In the early '80s, I tried the sealed OMAS bottom brackets--two of them. Both suffered premature failure after a little over a season, due to water penetration, with the bearings freezing solid. Even though I had liberally greased the aluminum cups, I had a bear of a time getting them out, as galvanic reaction had practically welded them into the frame. I still have both trashed BBs in my junk archives.
I also had a bad experience with an Edco BB. I was doing my 20 mile ride home from work and noticed something odd in the cranks. Ten miles later, the bearings on one side had broken up and were completely gone. I've seen standard BBs go hundreds, perhaps thousands of miles all pitted up, but still turning. I decided then and there to never use sealed mechanisms on a tour (kind of like why you should not use rechargable batteries in the flashlight you keep in the car). You want parts that can get you back to civilization. Phil Wood stuff has such an excellent reputation, I would consider it an exception, unless someone out there has any failed-Wood-on-the-road hard luck stories to share.
Steve Barner, who did a century around the north end of Lake Champlain yesterday on his NR/SR Marinoni, and feels pretty good today. Bolton, Vermont
> Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2003 13:24:14 -0500
> From: "jerrymoos" <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
> To: "Eric Elman" <tr4play@cox.net>, <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Subject: Re: [CR]OMAS??
>
> 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.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jerry Moos
> Houston, TX
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Eric Elman" <tr4play@cox.net>
> To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2003 5:21 AM
> Subject: [CR]OMAS??
>
>
> > I've recently purchased (2) NOS OMAS BB's from the 1970's. One has the
Ti
> > spindle and other has a steel spindle. I'd like to hear comments from
> those
> > of you with experience about the quality of the Ti varient. Durable,
> flexy,
> > great, problems??? I'm planning on using it on my Raleigh Team Pro in
> place
> > of the worn original Campagnolo SR Ti BB which I have had no luck
> locating.
> >
> > Also, of the two OMAS BB's I purchased, they came with only one set of
> cups.
> > Anyone out there have a set of OMAS cups & lockrings in English threads
> that
> > I could buy or trade for?
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > Eric Elman
> > Somers, CT