Basso has launched the Venta R, claiming the new all-round road bike makes premium technology and performance accessible to more cyclists.
The new Venta R slots in below the Venta Disc in the Italian brand’s road bike range. But the Venta R is not just a more affordable version.
More integration is claimed to improve compliance and aerodynamics, while wider tyre clearance adds versatility.
Lightweight, low-cost carbon
The Venta R frame is made from Torayca T700 carbon fibre to combine low weight and price with durability, according to the brand.
Basso says the Venta R is aerodynamic but more stable in crosswinds than aero road bikes.
The head tube and down tube have a modest Kammtail profile and the seatstays are slightly dropped, albeit round in shape.
Like on the Basso Astra, the seat tube is cut out from the rear wheel and the stance of the straight-bladed fork is wider than the Diamante’s.
This means the Venta R matches the Astra’s clearance for 35mm-wide tyres, according to the Italian brand. This is on a par with the best endurance road bikes, but there are no mounts for mudguards.
Single, disc-brake spec
You can customise the spec of the Diamante and Venta, and still buy a rim-brake version. However, only one build of the Venta R is available.
Built around the Shimano 105 R7100 12-speed mechanical groupset, the Venta R rolls on Microtech MCT alloy wheels clad in Continental Ultra Sport tyres.
Basso pairs a compact 50/34t crankset with an 11-34t cassette for a wide gear range now typical of endurance bikes.
The hoops from Basso’s in-house brand have a 21mm internal rim width and the rims are 27mm deep. Basso claims they're comfortable and durable over mixed surfaces.
Bike prices have gone up across the industry, but the Venta R is not much more expensive than the Basso Venta Disc 105 (with 11-speed mechanical 105) we reviewed in 2021.
Adjustable integration
Basso looks to skirt the pitfalls of integrated cable routing with the Microtech Cables Head Set, used on the brand’s premium road bikes.
The brake and gear cables pass under the stem into the headset, so you can switch the stem without having to reroute everything.
By contrast, the current Venta Disc uses semi-internal cable routing, where cables go into the down tube.
Basso claims the Venta R’s integrated seatpost clamp absorbs vibrations and boosts comfort on poor surfaces. The 3B Clamp System Gen 2 fits into the back of the seat tube.
Endurance geometry
Basso calls the Venta R an all-rounder road bike and its geometry reflects this description.
The bike’s geometry is much less aggressive than the Diamante – the Italian brand’s pure race bike – and slightly racier than the Astra. You could draw parallels with the position of the Canyon Ultimate between the Aeroad and Endurace.
The relatively short reach and high stack should put you in quite an upright position on the Venta R.
| Size | 42 | 48 | 51 | 53 | 56 | 58 | 61 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube (mm) | 505 | 515 | 5.25 | 545 | 560 | 575 | 590 |
| Reach (mm) | 371.9 | 372 | 375.4 | 381.3 | 383.1 | 385.3 | 386.6 |
| Stack (mm) | 534 | 534 | 558.5 | 571 | 579.5 | 620.5 | 645.4 |
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 76.5 | 75 | 75 | 74 | 73.5 | 73 | 72.5 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 71.8 | 71.8 | 72 | 72.3 | 73.5 | 73.5 | 74 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 404 | 404 | 404 | 404 | 406 | 410 | 410 |
| Headtube (mm) | 124 | 124 | 149 | 161 | 179 | 203 | 227 |
| Bottom bracket drop (mm) | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Handlebar width (mm) | 420 | 420 | 420 | 440 | 440 | 440 | 460 |
| Stem length (mm) | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 110 | 120 | 120 |
| Crank length (mm) | 170 | 170 | 172.5 | 172.5 | 172.5 | 172.5 | 175 |
Basso is aiming to combine the stability of fairly long chainstays with sporty handling from a 73.5-degree head angle (in size 56).
The sloping top tube exposes more seatpost for added compliance. It also reduces standover height in smaller sizes, according to the brand.
The Venta R is available in seven sizes, from 42-61cm, and two colours: Magma Black and Pearl White.
- Pricing: $3,999 / €2,849
- Frame: Venta R Torayca T700 carbon monocoque construction
- Fork: Venta R full carbon UD Torayca T700
- Groupset: Shimano 105 7100
- Handlebar: Microtech XL
- Stem: Diamante
- Seatpost: Heart Carbon -15 mm
- Saddle: Selle Italia Model X
- Wheelset: Microtech MCT
- Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport 3 700x28c
