I am going to do a French build based on some Mavic SSC components I scored.

I had a riding buddy back in the early 90's that had a Vitus 979. I never heard him complain so.....

What's the deal with them generally? I ride a 55/56, so I am not sure on "stiffness" etc.

Are the forks considered adequate?

Just lining up possible French frame options here.

Thanks-

The 979 has probably won more pro races than any other model frame. People like them and they look good. I had one and always thought it felt a tiny bit rubbery or just slow, but who knows what I was feeling. The forks work fine and aren't dangerous.


I had some SSC stuff on my 979, but it is now on a Lemond, which also seems appropriate.

Definitely a comfortable riding frame but I found that the handling a bit unpredictable when pushed hard.

I love mine (54cm). Light and nimble. However, I also have quite a bit of power in the legs thanks to 30 + yrs of riding and lifting weights so I don't push too hard in sprints or mash the gears. I like to spin a higher cadence and it works great with this frame.

I think they look great too - especially the red or blue frames.

BITD I had always heard they were pretty noodly, but.. I've never actually ridden one so dont know. If I were looking at one though I would definitely ride it up a climb or two before buying, as I'm not big on noodly frames. Agree they do look great.

Be very careful when installing the crank rings! They are fragile and over torque will snap on the SSC crank. Also, when I pushed the crank arm onto the BB taper, the non-drive side cracked. Fragile, to say the least. Anyway, my 979 before it went to Texas...

A ringing endorsement based on a lack of direct experience that just had to be passed on since hearsay from those who most likely also never rode a 979 were overheard to give their "expert" opinion decades ago.

"Back when" Sean Kelly repeatedly won classic world tour races on a 979, including Paris Roubaix.
The Vitus was favored for several years in my club for it's light weight and pleasant ride on rough surfaces, mostly by lighter high cadence racers with calm confident bike handling skills. Mine is still in service many years after it's race days are over. Like any other machine a Vitus 979 isn't for everyone, only by actually putting seat-time on one can that be determined.

-Bandera

I like my 979 for long rides. It is comfortable riding. I wouldn’t want to use it as a crit bike but it is fine for pretty much everything else.

Thanks all so far. Yep, I'm going to get one. I did ride one once early 90s but can't recall my feeling of it.

I am going to prolly dominate with SSC, but take a few liberties here and there.

Yeah, I used SRAM double pivot calipers instead of Modolos on mine. Mavic made a black double pivot later on, but they are pricey.

Which crank, RD, shifter and brake lever versions are you using? Index, retrofriction, starfish?

My somewhat recent build:

I have SSC front and rear derailleur so far and I found some nice black Weinmann levers I might use. Cranks prolly Stronglight.

I usually think bikes look best around 56 cm, but this looks really great, nice build.

I love my Vitus. In 1983 it was a cheap professional frame set for a Cat IV rider, which was what I was when I bought it. Mine is 55cm, and when I raced it, I weighed 160 lbs.
When Jan Heine tried to describe planing I understood exactly what he meant. If it matches your riding/cadence style you will love it.

I noticed an '84 on NYC CL this seek ...

I did hear about SSC cranks cracking, but not the rings.
Never had any problems with my full SSC drivetrain on my Vitus Carbone........

For me, it was just natural to pick the SSC group for my Vitus.
Go for it and enjoy a "Tout French" bike!

The only issue I have with mine is its unique feel while descending at speed. Please forgive the non-drive side picture.

Top

I always liked these but would want to stuff a 130mm 11 speed group on it and I don't know if the frame would be happy being spread.

I feel like the frames would've been in much more widespread use if they'd been stiff enough, as they were certainly very light. I read several articles on them BITD, and most reviewers said the same thing. Your experience was obviously different.

My 2nd generation 979 is 130 out of the box, Vitus is not a candidate for cold setting.
Pic of conversion to 10 cog Shimano, works a treat.

-Bandera

I have and have ridden one. It's a larger size (60) and yeah, I find it a bit whippy. But the bike is an extremely comfortable ride-- really the best riding aluminum frame I've ever been on. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to a smaller rider.

Dont put ideas in my head!!!

I dislike black bikes due to some days only seeming to see black bikes on my rides but this one will stay in the stable due to it's ride even though I am constantly working on thinning the herd.

I had one until about 7 or so years ago that I built up with all Sun Tour Cyclone grouppo. Was a pretty comfortable ride for my 175# (then) body. I think it's better for spinning than for mashing big gears, tho.

One of the more interesting drive train buildups I've seen done was to put a TA Cyclotourist triple on the front along with a Huret long cage Jubilee RD.

I had a 60 cm natural finish frame I built up with Campy, except for a SunTour Cyclone MkII RD for a little more range. Light, it came in at 19# with tubulars. Prettiest bike I ever owned. I put about 1500 miles on it, but it was a little big for me, I had problems with ghost shifting I couldn't figure out, and the tubulars gave me too many flats. I ended up parting it out.

The 979 is a great frame. I weigh ~160 and rode a 58cm as an around town/delivery bike in the SF hills. Felt very efficient and comfortable. They do flex more than SL/531, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.