randomguyy

EDIT: These issues have since been solved. I was just answering an old question from 2 months back that someone brought up. Bike rides like a boss now.

Ok so I've been spamming this site for the past week as I fixed up a 58cm PSN-10 (Super Vitus 980) I picked up off ebay for $280. Pretty solid condition, no cracks, no rust, has all original components (Campy crank, modolo speedy brake set, mavic module-e 700c rims, weird quill-stem, etc etc). It even had the original pearl handlebar tape (which I've since removed). I replaced the brake cabling, threw in new Vittoria Corsa Open SC II tires and a couple tubes, cleaned out and re-lubed the headset, cleaned up the frame a bit, then took it out for a spin.

I've read a ton of reviews on this site about this bike and thought it might end up being a bit whippy at 58cm. I'm 5'11 and weight about 160. I'm used to riding my older mid 80's Peugeot at same size and I have to say this SV980 seems very whippy/noodly compared to my lower-end Corbier. I still plan on taking it to a bike shop for a proper tune-up since I'm no serious bike mechanic but to add more detail:

When I place the bike on a bike stand (rear wheel propped into air) and spin the pedals, the bike seems to wobble back and forth a biiiit too much which makes me think maybe the wheels aren't radially true. Or is this just normal? I threw my Corbier on the wheel stand and sliiightly did the same thing. Some wobble back and forth but absolutely not as much (maybe cause the bike is heavier?).

I definitely would like to sell the Corbier at some point and hold on to this SV980 PSN-10 but I wanted to see what suggestions others may have.

Other things to note:
-Haven't touched the original spokes/rim/hubs
-Haven't touched the BB (which appears to be fine)
-Owner gave me what appears to be the original chain but I should probably get this replaced (I added some chain lube on it).. but when switching from the big gear to small gear the chain sometimes doesn't engage perfectly (sits slightly above where it should be... clearly not super safe).
-I hear a creaking (like a quick bird chirp) sporadically coming from the front wheel when I'm riding and even when I just freely spin the front wheel in my living room. It doesn't seem to be tied to a specific point of when the wheel is spinning, just sporadic. My intuition tells me it's something to do with spoke tension.

I'm not feeling super comfortable on the bike juuuust yet though I've given it a spin around Central Park and I can certainly appreciate the speediness of it due to the new tires and overall lightweight. I suppose part of this could be caused by just not being used to more of a race bike or something.

Anywho, I'll look to bring it into a shop this weekend and explain everything as a real mechanic hasn't looked at the whole thing yet.

Thanks

Sir_Name 

Sounds like your wheel is out of true. The bike should be fairly smooth on the stand (sounds like one of the ones that wraps under the BB and around the downtube). Some wobble will be introduced by only spinning one side of the crank by hand.

I'd start by rebuilding the hub. Since the sound happens when you spin the wheel in the air (no significant loads going through the spokes) I doubt it has anything to do with spoke tension. Is the rim out of true and hitting a brake pad?

The bike shop should get you pretty well fixed up.

Pics? Enjoy.

NormanF

I used to own an early 80s Peugeot Super Vitus 980. Great bike but three sizes too big for me.

It was Peugeot's mid line bike, I believe. You can't really go wrong with it.

randomguyy

Cheers for the input!

You're correct that I'm using one of those stands that sits under the BB. Rim appears to be *laterally* true so it's definitely not hitting the brake pads at any point (and I've setup the brakes nice and tight). I haven't checked to see if it needs radial truing but that's what I thought when the thing rocks back and forth.

Great point on the wheel in air (no load in spokes). I actually read on this page it MIGHT be a Mavic wheelset issue which just requires a bit of specific greasing so I'll try that first. Bicycle Bike Noises, Clicks, Ticks, Creaks, Clunks, Knocks Repair by Jim Langley under "Jody's Mavic wheels creak fix"

I'll be getting pics for sure once I add some handlebar tape and clean it up a bit more.

Sir_Name 

Thanks, I'll have to read through the link later.

NormanF

The Peugeot Super Vitus 980 came equipped with a decent Mavic wheelset in the 700 C size at a time when 27" road bikes where still markedly predominant in the States.

old's'cool

Could easily be an imbalance issue. Does the wheel always settle in the same orientation when you let it come to a stop? Sources of imbalance include valve stem, spoke reflectors, and internal patches. Unless you feel it when riding, I wouldn't worry. I've noticed imbalance from reflectors when riding at high speed.

randomguyy

Thanks. Now that I think about it, it actually does settle in the same orientation... the reflector at bottom. I dismissed that thought as I figured the reflectors were so light it couldn't possibly cause wobble but I definitely take that back. I suppose I can remove the reflector and test the spin as well.

jyl

Congratulations, that is a very nice bike. I ride one daily ('82, 58 cm). Chombi has one he's owned from new. It is a somewhat flexible frame but mine rides very nicely, very comfortable and I've taken it on five centuries so far in addition to the daily commute. Mine has a shimmy which I haven't solved yet, interested to know if yours does?

Hub, BB, headset bearings should be disassembled, cleaned, regreased, adjusted. That might take care of the chirp but anyway should be done, as the current grease could be 40 years old. Shifting issue could just be limit adjustment on front derailleur. Check chain for wear, a new one is just $10. Shop should check tension on the wheels but with luck it'll be fine.

Respected and mustachioed forum member noglider is now supervising the wrenches at a bike shop in NYC, if you don't have a regular shop you might find his.

randomguyy

Rebuilt the hub. Got way messier than I expected. No chirping anymore Now I have clanks coming from the chain, likely related to front derailleur. Shop visit this morn will probably locate this for me. Thanks again!

randomguyy

Thanks for the heads up. I fixed the wheel chirping by rebuilding the hub. Also, literally just dropped the bike off at noglider's shop which happens to be 10 blocks from me, perfect. Going through a basic tune-up. I let them know the story with the bike and that I didn't want to die since I took my own tools to the thing over the past few days.

As for the shimmy bit, I need to read up on that a bit more to understand whether or not the bike does that.

randomguyy

No shimmy after a couple months of riding this thing. Bombed a hill at 40mph the other day and didn't experience anything scary either.

miamijim

Remove the reflector.

Almost every bike I've ever worked on has certain a wheel RPM at which the bounce/oscillation what ever you want to call it gets way out of hand. The more out of balance (weight balance) a wheel is the worse it gets. All wheels, if the hubs properly adjusted, will settle with the valve at the lowest point.

If spokes aren't tight enough it'll contribute to the whippiness.

jiangshi

Bring some of god's green gift for superior service.