Vitus 979 question
 

Hi,

I am wondering what Vitus owners have done for front derailleurs? My Vitus appears to have a 28.0mm seat tube outer diameter, rather than the more common 28.6mm. Any advice? Also, what bottom bracket width works best? 68 x ??

Thank you,

Stevie B

Appears? Did you stand back and eye-ball it or put a caliper on it and actually measure?
Mine Fits the standard for the period 28.6mm Fr Derail w/ a BSC 68mm BB, some were not "English". One has to measure with that handy caliper and check threading.

-Bandera

I don't recall having that problem when I built up my Vitus. It has been a while, though...

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...lleurFront.jpg

Pretty sure mine is 28.6. Using a Campagnolo fd. I'm also using a Velo Orange French thread cartridge bb

Mine has a standard 28.6 Superb Pro.

Top

Yessir Mr. Bandera, I measured with my handy-dandy digital calipers. The seat tube OD is 28.2 or 28.3mm, but definitely not your standard 28.6mm. Thank you

Thank you Scozim! Yours may be a later model...

you're caliper is off then. if it had an odd diameter ST like that it would come with a braze on tab. there is no such thing as a clamp on 28.2 or .3 to my knowledge.

There should be enough gap on the ends of most FD clamps to allow for any slight ST undersizing as you can also use some shimming materials to make up for any gaps.
It's when your seat tube is slightly oversized when you have to worry about, as some FD clamp bodies are quite thick and can put dents on your seat tube if you try to force it on.......

No sir--my digital caliper does not lie. It speaks the truth. Also tested a standard 28.6mm clamp front derailleur on the tube but no dice...way too loose.

Can you shim it? My 979 is a 1983. What FD are you using?

I have an old Shimano FD TY15-SS triple that is 28.0-28.6 adjustable. It's yours for the shipping cost if you want it.

Are you sure it is a Vitus? If so, what year is it? The Stronglight/Altec clones had an oddball tube size. I have had quite a range of Vitus frames, and all of them have been the 28.6. I have never had my hands on a first gen one, these had an embossed fork instead of a sticker.

Thank you 88prelude. What model derailleur is that?

Yes, that is about the same diameter as my Vitus--thanks Chuckk! Looks like your Vitus has a Shimano 600 derailleur installed.

According to Velobase (VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano FD-TY15, Tourney) it's a Tourney and made around 1995 - makes sense as it's stamped made in China. I was thinking it was older than that. It's not a beauty but it works.

Good job, facts are facts and I stand corrected to "Mine Fits the standard for the period 28.6mm Fr Derail w/ a BSC 68mm BB."

A glance reminded me that the AL tubes on a Vitus 979 are not a single OD but flare significantly at the BB and HT.
So what is the OD at the Fr Der mounting height?

Measuring just above the BB, just below the Fr derail and just below the seatube/TT fitting : 30.4 28.4 28.6

How does that compare to steel lugged frames? I have three to measure, and did.

531 28.6
SL 28.7
Prestige 28.7

Looking at the 28.6 DA Fr Derail mounted firmly on my 979 the fitting shows a gap in the mounting clamp so it's not barely fixed in place.
Puzzled that your 979 does not accept a 28.6 as we built lots of 979's to that spec "back when" as it was the go-to frameset for small/light riders and never had a problem.

Got any pics?

-Bandera

I have four French bikes with 28 mm seat tubes and using 28.6 mm FD's has never been a problem. Just tighten the clamp enough to prevent slippage, but no more than that.

I believe that the Simplex used on Peugeots is identical to the one used on low end Raleighs.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/691/5q19.jpg