Classic & Vintage - My Brand NOS Vitus 979 (winter build '07)

Hi everyone!

I would like to thank you all for being here and for the advice and knowledge that you have imparted on me. It has been only with your help (especially Sheldon's;) ) that I could have done this...

http://www.offcenterdesign.org/images/itsdone1.jpg
The 979
http://www.offcenterdesign.org/images/itsdone2.jpg
Action shot
http://www.offcenterdesign.org/images/itsdone3.jpg
Still have some details to work out in the drivetrain (Sachs Aris freewheel, Sedis RC-80 chain, Mavic crank???)
http://www.offcenterdesign.org/images/itsdone4.jpg

http://www.offcenterdesign.org/images/itsdone5.jpg
Not sure if I should keep the blue Vitus decals???
http://www.offcenterdesign.org/images/itsdone6.jpg
I think the term is "glued and screwed" (can't beat the minamalist Mavic shifter)
http://www.offcenterdesign.org/images/itsdone7.jpg
I am very happy with the state of french/italian relations.
http://www.offcenterdesign.org/images/itsdone8.jpg


For anyone who wants the specs:

Frame: 979 Dural aluminum 59cm
Headset: Record
BB: Sampson Ti
Hubs: Mavic 501
Rims: Mavic Open SUP
Tires: Hutchinson Fusion Long Distance
Crankset: Record
Pedals: Chorus
Freewheel: Regina America 1992 {*Sachs Aris**
Front Derailleur: Mavic 860
Rear Derailleur: Mavic 840
Brakes: Mavic SSC
Seatpost: Campy ??? (anyone?)
Seat: Selle Italia somethingorother
Stem: Cinelli 105 (whoops, I meant 101)
Bars: Cinelli Touch (they are SUPPOSED to be 26.4, but they're not. I am a little upset by this)

I'm glad that I got to do this. I am not so sure that I was ready to catch the bug as much as I did. It's a little overwhelming.
I have two more projects starting up; a 200? Cannondale (I love aluminum) and a 1993 Miyata 1200 (I love steel too). I will post more as I have more to post.

P.S. Where do I put these things? On the walls, from the ceiling?...

Hey that looks really cool - is it brand new?

As it happens, I am in the finishing stages of getting a Vitus 979 on the road - I bought it a couple of weeks ago from an auction site here in New Zealand, and it's almost ready to ride. It looks very very similar to yours (It's a Dural too), and is in clear coat ie aluminium color in a 57cm frame. It has an identical blue 'Vitus' decal on it.

It'll have an odd assortment of parts by the time I'm done - Campy Triomphe drivetrain, Shimano exage brakes and levers, and Superbe Pro rims with tubular tires (my first experience with these). I'll get some photos up once I'm done.

Nice work

what kind of post is in there now? what size do you need? I have my track bike hanging in the "office" with two vinyl hooks for the handle bars and the seat hook is large and flat and goes under the seatpost, it was luck that the studs or 2x4s in the ceiling worked out for my requirements. The bike is perpendicular to the direction of the studs.

Hey that looks really cool - is it brand new?

...

Nice work

Thanks! It has been brand new for 17 years. (according to the seller). I can't wait to see yours when its up & running. I haven't seen all that many. It's the only one in my town. I'm sure that all over silver will be astounding.

what kind of post is in there now? what size do you need? I have my track bike hanging in the "office" with two vinyl hooks for the handle bars and the seat hook is large and flat and goes under the seatpost, it was luck that the studs or 2x4s in the ceiling worked out for my requirements. The bike is perpendicular to the direction of the studs.

The post (I'm guessing seatpost) is Campy. I just don't know what make it is. I would guess Record, but I got it for $8 sooo... I suppose that you would need a pic close up to guess.

I was thinking about the hook-in-the-wall method, but I also have 14 foot ceilings so maybe some kind of hanging rack? Does anyone know roundabouts what the net volume of an average bike is?

From one screwed and glued flexible flyer to another Cheers. Beautiful bike.http://velospace.org/files/alan.jpg

I am blinded by that beautiful gold ano. I thought I had bling...

Very nice. I had a Vitus 979. It was my favorite racing bike back in the 80's. There was something about it. I had a SOMEC at the same time I used for crits but the Vitus was hands down on club races and road races.

the seatpost looks like victory/triomphe or possibly early chorus/athena

That's a very nice bike, one of the very few aluminumbikes I can bear to look at : no welds (god I hate that horrible visible welding on most alu's), narrow tubing and a very classy two-tone coloured frame. Never thought I'd say this, but I wouldn't mind taking one of those for a spin. Enjoy it!

I am blinded by that beautiful gold ano. I thought I had bling... Yours is a fantastic looking early 80's machine. I have never ridden a Vitus are they as flexible in the larger frames as the older Alans were? I've had this old beast since the middle 70's so it's a high mileage bike.

I've read a lot about these riding like wet noodles. I think there's a whole thread dedicated to the gumby-like nature of the 979. I haven't experienced any of it. My frame is a 59. It's on the larger side. I weigh 160. I ride on hills. I find that it takes what I give it and turns it into forward thrust without noticable lateral wobble. I haven't gone full stop yet. The idea of catastophic failure at high speed is sobering.
What I have noticed compared to my steel Trek, is that I don't have to be pushing it hard for it to GO. There is very little resistance to overcome. It's a rocket.
I love it.

Hi. Nice bike. All the Mavic parts are sweet. I'm using the same Mavic shift levers on my utility road bike. Are you indexing this set up? Or are you running friction? Just curious. I'm indexing mine witha Shimano 105 7 speed uniglide rear cassette and a Deore LX mid-cage rear derailleur.

sweet. good to see other's. I got a deal on mine, $80. Shimano 600 all around. love it. Can't compare the ride to anything. Last bike I had was a 70's Puegot way back when I was youngster.

Currently building a fixed gear on a old Schwinn frame.

I thought aluminum had to be ugly. That thing is so purty, it hurts to look at it.

Ouch.

Ouch again.

Gotta stop looking.

Hi. Nice bike. All the Mavic parts are sweet. I'm using the same Mavic shift levers on my utility road bike. Are you indexing this set up? Or are you running friction? Just curious. I'm indexing mine witha Shimano 105 7 speed uniglide rear cassette and a Deore LX mid-cage rear derailleur.

I'm running with the indexed set-up with the regina freewheel. I'm going to switch to a Sachs Aris (the regina is loud). This is the first indexed system that I've had. I thought it would be a major pain to dial in, but with only some minor adjustment it locked dead-on. It's so nice not having to fidget and fuss with the shifters at high speed. Who knew?
So far all the Mavic bits are living up to their reputation, and they look good.

Thanks

I got a deal on mine, $80. Shimano 600 all around.

Excuse me... Damn.

I wish mine had taken so light a bite from my bank account. You made out like a bandit.
I just recently found out that the 600 group was standard for the 979. When I was reseaching the build I kept hearing about Mavic. I thought that would be standard. I was wrong.
I would like to compare the two groups.

Two beautiful bikes. I love that Cinelli 105 stem -- it's a perfect complement to the bike.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=13889&d=1146265024
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=13890&d=1146265035
heres one of my 2 vitus bikes

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=13889&d=1146265024
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=13890&d=1146265035
heres one of my 2 vitus bikes

I was about to point you in the direction of another post about the vitus/de gribaldy, but as I scrolled down I saw that you had posted to it. That was in 2005 and you hadn't gotten one for yourself yet. Now you have two? Did you pick that one up from Charles? That blue is pretty serene. I guess you are comfortable with the ride considering that you have multiples?

This is the $80 find, 4 years ago. Added the aero bars 2 years ago. Shimano 600 everything, except the wheels, they are Campy Ypysilon, with Shimano 600 hubs.

Ok, can't get my picture to attach ? stuck it in my avatar

yeah i bought the one from charles,i also bought a early carbon.all 9 tubes r carbon. not carbon fiber just carbon with a 979 fork.it takes a 23mm seat pin. im making it into a tt bike. putting on a little old and a little new parts . i seen one where the guy had his 979 down to like 14 lbs with old and new stuff. i was impressed. still looking for a gold kas frame like kelly used to ride.

This is the $80 find, 4 years ago. Added the aero bars 2 years ago. Shimano 600 everything, except the wheels, they are Campy Ypysilon, with Shimano 600 hubs.

Ok, can't get my picture to attach ? stuck it in my avatar

No wonder it was only eighty dollars, it's so small! I could never ride that.:D

I am also a recent convert to the Vitus club, here is a pic of my Dura-Ace equipped Brevette, anodized purple is where it's at baby!
I picked it up just after Christmas for $200 without wheels, have put about 200km on it so far, it accelerates like a rocket! and no noticeable whippiness!

I am also a recent convert to the Vitus club, here is a pic of my Dura-Ace equipped Brevette, anodized purple is where it's at baby!
I picked it up just after Christmas for $200 without wheels, have put about 200km on it so far, it accelerates like a rocket! and no noticeable whippiness!

i have to say when i ride mine its like im riding on air compared to my steel brothers. and like u its quick as all get out . nice bike pics everybody . boy that gold vitus sure is bright and shiny. heres the carbon link http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=12705&d=1144984177

I am also a recent convert to the Vitus club, here is a pic of my Dura-Ace equipped Brevette, anodized purple is where it's at baby!
I picked it up just after Christmas for $200 without wheels, have put about 200km on it so far, it accelerates like a rocket! and no noticeable whippiness!

Beautiful, I've seen a couple in that pretty purple ano
Did you win that off of eBay? I paid more for my bare frame. Maybe 250... around the same time. I saw another smaller purple one equipped all in Mavic early this year that I wanted for my girl. No luck.

Welcome to the club! It's bigger than I thought.

I just want to give a shout out to David Avila. His site, though flash ridden and weird, was an invaluable resource in researching Vitus. He also just offered to send me all his lit. on vitus and some Mavic decals.
I love nice people
Here's his site:
http://comteche.us/sitebuilder/users/mavicvitus979/

P.S. Where do I put these things? On the walls, from the ceiling?...

put it on the road .and enjoy it . theres alot on ebay all the time .

i have to say when i ride mine its like im riding on air compared to my steel brothers. and like u its quick as all get out . nice bike pics everybody . boy that gold vitus sure is bright and shiny. heres the carbon link http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=12705&d=1144984177

The gold one is an Alan I believe. Posted as another "Glued and Screwed".
The lugs on it are beautiful. I am envious.

put it on the road .and enjoy it . theres alot on ebay all the time .

I was talking about the extra bikes, storage. The Vitus has seen the the road every day.

oops my bad:o

Wish I could ride them all at once. I guess I need more friends:beer:

Wish I could ride them all at once. I guess I need more friends:beer:
well your in va im in ill. so guess well just have to be bf friends:D

Hey Y'all:

I am new here and a Vitus rider. I built my 979 frame up in 1984. It has the first gen Dura Ace SIS and the first gen Look pedals (in white). I ride tubulars - some old habits die hard. The brakes are Modolos, but I swapped out thelevers for some Shimano aeros, as I could not find those lovely anantomically shaped Modolo hoods anymore. The BB, cranks, rings and seatpost are Campy Super Record.

When I built it I was 140 lbs, 23 years later I am 180. It has thousands of kilometers in it and is still going strong. It is a 60 cm frame and still weighs in at 19 pounds with my race wheels on!

It soaks up road shock like there is no tomorrow, whips and springs back on climbs and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Well, except maybe a less ridden one. Damn, I missed that Nashbar special a couple of years ago - but I was pretty strapped at the time!

Bit late - but here's mine...
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1417/606923037_0534d025fa.jpg
The drivetrain is Campagnolo Triomphe, with Shimano Exage brakes. It's got Tubular tires on Araya 'Red' rims, and Wellgo pedals. The handlebars are Cinelli.
There's more photos here (http://sportreviewnz.blogspot.com/2007/06/on-road-again-vitus-979.html).