Olmo Special Steel Frame & Fork | 61cm Large | Chrome Lugs | 1960s Italy Racing

Description

⭐Condition

Original gray paint is intact and solid overall. Red base coat shows through in several spots, most visibly along the top tube — honest wear from six decades, not damage. The “Olmo Special” lettering on the downtube is hand-painted, not a decal, with white block letters and red outline — whether factory or shop-applied, it’s period and it’s staying. The seat tube decal is worn and no longer legible; I’ve left it as-is for the buyer to decide. Italian racing stripe chrome-to-paint transitions are present but worn. All threads are excellent — no rust, no re-tapping. Every interface on this frame was measured and documented. The machine was well-preserved in grease; I cleaned it for sale.

📏Will this fit me?

Frame Size: 61cm seat tube — Large – Large frame with a vintage Italian fit — shorter top tube relative to seat tube means a more upright riding position than modern geometry of the same size.

• Top Tube: 58cm (center-to-center)
• Seat Tube: 61cm (top-to-center)
• Down Tube: 64cm (center-to-center)
• Chainstays: 45-46cm (center-to-center)
• Rear spacing: 120mm
• Wheel clearance: 700c

📦What’s Included

• Original steel fork — same gray paint, chrome crown
• Chrome seat clamp
• Removable rear derailleur hanger (original Olmo dropout)
• Front and rear brake cable stops with quick-release levers
• Rear chainstay derailleur cable guide with original spring housing and barrel adjuster
• seatpost and clamp — original to bike

Note: No water bottle cage mounts. No BB cable guide — sold separately in our store (it’s cool enough to deserve its own listing).

🚴The Ride

Lugged Italian steel from the era before frame-building became industrial. The chrome lug work on this Olmo — open-crown fork, slotted dropouts, ornate BB shell — is the kind of detail that takes hours to properly execute and nobody does anymore. At 5.4 lbs for the frame and 1.75 lbs for the fork, it’s not light by modern standards; but it was racing perfection by the standards of the riders who once raced on it.  Experience the ride from cycling’s toughest generation. Take a journey through both time and the roads. I envy you already.

🔧Workshop Wisdom

Every thread on this frame has been measured and confirmed. Italian threading throughout: 70mm BB shell (36×24 Italian), 27.0mm crown race (confirmed by caliper — Italian standard, not English 26.4). The front and rear pannier/fender mounts are period brazed-on — this frame was spec’d to go places. The removable RD hanger is a thoughtful dropout design well ahead of its time.

Before You Buy – A Note from Paul

Every frame I sell has been personally inspected and honestly described, but I want you to be 100% confident in your decision. Please take a moment to watch the detailed video included with this listing. Due to the personal nature of frame fit and the cost of shipping, I cannot accept returns. That’s why I encourage you to reach out to me directly with any questions, whether they’re about dimensions, condition, or build suggestions. I’m Paul — not a chatbot, not a sales team, just a fellow cyclist who wants to make sure this frame finds the right home. Let’s talk about this frame and make sure it’s perfect for you before you buy.

🔧What do I need to build this frame?

• Headset: 1″ threaded Italian — 27.0mm crown race (confirmed), 30.2mm cups
• Bottom Bracket: Italian thread, 70mm shell, 36×24
• Seatpost: 26.6mm (original included)
• Front Derailleur: 28.6mm clamp
• F/R derailleur cable guide under the BB – there are no threads, you’ll need a clamp-on. I have the OEM chrome Campy available to purchase separately.
• L/R clamp-on downtube cable stops – downtube diameter is 28.75mm
• Brakes: Centerpull — original cable stops included
• Stem: 1″ quill, Italian 22.0mm or 22.2mm (measure your fork steerer)
• Rear spacing: 120mm — fits 5-speed era hubs but can expand to 130mm with a little pull.
• Wheel clearance: 700c

📋Other Frame Details

• Material: Steel, lugged construction
• Weight: Frame 5.4 lbs, Fork 1.75 lbs
• Chrome lugs throughout — open-crown fork, ornate BB shell
• Original gray paint with Italian racing stripe chrome transitions
• Front and rear pannier/fender mounts brazed on
• Removable rear derailleur hanger — original Olmo forged dropout
• Olympic rings “Olmo Marca Celle L” head badge, well-preserved
• “Cambio Campagnolo” sticker on downtube — original to bike

Is This Your Bike Thing?

A lugged Italian racing frame with documented California provenance, every thread measured, and the original Campagnolo group available to go with it — this one doesn’t come around twice. Message me before you buy; let’s make sure it’s right for you.