I had a Basso Ascot which was an early 90's model made from Columbus MS (Multi Shaped) tubing. I liked how the bike rode. The ride was comfortable, and the steering was well-balanced and predictable. It was great for long rides and I rocketed down descents like a cruise missle. One of the the drawbacks of the frame were that it was on the heavy side, suggesting that it was overbuilt. In spite of this it also developed a crack in the weld between the seat stay and the seat tube lug after about 5 years of hard use. The frame used the "fastback" design for the seat lug, where the binder bolt clamped through the seat stays. Perhaps this put too much stress on that junction. The frame had some rust, so I opted to replace it with something lighter and more durable instead of repairing and repainting it. Basso has a good reputation over all, so I wouldn't let this experience scare you away. Just take a careful look at how the frame is designed, and ask about the warranty.