Italian bicycle manufacturer Basso has announced the arrival of the Palta III, the third generation of its gravel-focused offering.
Developed under the philosophy ‘Two Souls. One Bike. Zero Regrets’, the Palta III aims to address a fragmented market by bridging a gap between racing performance and off-road capability.
First introduced in 2018, the Palta – named after the Veneto dialect for ‘mud’ – has evolved to meet the changing demands of the gravel scene. According to Basso, the new model maintains the ‘Sempre Veloce’ (Always Fast) racing DNA while providing the versatility required for rugged adventure.
Leonardo Basso, Product and Marketing Manager at Basso, said “When we launched the first Palta in 2018, gravel was a niche, a simple midway point between road cycling and mountain biking.
“Today, it has become a culture of its own; a scene that we at Basso don’t just observe, but one we embrace and live every day.”
He added added “Our goal with this third generation wasn’t to define gravel for the rider by forcing them to choose between a race-specific bike or one suited more for adventure. Instead, we wanted to provide the best platform for them to define it for themselves.”
The Palta III is hand-made in Italy using a frameset comprised of high-performance Torayca carbon fibres. This blend includes 70% T800, 20% M40JB, and 10% T700, designed to balance weight, stiffness, and comfort. The Size M frame now weighs from 970g, and the bike features an 18% reduction in frontal aerodynamic impact area compared to its predecessor.
Technical refinements include a 19% increase in bottom bracket stiffness and a 12% increase in rear triangle stiffness for improved power transfer. Conversely, head tube stiffness has been reduced by 15% to improve vibration dampening on rough terrain.
For the first time on its gravel riding platform, Basso has included a dedicated internal storage compartment. Concealed by a carbon cover and secured by a Fidlock magnetic latch, the compartment houses two waterproof internal bags for tools and essentials.
The bike utilises the second-generation 3B Clamp System, which features an anti-vibration function for increased comfort. Tyre clearance has also been expanded to accommodate up to 52mm at the front and 50mm at the rear.
In a new collaboration with Vibram, the Palta III features a specially designed rubber downtube guard to protect the frame and absorb impact energy. Additionally, Basso has partnered with UK-based technical bikepacking brand Apidura to develop a range of bespoke, waterproof frame bags that utilise bolt-on attachments for a seamless fit.
Customisation is a central part of the Basso approach, with every bike assembled upon request. Riders can choose from three cockpit options, including the integrated Fuga and Levita carbon handlebars or the Strato alloy stem for traditional setups. Groupset options include SRAM Force XPLR, Red XPLR, and Shimano GRX in both mechanical and electronic configurations.
The Palta III is available in three colourways: Purple Dust, Carbon Chrome, and Galaxy Dream, and comes with a five-year warranty. In the UK, the bike is distributed by Chicken CycleKit with builds starting at £3,999 for the Shimano GRX 1×12. Higher-tier options include the Shimano GRX Di2 build at £4,699 and the SRAM Force XPLR AXS model at £5,399.
