EARLY EIGHTIES BASSO GAP - INTRODUCTION

The Basso Gap is a fairly high end vintage Italian road bicycle.  The early eighties frame set is very well crafted and made of quality materials.  The Campagnolo Nouvo Record components are second from top of the line.  Yet the bicycle did not feel good when I took it out for a short and unimpressive test ride.  That said, my evaluation of the Gap at the time was completely unfair.  I had formed a biased against it even before I rode the bike.  Sew-ups!  I had no use for tubular tires in my earlier days of collecting vintage road bicycle.  Though it has taken some time for me to readdress that bias, I am coming around and I do intend to give the Old School sew and glue system a fair try.  And I have even picked the bicycle to do conduct the seasons test on.

I think that if I had the chance today, I would keep the Basso for a season and give it a fair try.  But that is a "woulda-coulda-shoulda" story.  The Basso is long gone and has even changed hands once again.  Too bad for both of us short term owners.  And lucky for the person who shares time with the Basso today.

NEXT - FINDING THE BASSO GAP