jerrymoos wrote:
>
> OMAS made some really "trick" stuff in the early 80's. They were a
> specialist in Ti before it became common. They were rumored to have made
> stuff for Campy. All the OMAS stuff I have seen was absolutely top quality.
OMAS made the ti parts for Super Record group.
>From the CR archives <http://search.bikelist.org>:
"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 carburetor company, a relationship that continues 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 motorcycles. This firm eventually was absorbed by the Vincenza company, Brevetta Internazionale Campagnolo. O.M.A.S. then began to manufacture various components 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 required 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 components in the works. O.M.A.S. research 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 engineering techniques, along with unbelievable quality-control (O.M.A.S. allows not less than one year between initial experimentation and production, and not less than one-and-a-half years before commercial marketing). This combination produces bicycle components 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 spindles 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 South Pasadena, CA
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