Vitus Upgrade (well...modernization)

You didn't mention the model, so here's what I've got, an 86' Vitus 979 that I still ride. It has an Ultegra cartrige BB and I've had a set of Sach-Millard 8-speed freewheel hubs in the frame, but usually just ride with a 7-speed freewheel. Not sure if a 9 or 10 speed cassettes will fit. Your best bet would be to see if someone would lend you their 9/10 speed rear wheel and see if it fits.

OBTW: just because he's near 60 doesn't mean he can't race or ride fast. 🙂

Great idea on the rear cartridge

Thanks for the tip on the BB- It sounds like maybe the Vitus will ride again- no idea if the old Campy wheels are worth anything huh?
I also trust that you run modern Deraleurs (yeah-spelled that right) as well- what are they if you wouldn't mind?
Thanks for the response
Cheers

Telegram Sam said:

Great idea on the rear cartridge

Thanks for the tip on the BB- It sounds like maybe the Vitus will ride again- no idea if the old Campy wheels are worth anything huh?
I also trust that you run modern Deraleurs (yeah-spelled that right) as well- what are they if you wouldn't mind?
Thanks for the response
Cheers

I wouldn't call Suntour Superbe Pro Derailluers/shifters modern, but I've got the 7/8 speed index shifters on the downtube. I'd like to upgrade, but its not worth the effort I'm better off getting a new STI equipped bike. Actually looking into getting either a Litespeed Classic or Merckx Majestic TI with an Ultegra Group, Durace is just too much $$$$ as is Campy Chorus or Record. Figure I need to add a new metal to my stable, anyways 🙂 .

I think you can actually still get downtube shifters, I've seen the durace 10 speed downtube shifters in several bike catalogs, but alas you'd have to make sure the 10 speed cassette rear wheel will fit. BTW: you could always measure the rear spacing, I think it has to be 130 mm for the latest and greatest freehubs, you might be able to stretch a 126 mm but I don't think anything smaller would be a good idea to stretch. Chances are your frame is 126mm or less.

You didn't mention which Campy group nor what rims were on the bike so I really can't comment on the value of the wheelset and I'm certainly no expert on these oldies.

Good luck and don't spend too much $$$ upgrading.

Telegram Sam said:

Dads got an old Vitus aluminum with Campy stuff on it (don't know what group...he just says "it was expensive"😉. Well, he ain't twenty anymore and would like to make it a little less radical- It is geared for ten speed racing...and he is near sixty now (no racing in the near future). Anyway, I would like to make it a triple with clincher tires (no more glue ons) on 9 speed wheels, but need to know about fit. I would also like to leave the old style brakes and downtube shifters on it.
First will the bottom bracket accept new sealed bearing units? I have not yet taken apart one of these new cartridge BB's so I don't know how they go in (I was riding some old stuff for a long time as well) or what they will fit. Second, do you all think I can fit modern wheels in the thing (a ten speed has a tiny rear cogset-are my seatstays wide enough to order some wheels), and third, are these campy wheels and gears worth anything anywhere??
Well- help me out here guys- this bike has sat for twenty years and I would really like to see it on the road again- It really is a beautiful bike.
Cheers

You can stick a triple on it easy enough with a crank and BB change. That's probably all you ought to do with it. Old 5 speed rear dropout spacing is likely 120mm and aluminum shouldn't be spread to take wider hubs. If you want to get rid of the tubulars you could probably find wheels with 126 hubs and have them respaced .The newer wheels would allow you to run 7 speeds in the back.