80's Olmo
01-10-15, 10:03 AM
#1
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80's Olmo
A present from my lovely wife. I've switched up most of the parts because it was outfitted with parts from a low-end Bianchi. Not sure at all of the model - I thought it was a Gentleman Z but haven't found any with eyelets for fenders like this one. Even though this is just a mid range model (Columbus Zeta tubing) it rides beautifully and there's lots of nice attention to detail on the frame. Hope you like it!
01-10-15, 10:19 AM
#4
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Pretty bike!
You are married to a good woman. My wife doesn't complain about any of my bike craziness, but she has never bought me one.
You are married to a good woman. My wife doesn't complain about any of my bike craziness, but she has never bought me one.
01-10-15, 11:04 AM
#6
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Very nice devin!
We just don't see enough Olmo's here. My guess is they didn't export that many to the US.
Enjoy the ride!
We just don't see enough Olmo's here. My guess is they didn't export that many to the US.
Enjoy the ride!
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01-10-15, 11:20 AM
#7
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That's what I appreciate - manufacturers that don't spare all the niceties for their top models only.
I think that's true, I've seen a few here in Toronto though, so maybe they had a different relationship with Canada. Interestingly Olmo is still in business in Italy and making some pretty cool bikes!
01-10-15, 11:57 AM
#9
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01-10-15, 12:31 PM
#10
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I guess it's going to be a couple of months before you get to ride her any distance. If it's cold here, it must be freezing by you!
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Last edited by Giacomo 1; 01-10-15 at 12:47 PM.
01-10-15, 12:43 PM
#11
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Great looking bike!
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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01-10-15, 01:01 PM
#12
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A lovely Olmo indeed...CLB brakes and retrofriction Simplex (I think from the pic) levers? Nice! How about some drivetrain detail pics?
01-10-15, 01:31 PM
#13
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Thanks Bianchigirll!
Thanks - your right about the retrofrictions. I have to run off to coach swimming now, but I'll try to post some pics later! It's a bit of a frankenbike, I'm afraid.
01-10-15, 05:11 PM
#14
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Very nice Olmo and I like the bottle, nice touch. What do you think about the ride? Personally, I think the Olmo's have a ride very similar to a Colnago of similar vintage.
01-10-15, 10:20 PM
#15
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Fabulous looking bike!
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
01-10-15, 10:47 PM
#16
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Thanks John! Golden is 50, right? Now that is impressive. To be happily married after 50 years together is something to be proud of, and getting rarer I imagine.
01-10-15, 10:52 PM
#17
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I like it very much!
The CLB brakes are neat; I had a similar pair on a Norco frankenbike I picked up some time ago in Montréal from a guy who refurb'd it (adding those and other bits).
I believe I saw on another thread that you've moved up size-wise due to back problems and the desirability - or, indeed, necessity - of a relatively minimal saddle-to-bar drop (though my memory does sometimes mislead me on me these matters). In any case, this example would seem to show us to be in the same size range for frames, and I will admit that a bike one's size often puts an extra sparkle in the eye.
This one is very nice, indeed. Great paint and details, and it looks as though a fairly tight wheelbase and steep-ish(?) head angle, so pleasantly agile and responsive to ride I'd imagine - even if not a tip-top-of-the-line offering.
The personal touch that lingers with such a thoughtful gift should keep the wind at your back!
The CLB brakes are neat; I had a similar pair on a Norco frankenbike I picked up some time ago in Montréal from a guy who refurb'd it (adding those and other bits).
I believe I saw on another thread that you've moved up size-wise due to back problems and the desirability - or, indeed, necessity - of a relatively minimal saddle-to-bar drop (though my memory does sometimes mislead me on me these matters). In any case, this example would seem to show us to be in the same size range for frames, and I will admit that a bike one's size often puts an extra sparkle in the eye.
This one is very nice, indeed. Great paint and details, and it looks as though a fairly tight wheelbase and steep-ish(?) head angle, so pleasantly agile and responsive to ride I'd imagine - even if not a tip-top-of-the-line offering.
The personal touch that lingers with such a thoughtful gift should keep the wind at your back!
01-10-15, 11:09 PM
#18
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The bike is great, but you're wife's the real winner in this thread - she's a keeper 
DD
DD
01-10-15, 11:16 PM
#19
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I like it very much!
The CLB brakes are neat; I had a similar pair on a Norco frankenbike I picked up some time ago in Montréal from a guy who refurb'd it (adding those and other bits).
I believe I saw on another thread that you've moved up size-wise due to back problems and the desirability - or, indeed, necessity - of a relatively minimal saddle-to-bar drop (though my memory does sometimes mislead me on me these matters). In any case, this example would seem to show us to be in the same size range for frames, and I will admit that a bike one's size often puts an extra sparkle in the eye.
This one is very nice, indeed. Great paint and details, and it looks as though a fairly tight wheelbase and steep-ish(?) head angle, so pleasantly agile and responsive to ride I'd imagine - even if not a tip-top-of-the-line offering.
The personal touch that lingers with such a thoughtful gift should keep the wind at your back!
The CLB brakes are neat; I had a similar pair on a Norco frankenbike I picked up some time ago in Montréal from a guy who refurb'd it (adding those and other bits).
I believe I saw on another thread that you've moved up size-wise due to back problems and the desirability - or, indeed, necessity - of a relatively minimal saddle-to-bar drop (though my memory does sometimes mislead me on me these matters). In any case, this example would seem to show us to be in the same size range for frames, and I will admit that a bike one's size often puts an extra sparkle in the eye.
This one is very nice, indeed. Great paint and details, and it looks as though a fairly tight wheelbase and steep-ish(?) head angle, so pleasantly agile and responsive to ride I'd imagine - even if not a tip-top-of-the-line offering.
The personal touch that lingers with such a thoughtful gift should keep the wind at your back!
01-10-15, 11:18 PM
#20
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Thread Starter
Ain't that the truth. As much as I enjoy messing around with these old bikes I never forget for a moment that the people you love are all that matter, the rest is just dust in the wind.
01-11-15, 03:08 AM
#21
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Congratulations! You must be happy with your wife. As proud owner of Olmo myself, I can attest to what you are saying about ride quality. Olmos are very comfortable, springy and lively, and descend like on rails.
Last edited by Lonesome rider; 01-14-15 at 04:23 PM. Reason: typo
01-11-15, 05:00 AM
#22
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Don't be. It's pretty much perfect as far as I'm concerned. A discerning rider who's not into the gruppo thing might have chosen that exact configuration. The Simplex rétrofrictions, CLB brakes and leather saddles are on my permanent shopping list for when I visit swap meets and the like. As are frames like that in that size, BTW.
Come to think of it, that bike could have been something I'd have built and I'd be mighty pleased with it.
Congrats on the wife and the bike!
Come to think of it, that bike could have been something I'd have built and I'd be mighty pleased with it.
Congrats on the wife and the bike!
01-11-15, 09:46 AM
#23
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Thread Starter
Don't be. It's pretty much perfect as far as I'm concerned. A discerning rider who's not into the gruppo thing might have chosen that exact configuration. The Simplex rétrofrictions, CLB brakes and leather saddles are on my permanent shopping list for when I visit swap meets and the like. As are frames like that in that size, BTW.
Come to think of it, that bike could have been something I'd have built and I'd be mighty pleased with it.
Congrats on the wife and the bike!
Come to think of it, that bike could have been something I'd have built and I'd be mighty pleased with it.
Congrats on the wife and the bike!
01-11-15, 09:54 AM
#24
Senior Member
Beautiful bike!! The colors really pop. 
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01-11-15, 11:03 AM
#25
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devinfan-
Great brakes, those CLBs. The missing adjuster O ring can be replaced with standard plumbing O rings from Canadian Tire. Worked on mine. Really interesting to see an Italian frame with French components.
Great brakes, those CLBs. The missing adjuster O ring can be replaced with standard plumbing O rings from Canadian Tire. Worked on mine. Really interesting to see an Italian frame with French components.