Sicily and the roads up Mt. Etna provided a dramatic backdrop for the testing of the new Basso Palta, and that’s precisely where the Italian brand hosted reporters to experience the latest iteration of this gravel bike. The question, as one reporter put it, is whether the bike lives up to the location.
Basso has built its reputation on creating race-ready bikes that can also handle gravel adventures. The Palta III continues this theme, introducing more aerodynamic shapes, shedding weight, and refining its stiffness. Like Basso’s SV road bike, the Palta is designed for the everyday performance rider, not the professional peloton.
The Palta 3 aims to bridge the gap between gravel racing and exploration, offering a blend of performance and versatility. According to Basso, “gravel isn’t a choice between racing and exploring, it’s both. The Palta is the singular answer to a fragmented market, a unique blend of performance and versatility packed into one iconic frame at its third generation.”
One of the first things riders will notice is the increased tire clearance. The Palta III can accommodate 52mm tires in the front and 50mm in the rear, a generous allowance for modern gravel riding. Basso explained that 50mm was chosen as a balance to maintain a lively and animated ride, avoiding the sluggishness that can come with excessively wide tires.
The frame itself is meticulously crafted in Italy, with carbon sourced from Japan. Basso utilizes a mix of Toray T800, M40JB, and T700 carbon fibers in its construction. The frame weight is claimed to be 970 grams for a medium size.
A notable design feature is the “elbow” design rear dropout, which aims to provide vertical flex. This is paired with an aero-optimized downtube, borrowed from the SV road model. Basso has also integrated a down-tube storage compartment, accessible via a Fidlock magnetic latch, offering space for tools and essentials.
Mounting options are plentiful, with two mounts on the top tube, three on the underside, and standard bottle cage mounts. However, there are no mounts on the fork legs, suggesting the bike isn’t intended for extensive bikepacking.
The Palta 3 offers a range of build options, starting at approximately $4,795 for a frame kit and reaching $10,995 for a top-spec SRAM Red AXS build with Zipp 303 XPLR SW wheels. The test ride was conducted on a model equipped with SRAM Force and Zipp 303XPLR S wheels, retailing for around $8,995.
On the road, the Palta 3 impressed with its handling and road-like efficiency. It’s a confident bike in corners, offering a balance between stability and responsiveness. While not as nimble as a dedicated road bike on steep climbs, it performs admirably. The geometry is described as sitting in the middle ground between race and adventure, providing a comfortable yet engaging ride.
However, the bike may feel a bit harsh on rougher gravel roads, and some riders might find the bars too stiff. The mounting options may be limited for those planning extensive bikepacking trips. The pricing on some build options is also less competitive than rival offerings.
the Basso Palta 3 appears to be a well-rounded gravel bike that excels in versatility. It’s a bike designed for riders who want a capable machine for both on- and off-road adventures, without the extreme focus of a dedicated race or adventure bike. It’s a bike that, as one tester noted, simply makes riding fun.
