dveneman

I know very little of these.
It is in very nice codition, has Dura Ace components and was offered at $500.
Please give me your opinion/apraisal .
If I purchase it, I will likely offer it to a female friend who rides.

Thank you.


https://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...n/vitus2-1.jpg

https://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a...man/Vitus1.jpg

T-Mar

I can't confirm any Dura-Ace beyond derailleurs and brakes. The crankset looks like a lower end Campagnolo triple. The pedals and saddle look cheap. The set-up is terrible, with the sadle too high, the front QR facing the wrong direction and the bars angled downwards (probably because the levers are too high on the bends). I suspect that front derailleur is having a problem handling the triple, given the that the chain is on the middle ring and the lever is already well past it's norma travel. Condition looks good but the rim sidewalls say it's been ridden a good amount.

Small size does warrant a premium but then the market for Vitus is limited. Unless you're a light and/or smooth rider, many find them too flexy. Given the frankenbike nature, poor set-up and limited market, I'd say $500 is too high, unless you're in a very hot market. In an average market, I'd be looking at $300-$350.

oddjob2

+1 on the worn rims. Also, the tires are mismatched.

I'd say if you are giving a bike to a woman, the bike had better look good and be extra clean, otherwise, zero or negative points.

Poguemahone

Even at the small sizes, check thoroughly for cracks and loose joins on these. 500$ is high, as T-mar notes. I'd be thinking less than 300, assuming there is similar wear on the chainrings, etc. Drivetrain might need replacing-- check for shark finned teeth on the chainrings and chain stretch. It looks like it may have been ridden hard. They ride nice, but are flexy... this is more pronounced in larger sizes, however.

dveneman

This is fantastic information sent so quicky.
Others? Please more info and opinions.
I will update what becomes of this and better pics if I can get them.
Thank you!!

joe englert

That color is nice. Looks to be in great shape. Yes, the vitus as we have said many times before, is probably the best value out there for a used bike. I see them all the time under 400.00 with great groups. Any Vitus over 400.00 should have a fantastic high level group going with it. This one your interested in is over priced for sure. Im thinking 200.00-300.00 is a good price. I would wait and get one with brifters for your lady friend...much more rider friendly than trying to get her to use down tubes

Dave Mayer

Somewhat of a strange setup. A Campy triple road crankset has been added - presumably to get lower gears. However, the Dura-Ace rear derailleur was never meant to handle a wide range cogset or a triple. So practically, the downtube shifters and the rear derailleur should go. BTW: 7-speed Dura-Ace is incompatible with anything else in Shimano's lineup, so you won't just be able to keep the Dura-Ace downtube shifters. Except in friction of course, but that is a PITA.

If the rear wheel has a Dura-Ace cassette hub, then you have a problematic orphan on your hands. This hub only accepts obsolete Uniglide cogs, and the special #1 threaded cog is as rare as the Holy Grail. Plus the freehub is unique and basically impossible to replace.

Check for disbonding near the bottom bracket shell - this is usually where the lugs and tubes separate. Also carefully check the grub screw that keeps the seatpost in place. If the frame threads are stripped here, you have major problems.

The crankset is actually nice touch. The chain has to be replaced - in hundreds of second-hand bikes I've looked at, only a single one did not need a chain replacement. And usually the chainrings and rear cogset was shot as well - as a result of riding a absurdly worn-out chain. Check the drivetrain carefully, but assume it is kaput.

The 979 rides great in the smaller sizes. I've owned one. Nice bike for rougher roads. The frame and fork may be worth $250 in good condition.

Chombi

$500's definitely to high a price for that Vitus 979. If it was maybe a Vitus Carbone, then that value will be closer, but may still be a bit high, depending on the bik'es condition.
I'd say the max I'd pay for that bike if it was in fantastic condition would be in the high $300's. If it had a more cohesive/complete high line, period correct group, then maybe up to the mid 400's, but you'd be talking at least full Mavic SSC or Spidel groups at that price. That's when the value of the components would be really overtaking the value of the frameset. Once you get to more universally sought after groups like Campy C-Delta, and/or Cobalto,...etc... than you'd really be just buying the bike more for the component group value

Chombi