nacu

I am new to this sport. I bought a bike that I thought was a auminum vitus frame. I think, I might have been duped Please help if you can identify this frame.

There are no markings on it. Except on the bottom bracket the plastic "cable Holder" says made in france. The bottom bracket has no distinguishable markings except 54-57 (size?) and a T and a T7.

The specs are

shimano 105 components (6 speed 127 rear spacing)
stronglight headset
campy record hubs
ambrosio durex tubular rims (which I replaced to clinchers)
atax stem and seatpost
techno saddle

thank you

luker

Your picture didn't upload. Cannot be more than 100k in size. The Vitus is pretty distinctive - it is completely aluminum, vertical rear dropouts, glued and riveted brake bridge. Earlier ones have cable guides for the rear brake cable glued to the top tube, while later ones have internal cable routing for the rear brake cable. The lugs are aluminum and the frame tubing fits the lug nearly perfectly (same outer diameter). The frames were normally anodized one of many colors, but if the bike has seen a lot of sun it may have returned to silver. The bottom bracket should be marked "brevetta Vitus...etc" in a box on the bottom bracket. On the left side of the steerer tube a number will be cast inside of a circle - that is the frame size in centimeters. A very nice bicycle - I'd like to say I rode mine today, but I worked through lunch.

And if it isn't a Vitus, then what is it? give posting pictures another try...

EricDJ

Its where he's hosting thats the issue

luker

well, then...not a vitus that I am familiar with, although the rear dropouts look very similar...the seatpost is secured with a bolt through the chainstays? That would probably be a stripped trek 1200, 1500, or 2000...the extra long lugs would imply the same thing...what is the thing behind the seat cluster? it looks like an extra seatpost clamp?

nacu

Hey thank you for the info. Darn. Theres a seatpost clamp bolt and below that one theres a bolt that seems to hold rear to frame??? Anyways so the made in france thing probably was a spare part addon oh well 200.00 did seem cheap even though i did have to replace wheelset. Thanks Luker

luker

flummoxed, I am. The rear drops really look like vitus...maybe a litage frame? see the picture - is this your dropout? it is a spare for a Vitus....

avenan

Peugeot Galaxie or Comete?

T-Mar

I believe avenan has hit the nail on the head. The standard size tubes, long lugs and seat cluster are characteristics of the frame used on these two Peugeot models. The Shimano 105 components suggest it is a Galaxie.

Now for the bad news. Peugeot USA recalled both the Comete and Galaxie models, stating in part, "Due to apparent defects in the design or manufacture of these aluminum bicycles, the frame tubes may loosen inside the lugs." The models actually ended up being recalled twice. The first time they were repaired, but the fix was inadequate. The second time they were destroyed and replaced with a steel framed Triathlon model.

If you want a copy of the recall notice, send me a Private message with your e-mail address. I can also provide some detail pics of the bike so you can compare with what you have. Hopefully, I've erred in my identification.

Another forum member, MiamiJim, was directly involved with the recall and may have some further info.

luker

Really...so that bolt through the chainstays is structural? that seems a good way to court disaster. Lessee, bolt breaks, chainstays fold, cranks hit road whilst rider falls over backwards into rapidly spinning wheel. Yeah, that'd be a good one. Maybe pull a few glue joints loose at the same time so you'd be surrounded with hollow flying missles. Sc**w the heart-attack. This is the way I wanna go. In front of a large crowd of scantily-clad lassies. After setting clothing on fire.

avenan

I think the problem with the Comete coming apart was actually a LACK of a bonding agent. Sorta like a Vitus without the glue. Maybe this is just cycling urban legend...

That being said, if the person who sold you this represented it to you as a Vitus, I'd be looking for a refund. Thats one frame I'd be downright scared to ride.

nacu

wow , you guys/gals know your stuff. The guy who sold it to me replied by saying that viuts typically sold frames to other manufacturers...I dont know how successful i would be in getting a refund or if it is even worth the trouble. i will ask for a partial refund once i gather enough proof that frame is not made by vitus.Specially if it is the afformementioned recalled galaxie or Comete. Thanks again.

avenan

I just re-read (ok, read) what I wrote, and I suppose I should issue the caveat of "...but I'm notoriously cautious when it comes to these things". I might not ride it, but I'm sure there are those who would tell you they rode one for years with no issues. Sorta like the Lambert/Viscount death fork.

No clue if these were actually built by Vitus. Any info I could dig up documented a company by the name of Pechiney as the "partner" on this project. But I bet T-Mar knows.

nacu

T-Mar will be sending me some info. Also a heads up, i emailed the seller and asked for a partial refund. he says he was sorry and did not mean to mislead me. I have asked for a partial refund because i did not want to deal with shipping the bike. Besides I could use this for going to classes. I asked for 40% of the cost of the bike. Or basically $80.00. Im no expert but the ride seems good, but I have only ridden a p8 "carbolite" peugeot (which is like 10 pounds heavier).

I currently ride a 40 mile paved trail with 10 miles being hills. Going downhill fast on a particular corkscrew I felt major flex, but that could be my lack of skills. thanks again for everyones help.

luker

You'll feel major flex on this type of bike, especially at speed. That is cumulative flex in the frame tubes. If you aren't a bantamweight, you can probably cause the head tube to waggle by flexing the handlebars. Part of the intrinsic charm of a vitus-like bike.

I think that if you regularly inspect the lug joints you should see a joint failure before it hurts, but I can't guarantee that. I'd ride gently down hills. They are unusual, but frame joint failures can be spectacular.

T-Mar

Here are pics of a Galaxie for reference. The Comete was identical, except for components and decals.

As Avenan states, the tubes were joined using an interference fit. They were not bonded or welded, at least not initially. However, I believe that the repairs on the 1st recall involved bonding.

The frames were produced in collaboration with Pechiney Cegedeur, who were the world's 4th largest aluminum processor at the time. Their patented process for joining aluminum tubes without bonding or welding had been used with sucess in the aviation industry with success. While Pechiney was obviously involved with the frames, I have been unable to determine if they did the actual manufacturing. Peugeot may have simply licensed their process. I have also not seen any documentaed ex[lantion of the root cause for the failure.

In correspondence with MiamiJim, he had stated that he had never seen a failed frameset. It may a case of Peugeot acting cautiously in the face of a few failures. However, it is interesting that there was a 2nd recall notice, due to the failure of repaired frames. It is possible that the repair process actually resulted in weaker joints.

Ironically, the bolted junction at the top of the seatstays is probably the soundest joint on the frame. Luker need not worry about falling over backwards, as a face plant is more likely.

From a ride perspective, the frames did provide a ride quality very similar to the Vitus. They were relatively flexible but comfortable. The main difference was slower steering, due to a shallower head angle.

40% is probably a reasonable discount given that you have some nice mid-range components and an excellent wheelset, if you decide to put them on a new frame.

Personally, I do not think that I chance riding it. Given what you paid, I 'd be inclined to store the bicycle and buy something new. I'd try to source some decals and restore it. Let's face it, there are probably not many of these around anymore. They should be extremely rare. I'm sure there are Peugeot collectors out there who would pay good money to have a Galaxie. However, if you advertise it, just make sure you give prospective buyers the full story on the reliability issue and state that it is suitable only for display.

avenan

If you don't mind pretending its a Comete instead of a Galaxie, Yellow Jersey has original transfers. Since the only difference is the component group, its not like you'd be "wrong" in doing so. And who knows, maybe they have Galaxie transfers. Just ask, they're super quick with a response.

luker

The Monarck Silver King balllooner was also an interference fit aluminum frame. They suffered from excessive joint failures (in the days before recall) and the few that are left are collectors' items...

nacu

cool...i will ahve to investigate further. My bikeshop has a red/white lemond bike for 879.00. Though the bike is structural stiff (haha) and I say the frame is in very good cosmetic condition, but there are little pockets (that you cant feel to touch) that get filled with grime when i ride it. Anyway to smoth these out on the frame?