ballinwang

I found this Vitus, with Modern Shimano 600 components on a local website. Would it be worth $400 as the seller's asking for it? And I'm also considering this as a daily commuter alongside my PX-10 so I need it to work and have no problems. I couldn't see any noticeable damages that could prevent this from working smoothly, but I'm sure all of you have a better eye for damages. How would this bike perform and is it suitable for commuting? Thanks

Chombi1 

The bike looks very nice and in very good condition. Only possible issue with the bike might he the squeezing in of the wider than 126mm (typical rear spacing for this older series 979 with conventional seatpost clamp style) rear hub on to the frame. I personally would not do thst with an aluminum framed bike as the skewer puts in a lot of strain on the aluminum dropouts that are more prone to cracking from such than steel. Maybe if the bike had survived some years now with such without any issues, but I would] still get a bit nervous if it means that everytime you remove and install the rear wheel, release and lock the skewer, you subject the rear dropouts and lower seat stay to cycles of stress that can eventually crack the aluminum..... unless the owner might have somehow realigned the dropout faces to avoid this?

Poguemahone

In my experience with these, the bigger they get, the more whippy they are. I like mine; it's about a sixty, but I would not use it as a daily commuter. Check thoroughly for cracks, esp. around the bottom bracket and headtube areas, and run away if you see any signs. I'm also dubious about the spreading of the rear triangle. The joins on these were glue and would give up.

It's also not the best design for a commuter, not if you want to ad on racks/fenders.

$400? The value here is largely in the parts, frankly. I like these frames but do not place a high value on them.

SJX426 

@ballinwang - Second picture has me concerned about the joint between the tube and lug on the top side of the picture. Is it really separating?

Chombi1 

You're right about that headstck/down tube junction.....something weird is going on in there. Maybe a result of frontal impact??

Bandera

The pic is of a 1st generation Vitus 979 w/ the somewhat problematic seatpost fixing bolt design, if those ears aren't deformed & it's free from abuse, tube separation/crash & cracks: Good to go.
That being said it's a thoroughbred race frame of the era ridden to many Classic victories by Sean Kelly and much favored here by light high cadence style riders. Great machines for the right riders, not used much as commuters.

-Bandera

zukahn1 

Nice looking bike worth asking price ore more if it has no major issues but not a commuter. I do however see a couple potential issues from the pics the dropouts look to have been force spread to allow the current wheels and the joint just above the shifters looks a bit uneven compared to the rest of the bike. I would say it would make a great +3 or more bike to ride a couple of times a year on sunny days but not a good commuter these were racing superlights made to be raced a season then garaged not road as daily commuters.