original Vitus aluminum frames
02-23-05, 03:57 PM
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original Vitus aluminum frames
I think it's Performance has a blowout deal on new-old stock of the original Vitus bonded aluminum frames. they look like they'd make a neat retro road project. Anyone know how they ride? And would they hold up under my 220 lbs?
DanO
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02-23-05, 04:12 PM
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I also had a 54 cm 979. I weighed about 155 at the time. It rode like a wet noodle. High speed descents, etc. were scary.
SS
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02-23-05, 04:16 PM
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I also think it's Nashbar. I got that catalog a couple of weeks ago and thought about buying one for old times sake. Then I remembered why I got rid of the old one.
SS
SS
02-23-05, 04:18 PM
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It's Nashbar and, interestingly enough, the ones they have are all relatively large sized frames (see list of available below). Hmmmm. Wonder why they weren't snapped up years ago? However, they would make great wall art... just not at $499
57.5CM PINK
57.5CM VIOLET
58.5CM DARK BLUE
58.5CM LIGHT BLUE
58.5CM PINK
58.5CM RED
58.5CM VIOLET
58.5CM WHITE
59.5CM BLACK
59.5CM LIGHT BLUE
59.5CM PINK
60.5CM BLACK
60.5CM DARK BLUE
60.5CM GRAY
60.5CM LIGHT BLUE
60.5CM PINK
60.5CM RED
60.5CM SILVER
60.5CM VIOLET
60.5CM WHITE
61.5CM DARK BLUE
61.5CM LIGHT BLUE
61.5CM PINK
61.5CM RED
61.5CM VIOLET
61.5CM WHITE
57.5CM PINK
57.5CM VIOLET
58.5CM DARK BLUE
58.5CM LIGHT BLUE
58.5CM PINK
58.5CM RED
58.5CM VIOLET
58.5CM WHITE
59.5CM BLACK
59.5CM LIGHT BLUE
59.5CM PINK
60.5CM BLACK
60.5CM DARK BLUE
60.5CM GRAY
60.5CM LIGHT BLUE
60.5CM PINK
60.5CM RED
60.5CM SILVER
60.5CM VIOLET
60.5CM WHITE
61.5CM DARK BLUE
61.5CM LIGHT BLUE
61.5CM PINK
61.5CM RED
61.5CM VIOLET
61.5CM WHITE
02-23-05, 08:53 PM
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I liked my Vitus, thought it was a good ride. I raced on it for a time. I'm 135 lbs, though, so I can't speak to heavier loads. I had a bad crash and the good bike is now wall art in my shop (crash broke the rear derailleur hanger).
02-23-05, 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by TandemGeek
just not at $499
02-24-05, 08:13 AM
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They are just too expensive.
If you watch ebay you can pick up 979 frames for less than $200.
If you watch ebay you can pick up 979 frames for less than $200.
03-02-05, 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by stumpjumper
I'll sell you my 979 frame/fork (flat aluminum color) for $100 +shipping if you want it. Seriously.
03-03-05, 11:03 AM
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I beleive its a 57cm. If your interested, contact me off-site via email (diggerbunny AT gmail.com). I believe the moddies here arent thrilled with the idea of selling things via bikeforums.net and try not to antaganize the gods of mod too much 
03-03-05, 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by TandemGeek
It's Nashbar and, interestingly enough, the ones they have are all relatively large sized frames (see list of available below). Hmmmm. Wonder why they weren't snapped up years ago? However, they would make great wall art... just not at $499
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03-03-05, 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by stumpjumper
I beleive its a 57cm. If your interested, contact me off-site via email (diggerbunny AT gmail.com). I believe the moddies here arent thrilled with the idea of selling things via bikeforums.net and try not to antaganize the gods of mod too much
We just don't want lots of classifieds running (something to do with liability, or sales tax
or the Nixon administration)
Marty
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03-04-05, 06:51 PM
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The first batch back in the eighties had recalled fork recalled. I broke the frame on one. I was not fond of it at all. Whippy it was. I was lucky, I was wrenching in a shop I eventually became a part owner in. So I got the frame replaced and sold it. We elected not to carry them.
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03-04-05, 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by TandemGeek
It's Nashbar and, interestingly enough, the ones they have are all relatively large sized frames (see list of available below). Hmmmm. Wonder why they weren't snapped up years ago? However, they would make great wall art... just not at $499
I was being cynical.... even the smaller frames were noodley (briefly had a 54cm).
It's Nashbar and, interestingly enough, the ones they have are all relatively large sized frames (see list of available below). Hmmmm. Wonder why they weren't snapped up years ago? However, they would make great wall art... just not at $499
Originally Posted by HigherGround
The Vitus frames were known for being rather flexy, and that problem would only get more noticeable on a bigger frame under a heavier or stronger rider. Smaller and lighter riders may not have had as much of a problem, and so the smaller frames probably sold faster.
05-22-05, 06:05 PM
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Dan, I had the Alan Al frame before it was made by or branded Vitus ('77). same tubes, bonded construction. I raced it in UK, when I was 170 lbs. It worked great, if pedaled very smoothly and not 'jumped' on. Sean Kelly was world champ, on the Vitus, at least one year, I believe.
Pro: smoothest, most comfortable bike ever, very light and steep geometry, if that works for you. Very pretty, beautiful construction, I always got a lot of compliments on it.
Con: no way it's going to work for a 220 lb'r, unless you're the smoothest pedaler ever and you live in Kansas. Extremely 'soft', so much flex that it would actuallly change gears when torqued going uphill, which was inconvenient in a race.
Nashbar is now selling them for 299, I've thought about picking one up, I have great memories of it.
There are some very interesting articles out on the web about frame flex and the physics of stored energy, etc., I personally believe stiffness for the sake of stiffness is overrated, but the Vitus might be off the charts for you.
Peter
Pro: smoothest, most comfortable bike ever, very light and steep geometry, if that works for you. Very pretty, beautiful construction, I always got a lot of compliments on it.
Con: no way it's going to work for a 220 lb'r, unless you're the smoothest pedaler ever and you live in Kansas. Extremely 'soft', so much flex that it would actuallly change gears when torqued going uphill, which was inconvenient in a race.
Nashbar is now selling them for 299, I've thought about picking one up, I have great memories of it.
There are some very interesting articles out on the web about frame flex and the physics of stored energy, etc., I personally believe stiffness for the sake of stiffness is overrated, but the Vitus might be off the charts for you.
Peter
05-22-05, 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by DanO220
I think it's Performance has a blowout deal on new-old stock of the original Vitus bonded aluminum frames. they look like they'd make a neat retro road project. Anyone know how they ride? And would they hold up under my 220 lbs?
DanO
DanO
