Basso Palta III Gravel Bike
Fast, responsive gravel performance with the clearance and versatility for rougher routes.
Our view
A gravel bike that still feels quick
The Palta III sits at the faster end of the gravel spectrum. It feels more like a performance bike with extra capability than a heavy adventure bike that happens to work on the road.
That makes it a strong choice if your riding mixes tarmac, broken lanes, hardpack and rougher gravel, and you still want the bike to feel lively when the pace goes up.
Palta III at a glance
Frame weight in size M
Maximum tyre clearance, front / rear
Six frame sizes
Downtube storage for tools and essentials
Who we think it suits
A good fit if...
You want one bike that can move quickly between road, lanes and gravel without feeling dull on the smoother sections. It also makes sense for riders who value a lighter, more responsive feel and want scope to tune the bike through tyres, wheels and specification.
We’d look elsewhere if...
Your priority is heavily loaded bikepacking, very technical off-road riding or maximum comfort above outright pace. In that case we’d talk through a different type of gravel bike rather than trying to make the Palta fit the job.
Sizing and fit
The Palta III comes in six sizes from XS to XXL, but frame size is only part of the picture. Different cockpit options and seatpost setbacks give us useful scope to refine reach, position and comfort around the rider.
Rather than choosing a size from height alone, we’d look at your current bike, riding position and the way you intend to use the Palta before deciding on the frame and cockpit combination.
Palta III geometry
Useful when comparing sizes or checking the Palta III against your current bike. We would still size the bike around the rider rather than these numbers alone.
| Measurement | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 410 | 450 | 490 | 520 | 550 | 580 |
| Top tube | 496 | 515 | 540 | 560 | 578 | 595 |
| Reach | 354 | 362 | 373 | 385 | 398 | 405 |
| Stack | 530 | 550 | 570 | 590 | 605 | 620 |
| Seat angle | 75° | 74.5° | 73.7° | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73° |
| Head angle | 68° | 69° | 70° | 71° | 71° | 71° |
| Chainstay | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 |
| Head tube | 112 | 127 | 146 | 163 | 179 | 193 |
Measurements in millimetres unless shown otherwise. Manufacturer geometry: Basso Palta III.
Build it around your riding
The Palta III is available as a frameset or as a complete bike, with a wide choice of Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo builds.
We wouldn't choose the specification from a price list alone. Gearing, wheels, tyres and cockpit all change how the bike feels, so we can build the Palta around the sort of riding you actually intend to do.
GRX 12-speed
Mechanical Shimano shifting, straightforward to live with and the strongest-value route into the Palta III.
GRX Di2
Electronic Shimano shifting for faster, lighter lever action and a cleaner cockpit.
SRAM Force
Wireless SRAM shifting with a performance-led 1x setup for riders who want a simpler drivetrain and a more race-focused build.
Strato or Fuga?
Strato
A separate stem and carbon gravel handlebar gives more flexibility when we are setting the bike up around you. The bar has a 12° flare and suits riders who want a more traditional, adaptable gravel cockpit.
Fuga
Basso’s integrated carbon cockpit gives the bike a cleaner finish and a more aerodynamic front end. The bar uses a compact 65 mm reach and is 370 mm wide at the tops, with integrated stem lengths from 80 to 130 mm. It is particularly worth considering for riders who prefer a narrower, more compact cockpit
Wheels, tyres and setup
The standard build is only the starting point. Wheels and tyres can make a noticeable difference to how the Palta III feels, whether you want a faster setup for road and hardpack or more grip and comfort for rougher gravel.
At Port Velo Cycle Works we can talk through those choices before the bike is built, rather than leaving you to replace parts after you have bought it.
Thinking about a Palta III?
Come and talk it through with us at Port Velo Cycle Works. We can look at sizing, cockpit, groupset, wheels and tyres, then work out the build that makes sense for your riding and budget.