Any Olmo Riders?

strider said:

I'm a new owner of an Olmo Millenium. I find the ride sweet, buttery smooth and fast. Once I'm in riding shape, I hope to try a race or two. I don't see many Olmo bikes in the DC area. I'm wondering if there are any or many Olmo riders on the forum. If there are a few, how do you like the bike and how you use it or ride e.g. road racing, Crits, Touring etc.?

Olmos are nice bikes. We used to sell them at Revolution Cycles and if you look hard enough, you'll see some. But none as cool as the guy that rides the Olmo track frame like a bat out of hell. Rock!

Had my original bike fitting done at Revolution in Arlington. Was leaning toward and almost ready to buy a Gunnar until I rode the Olmo while on vacation. When did Revolution stop selling Olmos?

StartTday said:

Olmos are nice bikes. We used to sell them at Revolution Cycles and if you look hard enough, you'll see some. But none as cool as the guy that rides the Olmo track frame like a bat out of hell. Rock!

strider said:

Had my original bike fitting done at Revolution in Arlington. Was leaning toward and almost ready to buy a Gunnar until I rode the Olmo while on vacation. When did Revolution stop selling Olmos?

We stopped selling Olmos after the initial run, this was about three years ago. At the time no one was really into cycling as much as they are now and most people were leaning towards companies they had heard of. Which I completely understand.

Gunnars are nice too, but a completely different ride than the Olmo. Most people didn't even want to jump on the Olmo for a test ride because of the "its too Euro" look.

But man did I want an Olmo frame.

How did you compare the rides? To me, both were smooth riding with the Gunnar slower responding and a more flexible frame and relaxed ride. The Olmo frame responds quickly to the slightest input, very aggressive and requires more attentive riding. I find it stiffer yet comfortable. I'm no expert and don't know the correct descriptive terms, but that is how the frames felt to me. Would be interested in your evaluation.

I also liked the classic or traditional style frame with the horizontal top tube over the sloping top tube or compact frame. Is that what is considered the "Euro look"?

StartTday said:

Gunnars are nice too, but a completely different ride than the Olmo. Most people didn't even want to jump on the Olmo for a test ride because of the "its too Euro" look.

Gunnars are nice frames, I own one the Street Dog (fixed gear) but they flex alot.

I tried out both the Olmo Sirius and Millenium and I liked them both better than the Gunnar Roadie. And I agree with you completely, the Olmos were definately much more responsive. Seemed as if they gave you much more explosive power. And because of the flex of the Gunnars, you could climb much better on an Olmo.

The Euro-look I was talking about had more to do with the paint schemes of the bikes. To me, the Olmos are much sexier than the Treks and solid colors of the Gunnars when we carried Olmos. But most people don't like vibrant colors. The color of choice always seems to be matte black. Boring in my opinion.

How are you enjoying your Olmo so far?

I don't think I qualify...

I have a late 80's Olmo chromoly frame. It's a sweet ride, smooth and solid. I put on a Campy Mirage set, and I use it for commuting and riding in the rain. I've raced it several times, and even won on it.

I would definitely have sought out a modern Olmo; however, when I upgraded this year, there were no local dealers. I ended up getting the Norco CRR Team Carbon, which has done me quite nicely.

StartTday said:

How are you enjoying your Olmo so far?

I'm enjoying it. I was amazed at the smooth ride for such a light and stiff framed bike. The only rough, jarring ride I experienced was over the bridge planks on the Mt Vernon trail. Normal asphalt roads are a great comfortable and smooth ride.

Longest ride so far has only been 15 miles. Starting to build the mileage base for endurance. I'm a distance runner so aerobically I'm fine. Just need to train the new muscles and the butt and get in some hill work. May need a different seat.

Catabolic_Jones said:

I don't think I qualify...

I have a late 80's Olmo chromoly frame. It's a sweet ride, smooth and solid. I put on a Campy Mirage set, and I use it for commuting and riding in the rain. I've raced it several times, and even won on it.

I would definitely have sought out a modern Olmo; however, when I upgraded this year, there were no local dealers. I ended up getting the Norco CRR Team Carbon, which has done me quite nicely.

Hey! It's an Olmo and you qualify. I didn't have any local dealers either. I didn't know the brand. I came across the brand at a bike store while on vacation and took a test ride and was sold. I ordered one and had initial assembly done and shipped to me. Final assembly, fit and tuning was done at a LBS. There are some Internet sellers that carry them. Got a good buy/price on the Millenium because they are no longer making it in all steel. The rear triangle is now carbon and Olmo is calling it Milleniun Plus, I believe.

Sounds like you have a great bike in the Norco. Good luck with it. I hope it gives you the same service and pleasure as your Olmo.

Ah yes the Mt Vernon planks, those things have gotten worse in the past few days. They are literally starting to come off.

Too bad its starting to cool down. But if you, or anyone for that matter, would like to go on a group ride, PM me. I ride almost every morning at 630-7AM for 20 miles or so before I go to work. Would be nice to get a group going again.

I have a 1989 Olmo San Remo its not in standard trim due to a mix of parts over the years but i think the front wheel is original ( a campag mexico). Even though it has a steel frame it is fairly light and is faster and better handling than i could ever need or be able to push it to its limits.The frame is columbus tubing which is the italian equivalent of reynolds 531.I live in the U.K. and only know one other person who owns an olmo.I commute to work on mine every day with some longer rides thrown in.There is no importer for Olmo bikes into the U.K. any more.They are great bikes there just don`t seem to be many about.

strider said:

I'm a new owner of an Olmo Millenium. I find the ride sweet, buttery smooth and fast. Once I'm in riding shape, I hope to try a race or two. I don't see many Olmo bikes in the DC area. I'm wondering if there are any or many Olmo riders on the forum. If there are a few, how do you like the bike and how you use it or ride e.g. road racing, Crits, Touring etc.?

There is only one Olmo importer of which I am aware in the US. In the Washington, D.C. area, I don't know of any LBS that sells Olmos. Shame really! It's a fine cycle.

There aren't many LBS' here that sell Italian bikes. Bianchi appears to be the most available brand. I do know of two LBS' here that carry other Italian brands; one sells Colnago and the other DeRosa. They were cost prohibitive for me. If the Olmo is indicative of Italian quality, then I wonder why more of other makes save for Bianchi aren't sold here. I think my Millenium compares favorably to the DeRosa Corum at a significantly lower cost.

solitarycyclist said:

I have a 1989 Olmo San Remo its not in standard trim due to a mix of parts over the years but i think the front wheel is original ( a campag mexico). Even though it has a steel frame it is fairly light and is faster and better handling than i could ever need or be able to push it to its limits.The frame is columbus tubing which is the italian equivalent of reynolds 531.I live in the U.K. and only know one other person who owns an olmo.I commute to work on mine every day with some longer rides thrown in.There is no importer for Olmo bikes into the U.K. any more.They are great bikes there just don`t seem to be many about.

This is a nice bike. A carbon race bike. I had not seen any of these. Looks like it would be smooth. $1400-$1500 is a hefty amount on a bike. I can't quite tell if these are spanish or italian made. I guess they've been around awhile. Maybe since the 70"s. Ok the factory is in Italy. Alright the italians make really great products so this one must be good.