Can't sleep... (Vitus)

[magas]

first bike on the pics. does look good, indeed - except for the bell

the one I have in mind, does have some Shamal wheels and Campa gear and a Syncros roadstem :shock: , maybe blasphemy, but looks really ace. No problem with the scan - can do it by tomorrow

 

[Old Ned]

Very nice frame - BUT - isn't the front changer bracket fitted back-to-front? The 'hollow' side should face the rear.

 

[Elev12k]

For fun I put 3 rear mechs of the 992 era on the kitchen scale

Superbe: 200 gram
Zap: 240 gram
New Success: 265 gram

 

[rienster]

Yeah noticed that to too. But figured I'd rather take a look at it myself, than run the risk of the seller bending it (or worse...).
To be honoust I'm not to worried about the weight, but have heard very good things about the Suntour group. We'll see. It'll probably become a mixture of parts. Already have new success brakes (same a mavics) and just saw a Ofmega mistral crankset on ebay that looked great. But have seen some nice stronglights.
Think this is going to be a long process.

 

[Elev12k]

I am no weight weenie, but I faced the dilemma with the featherweight FCK9 I have. The frame will be even lighter than the 979 or 992. Vitus put so much effort in bringing the FCK9 weight down that it would be a pity to undo that with heavy parts. The Zap is destinied to go on my FCK9, but I had the group laying around already. To buy it in the market would be expensive yes.

Good thing is the back of the New Success mech says 'Made in France'

 

[swos]

Awesome bike

 

[magas]

here's the scan - guess its a later version of the 992, but I think its a fine build - maybe that would help you.

 

[Elev12k]

with Syncros - interesting

A manufacturer with strong MTB profile. Joining technique is welding. What they have in common is pushing the max out of aluminium. The Syncros is very light with al bolt. I could imagine using Syncros with my FCK9.

 

[Johnsqual]

Weird, I just saw one of these in exactly this colour, but it was locked
up in the bike racks outside Antwerp station, in the rain. And a bit further up was a Gazelle Champion Mondial with full campag. I ought to carry little stickers saying 'abusing a bike like this is a crime'. Only I'm not that obsessed. Yet.

Frame had lovely elegant seat stays that curve in towards the top.

Good luck with the build,

Johnny

 

[orbeas]

Bought this frame on the bay tonight:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/VITUS-992-VINTAG ... 45fda91b2e

Has been one of my dream bikes for years and now I have one in my size. I'm stoked. But now I'm lying awake thinking how to build it up. Have ridden Campagnolo for years and am thinking of trying something else. Considering Sachs, Mavic (so expensive), Stronglight, Miche, but am open for suggestions.
What do you think?

Before you spend any money on parts, and this applies to anyone who buys an old Vitus frame, check out the strength of the joints on the bottom bracket, as the glue fails...
I have a cross frame and the bottom bracket has failed and pulled the frame apart.
When Sean Kelly rode them it was common knowledge that he always had a brand new framed bike to change to in the last 30kms just in case.
All the team frames were rebuilt 2 or 3 times per season as the resin used used to fail...