olmobelgium

Hi all,

I've been searching the net for a while to find more info on the Olmo bicycle I got from my uncle as a present.
That search lead me here as a source of great info, so I would appreciate any help.

My uncle is 85 and wanted me to have his bike, and I will happily fix it up and ride it!
When I asked him how old the bike was, he said he couldn't remember. I asked like 10, 20 years?
And he claimed it to be maybe 50 years old.
I'm quite sure it's not that old, but I'd love to know some time frame, and would be very happy with some tips on how to restore it.

Here's some pictures of it:
https://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/...pskg3qnvqr.jpg
https://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/...psypg7dyxu.jpg
https://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/...psqpkeumjn.jpg
https://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/...psjmck0azf.jpg

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

olmobelgium

New info! A friend-of-a-friend of mine knew a guy...
Anyway: according to his knowledge this should be an Olmo - San Remo out of the eighties,
because of the decals and the cable goes into the frame.

I Googled some more and I came across these:
OLMO San Remo - ********** - ???? which looks pretty similar

Also this decal of the signature looks exactly like the remains of the signature decal:
DSC03189.jpg Photo by brabande | Photobucket

So case closed I guess,
unless you guys have more things to add?

SkyDog75

I'm no Olmo expert, but I can tell you at least a little bit while we wait for others to chime in.

The SunTour Radius downtube shifters date from 1990-1992, according to Velobase.

That particular head badge with the Olympic rings came into use during the 1980s, again according to Velobase.

Although we can't see the make/model specifics, the brakes and crankset look relatively modern. They wouldn't look out of place on a 1990-ish bike. The "aero" brake levers, with cables routed under the tape, also fit that time period. Those became commonplace in the mid/late 1980s.

oddjob2

Look for a 2 digit date code on the back of the cranks. I'd agree it would be an 80's bike

olmobelgium

Thanks guys, that's great information!
I'll look for a date code on the cranks later on today.

Scooper

The Oria tubing used is straight gauge 0.8mm wall thickness (non-butted) High Tension carbon steel.

zukahn1 

The parts and internaly routed brake cable would date the bike to around 1990. Looks to be a very nice entry to mid level racing bike form that era looks to be well used riden but nicely mainted and in good shape..

olmobelgium

Thanks guys, I love how this info only adds to the great history of my uncle and his bike!
I'll certainly treasure it

I found this date code: 93 170
https://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/...pszjonooer.jpg

Bianchigirll 

It looks like a good basic road bike but one that needs a lot of work. Judging by the missing chainring bolt, and dirt this thing needsa good overhaul. I would suspect the chain and possibly the freewheel need replaced. Who knows what shape the bottom bracket could be in.

Is the seat height adjusted for you? I think the frame might be a little small for you.

It seems kind of odd that an SR crank would have Ofmega stamped on it. Maybe they were contracted to make them after the huge success of the Quattro group.

olmobelgium

Thanks Bianchigirll,
the seat is not adjusted to my height yet and will drop quite a bit.
Do you think such a chainring bolt is fairly easy to find? Or better to replace them all?
I'll start by taking it apart and giving everything a good clean, then see where I end up when piecing it back together.
Might take a while with family and being self-employed

cb400bill

Moved form Appraisals to Classic and Vintage.

SkyDog75

The chainring bolt will be easy to find. Just drop by your local bike shop and they should have what you need. No need to replace all of them unless you're obsessive about them matching perfectly. While you're there, I'd suggest picking up new cables and housing, tires, and brake pads. If you're going to tear it down for a good cleaning and overhaul, you might as well put it back together with stuff that's going to work smoothly.

Have fun with your "new" bike!

SJX426 

Don't know how bike savvy your are but this site might be of some use:
MY "TEN SPEEDS - Home Page

olmobelgium

Quality info! Yes, I am planning on some new parts, like tires, tape on the handlebars etc...
already fell in love with this Brooks saddle, which would look fab on it!

olmobelgium

exactly what I need! Thanks a lot!

bradtx

olmobelgium, Congratulations on your bike. Sadly there are not too many Olmo owners in N. America as they were only imported here for a very short time span. Those of us that have them are quite happy with the quality and attention to detail.

If you don't have any experience working on a bicycle, this will be a wonderful teaching tool. Basically you'll disassemble it, clean, grease and reassemble, all the while replacing consumables like tires, tubes, brake pads, cable and cable housing.

Brad

Lonesome rider

This is definitely the Olmo of 80's but I can't tell which model exactly. I've contacted with Olmo via their website but they didn't respond. If this bike features straight gauge tubing like Scooper said, then this is not San Remo. I own San Remo and it's made of Columbus Cromor double butted tubing.



Bottom line: it's a pity we have very little information about these gorgeous bikes. San Remo, which is considered as mid-class bike, rides like a dream. I haven't try any other steel road bikes yet (only folders, city and mountain) but I can't imagine better ride quality. The ride is smooth like butter.

olmobelgium

Thanks for clarifying, Lonesome rider!

I'll try and contact Olmo as well, just really curious to learn the age of the bike
I've started working on it, and it's actually a well-kept bike that just needs some thorough cleaning, new saddle and new bartape.
I'll post the not-so-spectacular result when finished.

Lonesome rider

Haha, they never respond. I wonder why they put an e-mail on their main page.

Congratulations! Your uncle has a good taste. Did you ride the bike already?

olmobelgium

Here it is!
Not too fond about the color of the bartape:
I ordered it online and thought it would look more blue-ish than this kind-of-green.
(also first time I wrapped bartape so be kind)

I appreciate all (and any) input!

Ed.

Sweet!

olmobelgium

Thanks!

Lonesome rider

Celeste is for Bianchi!

Cool saddle! I want it too. Please, tell after few hundreds about your initial impressions.

Puncture after puncture, you'll be disappointed by Schwalbe Lugano. The rubber is too soft in them. Until they wear out (they wear out fast), carry 2-3 spare inner tubes and then buy something bombproof like Maxxis Re-Fuse (cheap) or Continental Gatorskin (expensive).

Bottom bracket is pretty high for roadie, so this is criterium-friendly frame. In my San Remo bb drop is lower.

olmobelgium

I am an absolute noob (I guess I won't have to tell you that's a Brooks C17 saddle) so thanks for the feedback!
I just bought these tires because they were cheap and looked nice - hehe!

Any input on different color for the bartape is welcome - I'll try some other colors in Photoshop before picking a new one!

Lonesome rider

Really, my opinion on the color of bar tape can be ignored, easily. I'm pretty grumpy snoby dude with taste no one understands (don't mind non-matching blue tyres with purple frame, only blue ones were available in the shop at the time of purchase, it's temporary). What I'm saying on celeste is that Bianchi swear by this color. They use it so extensively that it became the signature of the brand, so anything non-Bianchi in this particular color automatically makes one think about that brand. However, I've seen Bianchi bikes in purple and in red and IMHO they looked way better than in celeste.

For your particular bike I'd choose simple white or black. It will look classy. And by the way, soon you'll understand what a head-turner you have!