Vitus bikes

matty_doh

Morning all,

Looking for a new roadbike to replace my borrowed and ageing 2007 Specialized Allez and came across 'Vitus' on Chainreaction, they've got some massive discounts on but I've never heard of them and can't find much online.

They seem fantastic value for money but is there a hidden catch? Has anyone had any experience of Vitus bikes?


Spec list for the one I'm looking at - RRP was £2249 supposedly, now reduced to £800 though I think they're 2008 models;

• Frame: Vitus VEC IT 700 IM Carbon tubing with Alloy Headtube/BottomBracket Shell/Seat-Top Tube assembly
• Fork: Easton EC90 SL
• Headset: FSA
• Stem: ITM Racer
• Handlebar: ITM Strada
• Grip: EVA black
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM Rival
• Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Centaur
• Shifter: SRAM Rival
• Brakes: SRAM Rival
• BB: SRAM GXP
• Crankset: SRAM Rival 39/53
• Cassette: SRAM OG 1070
• Chain: SRAM PC 1070
• Wheelset: Easton Vista
• Tyre: Michelin Lithion
• Pedals: N/A
• Saddle: Selle Italia SLR XP
• Seatpost: Vitus 27.2mm

brin

This has been discussed on another forum, the bikes specs were all added up and came to around £850.00 so it appears it is a hell of a bargain, altho i ain't heard much of Vitus either, you could do a lot worse buying a 'named' brand with less spec at twice the price.

Lillywhite

Vitus Bikes have been around for a long time.

Monty Dog

Vitus was the bike Sean Kelly rode for much of his career - but fell out of favour from the mid-90s onwards. They were 'start-of-the-art around 1990 with their bonded carbon and aluminium frames. I expect these 'modern' Vitus are generic Chinese/Taiwanese frames re-branded as such - good value, just don't expect anything special.

mudslinger

I bought a Vitus Razor from CRC last summer for £330 for my commute. I'd never had a road bike before & didn't realise road cycling was so enjoyable. Am now looking at spending £1K on a nice bike. I think it was good value for the money & prob equivalent of a £500 bike from a big brand. Problem is I have no experience of other road bikes so can't really say how it compares - it might be great or it might be shite. The one thing I'd say is don't get sucked in by the big discount & I certainly wouldn't be taking a risk with £800. Like I say I'm looking to spend £1K on a bike but a Vitus is not on my radar.

matty_doh

Bit too hesitant, sold out of both the bikes I was looking at, in my size at least - Ah well!

Going to wait till Autumn I think, there's nothing wrong with the Specialized but those new bikes look oh so shiny!

I'm thinking, come Autumn, a few people who bought flash bikes recently won't have the novelty factor any more, and may possibly be a little strapped for cash - maybe a few will turn up on ebay at bargain prices... That's what I'm hoping anyway!

rake

matty_doh wrote:

Bit too hesitant, sold out of both the bikes I was looking at, in my size at least - Ah well!

Going to wait till Autumn I think, there's nothing wrong with the Specialized but those new bikes look oh so shiny!

I'm thinking, come Autumn, a few people who bought flash bikes recently won't have the novelty factor any more, and may possibly be a little strapped for cash - maybe a few will turn up on ebay at bargain prices... That's what I'm hoping anyway!

the turn in the weather should help bring them out of the woodwork as well.