Vitus Lugged Aluminium/Carbon Frames?

jyl · jyl's Garage

Thinking about a road bike now.

Back in the day I really wanted a Vitus 979 lugged aluminium frame, or the later lugged carbon tubes. They just seemed so space-age. But I couldn't afford it, that is I couldn't afford a Vitus and my mountain bike - so I bought the Bridgestone.

So, 16 years later and Campy-equipped vntage Vitus bikes are pretty affordable. And I'm thinking of buying one.

What do the road bikers here think about these oldies? A Good Thing like a 1989 Porsche is? Or Way Too Old to consider?

This would be for fun weekend rides and zipping to/from work on nice summer days when I don't need to carry anything.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

wet noodle especially if you're bigger or you hammer. They had a rep for falling apart back in the day. No way I'd ride an old one. Or a new one.

HardDrive · 08-22-2006, 08:55 PM

Forget that noise.

Go for the pure porn.

Trek 5200 carbon. I had one, passed it off to my dad so he could to triathlons. Its a crotch rocket. The acceleration...oh baby.

Older, cheaper bikes? I love the old Motobecanes.

klaucke · 10:11 PM

Those older carbon bikes ride like dead oxen. I guess the newer carbon bikes are supposed to be better, and I'm sure they are, but I'm a steel man myself. I think they all must be dead feeling. Steal is real.

And, a lugged frame just seems so inefficient to me. Extra weight. TIG'ed just seems like such a better solution (and I own a lugged frame roadie).

But if you like it and it works for your stature, then by all means go for it. If you are just riding for easy leisure it won't matter anyway if it has the stiffness of cooked spaghetti.

dd74 · 08-22-2006, 10:14 PM

Aluminum bicycle frames expand even when not in use. As is, aluminum frames were never truly meant to be used for longer than a season or two of cycling - pure disposable race stuff.

Also, the ride will likely be very hard if the aluminum isn't stretched out. Even with a carbon fork and stays, the ride will be harsh.

Make sure the frame is in "excellent" shape - no dings, dents or deep scratches - as it will likely compromise the frame's integrity.

Vintage Campy components are not at all for the faint of heart. Today's ten-gear cassettes and compact cranks make things a lot easier for all cyclists. So be aware of that as well.

In short, if you get this bike, being in good shape would be paramount to riding it effectively.