Gashepherd

I have recently acquired an older Olmo 10 speed, I was wondering if someone could help me to date it, I have not been able to find a serial number. It has Campagnolo valentino extra derailleurs and shifters, Balilla brakes and levers, Maccari-torino steel wheels with QR Gnutti hubs and an atom freewheel made in Italy. Appears to match up with a Grand Prix "C", I haven't seen anything that matches up with it online, the paint is pretty decent, the decals not so much, thanks in advance for any information you can give me. - Gerry

T-Mar

Based on the components, I'd say 1969-1974. Valentino Extra was introduced for the 1969 model year.

juvela

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Hello Gerry,

this appears to be one of the Chiorda manufactured examples from the early 1970's

lug pattern is Agrati "AM" ART. 000.8040/U

fork crown is Agrati N. 026.8058

bottom bracket shell is Agrati N 005.8057

both of the plate style stay bridges are Agrati items

fork ends are Agrati N. 000.810

pedals are Sheffield Nr. 663

hope this helps a bit

all best wishes from california


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Gashepherd

Thanks T-Mar and juvela for the quick responses, this seems to be the model that prompted Sheldon's comment about Olmo being the schwinn of Italy, the frame isn't terrible on its own, but you add the wheels and it becomes a heavy brute. I am not familiar with the majority of the components, are there any brighter spots in the component area

juvela

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the cycle's Balilla brakes from Galli Giovanni, S.p.A. exhibit and interesting feature

the hole in the caliper backing plate is a vertical oval rather than the usual round shape

the head of the mounting bolt has a cam lobe which fits into this opening; it can be mounted with the cam pointed either up or down which gives the brake a choice of two reaches






unfortunately, because the calipers are paired here with the economy model lever there is no quick release mechanism. the better model Balilla lever has a lever mounted quick release feature.

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cycle's headset is an Agrati item but do not have its stock number

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bottom bracket assembly is Agrati item Nr. 113.3021

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tips -

stem dangerously high but then you know that already

this generation of Gnutti QR skewer has less cam travel than other brands
it can sometimes take a bit of fiddling to get the rear tight enough so that the wheel will not shift in its moorings

on these Gnutti five-piece large flange hubs the drive side flange of the rear often works loose
everything is held in place by axle set and spokes so there is no danger
to check for the symptom lay the cycle down with the drive side up and spin the rear wheel like a roulette wheel
if the flange has worked loose you will be able to watch the gear block wobble about ogivally as it freewheels

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Gashepherd

That is interesting.
This bike is reminiscent of an Italian bike I sold and shipped to Singapore a couple of years ago, at least component wise, it had the Valentino extra derailleurs and shifters and the Gnutti hubs w/Maccari-torino wheels, although it had universal brakes and the frame looked like it at one time was a nicer frame

John E

I am not a fan of the components, but I really like the lugwork on that frame, and that's what counts.

John E

It also greatly resembles the lower-end Atalas of that vintage -- also Chiorda? I have long suspected that my first road bike, a 1962 bottom-of-the-line Bianchi Corsa, was a Chiorda rebrand, as well.

juvela

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at the time of your Bianchi purchase the company also had an economy badge called Normano

Bianchi acquisition of Chiorda was 1966

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