Some of you might remember my 84 Basso Gap that I posted about a few months ago.

At the time that I bought it, it had a black ITM stem and 3TTT bars. I really did like the combination, but the stem was just to long, not to mention that it had some chips on it. Some guys also mentioned that the black just didn't go to good with the rest of the bike. I thought they might be right. So Drillium Dude had a very nice Cinelli stem and bars that he thought would look perfect on the bike, and when I saw the pics, I agreed. And he did a remarkable clean-up on them to. So thanks to DD, here she is all dressed-up with new stem bars and Cinelli cork tape. Hope you like it!

Before -







After -







Thanks to the mild winter, I've been getting some good riding in with her, and all I can say is beautiful. She rides like a dream, smooth and solid like an old-school Cadillac but with much better reflexes!

Much better in my opinion. It lightens it up. Pretty bike.

I agree it looks much brighter and more classical

The silver Cinelli 1A stem and silver bars look perfect on the bike. I never did like the later welded CrMo and Ti stems that came out. They just look crude and clunky in comparison to the older cast aluminum quill stems. Only other stem I'd consider on that bike is Cinelli's 1R, but sometimes they have a creaking problem.......but they look very nice too....

Chombi

Wow, that really changes the overall look (for the better).

What was the difference in length between the old stem and the new one?

What a difference! Looks stunning. At some point I might go for white hoods if I were you, but it looks great the way it is anyway.

Bravissimo!

Thanks so much guys!

I was really afraid that somebody was going to say, "I liked the black set-up better"! Yeah, I think it really matches up well to and I'm glad DD was able to hook me up with the Cinelli set-up.

The ITM is 140mm, while the Cinelli is 115mm. Pretty big difference.

White hoods could be in the future to!

That's a potentialy expensive 3T bar you removed....it's a Paramount 3T bar.

I kind of thought it might be a high end handlebar given the amount of panto work on it and the wreaths around the 3TTT logo, not to mention the angle ruler. I also believe the ITM stem is worth abit to. Well, I still have them...

That really does balance out the look perfectly! Glad I could help

Silver seatpost, stem, bars and half-chromed fork against grey derailleurs, gear levers and brakes - to me, this just came together with the perfect amount of balance. You did a super job and have a beauty to be proud of

Now for the ride report (hint, hint...)!

DD

I completely agree that the changes to this bike are for the better. Nice job.

For the better! And look, the weather's getting better too!

You more than helped. It was your suggestion that got me thinking of making a change and then you made it happen when you found that Cinelli set-up. So thanks alot my friend, I think we brought this ol Basso back to it's original beauty!

Well, I got in an 11 mile run with her before my toes got frostbite and I can tell you it rides like a dream. Solid, yet comfortable like an old-school Cadillac, but with the quick responses of a Porsche or Ferrari. She definetly has a nice racing geometry with quick handling but not skittish or overly twitchy. It's heavier than my aluminum Miyata, but it feels quicker somehow. I have to tell you that one of the nicest things about this bike is the silence. There is absolutely no noise when moving along except the wind. The Gipiemme hubs, BB and Shimano 600 gruppo are all just deadly silent and I'm liking the ride of the Michelin Eillium 2's on the Campy rims also. It all seems to work very well together.

With the better-for-me length of the new stem, riding is easier and getting into the drops is possible again. I'm looking foward to the spring and summer and taking this Basso for some long rides.

Thanks again guys!