Omas
#2
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,324
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From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
OMAS components were weight-weenie replacements for heavier high-end components, e.g. aluminum stem bolts to replace the steel bolts in your Cinelli stem, aluminum pivot bolts for your Campagnolo derailleur, etc. Later they started making their own bottom brackets and headsets and such. I'm not aware of any OMAS components that could be termed "budget" or "low-end."
OMAS, main
OMAS, main
#6
iirc there was also an OMMAS. seem to recall that Andy Newlands carried some of their products at Stawberry from the late seventies to mid-eighties. some of the OMMAS items competed with the OMAS ones as i remember it.
unfortunately they are not listed at VB or CR.
does anyone have any knowledge to this mfr?
unfortunately they are not listed at VB or CR.
does anyone have any knowledge to this mfr?
#7
iirc there was also an OMMAS. seem to recall that Andy Newlands carried some of their products at Stawberry from the late seventies to mid-eighties. some of the OMMAS items competed with the OMAS ones as i remember it.
unfortunately they are not listed at VB or CR.
does anyone have any knowledge to this mfr?
unfortunately they are not listed at VB or CR.
does anyone have any knowledge to this mfr?
#8
VB = Velobase:
VeloBase.com - View Brand
CR = Classic Rendezvous -
OMAS, main
1978 catalogue -
https://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=12973
VeloBase.com - View Brand
CR = Classic Rendezvous -
OMAS, main
1978 catalogue -
https://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=12973
Last edited by juvela; 10-11-15 at 08:39 PM. Reason: addition
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
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Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
I was thinking of buying some of their weenie stuff like the aluminum replacement clamp/pivot bolts they sell for Campy NR seatposts..... but Nahhh.... I decided they really weren't such a good idea.......
Now their Ti spindled BB's, maybe I can live with...... If only I could afford them......
Now their Ti spindled BB's, maybe I can live with...... If only I could afford them......
#12
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,123
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From: Liberty, Missouri
Bikes: 1966 Paramount | 1971 Raleigh International | ca. 1970 Bernard Carre | 1989 Waterford Paramount | 2012 Boulder Brevet | 2019 Specialized Diverge
I've got a BB and a pair of hubs, Ti skewer. Very pretty to look at, very light, and spin like buttah. Pretty much top end stuff.
#13
I have one pair of wheels with OMAS hubs - as AZORCH notes, they spin like buttah 
Also have a spare NOS front hub (for sale) just kicking around, and another C&Ver just received a complete set from me just a week or so ago. I'm sure he'll weigh in here with his observations.
Great stuff. Finish is on a par with Campagnolo. Oh, and I use a pair of the alloy clamp/pivot bolts on the Colnago Mexico's NR seatpost. 8 years and still going strong...
Hubset:

DD

Also have a spare NOS front hub (for sale) just kicking around, and another C&Ver just received a complete set from me just a week or so ago. I'm sure he'll weigh in here with his observations.
Great stuff. Finish is on a par with Campagnolo. Oh, and I use a pair of the alloy clamp/pivot bolts on the Colnago Mexico's NR seatpost. 8 years and still going strong...
Hubset:

DD
#14
I've got a Omas Ti bottom bracket and aluminum quill bolt in my Cinelli 1R stem on my Guerciotti. Both top notch stuff and would love the Ti hardware kit for Record calipers.
One thing I never understood is the meaning behind the "Big Sliding" name.
One thing I never understood is the meaning behind the "Big Sliding" name.
#15
^ Maybe it means if the Ti spindles/axles break, the rider will soon be doing some Big Sliding while picking up some road-rash in the bargain 
DD

DD
#16
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
There was a Greater Demand at the time than one company, Campagnolo, could fill so there was room for other companies sales.
Roto was cheap OMAS was fine.
Campag Ti Spindle BBs were subject to failure then too.
FWIW Cinelli had an aluminum wedge bolt in their 1R stem at least there is no little rusty hex socket on top of it.
Roto was cheap OMAS was fine.
Campag Ti Spindle BBs were subject to failure then too.
FWIW Cinelli had an aluminum wedge bolt in their 1R stem at least there is no little rusty hex socket on top of it.
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-12-15 at 01:55 PM.
#17
Junior Member

Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 196
Likes: 44
From: St Louis Park MN
Bikes: Mead Ranger '24- Armstrong 3sp '64 Follis 172 '74 Miss Mercian '78 Centurian Accordo 80's Mercian KOM '85 Mark Zeh road '86 Kona Explosif '93 Merkx Ti AX '97 Santana Arriva tandem '99 Bike Friday tandem
Does any one know if OMAS built Avocet cranks? *I thought I read that but my memory.... *Anyway, the Avocet crank is nicely finished & looks great on my frankenbike 3 speed Armstrong.
#18
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,324
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From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
#20
Junior Member

Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 196
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From: St Louis Park MN
Bikes: Mead Ranger '24- Armstrong 3sp '64 Follis 172 '74 Miss Mercian '78 Centurian Accordo 80's Mercian KOM '85 Mark Zeh road '86 Kona Explosif '93 Merkx Ti AX '97 Santana Arriva tandem '99 Bike Friday tandem
#21
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,129
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From: Midwest
Bikes: See the signature....
There was a Greater Demand at the time than one company, Campagnolo, could fill so there was room for other companies sales.
Roto was cheap OMAS was fine.
Campag Ti Spindle BBs were subject to failure then too.
FWIW Cinelli had an aluminum wedge bolt in their 1R stem at least there is no little rusty hex socket on top of it.
Roto was cheap OMAS was fine.
Campag Ti Spindle BBs were subject to failure then too.
FWIW Cinelli had an aluminum wedge bolt in their 1R stem at least there is no little rusty hex socket on top of it.
__________________
My bikes: '81 Trek 957, '83 Trek 720, '84 Trek 770, '85 Centurion Cinelli
My bikes: '81 Trek 957, '83 Trek 720, '84 Trek 770, '85 Centurion Cinelli
#22
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 909
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From: Los Angeles
Bikes: Casati, Look, Torelli, Ridley, and a bunch of steel bikes from the 80s and the 90s..
Never heard of OMMAS but OMAS made great stuff and God only know I dreamed of having them on my bike. that was just too much for a poor high school or college kid. I did get may hands on some alum bolts and bits in the late 80s. With those water bottle bolts, I KNOW I was able to climb my regular 4 mile hill at least 2 minutes faster.
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Likes: 39
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
Never heard of OMMAS but OMAS made great stuff and God only know I dreamed of having them on my bike. that was just too much for a poor high school or college kid. I did get may hands on some alum bolts and bits in the late 80s. With those water bottle bolts, I KNOW I was able to climb my regular 4 mile hill at least 2 minutes faster.
#24
Omas sold at a premium over Campagnolo back in the day. Their quality was always top notch. Their BB, headsets and hubs all weighed less than Campagnolo and were very long-lasting. I have a bike fitted with a full selection of Omas components.
Big sliding is without a doubt a poor English translation. I believe they wanted to indicate on the box "grande scorrevolezza" which using a direct dictionary translation would be rendered as "big sliding" whereas a more appropriate translation should have been "super smooth" referring to how the parts worked, or "Great smoothness". I have never been convinced that this was meant to be a model name but rather a description of the part.
Big sliding is without a doubt a poor English translation. I believe they wanted to indicate on the box "grande scorrevolezza" which using a direct dictionary translation would be rendered as "big sliding" whereas a more appropriate translation should have been "super smooth" referring to how the parts worked, or "Great smoothness". I have never been convinced that this was meant to be a model name but rather a description of the part.
#25
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From: Hervey Bay, Qld, Australia.
Bikes: Colnago (82, 85, 89, 90, 91, 96, 03), 85 Cinelli, 90 Rossin, 83 Alan, 82 Bianchi, 78 Fountain, 2 x Pinarello, Malvern Star (37), Hillman (70's), 80's Beretto Lo-Pro Track, 80's Kenevans Lo-Pro, Columbus Max (95), DeGrandi (80's) Track.








