Re: [CR]OMAS

(Example: Framebuilding)

From: "Chuck Schmidt" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]OMAS
References: <F1B73E6CCDE5E34BA28738D5F7568A0702FFAB@gcmainsrv.internal.logicoffice.se>
Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2002 09:58:00 -0700

Johan Ericson wrote:
>
> I have some OMAS titanium (axle)/ergal (bolts and nuts) lightening sets
> for record brakes with "nutted" axles.
> 1. Are the axles to trust strength wise? Any experience within the
> group?
> 2. Anyone who knows when they were made?
> 3. Anyone who knows the story on OMAS?
>
> Also have a set of OMAS quick release squewers (sorry if my spelling is
> wrong). Ti/ergal. Very nicely made. Same questions as above, 1 and 2.

From the CR archives:

"From the 1984 Bicycle Parts Pacific catalog:

THE O.M.A.S. STORY

O.M.A.S. was established near Bologna, Italy in 1960. Initially they manufactured special automobile carburation parts for the world-famous E. WEBER carburator commpany, a relationship that continumes to this day. In 1962, O.M.A.S. began to supply the firm Ruota Amadori, a maker of top-quality magnesium-aloy wheels for cars and motocycles. This firm eventually was absorbed by the Vincenza company, Brevetta Internazionale Campagnolo. O.M.A.S. then began to manufacture various componenets of the Campagnolo group, collaborating with Campagnolo until 1977. (They supplied the titanium bolts and ti pedal and BB axles for the Super Record group --ed)

Meanwhile, in 1974, some avid cyclists had proposed that O.M.A.S. make some pieces in special light alloys in order to lighten their bikes. Finding that the components did well in rigorous competition, O.M.A.S. decided to manufacture them in 1975, using the same severe standards requred by the carburation industry.

Since then, O.M.A.S. has expanded their line to include hubs, headsets, bottle cages, crank and bottom bracket sets -- with other compnoents in the works. O.M.A.S. resarch and development rests to a large degree on the advice of world class cyclists, but this advice is combined with the most advanced metallurgy and enggineering techniques, along with unbelievable quality-control (O.M.A.S. allows not less than one year between initial experimentatin and production, and not less than one-and-a-half years before commercial marketing). This combination produces bicycle componets that have quickly established a new industry standard for excellence.

Note: The above mentioned hubs and bottom bracket came with ti axle and sealed bearings. The O.M.A.S. lightening parts kit (ti and aluminum) had nuts and bolts plus spidels for Campy brakes, derailleurs, seat post, stem, and shifters. The headsets came in different anodized colors.

The BBP catalog covered Galli, O.M.A.S., ASSOS, and Huret. Also 3ttt, Concor, ALE, Reg, Maillard, and Regina."

I have used the OMAS ti hubs and QRs since 1977 without any real problems. If you try to clamp the QR with too much pressure however, the aluminum end piece with the QR lever will deform the opening that the QR lever passes through though.

There is an OMAS catalog reprint listed on my website at: http://www.velo-retro.com

Chuck Schmidt SoPas, SoCal

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