cdaniels

I just got a 979 for a project I had wanted to do. I found one missing a front wheel with what seemed to me like odd components, Spidel. I had never heard of them but figured they were just cheap low end stuff. After checking Velobase.com I found out these are somewhat high end stuff only offered from 1978 -1980. My question is what year is this frame? The serial number is E038376. If I understand it correctly it was manufactured March of 78. If the components are original to the frame is there any real value in keeping it original? It does have a couple Shimano parts but the Crank arms, derailleurs, shifters and brakes are all Spidel. The headset is Stronglight and the rear hub is Mallard they were both part of Spidel. The wheels in the first photos are spares so I could ride it around the neighborhood and did not come with it.

Any help is appreciated.

cdaniels

delicious

It looks to be from 1983. Serial information here: https://on-the-drops.blogspot.com/20...vitus-979.html

979's were sold by many different brands and built with all kinds of components. You should build it however you like, imo. The shadow of the original headtube decal may yield some clue as to the original branding.

cdaniels

That headset decal was going to be my next question

DCycle

Yeah, they were sold as frames, or built by other manufacturers with their branding, so there's not really an original groupset.

However, some consider a full mavic build to be the most appropriate "French fit" for a Vitus, as they were often paired together and match well aesthetically.

I'd say build it as you want though, that's the beauty of a Vitus!

Chombi1 

That's an earlier 979 with the conventional seatpost clamp design, before they switched over to their grub screw seatpost binder system,, because the older design was prone to cracking. So be careful that you do not overtighten the sestpost clamp on that frame.

Flying G

Your bike looks quite similar to a blue Vitus, currently in storage, that I plan to fix up this fall/winter. Mine has Japanese components on it but unfortunately, I don’t have the history of the build and don’t know what was original . . . Yet.

Good luck with the project - should be fun!

repechage

The Spidel brakes are equal to first gen Shimano 600 sidepulls- nuttn’ special.
get fresh pads or shoes and pads.

the heliomatic hub...
they eat cones on the drive side and use an undersized set of bearings due to the quick removable freewheel ( requires a special tool )
these are on the verge of esoteric, and no replacement parts of any consequence.

I would be planning on moving forward from that set up to a... dare I mention Shimano freehub of some type or even a hub / freewheel system.

repechage

Keep an eye out for Mavic hubs and / or pelissier 2000’s, to keep it tout French

cdaniels

Thanks everyone.

Jmpierce

I bought my 979 project as a frame, fork and headset. the headset was a Shimano 600 (6400 series) so I used that to influence the rest of my build. It's most 600 tricolor. Seatpost is Gipiemme and the bottom bracket is Suntour Superbe. Mine is an '86.

Yours looks like a great project to start with.

scarlson 

Whoa, how did I miss this thread? A Vitus!!

If the OP is still interested, I believe Spidel to be quite a nice group for sure:
The Spidel derailleurs can be quite valuable, as they are rebranded Simplex SLJ. Shifts a little better than Nuovo Record in my estimation. BE CAREFUL TAKING THE REAR DERAILLEUR OFF. It unscrews from the backside using a weird two-part bolt. It's unlike other derailleurs in this way that it mounts to the frame.
The Spidel shifters are Simplex retrofriction, widely regarded to be among the smoothest operating and lightest touch of any downtube lever, ever.
The headset is a Stronglight A9, which is among the most durable and lightest headsets ever made, due to its roller bearing construction.
The Helicomatic has been covered already. They are meh because of the bearings.
The Spidel crank is likely Stronglight or Nervar, and might be some weird French bolt circle, but I'm not sure. You can deal with that when you wear out the chainrings.