The amazing collection and evolution of the Vitus bicycle!
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- Опубліковано 7 лип 2024
- The amazing collection and evolution of the Vitus bicycle!
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We visit Graham Weigh cycles in Deeside Wales, to see his amazing collection of Vitus bicycles. Graham was an importer of the brand and has a wealth of knowledge to share with us, with some personal and fascinating cycling industry tales. He talks us through his collection which follows the evolution of the Vitus road bike.
If you're interested in your vintage bicycles and the history that goes with them, then this video is for you. So make some time pop the kettle on because this is a long one.
Id personally like to thank Graham for giving his time and allowing us in to share this great collection of vintage road bikes. Graham Weigh cycles has a great collection of bicycles in the museum, so if you are in the area its definitely worth a visit.
Graham Weigh cycles: grahamweighcycles.com/
Thank you so much for your support and watching. What was your favourite bike? Have you, or still have a Vitus bike you'd like to tell us about and share please leave a comment below.
Timecodes
0:00 - Introduction to Graham Weigh and his amazing collection of Vitus bicycles.
0:33 - Pronunciation of the Vitus name.
1:32 - History of the Vitus tubing and road bike.
13:32 - Sean Kelly and Vitus.
17:00 - The Vitus bicycle collection.
18:05 - The Vitus 979 road bike evolution.
18:37 - Vitus 979 Mk1 bicycle (external cable guides)
19:50 - Vitus 979 Mk1 bicycle (internal cable guides)
19:49 - Vitus 979 Evolution of the seat lug from Mk1 to Mk2
21:12 - Vitus 797 Futural frame.
21:46 - Vitus and Cyclocross.
23:16 - Italian Guerciotti Vitus Alan bicycle frame.
23:30 - Graham Weigh white Vitus 979 Mk2.
24:14 - Vitus 992 Dural Ovoid road bike.
24:55 - Shimano index gearing evolution
29:20 - Vitus 992 Carbone Kevlar carbon 3
30:04 - Bicycle lug frame repairs.
33:35 - Vitus frame evolution into carbon and the carbon 9.
34:35 - Vitus yellow carbone 3 Altec frame.
35:44 - Vitus red carbone 9 kevlar road bike with full Mavic star fish groupset.
36:25 - Vitus 992 alloy and the 979 carbone 9 hidden headset and evolution.
38:06 - Vitus TVT Greg Lemond painted frame and the Vitus progression.
41:19 - Life after the Vitus brand and Alan bicycles.
43:41 - Reynolds 853 and the Brite British cycling team bike.
44:43 - Advice on buying a secondhand Vitus bicycle.
If you are new to the channel then please have a look around, we have many more vintage road bike videos plus bicycle maintenance and restorations to help a long the way.
Visit our website for hints, tips and free downloadable vintage bicycle catalogues to give you reference and guidance with your own bicycle restoration.
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#vitus #roadbike #cyclinghistory - Навчання та стиль
Totally an amazing interview Andy! Actually watched the whole thing. Love to hear the history of any bicycle and this was no exception. Brilliant!
Thanks buddy, Graham really is a wealth of knowledge still so much more to cover. Watch this space. Your support is appreciated 👍
Brillliant interview . The Vitus 979 still looks great , Graham's white 979 is fantastic and even today I sure would sell in large amounts . Really enjoyed the history of Vitus .
Great interview!! Built up a blue 979 with Dura-Ace in 1987 for a class in bike repair I was teaching. Students couldn't believe the index shifting. One thing about a Vitus is you learn to pedal smoothly to get the most out of it. I still ride it several times a year. Wonderful light responsive feel at the handlebars. Thank you for the wonderful trip down memory lane.
Your very welcome glad you enjoyed it. Great bikes, thanks for watching and your support 👍
Another great upload Andy. I could take Graham down the pub, buy him ale all night and just listen to his tales and stories.
Thanks Gareth, much appreciated. Food for thought 🍺 😉👍
Pretty spacial stuff, makes me really appreciate my ‘85 Vitus 979. Great job.
Thanks for your support, I can honestly say the one I did was definitely up there as one of the best rides In all the bikes I’ve restored so far. 🤔🚴♂️
Brill interview, Graham is an absolute wealth of knowledge.
He certainly is, we’ll be revisiting that’s for sure. 👍 Thanks for the support
I can remember my friend having a Vitus 979 Sean Kelly was the first rider I saw on one of these bikes in the 80s what a bike with simplex gearing great video again Andy could listen to Graham for hours . I'm from Cwmbran in south Wales and Stuart Coles was from Bargoed he rode for Wyevern cycling club and Coldra RC which I rode for briefly he passed away a few years back I mention him to many Cyclists down my way and they never heard of him he walked away from cycling quite quickly and was best junior talent I've come across and I'm sure even turn pro with Raleigh Banana I think?
Thanks for your support and watching. Stuart was only young unfortunately when he passed away, sad 😞 🚴♂️
This was a really interesting interview.
I rode as a junior in France for 2 seasons in 83/84 and had a bronze Peugeot 979 as a team bike.
It was equipped with a Spidel group set and a Reydel saddle and Wolber tubs so exactly as Graham said.
The bike was nice and light but due to me riding a 59cm frame it flexed so much around the bottom bracket so I actually reverted back to steel when I returned to England.
The elite riders in the team had the carbon tubed versions.
I would imagine Kelly and the other pro’s were given a stiffer frame.
This is golden thanks for sharing your memories and knowledge with us it’s appreciated glad you liked the video. Yes Graham really knows his stuff 👍
Amazing, could listen to Graham all day! Takes me back to my youth in the 80s and coveting the Vitus 979, although I couldn't afford one at the time sadly. Keep up the great work Andy.
Thanks Jonathan, your supports much appreciated 👍
I was particularly looking forward to this episode as I own a 979. Graham is so knowledgeable about bikes of this era and it was very interesting to hear about the history and evolution of this underrated brand. Thanks for this Andy 👍👌😎
Glad you got something from it and enjoyed watching. Your support is much appreciated 👍
Andy, it is just great that you have got Grahams knowledge and experience into video, out of heads and books. Like i said before, great guy, asset to the sport still today - brings back memories when i got a graham weigh columbus slx campag chorus - in powder blue. terrific machine early nineties. Great bike, brilliant service and memories
Thanks Neil, yes couldn’t agree more. It’s a good thing capturing Graham’s knowledge, absolute wealth of knowledge. Glad it brought back some treasured memories. Thanks again for the support
Brilliant interview Andy, I could listen to you and Graham discussing bikes for hours!
Many thanks, Colnago next 👍
This was excellent! I love history and what a treat that he shared his knowledge.
Great guy, I’ll be definitely revisiting 👍
I have a Vitus 992 which i built up in 1990. I damaged it (top tube) late 90s and it was sent back to France for repair.
I ride it almost daily here in Malaysia. I'll certainly treat it with more respect having watched your interview with Graham 👍.
Nice one Mike thanks for watching and your support all the best buddy
@@BikeItUK Just seen a 992 Frameset advertised on Ebay for 997 USD. I'm now scared to ride it! (I'll ride my Klein Rascal with roadies instead :-/)
@@mikehardwicke23 special sunny days only 🚴♂️ I still need to get a Klein on the channel 👍 nice bikes
@@BikeItUK Yes - again I built it in 1991; it's now been all round the world. Good road bike too with skinny wheels ,close cassette and long-reach top tube👍.
@@mikehardwicke23Wonder if you have installed a rear rack on your Vitus and ridden it as a daily commuter. I need a bike to use as a daily commuter and carry 30 lbs on the rear rack. Someone has offered a Vitus 979 for sale to me. Hence my question.
Great vid.worked in bicycle shop for 20 years in the 80s,still learning.great knowledge here .
Much appreciated 🙏 all the best 👍
IS that Peter Quest of Cambridgeshire?
@@mikehardwicke23 no,live in NZ
@@peterquest6406 Apologies. (You have a namesake).
@@mikehardwicke23 all good there are a few ,not many.
In the US, it's pronounced, "What even IS that?" I recently finished restoring a 1980 Motobecane (very French) with Vitus 888 single-gauge steel tubing. Reynolds and Columbus ruled then, and they still do, but Vitus tubing is great.
Yes to honest the UK is the same. The steel Vitus goes under the radar. Thanks for watching and your support 👍
Excellent interview with Graham could listen to this all day. He also supports the right team too.
😂 ⚽️ thanks for your support and watching it’s much appreciated 👍
One of my cyclist Sean Kelly was a beast
Definitely thanks for watching
Incredible story. I remember Vitus from the 80’s and it was a big name then. Currently I am on a 2021 Vitus Sommet CRX dream build and love it. Vitus makes the best bikes and always has.❤
Thanks for watching listening glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your support 👍
One of the best narratives regarding Vitus and cycling in the 80's and 90's which I've listened to. Many thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching and your support
Wow. Great video! I learned so much in just 48 minutes. Excellent.
I’m glad, many thanks for taking the time to watch it. Graham is fascinating with so much experience within the industry 👍 all the best
This the third time I’ve watched this, fantastic! Thank you so much for bringing this to us!
Many thanks, I do have more just need to find the time to edit all the footage 👍
This was brilliant, I thoroughly enjoyed listing to Graham share the history and his life experiences. This is valuable information now saved for prosperity. Well done Andy on making it happen and thank you to Graham for being so open and honest about his history with Vitus 🙌🏼
Nice comment, glad you enjoyed it and thought it worth while. Means a lot, I will be revisiting and covering more. 👍
Fantastic Andy what a great knowledge Graham has you can feel the enthusiasm I have a 992 with Record 10 speed set up running Friction levers (work very smooth at my pace) the bike is so quick and nimble. I ride Basso Viper and Gap with Campagnolo ergo levers so a nice change still remember Sean Kelly in the Milan San Remo, keep up the great work…..
Thanks Noel for your support and watching. Sounds like you have a couple of sweet rides 👍🚴♂️
Bravo for the great interview. It's certainly one of the most informative ones I'd heard on the history and evolution of Vitus in the backdrop of competitive cycling and competing brands. Thanks for clearing up the myths and for asking for advice on buying used frames. Looking forward to the next instalment!
Thanks Stephen for watching and your supporting comment, glad you enjoyed the video. All the best 👍
Terrific. Graham is awesome. He knows everything 😎
😂 yes he does, he’s like a Yoda of cycling. Thanks for watching
I can see how thrilled you were to document this amazing story of a legend. Thank you for sharing this and I hope you make more videos with content like this in the future.
Just starting the edit of his Colnago collection, video coming soon! Thanks for watching and your support 👍
Excellent interview!
Many thanks 🙏
Excuse the pun... but had me glued from start to finish. Brill interview to Andy and Graham. Always dreamed of owning a 979 and now own a low mileage 1991 979 which I do love to ride. Rides like a dream 🤗
Really glad you’ve managed to get yourself a Vitus 979. Thanks for watching and your support glad you enjoyed it 👍
Fantastic chat. Thanks to you both for the nostalgia, insight and information. I’d bet tickets for an ‘audience with….’ type event would sell well to all us traditionalists. Keep up the great work 👍🏼
Many thanks Tony for your supportive comments and watching all the very best buddy
OMG, so, so interesting. I rode a Graham Weigh SLX frame in the 90s with "Z" colours. Ordered it from Deeside ad in Cycling Weekly to Irl. Amazing to see the man behind it and his knowledge in this video...blown away. I rode on a Concorde SLX as well, was a "Ciocc" below the paint. Regret not having tried a Virus 979 but with little money and the saying was always they were excellent but got soft after a few years and Kelly got a new one every few months ;) Thank You for this brilliant video.
Thanks for your supporting comment glad it brought back some fond memories and you enjoyed it. Sounds like you’ve had some absolute classics. I’ve seen the Z-colour Graham Weigh’s, would be good to get on on the channel. Great to hear the rumours of the Vitus frame at the time. 😉👍
What an amazing interview! I've managed to collect about a dozen Vitus bikes/frames since seeing my first Vitus being sold at a garage sale around 20 years ago. It was a silver 59cm 979 with Shimano 600 groupset in nearly mint condition. At the time, I had no idea what it was, but it was the most beautiful bike I had ever seen, and I had to have it. Today, I have several 979s and 992s, a Carbone 9, an OCT (carbon 992), a ZX-1, and perhaps my favorite of the lot, a super rare Vitus CL1 mountain bike frame. One day, when I track down a Mavic VTT groupset, I'd like to build that frame up. Two frames that I'd still like to add to my collection are the Vitus Titane frame and the Vitus BMX frame. Sadly, those show up rarely and are quite expensive when they do.
Wow, sounds like you’ve got an amazing Citus collection yourself. The BMX sounds interesting, never heard of one of them. Thanks for watching and your support, it’s greatly appreciated.
I actually have a VTT bike built up with Campagnolo MTB set , just forgot to include it in the initial interview , If we do another [there's probably going to be one on my 20 Colnagos] I will tag it on . Its a turquoise metallic one.
Great video Andy my man! I had a red mark 2 979 in the 80's badged up by Dave Marsh of Maltby , S. Yorkshire. I gave it to my stepson and he's got it on his wall! I'll practically have to BUY it back!
Mate you're going to have to do a Gios restoration. They are brimming with history and anecdotes for you to narrate and embellish. Keep 'em coming owd son , I never miss one!
Many thanks Bob, your support is much appreciated. Yes Gios is definitely on my hit list and having Graham on board with his knowledge and Gios collection I’m sure I’ll be covering that at some point. I’ve seen the Dave Marsh Vitus nice 👌
To anyone who thinks a stiff bottom bracket is the key to sprinting...go watch Sean Kelly 1992 Milan-San Remo final 5km. He makes his Vitus into a slingshot and absolutely smokes the field.
He certainly does, great riders 👍
I recently watched the finish of that race. Brilliant bike handling on that tricky multi-turn section before the sprint finish. Vitus geometry has the best numbers.
Wow ! Another great interview Andy. I just love the history lessons , that Graham passes to us cyclists. Thanks so much .KB
Thanks Ken for tuning in and watching glad you liked it, all the best happy pedalling 👍🚴♂️
The all aluminum Trek 1400/1200/1100 road bike has its origins in Vitus. Trek consulted with Vitus and the difference being larger diameter main tubes with the lugs going inside the tubing and geometry. In the beginning, as part of the consulting deal, the Treks were equipped with a "Bador" fork. The parent company of Vitus.
Brilliant, thanks for your knowledge and sharing it’s much appreciated
Really interesting chat, and insight into a brand and bike shop that was prominent when I was getting into cycling in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Remember poring over Graham’s two page advert in the back of each week’s cycling weekly.
BTW, Tchmil won Paris Roubaix on a Caloi branded Eddy Merckx rather than a Vitus, although the Lotto team did ride them in that era.
Glad you enjoyed it thanks for your knowledge and sharing it’s much appreciated 👍
That tickled a lot of dormant memories back into life. I had a Vitus Carbon 3 and yes, it attracted a lot of negative comment even at club level regarding its structural integrity, felt great to me though.
Yes I really enjoyed the ride, probably one of the best rides I’ve done. Thanks for your support and watching, glad it brought back some memories for you
Wow, what an informative interview!
Great that you let Graham move off the title subject, it’s then you really realise the knowledge he has and is obviously happy to share.
I’ve only just found your You Tube pages but am working my way through them!!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your support it’s much appreciated. Hope you enjoy some more 👍
Such a history. Love this
Much appreciated
This was excellent Andy and what a fantastic insight into Graham's career and story about the history behind Vitus bikes coming over here in the UK.
It was also a good edit too. Thank you for taking the time to put all of this together.
Huge thanks pal, really appreciate your support. We definitely should get out for a ride some day. I had noticed you cycling through Cheshire way.
@@BikeItUK Will do Andy. We could ride out to your neck of the woods and maybe find a cafe that does black puddings for Mike 😁. I will message you soon pal.
Loved this interview. 👍
Thanks for watching glad you liked it
Awesome interview! Absolutely fascinating story!
Glad you enjoyed it. Colnago collection up next 👍
One of your best interviews to date.
Great hearing the history of a time when bicycles were made by craftsmen
More to come from Graham, watch this space
Great video I will share with my friend Jules who is a former bike dealer/mechanic who is fan of these frames
I remember having seen the first 979 with Robert Dill Bundi at Ostschweizerrundfahrt (Robert is an Olympic Gold Medaillist)
Btw I have built steel frames out of Super Vitus 971 - was hard to sell Swiss wanted Columbus tubing
Super Vitus was super light frame and fork 2.5kg in 58cm
One thing I think the top of the line Peugeot and Mercier were Reynolds which was marketing wise a catastrophy for Vitus
Sorry for the late reply much appreciated 👍
I just came across your Channel, and I love these interviews keep up the good work.
Thanks will do, popping back to see Graham this week. Watch this space
Fascinating video. Brings back some memories of the old Vitus frames we used to stock when I worked in cycle retail.
Good stuff, thanks for watching and your support 👍
Brilliant chat. What a great font of knowledge is Graham. Please let's have more of it
Many thanks, already planning my next visit 👍
I loved those old Vitus frames with those beautiful alloy lugs....
Yes couldn’t agree more, thanks for watching 👍
Interesting interview, yet also Vitus was a tube manufacturer like Excell , but also produced a steel frame, an aluminium frame the argal and a rare titanium bike, the 992 and the 979 being the most known
Yes Graham definitely knows his stuff. I’m on the look out for a 979. Watch this space 👍
@@BikeItUK i tried one many ages ago but not for me, the only aluminium bike I have is a very rare Daccordi Fly. I have riden briefly on CAAD4 to CAAD8 cannondales including specialized M2 and M4 road bikes which were unforgiving for my back that is why I mostly ride steel. The Daccordi is going to be the surprise
Loved every second. Very, very interesting 🤔.
Brilliant, glad you enjoyed it thanks for watching 👍
Great stories.
Glad you like them! 👍
Exquisite!!!
🙏
Just gobsmacked at Grahams knowledge on all things bike having just watch the video on his Colnago collection. Would like to know if his museum is open to the public as I would love to come and see his collection.
Hi John thanks for watching glad you liked the collection. Yes his collection is open to view at his shop in Deeside. Graham Weigh cycles
Hi Andy, first watched your videos when I did my first resto of a Peugeot Performance 4000. 4 bikes later and I'm building a Vitus 979...which I now know to be a Mk2.
Brilliant video, great interview with Graham. That was a fantastic history lesson.
My bike has Shimano 600 (6207/6208) and I was going to ask you via your video of your own build, which bottom bracket you used.
Also, finding a 25mm seatpost is proving difficult.
Would love to see a part 2, with more bikes..... but this was great. 👍 👌
😂 four bikes later, love it. Yes Graham is an absolute wealth of knowledge when it comes to Vitus and the cycling industry in general for that matter. Yes the seat posts are different to find, I’m sure I paid a small fortune for mine. The frame I had came with a Shimano sealed bottom bracket, it was in good order so I stuck with that. I’ve no idea of the exact measurements now though. Thanks for watching and your support it’s much appreciated
Nice One Graham 😉👍
Thanks for watching and the support
Fantastic vlog loved it could listen to Graham all day what about a Gios history please
Thanks buddy, yes Gios and Colnago are definitely getting covered 👍
Great interview.....first video clip is Hinault on a Gitane winning 1980Worlds...
Thanks for your support and watching all the best
Amazing! I've owned an ,87 979 54cm with no issues; many racing miles. Would advise anyone who has a mk.II to cover the grub screw with good quality electrical tape. My 979 with a mix of Dura Ace, Simplex, Sun Mistrail tubulars and a hollow pin chain weighed 17.1 in 1988; nothing in the shop came close...of course the chain lasted 100miles :)
Chain 😂🚴♂️ love it! Thanks for the advice and watching much appreciated 👍
was it that Regina hollow pin chain? Ahhhh the 80s....
Ace!
🙏
That was so good! I really wish they still did more frames like the vitus rather then monocoque such a good look!
Definitely with you on that one 👍 thanks for watching
Really interesting being a mark 1 979 owner
Glad you enjoyed it…nice bike 👍 thanks for watching
Had a 979 black anodized third generation Peugeot branded Vitus in early 1980’s...built it up with Campag. C Record. Loved it,but one day,whilst sprinting out of the saddle the gear jumped sprockets due to rather flexi. rear end. Sending me over the bars...sold the frame soon afterwards.
😬 sorry to hear of your last memories of the 979, I hope you had some good ones also. Sounds grim…🚴♂️ thanks for sharing and watching all the best
Andy I’ve got a mint cadex carbon with alloy lugs it came standard with an Athena campagnolo groupset, giant branded look pedals.
🤩 nice bicycle, and as Graham said extremely rare. Thanks for watching
Great stuff. Just bought a 992 with shimano tricolor groupset, but it's got two different wheel rims (open pro front, Wobler tx profil front), but both with the same tricolour hubs. Not sure which rim is more in keeping.
🤔 They are both French so think you can go wrong either way. Thanks for watching
How safe is riding Vitus 979 frame for everyday bike? Not much, but 200-250kms per week
Great interview, wealth of personal knowledge - thanks for interviewing and sharing. Wish I could hear about all the brands we now collect in such detail. On Vitus, any idea where the Vitus Argal fits in to the timeline. I think it’s a later generation but all alu entry level model but it’s got dropped seat stays so I think they remained innovators though they declined and were bought out. Regards, Las
No idea ref when Argal fits in, maybe if Graham reads this he can contribute and answer that. Thanks for watching and your support
I wonder, why they didn't innovate a simple cap on that single seatbolt?
I a mechanic can repair a STI lever they could sell an booklet on that!
Definitely 👍 Good idea
Was that music at the very end Khruangbin?
I’m not sure, it is from the UA-cam library
Do you still have any stock of the Vitus frames Graham? I was a dealer back in those days and I had many Vitus although I previously had the Peugeot Duralinox
Thanks for watching I personally know he does has some in the showroom. You would be better contacting the Graham Weigh shop in Deeside. Hope this helps
Concords were made by Pelizolli/Ciocc.
Thanks for watching and your knowledge
How fortunate I am to be only partially deaf, a retro-bike fan-and READING the subtext. Were I fully deaf I'd not be able to "interpret" what the hell I was reading for any kind of logical message.
Hello Richard, thanks for watching and listening. Extremely sorry about the subtext. It’s generated automatically, the video has already taken me so long to film edit and upload. I work full time have have a family and do not get paid enough from Adsense to dedicate the time id like to nearly an hour of closed caption’s. Thanks for your support and understanding. Andy
I have Vitus or Alan framed cyclocross badged as a Scarini Belgloloso by Jorselli Giovanni and l can’t for the life of me find any info on.
Have you tried the FB forums and posted any images. Graham would definitely be the man to ask.
@@BikeItUK thanks for the reply buy I’m not on Facebook
I raced on Alan’s liked them far better
Thanks for watching
Didn't Vitus frames use a weird seatpost diameter instead of the 27.2 and French threading all throughout their frames?
Sorry, I was spoiled early on with Colnago and pretty much everything Italian
Yes something like 25.2 or something 🤔. Just been and filmed the Colnago collection, video coming soon 👍
@@BikeItUK always believed if Sean Kelly could win the Paris-Roubaix on a Vitus in 1986 then it was strong enough for anybody.
Stop doing, "resto-mods." You are devaluating every bike you do that to. Maybe a mid-range bike or something, but not a top-of-the-line bike like a Bianchi or Colnago. You have a beautiful Bianchi that I wouldn't own, (and I have two).
These are my own bicycles that I use instead of carbon now. They offer me a better riding experience. I also do original restorations that get hung up on the wall, never to be used again. I feel it’s nice to preserve but also be a little selfish and use and enjoy these beautiful frames. I now don’t own a car and use a bicycle whenever possible. I’m sorry you don’t agree with all the projects I do, I do ensure the frames aren’t damaged so the next owner I’m sure can strip build the bicycle how they wish. All the best
Far tooo muuuuch Talky Talky, thought I was invited here to actually look at Vitus frames / bikes for more than like seconds of each model. Rubbish TBH
Each to there own my friend, thanks for checking in. All the best take care 👍 In the video description you can find the chapters so you can skip to the frames and bikes.
🤡🤡🤡🤡
@@slalomdude68 cabbage 🤡🤡🤡🤡