Super excited to announce the addition of Basso Bikes to the PRW portfolio of amazing curated brands. January 2020 is PRW’s 20th Anniversary, yep 20 years of selling exclusively Road bikes in Edmonton. I would never have imagined 20 years later I would be selling some of the most amazing and exclusive Road brands to clients all over Canada. So with this birthday coming up I felt that I still needed to be providing my loyal customers the best products that offer something truly unique without compromise. Also one should never become complacent in business and searching out new brands and ideas is imperative. Not just any brand but one that shares the same passion for Road bikes as I do. Brands that understand that a relationship with PRW is more than business it is family. I seek out brands that are no different from us. Basso checks this box and so much more.

So who is Basso Bikes? Like so many Italian brands it started with Alcide Basso welding steel bikes in his family’s garage in 1974. He officially registered the company in 1977. Alcide’s brother Marino was the 1972 World Road Race champion and also a 27 time Grand Tour stage winner. Yes you can say the family has cycling in its blood and this is no hobby job. Basso is based in the Veneto region of Italy which is home to so many historic Italian cycling brands it is part of my annual pilgrimage to Italy. I love this region for its amazing riding and of course the people and brands that make it a road cycling haven. A huge reason why I even considered Basso is the fact that all their frames are 100% made in Italy. The lines are blurry of what it entails to be considered manufactured in Italy. I know of some bigger Italian Brands that bring in raw made-in-China frames and do all the painting and finishing in Italy and place the made-in-Italy stamp on them. Not Basso. Truly, 100% Made in Italy at the Basso factory. From carbon production to lay up to prep and paint; it is all done in-house. I love that.

As always there is more to a PRW story than just a cool brand. I was first contacted about Basso from friend Joshua Riddle. Besides being one of the nicest guys I have met in the industry, Joshua is Basso’s Marketing Manager. I have known Joshua from his many years at Campagnolo, and when he decided to move on to Basso he reached out. Henry who owns La Bicicletta in Toronto is a friend and also a long time Basso dealer. He had always raved about the bikes so really I was already sold. Timing worked out when I was in Italy so I made a visit to Basso HQ in Liedolo on what was one of the hottest days of the year. Spent some time with Joshua talking bikes and then had a sneak peek at some of the new 2020 offerings. I was already quite interested in Basso, but to be honest, the paint was what really made me lust after them—simply gorgeous! Upon my return to Edmonton, Alessandro Basso reached out, and we had a couple of great phone calls discussing how Basso would fit into the shop and what we both could provide for each other. Always nice to have dialogue with the individual who is the brand, and share expectations. I would say this is uncommon but for me it is the norm. I am lucky to have brands where I can call the owner to have a constructive conversation; this is not the norm in the bike industry. These are the benefits of having good business relationships with like-minded individuals. Pay your bills, sell some cool bikes, and be a nice person. Pretty simple.

Well there you go. Another bike you need to add to the list. Come by the shop and see what I just raved about, and you will not be disappointed. Dealing direct with Basso allows us to offer these amazing Italian made bikes at prices that will make you question why you would ever buy a mass-produced stock bike. But what do I know; I just like cool bikes.