Olmo Sirius

Price Paid:  $1395.00 at Era Pro Bike and Ski

Favorite Ride:
Still Discoverying

Bike Setup:
Stock - Olmo Equipe Aluminum Frame, Carbon Fork, Veloce Group (Double), Ambrosio Evolution Wheels, Vittoria Rubino Tires (upgrading to Open Corsa EVO), ITM Stem & Bars, Selcof seatpost, Selle Italia XO saddle, Miche pedals.

Summary:
It has been exactly 1 year to the week that I bought this bike. But with a particulary bad winter and no cold weather riding clothes I only got about 6 months of riding time in which I managed to accumulate just over 1500 miles on the moderately hilly stone and chip backroads here in Lancaster County, PA. I've had 2 minor tune-ups and one moderate front-to-back after a crash and I'm still running everything original on the bike. I'll be switching out the training tires soon for the New Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX's and hopefully I'll noticed a little difference in overall ride quality/performance. I don't need or expect much though. I don't plan on any other upgrades this season.

Strengths:
Stiff, quick, unique (haven't seen another OLMO on the road yet), and definitely worth the price I paid. Whether I'm mashing with all my 200 lbs. or spinning at a high cadence... this bike responds well. It's a blast catching and dropping guys that weigh 40 lbs. less riding bikes that cost 3X as much.

Weaknesses:
The Veloce group is a little noisy and I'm skeptical about it's longevity under my mashing. The training tires probably aren't helping my average speeds...but at least I haven't had a flat yet.
The same weaknesses that all Aluminum frames suffer from. How long will it last????

Similar Products Used:
Tested: Cannondale R700, Trek 2300

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Eurobikes, Romito de

Favorite Ride:
Tuscany was nice!

Bike Setup:
Olmo Sirius, Campagnolo Veloce 9 speed, double chain ring, upgraded to Campy Record pedals from the Miche stock pedals. British Air broke my fork, so I upgraded to a Reynolds carbon fiber fork.

Summary:
I love this bike -- especially since noone else seems to have one! I bought the bike on a trip to Italy, and my logic was: 1) buy an Italian bike as a souvenir, 2) spend enough to get a decent ride, 3) don't spend a fortune. "Vorrei una bicicletta Italiana, per favore," I told the shop owner. He pulled out the catalog to show off all the different Olmo color schemes available for special order. "You don't understand, I want to ride the thing today!"

I didn't know Olmo before the purchase, but have been super happy with this bike.

This is an entry level racing bike that gives great performance. The Campy Veloce gruppo is solid, the bike accelerates well, handles well, shifts well, and looks good. I've put 2000+ miles on it since Sept 2002, and am now starting to race the bike in local criteriums and regional stage road races.

I sort of like the fact that the bike is not a Bianchi or Colnago or one of the more common Italian names. So far I've only seen two other Olmo bikes in Seattle -- it's fun to have something different. It's even more fun leaving people behind!

Strengths:
Solid, fast, stylish (mine's in blue/yellow). Great bike for the price, which may have been cheaper buying in Italy. Shipped it back for free as checked luggage on British Airways.

Weaknesses:
I sometimes find carbon bikes climb faster (or maybe those riders are in better shape!) Maybe a little heavier than more expensive bikes. Came with Miche pedals which were fair, but no one sells the replacement cleats in the US.

Similar Products Used:
This is my first modern bike -- my last bike was a 1985 Univega.

Price Paid:  $2400.00 at Parade Cycles, Norwo

Favorite Ride:
Adelaide Hills

Bike Setup:
Veloce, Time pedals & seatpost,
Ambrosia rims. Bars & stem not ITM.

Summary:
It's a quick bike, and reasonably comfortable. Perhaps a little twitchy at
speed (due to steep steering angle?) and not exactly sure footed through
corners- or is that me after nearly 10 years without a racing bike. Great
for sprinting.

Strengths:
An absolute bargain. Light and good-looking.

Weaknesses:
Corners and flying down steep roads.

Similar Products Used:
None. My last bike was a steel De Rosa-
a totally different animal.