Vitus

dsw

Hi,
I am very new to road bikes. Can anyone tell me if the bike I have is a good bike. I did some trading and some work for this thing. It is a Vitus, not sure the model. I know I did my first century on it a few months ago and it was a blast. Looking forward to several more.
Thanks

stevekim

you'll find people who love vitus bicycles and people who hate them. i love my vitus 979. it's defintely a modern classic especially with an early 80's mavic ssc gruppo.

http://www.steventkim.com/vitus.html

for small and light people like me it's the perfect bike. they look great, and they can be found extremely cheap on the used market. the 979 was one of the most commonly used frames by pros in the 80's. sean kelly called the vitus 979 his favorite bike of all time. i've heard horror stories about these bikes coming unglued, or being flexy. i think the vast majority of the aluminum vitus frames are strong and should last a long time.

steve

dsw

Thanks for the info.

ewitz

I think that VITUS is french for wet noodle.

Baldkingpin7

Here's a website featuring my Vitus 979 with full Mavic group. Everything is pretty much NOS. The site is a freebie template job, but it seems to work alright.

Baldkingpin7

Here's a website featuring my Vitus 979 with full Mavic group. Everything is pretty much NOS. The site is a freebie template job, but it seems to work alright: http://comteche.us/sitebuilder/users/mavicvitus979/

bluebike

Vitus 979 (1986)

I bought this last year for my gf for $100 Canadian. Shazaaam! The components are mostly original except for a few upgrades/repairs by the previous owner:

Frame: Vitus Anodized Aluminum
Fork: Vitus Anodized Aluminum
Front/Rear Wheel: Mavic/Araya (700c)
Derailleurs: Shimano 600
Headset: Shimano 600
Brakes: Shimano 600
Pedals: Shimano 600
Brake levers: Dura-Ace
Stem: Super Compe
Handlebar: Nitto Olympiad 115
Shifters: Shimano 600 (SIS index)
Chainwheel: Shimano 600 (52-42)
Cassette: 6-speed (13-24)
Crank: Shimano 600 (170 mm)

View the Vitus 979 and the Nameplate.

More information and larger pics are at my website.

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The Collection: Cannondale Cyclocross * Centurion Fixed Gear * Vitus 979 Road

cosmo_the_third

I'm told its French for "swingset."

Seriously, though, Sean Kelly rode a significant portion of his career on Vitus frames, and he never looked like he struggled in a sprint because his bike was too flimsy. Granted, he might have gone through 6 or 7 frames in a season and we'd never know, but at least the marque has some racing pedigree behind it.

__________________
-Cosmo
http://cyclocosm.com
(click the ads!)

bluebike

"Wet noodle" "Swing set" Blah blah blah!

I'm tired hearing these comments from those that have either not ridden a Vitus, or were too heavy to ride one in the first place, which leaves a bitter taste for them.

The 979 is a bike that is still relevant today, more than 16 years since its introduction. The bike is not made for everyone. What bike is? Some will still say that steel bikes are best; aluminum too rigid; titanium too expensive; carbon too fragile. Enough already! The comments are old and worn like last year's spandex.

PEACE!

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The Collection: Cannondale Cyclocross * Centurion Fixed Gear * Vitus 979 Road

F1_Fan

A 979 was my first race bike. I loved it... was it too flexy? No. I only had three complaints:

- The sizing (I need a long top tube with the 979 didn't have, as a result the LBS put me on a 56... I ride a 54 now)
- A bad vibration in the front end but only at 40 km/h, downhill and if I sat up
- seatpost... 25mm (tough size to replace) and the set screw for tightening the post was scary... strip that and you've got problems.

What did I like?
- weight... pretty damn nice for 1988 tech.
- finish... that anodized finish was bulletproof
- handling... a very neutral bike.

cosmo_the_third

I gotta disagree with you there. If you're looking to buy an old 979, it's important to know the frame's limitations under a heavier rider. If the previous owner is a clydesdale, then a Vitus won't be a good bike for anybody. I'm not saying it's a bad bike - it's not. But it is a bike with very finicky taste in riders.

__________________
-Cosmo
http://cyclocosm.com
(click the ads!)

bluebike

Cosmo Spacely the 3rd. We completely agree. I was only making the point that I am tired of hearing the little "wet noodle" snippets. For some this is a great bike, for most it is not.

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The Collection: Cannondale Cyclocross * Centurion Fixed Gear * Vitus 979 Road

doctorSpoc

I had one of these and it was my favorite bike of all time... for small guys... i was, 122lbs, 5'7" and it was perfect... white paint job with yellow decals... just awesome with the clear anodized head tube forks and rear triangle... it was stolen and i was never able to get it replaced... poor student at the time. can they still be found i would love to get my hands on one of these?

bluebike

Apparently yes. I have seen them around online but I am not sure where, possibly ebay. Also check out www.roadbikereview.com. There was also some talk about Nashbar having them in stock if you follow this thread, but that was in 2002. Good luck!

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=1187125

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The Collection: Cannondale Cyclocross * Centurion Fixed Gear * Vitus 979 Road