Chorus-equipped Vitus 992 - Project finished

[agentorange]

I usually frequent the MTB section but since moving to France 2 years ago I've been eying up some of the classic French frames which you can snag for centimes in the local classifieds.

I got this frame last year because the seller couldn't remove the Mavic 616 bottom bracket which I was after, so the frame was free. When I saw it I really fell for it's lines and it's very up-to-date geometry (this bike is 25 years old). Very elegant with subtle details and no real ugly parts unlike similar Vitus-built Alan bikes.

There are a lot of old Vitus 992 & 979 here in France and they don't seem to have much value, I suppose they just aren't rare enough to be exclusively rare and of course the French being very passionate cyclists they like to update their gear every year so there's no real retro scene here.

I always entertained the idea of equipping the frame with a period correct Chorus groupset, I figured it was a marriage made in heaven.

Anyway, here it is. All pretty stock kit with C-Record hubs on Mavic Ceramic Open CD rims. I need to change the lever hoods to the cream version and I'm toying with changing the saddle to a Turbo or a Rolls.

 

[magas]

great Vitus love the 992.

they dont appear to often here in Austria, maybe you could look for a decent one in France for me

 

[Rich34]

That's beautiful - I had a 979 in the same red colour but had to sell it on as it was just too big... I got some new decals for that from a site in Australia. Pretty sure it was through eBay. If you're interested let me know and I'll try to find the link.

You're right about the French and their obsession with new kit, though there are a few dissenting enthusiasts: http://forum.tontonvelo.com/

I wish I lived that close to the Pyrenees!

 

[agentorange]

erwtwer

Oooh yeah, I do need decals. There are some on eBay but they're a bit lazy and don't look right so please, if you have the link to hand.

You get a lot of Vitus for your money here in France

979 - 15 Euros - http://www.leboncoin.fr/sports_hobbies/ ... htm?ca=2_s
979 - 90 Euros - http://www.leboncoin.fr/velos/268285551.htm?ca=2_s
Vitus Carbone - 100 Euros - http://www.leboncoin.fr/velos/278249029.htm?ca=2_s
979 - 100 Euros - http://www.leboncoin.fr/velos/274372177.htm?ca=2_s
979 - 120 Euros - http://www.leboncoin.fr/velos/279142617.htm?ca=2_s

etc, etc

 

[Concept_3]

Re: erwtwer

979 - 15 Euros - http://www.leboncoin.fr/sports_hobbies/ ... htm?ca=2_s

15 euros? :shock:

 

[magas]

wow, great offer and the prices are nice

seriously if you come accros a nice 992 in 56 / 57 size, would be great if you contact me, appriciate that

 

[agentorange]

fwef

I do have a larger one that I know isn't going to get ridden much.

 

[Rich34]

I'll dig out the link to the decals and PM you tomorrow.

That 979 at 100 Euros is just down the road from me, same postcode in fact... Just as well it's not my size... :twisted:

 

[agentorange]

efwe

OK great, I'll keep my eye open for your reply.

You should keep your eye on Leboncoin.fr, you can get some stupid bargains. I got a Nouvo Record equipped Raleigh Ti last year for €50

 

[Rich34]

The seller is called gts753 and the link to the Vitus decals is:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vitus-decal-s ... 45fbef954a

I've posted it here as opposed to a PM as he's a good seller and he has lots of stuff that may interest others. I'll be getting more from him for other projects.

I know Leboncoin well! I found my 979 on there for 120 Euros, as a complete bike. I've found a few other bargains on there: a complete and original 531 Mercier for 70 Euros, a complete, original (down to the tyres...) Dawes Galaxy for 45 Euros, a complete Mavic groupset from a guy near Narbonne, a Gilco-tubed CBT Italia for 50 Euros and I've just found a '91 Scott mountain bike for 60 Euros from a bloke in Nimes. Like you say, the retro scene here isn't really that big and people don't appreciate what they have.

When I think I came here for the weather and the wine...! :shock: