For nearly 30 years the Astra model has been hand-made in the Basso factory in northeastern Italy. The latest in this long line of prestigious frames is one that generates a great deal of pride for the entire Basso staff as it represents the cumulative knowledge and experience gained from building the previous 5 models.
The all-new 2020 Astra pushes the limits farther than any version before it and does so with a good dose of style. Produced entirely in house by the skilled hands of the Basso staff, the latest version of the Astra model incorporates a great deal of technology that derives from its upper tier siblings and adopts a design that follows a tighter family feeling than ever before.
Astra incorporates the tried, tested and racer approved Basso geometry and mates it with a sophisticated tube structure that adds efficiency thanks to both form and function. While aerodynamic thanks to tube profiles the new model is also more efficient thanks to the functional properties of the carbon structure.
A larger, more solid head tube joins with an extremely efficient downtube, made more so thanks to a particular form highlighted by its characteristic side “channel”. Both tubes couple with completely redesigned chain stays to confer fantastic power transfer thanks to a solid, reactive complete unit of lower tubes (head tube, down tube, chainstays).
Add to the prestigious structure of the new model several design characteristics most commonly seen in higher priced offerings and you have not only a podium worthy race bike but one that represents a fantastic value proposition. The integrated seatpost clamp, internally routed cables, premium paint job and extremely minimal and sophisticated graphic design make for a beautiful ride that punches well above its weight in terms of tech, performance, reliability and value.