Erwin8r

I bought a bicycle recently from a very nice gentleman claiming the bike was an "Olmo" with Columbus SL tubing. Although I didn't spot any pantographs in the pics in the ad, and though it was obviously put together from some nice, but parts-bin parts, I went to look at it anyway. It rode nice, was light, and although the price was a bit high, I bought it anyway. So now, um, I'd like some help with the frame identification.

After a bit of research, it is apparent that the serial numbers are probably NOT Olmo. The bike seems light enough, and with a 27.2 seat post, it might be Columbus, but that is where I give up...

Here are some pics:

Erwin8r

Peter_B

Looking just at the frame (the forks are not original to the bike??), there are Olmo elements on that frame. The Olmo frame elements include: head lug style; seat lug style; fluted unmarked seat stay caps; bottom bracket appearance; chainstay bridge. Can't see the rear brake bridge. I wouldn't discard it being an Olmo based on the serial number.

plonz 

FWIW, the size and serial number stamping looks a lot like my Olmo. Don't know that I've ever seen an Olmo without pantos though.

John E

Whatever it is, it's gorgeous and obviously of high quality. Have you confirmed Italian BB shell width (70mm) and threading (36x24)?

Erwin8r

Thanks for the great responses. I'm fairly certain it's an Italian bottom bracket, but I'll double check today. Regarding the forks, the crown is semi-sloping, so it may be "too new" for the frame. No other indicators as to origin or steel on them. It is a very nice looking/riding bike, so I'm pleased with the purchase.

Bikerider007

I don't know a lot about identifying yet so I have to dig. Good images by individual year and name is a great tool. The pics can lead to some details.

Knowing the year of the other bike with a similar serial and whether forks are similar would also help if available.

Pretty bike.

Peter_B

There is definitely an Olmo model or so without panto on the seat stay caps, but few without panto on the fork crown (but not unknown)... see Olmo Serial Number Registry

Erwin8r

Thanks, Peter. And, of course, this forum is a great source of information; i've come across a frame almost identical to mine during my research:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-question.html

The BB and even the font on the BB look very close to mine.

Looks like my fork may be a replacement, or just an Olmo without the Pantograph...

Peter_B

Your fork could be original. Here's an Olmo with plain chrome fork (no panto) like yours... '70's OLMO Competition (2) - Pedal Room

It has OLMO on the seat stay caps whereas yours doesn't, but there are other Olmos with plain fluted seat stay caps like yours, so no big deal. Same two-slot bottom bracket as yours. I'd say your frame is late 1970s. I've been steadily compiling my Olmo serial number registry and only recently logging frame characteristics. I haven't studied enough bikes from the same time period as yours to be definitive.

Erwin8r

And assuming its late-70's, would that make the tubing Columbus SL? Were there other-brand tubesets used in the late 70's by Olmo?

Peter_B

My understanding is that there were SL and SP tubes at that time, but decals put on bikes were just Columbus, with no SL or SP decals yet, which decals came later. So depending on the size of the frame plus builder preferences, the tubes could be SL, SP, or a mix.

Peter_B

Yes, Olmo used Falck tubing on lower models.

Peter_B

Does your fork steerer tube have helical rifling at the bottom? If yes, then the fork is Columbus tubing, and then the whole frame is Columbus if the fork is original to the bike

Erwin8r

@Peter_B, good call. The steerer tube is "rifled," and I think I can make out "OLMO" on one of the drop outs on one of the fork legs. So it looks like it may be an Olmo after all. Thanks for everyone's help.

I initially thought about repainting the frame immediately as the previous owner stripped it down and rattle-can clear coated it, but I may wait and ride it a bit more. Knowing it's an Olmo with Columbus tubing makes me feel it's worth an investment in time and money for make over at some point.

Road Fan

I'm not too sophisticated about the variety of fork crowns, but I know I saw sloping Cinelli crowns on bikes in shops in the late '60s and early '70s. But even if it doesn't fit, many people have replaced their forks over the years.