There are 4 models of Omega clinchers, and at least three tubular. The clinchers included:
The plain old Omega - Like an MA40. Double eyelets, box.
The Omega 19 - more like an Open 4. Narrow, tallish, double eyelets, not a V
The Omega V - like the name says a V-section rim. No eyelets. Pretty light and quite strong.
The Omega XL - This is a cool rim. Wide, maybe 23 mm. Shallow. Seems to have a lot of vertical flex and rides tubular-like, but I'm not trying to start a debate about how rims "don't" flex and it's all in the tire. Whatever it is, these ride different. The others may be a little tight with tire fit, but the XLs are ongodly. Maybe they were intended for racing only, because they make on-the-road changes a total nightmare with many types of tires (like Michelin Supercomp HDs).
Big Mig rode the Sigma version XL clincher at times.
All the Omargas were hard annodized... though I have an odd memory of a set of Omega 19s that were soft anodized in a smoky brown color... maybe OEM rims.
Anyway, if anyone had trouble mounting any tire on an Omega XL, I am not at all surprised. The others shouldn't be too much of a problem. Those looking for a smooth ride on clinchers, and a light clincher rim, and something cool looking in a tubular-like way... well if you can deal with horrendous mounting problems, I suggest the XLs, but don't say I didn't warn you....
And I swear that rim rode completely different from the Omega V with the same spoke (brand, pattern, gauge, number,) and the same tire, tube, air pressure, etc. Totally different.
Tom Dalton Bethlehem PA USA
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