catlover800

Hey so I'm currently riding a 1984 cannondale st500 and am looking to upgrade to something more modern , specifically with brifters. I found a vitus 979 at a local bikeshop for 500$ (CAD) and it says it has full dura ace. I haven't been able to check it out in person as the shop is closed sunday and monday and was wondering what you guys thought of this. I have read things about this frame being flexy but im not sure if that will be too much of an issue for me as its a 52cm frame and i weigh about 110. Here is the pic of it from their website.

daf1009

First...welcome to the Bike Forums...

If it is ready to ride...then this is probably a pretty good price (not sure of conversion rate right now, so not sure how 500CAD compares to 500US)...and, if it is full DA. Vitus does tend to be flexy, but, at your size, that would, most likely, not be a problem.

randyjawa 

Get it. Good deal, in my opinion.

catlover800

Thanks for the replies. I plan to check it out in person tomorrow. Also 500 CAD is equal to 376 USD.

exxongraftek

A very good deal and you won't have a problem as long as a 52 cm fits you.
Sweet-riding frame, you'll experience less "road buzz" than with your 'Dale.
If that is an aero seat post be prepared to swap it out if it does not lower enough to fit you.
Never ever try to lower a oval cross-section into a round hole. I promise it won't tighten up.
Never ever ask me how I know this.

jyl

I'd grab that. Then fix the goofy rear fender mounting.

jetboy 

speaking from San Francisco bay area pricing- that is a very good deal and you should probably go there as soon as they open. nice bike and if you get it please stay around and tell us about it.

CliffordK

I'm not sure I'd call a Vitus frame "modern", although I think Alan still makes similar styled bonded frames.

I can't tell the details of the drivetrain. Freewheel vs Cassette, # speeds, etc.

I don't have a lot of experience with Vitus frames. I do have a bonded Aluminum fork on one of my bikes, so I don't think of bonding as being particularly bad.

But, I think the question should be what are your ultimate goals?

Sunday rides around the park on a classic bike?
Hardcore riding, commuting, group rides?

Anyway, if it is the former, then it sounds like a wonderful find.
In the case of the latter, test out a couple of bikes, but I don't think the Vitus would be my first choice, although perhaps no big reason why not.

miamijim

You'll either love it or hate it. Cannondales are at one end of the comfort stiffness spectrum and Vitus is at the other.

That particular one has the goofy seat post fixing bolt...

catlover800

So I finally got it! i offered them 400$ cash and they accepted. It has full 8 speed dura ace STI (brakes, shifters, hubs, skewers,derailleurs,even seatpost) with the exception of the crank which says sachs 5... on it. Everything on it works great , other than the break pads need to be replaced and the ****ty plastic pedals which it came with. I took it for only a quick ride because the break pads are very worn , but it seemed much smoother and faster than my cannondale. I'd like to say thanks to everyone who encouraged me to buy it as I am very satisfied with this purachase. Pics are to follow.

catlover800

The quality might not be the best as I took all but one of them with my phone as I was having issues with getting my camera to work , but here they are.

CliffordK

I'm glad you got it. I hope the bike works out for you.

Try the photos again. Usually the attachments are ok... unless perhaps it took a while to post the message.

See if they show up when yo go to advanced "Manage Attachments". If so, check the boxes, drag them to the bottom of the window, and click on "insert inline".

catlover800

hopefully they work this time.

jyl

That was a good price! And a pretty bike!

The decals are available from Velocals and others.

Corrosion at the lug / tube connections is to be avoided. Don't leave it out in the rain.