RACER'S DREAMS

Tech editor Michelle Arthurs-Brennan describes her dream build…

- Michelle Arthurs-Brennan

When I was asked to imagine and build up my ‘dream bike’, there was no doubt in my mind that I’d be creating a race bike.

I took up cycling aged 21 to train for triathlons, before moving to time trials, track and eventually road racing. I’m sure there are riders out there who will shake their head in disbelief – maybe I will one day, too – but bike riding has pretty much always been about racing for me. Sure, I commute, I’ve been touring, I can relax and look around me as I ascend a col and I ride with friends – but the underlying motivation is a number on my back.

Racing has defined my cycling so far, and, therefore, my dream bike is all about the finish line dash.

Basso Diamante Disc frame

My other bike is a Werking custom machine, hand built in the Italian Dolomites. I have a penchant for Italian frames. The Basso appeals to me for several reasons – some of which are based on black and white tech facts, and some of which come down to passion.

Beginning with the former, the Basso Diamante is a race bike through and through. The cliché ‘it corners like it’s on rails’ phrase is banned from Cycling Weekly’s tech pages, but in this case, the overused phrase applies. A steep 71.8 degree head angle, and nippy 400mm chainstay length combine with an aggressive geo to make a bike that feels spot on.