Vitus 979 Duralinox - building my new Eroica bike, pt. 2

[@fergusfitzgerald977]

Some years ago I did what you are now doing with an old Tommasini - difference is - it has Modolo Simplex and Stronglight stuff ! Love your chain gauge tool and soldering cable ends - well done ! Guess you used NOS - as I did for components . I ended up with Pink brake lever rubbers ! Beautiful bike great skill and care shown .

[@polishTinkerer]

Thanks Fergus, Soldering cable ends takes me twice that long as putting the cable cap - but I do it once and I have no issues when readjusting the component or taking it off for cleaning or servicing. And it looks cleaner - I do it on every bike I service. The groupset I've installed was cleaned thoroughly, unfortunately NOS is not yet within my budget range. I'd like to see your Tommasini, perhaps we'll meet on an Eroica ride somewhere. Stay safe and healthy!

[@simonwarmer8777]

Mooie bike man 👌

[@polishTinkerer]

Dank je. Hopelijk gaat Eroica dit jaar door, wordt daar gefietst.

[@mark950-d7d]

I have a bike that new, has campagnolo ergo shifters, derailleurs, hubs. Modolo brakes, Mavic headset, Dura Ace crankset, Thomson seatpost, Ritchey stem and Bontrager bars.

[@jensenhealey907efi]

Hello Mike Did you ever get to actually ride your Vitus bike in an Eroica event? The reason I ask is because I see a mention in the Eroica bike rules about the only aluminum bikes "allowed" are the Alan bikes. I too have some Vitus bikes and frames so I am curious whet ever happened with you and your bike.

[@polishTinkerer]

Hi Jensen, Yes, I did. However, it was in Limburg, the Netherlands and there they are not that strict with following the rules as e.g. in California (that's what I heard). E.g. my rims are to deep by 5 mm I guess, yet nobody even noticed that. About your concerns - if you read into rule 6.1.a - Heroic bikes or vintage bikes HEROIC BIKES (or vintage bikes) are all road-racing bikes with racing handlebar, built up to and including 1987, both with and without gears, such as those built in the late 19th or early 20th centuries. These bicycles usually have a steel frame but rare aluminium frames are admitted as long as the tubes are screwed and glued (like ALAN type frames) and not welded. And Vitus tubes are glued and not welded. I'd say you could even get a carbon Vitus bike and have it approved as it is glued and period correct.

[@carlosortega6431]

Hi I am interested on the headset brand what was it the one you install? Regards

[@polishTinkerer]

It was StronLight, a French manufacturer. They are still making some bike components, unfortunately they stopped making those headsets with roller bearings.

[@pedaleurdecharme1023]

Mike, the upper cone of the c record headset directly placed in the headtube (top side) was loose. The cone has open circles like super record. Does it need to be glued? or is this impossible because of the round openings?

[@polishTinkerer]

Nothing was loose in my case, the first one (Shimano) had to be gently hammered out and the new one (Stronglight) had to be pressed in. They should not be loose as far as I know and you are not supposed to glue them in for the sake of later replacement. By the "open circles" you mean it is drilled through the part that slides into the head tube? It's for weight saving.

[@pedaleurdecharme1023]

@@polishTinkerer yes Mike indeed. They are drilled out. There is a glue where you have the option permanent and a one so that you are able to remove it later. Ill get some assistent from the bike shop. in this case. thanks.

[@tacostwowheels4934]

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