,” using old Avocet Fasgrip tires, which were available from 18-32mm. The 28mm and 32mm were nearly identical, but moving from 18mm to 25mm saved a few watts.

Interestingly, the aerodynamics of the rim design plays a key role.

I reckon I ought to try selling him my blue anodized Velocity Deep-V rims then. That ought to help him out, eh? :D

Not to jump into this mellow cat fight but ....this Italian racer came with fenders. ;)
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee430/slipangle99/Frejus/Frejus44.jpg

I'm confused - what about this bike is purple? I have reason to think I'm partially color-blind, am I unable to see it? Or is that some kind of joke I don't understand?

I reckon I ought to try selling him my blue anodized Velocity Deep-V rims then. That ought to help him out, eh? :D

I thought you would have laced an S-A hub to those by now and put them on one of your steeds.

Not to jump into this mellow cat fight but ....this Italian racer came with fenders. ;)
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee430/slipangle99/Frejus/Frejus44.jpg

Oh yeah, sure!
Come on in with the only Italian bike on the forum with fenders! Just blow my whole argument out of the water why don't you?:crash:

And hey, if there happen to be more of these oddities, don't post them here!:mad:

:):p:)

And let's not forget KonAaron Snake's gorgeous Cinelli SC. :thumb:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Cinelli/5C4A5443-1878-433B-84F5-53E7C569D137-2316-0000022011A6B0CB.jpg

Beautiful frame, and very interesting build. Just looking at it makes me want to go out and ride -even though it is currently 19*F in my neighborhood! :winter2:


And that frame for $150 is a SMOKIN deal. Bassos are great frames, comparable to any of the better known marquees. You did very well.

And let's not forget KonAaron Snake's gorgeous Cinelli SC. :thumb:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Cinelli/5C4A5443-1878-433B-84F5-53E7C569D137-2316-0000022011A6B0CB.jpg

Please fix that fender and take another picture (in focus!). It bugs me everytime I see it!

This one didn't come from the factory with fenders, but it came with fender eyelets.

I suspect that the bikes marketed to serious amateurs came with fender eyelets -- for bad-weather training.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/6912321738_81442170da_z.jpg

I have seem some lovely Frejus fenders on eBay, stainless steel, I'm not sure how old. So presumably some bikes came from the factory with fenders. But that question doesn't really interest me so much. It is easy enough to mount fenders to almost any bike, even if there are no eyelets. I know a lot of riders don't like fenders, for whatever reason, and that is fine. And a lot of riders dislike the look of useless frame mounts, whether for fenders, dynamos, racks, or whatever. I understand.

What interests (and troubles) me here is that the frame was intentionally built to limit the rider's options. I have no objection if someone wants skinny tires on his bike. But why build a frame where wider tires aren't even an option? This is just shortsighted.

Hmmmmm, been thinking of rebuilding my old Torpado up as a tourer, and debating fenders or no fenders....decent ones cost too much at the moment, so I will probably move ahead without....for the moment. Have not found decent vintage looking racks at a good price yet either...27x1 1/4 tires have PLENTY of cushion!

What interests (and troubles) me here is that the frame was intentionally built to limit the rider's options. I have no objection if someone wants skinny tires on his bike. But why build a frame where wider tires aren't even an option? This is just shortsighted.

I dunno. lt was purpose built, not unlike time trial, triathlon or track bike (no option for larger tires, fenders or even a brake).

I dunno. lt was purpose built, not unlike time trial, triathlon or track bike (no option for larger tires, fenders or even a brake).

That was my answer to. It seem's very reasonable to me...

I dunno. lt was purpose built, not unlike time trial, triathlon or track bike (no option for larger tires, fenders or even a brake).

Well sure, I got the principle of being purpose built. What I don't get is, what purpose do the tight clearances serve? Aerodynamics? Weight savings? prestige? Keeping fat guys off bikes?

I have seem some lovely Frejus fenders on eBay, stainless steel, I'm not sure how old. So presumably some bikes came from the factory with fenders. But that question doesn't really interest me so much. It is easy enough to mount fenders to almost any bike, even if there are no eyelets. I know a lot of riders don't like fenders, for whatever reason, and that is fine. And a lot of riders dislike the look of useless frame mounts, whether for fenders, dynamos, racks, or whatever. I understand.

What interests (and troubles) me here is that the frame was intentionally built to limit the rider's options. I have no objection if someone wants skinny tires on his bike. But why build a frame where wider tires aren't even an option? This is just shortsighted.

Nah, they build what people will buy. Most peole barely ride the bikes thay have so making a bike that could be configured in a multitude of ways is unecessary. You even said yourself that you may not ride it that much due to the number of bikes in rotation. Why make it something that it is not? Oh I forgot, that is what you do!:thumb:

In theory, tight clearances make the bike handle better. It's probably true in practice also, though there may be a point of diminishing returns that manufacturers exceed for the purpose of style.

Velognome has a 2010 Raleigh Clubman, and he had to choose between tires wider than 25mm and fenders, and he chose fenders.

My solution is to use fenders on bikes that accept them and to ride my other bikes on dry days.

Aw, quit your whining and ride your bike already!
fify!


Oh stop complaining and just ride another bike!

fify!

Thanks guys, I knew I could rely on you for sage advice. I'm going to get on my folding bike and go home now.

What interests (and troubles) me here is that the frame was intentionally built to limit the rider's options. I have no objection if someone wants skinny tires on his bike. But why build a frame where wider tires aren't even an option? This is just shortsighted.

It is a shortsight, but the bike was made for a job.

To ride fast in Italy and in summer perhaps go to the french alps.
I know the Mediterranean climate well, when it rains it pours and it doesn't rain very often. This makes it almost impossible to get caught out in the rain. A climate like England for example, its all to easy to get rained on. There are days when you just don't know when or where a little shower is going to happen, you look up at the sky and all different clouds move across the sky.

For this bike, if you lived in italy you would ride it with thin tyres, no racks, no fenders, and if the sky's looked bad wait till tomorrow. If you live in a wetter, unpredictable climate and wish to ride for more than 3 hours then its sensible to use fenders.