loading
reading
writing
saving
searching
Vitus 992 - $900 (Brooklyn)
Ocean ave near Ave N
QR Code Link to This Post
I am an avid biker. I have been on two wheels since I was 12 years old and my first real sized Sears Huffy Mountain Bicycle. Since then I have tried it all. Cheap old steel frame racing bikes, Canondale was my first quality expensive bicycle. Then I moved on to even more expensive and modern bicycles such as Orbea Orca Specialized Treck racing bicycles. I had a phase in my life when I moved on to fixed gear bicycles.
All I am saying is that I have a nice library of bicycles to compare and contrast.
I have always noticed vitus bicycles without even knowing it's a vitus and what is it all about. Then I have decided to look in to it since it always lurked in the back of my head.
I did some research and there isn't that much information on them even though Vitus has a dedicated hard core fan base. Two things I got from research is that when you are looking for a good strong Vitus frame the frame should be clean without oxidation spots . If it was stored outside and subjected to rain the joints would get weak.
Second is that the chain stay on the left side by the chain ring has to be clean without scratches. If it has scratches that means the bike was used heavily by a very heavy or strong person who was able to flex the frame to a point of chainring leave scratches.
With that information I started my search for a good condition Vitus. My first one was a classical Vitus 929. There are quite a few of them out there. I am a tall guy so I got a 61 cm frame. This particular model was produced since the late 70s. It has won races such as tour de France. I was pleasantly surprised by the concept of aluminum frame assembled on epoxy and joints. Bicycles such as early versions of Cannondale used welded thick aluminum frames. It gave a very light and tough bike. But and it's a big but. Such a frame is very rough. It doesn't absorb anything. Going for a long ride meant fatigue in the body from all the vibration you literally feel every bump and rock on the pavement.
Vitus have created a nice balance of frame supple as a steel frame yet light as aluminum.
By using cold rolled aluminum metal to make tubes and assembling them via joints by epoxy the frame was springy and soft as a steel frame. It gives a nice comfortable ride on the road. But the weight is vastly smaller then a steel frame. The ride was so soft and comfortable on 929 frame that it got me looking for something more rigid and aggressive. After short search I learned about 992 ovoid frame. It came out in the 90s and was a nexus period of going from aluminum in to carbon fiber era of bicycle building. What vitus achieved with 992 was keeping the bicycle light still retaining the supple advantage of the technology, but through playing with the tubing size and shape achieve two key points. The frame was far more aerodynamic. And had points where it was extremely rigid for a good feed back when force is applied, yet retained softer points for more comfort of riding. Today the same idea is implemented in expensive carbon fiber frames, by using different kind of weave pattern and number of layers of the material.
This particular 992 frame is 58 cm. My goal was to create a light aggressive yet aesthetically pleasing bicycle. If I had to place this bicycle in what is available today. It is above a 2000-2500 dollar carbon fiber modern bike. But bellow a 3000- 9000 dollar bike.
a 2000 dollar bike is heavier by at least 6 pounds, it has an inferior 105 sora group set. But retains all the negative aspects of carbon fiber material such as cracking and complicated and expensive repair bill.
I have used all the top line parts for this build.
Sram red rear derailleur with sealed bearing. It works even better then dura ace one. Like a swiss watch always on point never slips no matter the conditions. I love buzzing around prospect park and central park racing with fellow bicyclists. I never think about what position I am in, I just change gear and it works.
Titanium parts were used almost everywhere it was possible, zipp through axles head stem bolt, rear shimano cassette ( 12-23 cs 7700) On its own such parts don't seem make a difference in weight. But put it all together it makes a huge difference. Total weight of the bike is 16 pounds. Such weight is hard to get even today. You will have to spend a lot more money.
Carbon fiber wheels were chosen after extensive research and testing. A rotational mass is not a myth. It does make a difference. No carbon fiber wheels did not make me a faster biker. But It made a huge difference when I am climbing a hill or trying to momentarily increase speed when racing. As for which wheels to use. That was a deep rabbit hole. Obviously one would gravitate to brand names. Average median price for such wheels is around 1500 dollars. But after short reasearch I saw how even brand names like zipp and mavic wheels disintegrate. Then there is on the extreme spectrum 3000 4000 dollar wheels. Question is what am I paying for.
There is an excellent test video of a research lab on carbon wheels. What it boils down to. Is that most wheels are made in asia Taiwan and China mainly. Quality wheels under brand name or with Chinese Taiwanese companies are made in the same facilities or by the same teams of engineers. The video boils down to a very simple test. They spin the wheel to 35 mph in a stand then engage a rim brake at a constant pressure 3 - 6 pounds and let it rip. Average carbon wheel can take up to 50 seconds of such abuse and then it warps and explodes. Its all about epoxy. Standard epoxy can take up to 212 Fahrenheit temperature before it melts becomes soft and looses its integrity. That is your run of the mill 1500 carbon fiber wheel. 3000 - 4000 dollar wheel uses better epoxy. On the stand such wheel burned through rim brake to the metal and then broke the brake. So given I was building the bike around NYC in my mind. I don't go hard core down slopes which last for tens of minutes and we don't get such high temperatures on average. So far this bike got exposed to under 600 miles or riding. Special care was taken not to ride on rainy days and on occasion when rain cough me it was cleaned and everything was re-greased. Wheels are solid and accommodate 28 mm continental Grand Prix tires. I tried 25 mm. But for my liking it wasn't enough rubber on the asphalt. I did ride it to the and from the park, so appreciated extra width of 28 mm. Modern tires such as continental are amazing gave me a nice balance between low rolling resistance puncture protection and weight. Never once I had a flat. Only Armadillo by specialized were as robust but at the cost of more weight and hardness.
The seat by Dash Cycles G2 is carbon fiber. I got it for weight saving and the looks but to my surprise it is the most comfortable racing seat I ever rode.
Crank set system is by Spanish company Rotor. It is very light and adds to the look just the right way. Bottom bracket was upgraded to white industries sealed bearing bracket.
Brakes are ssc mavics. Extremely well build and nice looking brakes, but a bit on a heavy side. A place where more weight can be shaved off. Here I went for the looks and not the weight. They work amazing only special carbon fiber rated pads were used. Got me great stopping power even on those rare occasions I was caught in the rain.
Cock pit is a motley aggregation of Genevalle rear friction shifter. Its all integrated in to one unit the brake lever and the shifter. The front shifter is by dura ace. I chose friction shifter only because sram red rear derailleur works so flawlessly I can engage and run up and down the cogs extremely fast much faster then indexing shifter, and never skip a beat. Genevalle designed it for gravel use where people in far more unpredictable conditions and change of the terrain need to change speeds very fast. Frame it self is in excellent condition. I found it bought it and brought it here to USA from France. 992 is a rare animal as only about a 1000 were produced and mainly went to professional riders. It never hit the mass market in any significant numbers.
I am selling this bike locally and not only on ebay and not really interested in shipping. Mainly because if it catches your eye and you are interested I want you to stop by and see it in person before making a purchase.
I was building this for myself not sparing any expense trying to get the most out of this frame. The only reason I am selling is due to my health I can't handle a racing bicycle anymore. This bike requires an athletic body. I am funding an electric bike project where motor will help me ride and live my passion of biking. Its a shame for me and I truly hope it will end up in good hands and bring joy for many years to come.
I am willing to fluctuate on the price especially some parts like pedals. It rocks nice msk racing pedals with straps. I got hooked on straps from my fixed gear era. But I know such things are very personal and you might not need such pedals I rather keep the pedals and go down on a price. But I am not looking to part out the bike.