Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1988 White Vitus 979

1988 Vitus 979 in white
Mavic sealed bearing wheels
Durace, head crank arms seat post, shifters
Shimano 600 brakes and rear derailleur
Campy brake levers
http://i51.tinypic.com/apczl0.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/293d9pi.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/2vak0us.jpg


I've read mixed reviews on this bicycle, it being an aluminum frame and that it's scarily flexible.
the size is 54cm and I'm 170 lbs

I'd pass. Those Vitus frames are made of spaghetti.

I'd pass as well unless you have a "thing" for it. For $450 you can get a new, modern bike from a place like bikesdirect.com. One of my bestest buds had an Alan of the same vintage, would LMAO when he sprinted, I swear you could see the BB move an inch. He loved it though.

thanks, yea i think i'll pass. the whole "wet noodle" "flex" idea is a bit scary

Err, at that size frame (54cm) and your weight, you wouldn't have noticed much more flex than your typical bike. It would be more comfortable on long, fairly flat rides than most "vintage" bikes you'll find out there - they absorb shock well and actually are great riding bikes. $300 is probably about right.

Err, at that size frame (54cm) and your weight, you wouldn't have noticed much more flex than your typical bike. It would be more comfortable on long, fairly flat rides than most "vintage" bikes you'll find out there - they absorb shock well and actually are great riding bikes. $300 is probably about right.

+1. 99.99999% of all posters who complain about them being flexy and having 'noodely' rides have never ridden one.

I may give it a shot. I read somewhere on this forum that someone who weighed 160 on a 54cm found it noodle-ly, and somewhere else that the frame would bend and touch the wheels!
again, thanks for the replies.

I've just bought a 1985 Vitus 979, 60cm and I'm 83kg so it could be a bit of a wet noodle. Anyway it looks awesome, I still haven't decided what to do withit. In the short term I want to poslish it and remove th eslightly damaged decals and replace. Does anybody have any advice on what to polish anodised aluminium and the non anodised parts with? Also what is a good way to remove the decals that are on there at the moment?

One more non 979 specific question, the old Look pedals that are on there are very hard to remove, I don't want to hang off them and apply too much force, I'm really concious now of the potential weakness of the frame, I could end up with the BB in my hand, does anybody know a good trick?
Will post pics soon.

I bought the bike. The guy gave a great deal so I hopped on it. anyhow, here's a couple pictures
http://i56.tinypic.com/eq4fg5.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/1zox0ef.jpg