[bigS]

I have an old Vitus Futural cyclocross frame. It has many miles on it. Early on the paint flaked badly so I stripped it down to bare metal and gave it a high gloss almost mirror like finish by polishing the bare metal. Unfortunately one of the brake bosses brake lose. I managed to have it welded but am wondering is it time to retire this old soldier. The frame is bonded and is almost 16 years old I believe.

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[turtleguy54]

bigS, I take it that this is a bonded aluminum frame. I built up a Vitus 979 road bike in '87. I loved this bike-what a climber! If you really pushed it would flex noticably in the rear end but it just made me pedal more smoothly. Unfortunately, it was stolen in '94. Everyone told me that the bonded alu. would not last but I never had a problem. I would not worry so much about the brake boss but look at the bonded lugs and make sure they are secure. Be interesting to see how for it would go although I am sure it took more of a beating than my road bike. Maybe put it on the road.

[cyclintom]

With this sort of thing turning up on Ebay think about it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/LEMOND-POPRAD-52CM-CYCLOCROSS-ROAD-BIKE-BICYCLE-16-SPD_W0QQitemZ7221368586QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[jfmckenna]

Well the Vitus was definitely a coveted cross frame of its day. I'd never get rid of her though and only put her in semi-retirement, you know take her for an easy spin every once in a while.