Info sought on Basso Gap Ti

[UKBROOKLYN]

Hi Lads.. I have come across a Basso Gap Ti in my size... don't know much about these.. anyone have experience anything I should know. I know they were built by Litespeed... Q is it a re badged Catalyst or a Basso designed Geo.. any info out there ?? Help me Spock...

[Steelman]

This might be of help:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1994-Basso-Gap-Titanium-53cm-c-t-frame-carbon-fork-/220690345992#vi-desc

The seller is an authority on all things Basso, from the 90's at least.

[Kontact]

I have one - it is not necessarily a rebadged anything.

There were two different versions. The first round were pretty basic frames, which might be Catalyst like - white decals and a seat collar. 1994, I believe.

The second one had flared seat and down tubes that look just like a Serotta Legend/Colorado tubeset. The frame has upscale touches, like a welded on seat binder. Red decals, I think. I have this one, and it is different than anything else I've found in Litespeed's catalogs. Very comparable to a Merckx AX of that era, but different geometry and tube profiles. I like mine a lot - a touch stiffer than my Merlin.

[bobswire]

I know you've been looking for Merlin EL but maybe you can consider a Habanero classic ? http://www.habcycles.com/road.html
See discussion at this thread > http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=102114

[Kontact]

I know you've been looking for Merlin EL but maybe you can consider a Habanero classic ? http://www.habcycles.com/road.html
See discussion at this thread > http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=102114
Why would anyone looking for one of the very best Ti bikes ever made suddenly decide to buy a very basic, straight gauge Chinese bike instead? :confused:

There's a lot of good Ti out there, new and used.

[Aaron O]

+1...Habanero would not make my cut.

Hold out for a Spectrum, Serotta, Moots, Seven or Merlin...it's what you want and if it's a dream bike, don't settle.

[bobswire]

Why would anyone looking for one of the very best Ti bikes ever made suddenly decide to buy a very basic, straight gauge Chinese bike instead? :confused:

There's a lot of good Ti out there, new and used.

I've owned two Merlin EL and Seven so I'm just as BIG of a snob about Ti as anyone.
Sold the first Merlin (http://i44.tinypic.com/9h0yur.jpg) to buy a Seven (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=92079&highlight=Axiom) then sold the Seven because it was too large and bought the Merlin EL I'm riding now ( http://i54.tinypic.com/345d0es.jpg ) but an acquaintance has a Habanero classic with a Wound up fork that he let me ride and you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference with a blind fold on from the others listed(not that I'd suggest it). "Chinese" does NOT make it junk.
Granted the fine craftsmanship and name recognition are something to be desired for but since the OP went from wanting a Merlin,then asking about Litespeed then Basso I suggested the Hab. Nothing to be :confused: about.
No harm no foul.

[UKBROOKLYN]

Yep I asked about Basso in regard to Litespeed ... but the only Litespeed I would consider is a Classic.. because its er classic.. level top tube etc.


Yeah no to Habanero.. am looking for a classic machine..

[Kontact]

Yep I asked about Basso in regard to Litespeed ... but the only Litespeed I would consider is a Classic.. because its er classic.. level top tube etc.


Yeah no to Habanero.. am looking for a classic machine..
All the Litespeeds had level top tubes up until 10 years ago, or so.

[jemoryl]

It happens that a titanium frame has reappeared in the Basso lineup in recent years: http://www.bassobikes.com/it/zero-9-titanio.php
Wonder who makes this one? The previous Zero.9 used to be an Easton Scandium main triangle with carbon rear, but Basso seems to like using the same name on quite different bikes.