My winter build completed: 1986 Vitus 979 Road Bike!
05-11-16, 07:57 AM
#26
Steel80's
Nice build! Very pretty. I had one for a while, too, with a similar mix of Campy, with a SunTour Cyclone MKII RD for more range. Probably the prettiest bike I've ever owned.
05-11-16, 12:32 PM
#27
Full Member
Very nice job on the build! And tastefully done. Where did you source the orange cable housing?
I had a red anodized 979 back in the early '80s that I really loved but sold the frame about 5 or 6 years ago. I had built it up with a compete Sun Tour Cyclone group. Weighed in at around 18 or 19 lbs, IIRC
I had a red anodized 979 back in the early '80s that I really loved but sold the frame about 5 or 6 years ago. I had built it up with a compete Sun Tour Cyclone group. Weighed in at around 18 or 19 lbs, IIRC
05-11-16, 02:23 PM
#28
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Thanks, vinfix and motogeek!
Motogeek, I found the cable housing on Amazon. It has a poly liner in it, and seems to be of good quality. It was about $10 less than comparable housing by Shimano. That said though, I ran Shimano's slick PTFE brake cable in it, and it works well.
Motogeek, I found the cable housing on Amazon. It has a poly liner in it, and seems to be of good quality. It was about $10 less than comparable housing by Shimano. That said though, I ran Shimano's slick PTFE brake cable in it, and it works well.
05-11-16, 02:35 PM
#29
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I took my restored Vitus out today for its inaugural ride, and I'm in love! 
Very responsive, smooth, and light. The Omni Racer ceramic bearing BB is noticeably better than anything else I have ever ridden on. Everything worked really well, brakes, pedals, gearing, etc. I do have to tighten the freewheel shifter a little--it kept changing gears on me when I stood on the pedals. This is also the first ergonomic handlebar I have ever used, and wow, what a difference.
I think this is the beginning of a beau-u-u-u-tiful friendship!
Very responsive, smooth, and light. The Omni Racer ceramic bearing BB is noticeably better than anything else I have ever ridden on. Everything worked really well, brakes, pedals, gearing, etc. I do have to tighten the freewheel shifter a little--it kept changing gears on me when I stood on the pedals. This is also the first ergonomic handlebar I have ever used, and wow, what a difference.I think this is the beginning of a beau-u-u-u-tiful friendship!
05-11-16, 02:44 PM
#30
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Excellent restoration, I really like the orange accents (my favorite color). I had a Vitus way back when, it an uncommon green color. Wish I still had it sometimes. I remember the frame flex even at my 135lb racing weight. I would get brake rub at the rear wheel when climbing out of the saddle, which was pretty much always since I insisted on using a 12-19 freewheel or something ridiculous like that. I wonder if I would enjoy the frame more now that I climb seated with as large a rear cog as the rear mech will allow.
05-11-16, 03:47 PM
#31
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Sure--to get the appropriate distance between the saddle and the handlebars, place your elbow so it just touches the nose of the saddle horn. With your fingers fully extended toward the bar, the centerline of the handlebar (perpendicular to the bike frame) should be about an inch beyond your middle finger. Some people go as far as 2", but that is too much for me. It's an old rule, which I think I originally found in Eugene Sloane's book, The New Complete Book of Bicycling. I have the 1970's edition, so it's not so new anymore. 
Thanks for that info I've never used it before - now I'll measure up my bikes!
So that's regardless of saddle height / head stem drop?
Also - one bike has a longish Brooks vinyl and the other a shortish Sella Italia is there an average saddle length factor?
Thanks Areion
Last edited by Vintage Raleigh; 05-11-16 at 03:53 PM.
05-11-16, 04:31 PM
#32
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Same goes for the different saddle styles--I've been using the same saddle for many years, and my other bikes have saddles with a similar shape. I would say that ultimately, it's where your pelvic bones are best supported on the saddle, and adjust the position accordingly. Your knee should be plumb with the pedal spindle when the crank is at the 3:00 position, so that should be factored in, too.
05-11-16, 04:37 PM
#33
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Excellent restoration, I really like the orange accents (my favorite color). I had a Vitus way back when, it an uncommon green color. Wish I still had it sometimes. I remember the frame flex even at my 135lb racing weight. I would get brake rub at the rear wheel when climbing out of the saddle, which was pretty much always since I insisted on using a 12-19 freewheel or something ridiculous like that. I wonder if I would enjoy the frame more now that I climb seated with as large a rear cog as the rear mech will allow.
05-11-16, 04:37 PM
#34
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My Vitus. Almost all Shimano 600, mostly tricolor. I'm 270 lbs and don't ride it very often so I haven't noticed the flex yet.
05-11-16, 05:02 PM
#35
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Actually, that's a good question. I don't have a huge difference between saddle height and stem height--only about an inch, so it's never been an issue. I haven't been able to find anything on the web after a quick search, but maybe there's another forum member who might have more info?
Same goes for the different saddle styles--I've been using the same saddle for many years, and my other bikes have saddles with a similar shape. I would say that ultimately, it's where your pelvic bones are best supported on the saddle, and adjust the position accordingly. Your knee should be plumb with the pedal spindle when the crank is at the 3:00 position, so that should be factored in, too.
Same goes for the different saddle styles--I've been using the same saddle for many years, and my other bikes have saddles with a similar shape. I would say that ultimately, it's where your pelvic bones are best supported on the saddle, and adjust the position accordingly. Your knee should be plumb with the pedal spindle when the crank is at the 3:00 position, so that should be factored in, too.
05-11-16, 05:03 PM
#36
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Nice, Jmpierce! That's a big frame! I see you're using the old Campy aero-style bottles, too!
05-11-16, 08:12 PM
#37
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Clean looking bike, Chuck, very nice. Yours is the first Vitus I've seen with a head tube label.
05-12-16, 05:58 PM
#38
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Actually, that's a good question. I don't have a huge difference between saddle height and stem height--only about an inch, so it's never been an issue. I haven't been able to find anything on the web after a quick search, but maybe there's another forum member who might have more info?
Same goes for the different saddle styles--I've been using the same saddle for many years, and my other bikes have saddles with a similar shape. I would say that ultimately, it's where your pelvic bones are best supported on the saddle, and adjust the position accordingly. Your knee should be plumb with the pedal spindle when the crank is at the 3:00 position, so that should be factored in, too.
Same goes for the different saddle styles--I've been using the same saddle for many years, and my other bikes have saddles with a similar shape. I would say that ultimately, it's where your pelvic bones are best supported on the saddle, and adjust the position accordingly. Your knee should be plumb with the pedal spindle when the crank is at the 3:00 position, so that should be factored in, too.
05-12-16, 08:06 PM
#39
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Thanks for sharing that, Vintage Raleigh! I'm happy to hear your bikes are more comfortable with the adjustments. 
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