Let me start off by saying that this is my first post and I am really happy that I found this site. I have been a serious mountain biker since 1997 and I have recently aquired an interest in road bikes. Recently a friend gave me a Vitus 979 that had been hanging in his garage since 1990. He bought this bike new in the early 80's (I think) and literally stopped riding it in 1990 when he fell off of it due to a head-on collision with a small kid that darted out in front of him on a bike path at some beach.
Anyways, the frame is in very good condition aside from some small nicks and scratches from normal use. Suprisingly the frame did not suffer any damage in the accident although the front rim looks bent and my friend also thinks that the fork might be bent too ( I could not find anything wrong with it upon close examination.) The front and rear brakes and hardware are missing as well as the seat and pedals. The crank and head set is Shimano 600. The front and rear derailers are Suntour Cyclone. The front and rear rims and hubs are of unknown origin as well as the stem, handlebar, and seat post. I think the shift levers are also Shimano. It has Specilaized racing tires, but along with the tubes thay are probably rotten from age.
Can anyone tell me if this bike is worthing bringing up to date. The frame looks really trick and it is very light. My knowledge of road bikes and parts is very limited so I need some good advice. What would it cost to bring this bike up to rideable condition with lets say "middle of the road" parts? I basically commute to and from work on my mountain bikes which is about 50 miles weekly and I am planning on riding an additional 75-100 miles on the weekends once I get a road bike.
Anyways, the frame is in very good condition aside from some small nicks and scratches from normal use. Suprisingly the frame did not suffer any damage in the accident although the front rim looks bent and my friend also thinks that the fork might be bent too ( I could not find anything wrong with it upon close examination.) The front and rear brakes and hardware are missing as well as the seat and pedals. The crank and head set is Shimano 600. The front and rear derailers are Suntour Cyclone. The front and rear rims and hubs are of unknown origin as well as the stem, handlebar, and seat post. I think the shift levers are also Shimano. It has Specilaized racing tires, but along with the tubes thay are probably rotten from age.
Can anyone tell me if this bike is worthing bringing up to date. The frame looks really trick and it is very light. My knowledge of road bikes and parts is very limited so I need some good advice. What would it cost to bring this bike up to rideable condition with lets say "middle of the road" parts? I basically commute to and from work on my mountain bikes which is about 50 miles weekly and I am planning on riding an additional 75-100 miles on the weekends once I get a road bike.