My "New" Vitus 979 Duralinox
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 481
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From: Toronto, Ontario
Bikes: 1984 Nishiki Landau, 1991 Merlin Titanium, 199? Lotto MBK Team
My "New" Vitus 979 Duralinox
Hello,
I finally got luck on CL and found a great bike as opposed to a beater. The seller was very kind and was the original owner. He has kept the bike in great condition despite it's age. Here it is as I received it minus the bell and old cycling computer:



It also came with an extra pair of NOS Vittoria Formula Uno and NOS Continental Giro Tubulars (Price tag still on them haha) and a Primus Pump.
The components are:
DT Shifters: Campagnolo Record C-Record 1st gen (maybe?)
FD and RD: Campagnolo C-Record 1st gen
Brake Levers and Calipers: Campagnolo Super Record
Crankset: Campagnolo C-Record 1st gen
Headset: Campagnolo C-Record 1st gen
BB: Campagnolo C-Record 1st gen
Hubs Campagnolo Record
Seatpost: Vitus (?)
Stem and Bars: Cinelli Campione Del Mondo
Pedals: Old Look Clipless
Freewheel: Sachs 7 speed
Rims: Mavic Open Mach 2 CD2
Saddle: Contour Royal Leather
I think everything is original except for the pedals, freewheel, and the rims, but if I'm wrong let me know. If there is anything else interesting about this model I should know please chime in (the owner said it was the same model that Sean Kelly used, that was before my time). I have a feeling the bike shop removed the original decal on the headtube and replaced it with their cheesy and minuscule shop one haha.I will post pics of it all cleaned up, polished and ready to ride shortly. If you want more pics as is let me know as well. Cheers!
I finally got luck on CL and found a great bike as opposed to a beater. The seller was very kind and was the original owner. He has kept the bike in great condition despite it's age. Here it is as I received it minus the bell and old cycling computer:



It also came with an extra pair of NOS Vittoria Formula Uno and NOS Continental Giro Tubulars (Price tag still on them haha) and a Primus Pump.
The components are:
DT Shifters: Campagnolo Record C-Record 1st gen (maybe?)
FD and RD: Campagnolo C-Record 1st gen
Brake Levers and Calipers: Campagnolo Super Record
Crankset: Campagnolo C-Record 1st gen
Headset: Campagnolo C-Record 1st gen
BB: Campagnolo C-Record 1st gen
Hubs Campagnolo Record
Seatpost: Vitus (?)
Stem and Bars: Cinelli Campione Del Mondo
Pedals: Old Look Clipless
Freewheel: Sachs 7 speed
Rims: Mavic Open Mach 2 CD2
Saddle: Contour Royal Leather
I think everything is original except for the pedals, freewheel, and the rims, but if I'm wrong let me know. If there is anything else interesting about this model I should know please chime in (the owner said it was the same model that Sean Kelly used, that was before my time). I have a feeling the bike shop removed the original decal on the headtube and replaced it with their cheesy and minuscule shop one haha.I will post pics of it all cleaned up, polished and ready to ride shortly. If you want more pics as is let me know as well. Cheers!
Last edited by 5cagm; 04-11-10 at 10:22 PM.
#2
On a mission from God
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 290
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From: In a squalor
Bikes: 6? Favorit (under construction), 82 Bianchi Nuovo Racer, 76 Alan, 8? Raleigh Fixie, 75 Atala, 94 Cannondale 2.8, 75 Paramount P13, 94 Cannondale RT1000 tandem, 76 Masi Gran Criterium, 81 Motobecane Grand Touring, 77 Mondia Super, 12 Specialized Crux
Enjoy your new flexible flyer. I have an old Alan and it's great fun to ride and very comfortable. Your new bike is beautiful congrats.
#3
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 481
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From: Toronto, Ontario
Bikes: 1984 Nishiki Landau, 1991 Merlin Titanium, 199? Lotto MBK Team
Thanks! I've always wanted to try out one of these bonded aluminum frames haha. Not sure why but they have a strange appeal to me, it may just be the simplicity of their appearance. No fancy paint job or decals, just some aluminum slapped together and turned into a frame haha.
#4
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 4
From: Collegeville, PA
Bikes: Ruckelshaus Randonneur, Specialized Allez (early 90's, steel), Ruckelshaus Path Bomber currently being built
Word of advice, be careful when tightening the seatpost binder bolt. They have a tendency towards cracking.
#5
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 481
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From: Toronto, Ontario
Bikes: 1984 Nishiki Landau, 1991 Merlin Titanium, 199? Lotto MBK Team
Haha alright, I'll be carefull about that. I hear these are not the most durable frames but I figured that I wouldn't pass if only because of the Campagnolo Record group
#7
Senior Member

Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,180
Likes: 16
Oh, those look pedals were the new BIG DEAL in 86 or so, and you would spec the wheels you wanted built back then so the rims might be original although I believe the decals are from later models, no big deal they are a wear item.
vjp
vjp
#8
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 481
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From: Toronto, Ontario
Bikes: 1984 Nishiki Landau, 1991 Merlin Titanium, 199? Lotto MBK Team
Score!!
And on THIS weekend the running of Paris-Roubaix!!
Early C-Record I think...
vjp
Oh, those look pedals were the new BIG DEAL in 86 or so, and you would spec the wheels you wanted built back then so the rims might be original although I believe the decals are from later models, no big deal they are a wear item.
vjp
And on THIS weekend the running of Paris-Roubaix!!
Early C-Record I think...
vjp
Oh, those look pedals were the new BIG DEAL in 86 or so, and you would spec the wheels you wanted built back then so the rims might be original although I believe the decals are from later models, no big deal they are a wear item.
vjp
edit: almost definitely a c-record rear derailleur at the very least https://campagnolo.wikispaces.com/C-r...tion,+6+speed.. The hubs however do say "Record" on them and have an oil port and are low flange
Last edited by 5cagm; 04-11-10 at 06:19 PM.
#11
Spin Forest! Spin!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,956
Likes: 19
From: Arrid Zone-a
Bikes: I used to have many. And I Will again.
You can't use the latest Look Keo cleats, must use the older style Look cleats.
That's Campy C-Record drivetrain.
The hubs are older (Super) Record, and so are the brakes.
Congrats on your 'new' Vitus. They are cool conversation pieces from the 80s era. I enjoy mine, it's smooth and responsive and are fun for those relaxed pace rides.
The head tube has no decal, so go ahead and remove that shop's old one.
That's Campy C-Record drivetrain.
The hubs are older (Super) Record, and so are the brakes.
Congrats on your 'new' Vitus. They are cool conversation pieces from the 80s era. I enjoy mine, it's smooth and responsive and are fun for those relaxed pace rides.
The head tube has no decal, so go ahead and remove that shop's old one.
#14
BTW, nice catch OP! Take care of that C-Record stuff!
#15
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 481
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From: Toronto, Ontario
Bikes: 1984 Nishiki Landau, 1991 Merlin Titanium, 199? Lotto MBK Team
BTW, nice catch OP! Take care of that C-Record stuff!
Last edited by 5cagm; 04-11-10 at 10:24 PM.
#16
phony collective progress
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,973
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From: San Hoosey
Bikes: https://velospace.org/user/36663

By the way, mine came with what I believe to be the original (yet trashed) rear wheel. It's a Mavic MA40 clincher, which looks pretty similar to the tubular rims on yours. Also had what appear to be the same Look pedals installed.
#17
Steel80's

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 684
Likes: 43
From: NJ
Bikes: Breezer Venturi, Schwinn Peloton, Marin Lucas Valley
Mine is also a 60 cm, with a mish-mash of Campy, mostly Super Record. It does have a light, springy feel to it, not like steel, but I wouldn't characterize it as harsh. I would say it's vertically compliant- laterally it can ghost-shift if you tromp on it in too high a gear. Now the Alan I had, that was harsh
#19
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Berkeley, CA
Bikes: 72 Cilo Pacer, 72 Gitane GT, 72 Peugeot PX10, 73 Speedwell Ti,l, 75 Peugeot PR-10L, 80 Colnago Super, 81 Zinn, 85 ALAN Cross, 85 De Rosa Pro, 86 Look 753, 86 Look KG86, 89 Parkpre Team, 90 Parkpre Team MTB, 90 Merlin
Very nice. My very first "real" bike was a metallic powder blue Vitus 979 just like yours. (Except mine, and other 979s I've seen, did not have a head badge. Can you post a close up of that head badge please?) Looks to be in great shape, and a fine score on the C-record parts. Those MA40s are terrific, durable, all-purpose rims. I'm sure you will love it, even if it is not especially stiff.
EDIT: I didn't realize this post was several months old!
EDIT: I didn't realize this post was several months old!
__________________
-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer (x2) • '72 Peugeot PX10 • ‘72 Gitane Gran Tourisme • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Motobecane Grand Jubile • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • ‘80 Colnago Super • ‘81 Univega Super Special • ‘82 Zinn • ‘84ish Mystery Custom • '85 A.L.A.N Cyclocross • '85 De Rosa Pro • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer (x2) • '72 Peugeot PX10 • ‘72 Gitane Gran Tourisme • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Motobecane Grand Jubile • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • ‘80 Colnago Super • ‘81 Univega Super Special • ‘82 Zinn • ‘84ish Mystery Custom • '85 A.L.A.N Cyclocross • '85 De Rosa Pro • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
Last edited by gaucho777; 11-15-10 at 03:30 PM.
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Likes: 39
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
As for the OEM decals, I don't think there were any worse decals made back then as these vitus ones seems to have started peeling and cracking off Vitus frames, minutes after they left the factory. Only bike that might have had quicker desintegrating decals were the ones on the smoke chromed AD frames.....
Anyway, Mike Fraysse at eBay has the correct decals for the 979 for auction all the time.
Don't worry about the bike falling apart as many of these are still being ridden around the world without problems. Heck!, if Sean Kelly's legs can't bust them up, I don't think any of us can without doing something stupid to forcibly make it fall apart (read "Jackass" stunts....)
Chombi
#21
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 3
From: Minnesota- the frozen tundra
Bikes: 1977 Raleigh Super Grand Prix, 1976 Gitane Tour de France
Nice find, looks much taller than the 979 I just picked up.
The more I find out about these bikes the more it seems their reputation for being fragile seems like a myth, an unfortunate myth because it's a beautiful bike and mine seems quite well built and solid.
The more I find out about these bikes the more it seems their reputation for being fragile seems like a myth, an unfortunate myth because it's a beautiful bike and mine seems quite well built and solid.
#22
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,567
Likes: 2,740
From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
I like my Vitus 979 but let it go a few years ago. Just to flexible for my big sun blocking body. I do, however, like my ALAN that I built up this summer. It is a keeper and a hoot to ride.
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