Classic & Vintage - Picked up a Vitus 979 today

I found this last week when buying a couple project bikes but couldn't afford to pick it up until today.

I had originally thought it might be a Peugeot Comete after my very brief look at it but after asking here (with some confusion on my part) I figured out it's actually a Vitus 979.

Anyways, here it is basically as found other than a real quick clean up.

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You're really going to town Fordsvtparts ! - This, on top of the Gitane TdF? Quiate a nice find. I question the originality of those head tube graphics though. ;)

Very nice - you've scored some sweet rides lately. Finding it addicting yet? :)

Body Glove?

Body Glove?

Yeah, I know. Someone got creative with the decals. They'll be gone shortly.

Sorry if I got a little cranky with your response in that other thread, I had never heard of Vitus as a bicycle brand before.

Very nice - you've scored some sweet rides lately. Finding it addicting yet? :)

I'm well into the addiction phase, I'm just getting lucky lately with a few really good finds and in fact I bought three other bikes from the guy that had the Vitus, a Fuji, a Miyata (bad frame but good components) and a Lotus Mixte.

I've got about 12 project bikes in que right now but at this point I can't afford many keepers other than my Raleigh and the TdF.

The Vitus is way too small for me so it'll end up getting sold after a bit of cleanup and stuff but I just couldn't pass it up.

Great looking black anodized 979! Congratulations on the good find! At least you most likely did not have to spend the 600+ bucks those NOS Cometes were ridiculously going for!:twitchy: Plus, you're getting a much nicer looking bike with the 979, IMO.
Uhmmmm... you might consider changing that strange looking saddle though:rolleyes:..... A turbo or a Concor looks good on these bikes.

Chombi

Nice find! It's in great shape. What a coincidence, I have a 979, same size, Modolo Kronos shifters, AND the same Tange G-Master roller bearing headset!
What are the odds! Too bad it's not your size. BTW, the black 979s are not anodization, but paint.

the black 979s are not anodization, but paint.

That's kind of what I was thinking, There are a couple scratches and it just didn't appear to be an anodized finish.

That's quite a mix of parts on that bike. The paint job is unusual, too. They're a comfortable, light bike, though. I think they're underrated in the vintage market. Let us know how you do in selling it.

Nice find! It's in great shape. What a coincidence, I have a 979, same size, Modolo Kronos shifters, AND the same Tange G-Master roller bearing headset!
What are the odds! Too bad it's not your size. BTW, the black 979s are not anodization, but paint.

I guess I assumed that it was anodized as black anodizing is such a common thing. Weird that Vitus would paint it black instead. I wonder now if the white ones were painted too. Good thing about it being painted thoug, it's going to be much easier to touch up/repair the finish where it's scratched.

Chombi

There's a Vitus frame on ebay that's my size, but I have not ridden one before. How would you characterize the ride of the alum frame with the alum fork?

Sharp bike! Congratulations!

There's a Vitus frame on ebay that's my size, but I have not ridden one before. How would you characterize the ride of the alum frame with the alum fork?

I've only ridden it a little bit as it's far too small for me but it in my opinion it rides beautifully. I had my wife pick it up and she actually started laughing because she couldn't believe how light it is.

It's by far the newest, most modern bike that's been in my garage and my prime riders are all steel so I don't have much to compare it to in the more modern realm.

Keeping in mind the limitations of the choice of frame specs, the Vitus rides very comfortable and smooth. Unlike the large dia. Al tubed counterparts, the frame absorbs road shock well. The geometry offers a quick response handling wise. If you're a spinner, or recreational rider, you won't notice many shortcomings. If you're an out of the saddle masher/sprinter, the Vitus will be whippy. IMO, the fork and BB area flexes excessively if you hammer it. Can scare you the first time when the front wheel feels like it suddenly hit a patch of wet leaves or sand. If you're used to a stiff steel frame, you're in for a disappointment. NOTE: the bigger the frame size, the noodly-er it'll be. Smaller riders who road 50-55cm 979's didn't feel as whippy.

IMO, they are interesting and nice rides. Worth trying if you find a good example.