Unknown road bikes

[Kurosawa]

Hi,

I'm looking to change my road bike sometime soon and I found a local internet site that sells some brands that I never heard about. They are european bikes that are not usually distributed in Canada, I would like it if you could give some info on these. The main thing I would like to know is if these are strictly racing bikes or if one of them could be better suited for someone (me

) who would like a bike that is a good performer but also confortable.

Thank you

Ludovick Martin

Basso Diamante
Basso Astra
Basso Laguna

Casati Challenge
Casati 53x11

Guerciotti Gemini
Guercotti Libra

 

[monnet]

I can't offer any opinion on what the particular models are like, I've never ridden any of these brands, but they are all respectable companies who also make high end bikes.

I think Guerciotti sponsor Gianni Savio's multi sponsored outfit and Basso and Casati have, at various points sponsored pro teams (nb - Basso are nothing to do with one time Giro winner and convicted doper Ivan Basso)

 

[accountantpete]

They are all high-end Italian jobs - personally I reckon you are paying as much for the name as the frame.

 

[brockers]

I have a Basso Laguna frame. It's very nice, being 'laterally stiff and vertically compliant' like pretty much all carbon frames. I raced on it briefly, but gave that malarkey up after getting shelled out the back of the pack too often ! I'm guessing the Astra is even stiffer and lighter as it's used by Team Basso UK as their race frame. As accountantpete said, you are paying a bit for the name (and I reckon I've seen my frame - unbranded - at half the price, although I'm reliably informed by the importers that nobody else uses their moulds).

Casati is quite a 'cool' manufacturer too in my view, and Guerciotti are big on the cyclocross scene. You could also add Viner, Masi, and Tommasini to the list of lesser known Italian frames with a race heritage.

...so to answer your question, probably best to avoid the Astra if racing isn't your thing, and the Laguna is more forgiving but still relatively stiff. In my opinion though, comfort is just as much down to getting the right fit and position using the right size of frame, stem, bars and saddle; your choice of wheels, and tyre pressures.

 

[cadseen]

How much are you willing to sacrifice performance for comfort, whats the most important, do you inted to race ?