The amazing collection and evolution of the Vitus bicycle!

The amazing collection and evolution of the Vitus bicycle!

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.

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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[BicycleRestorationMan]

Totally an amazing interview Andy! Actually watched the whole thing. Love to hear the history of any bicycle and this was no exception. Brilliant!

[danielrussell]

I raced on 979 and 992 frames and they were game changers. I still say that the 992 was the best riding bike that I have ever been on. It's nice to see someone keep the history of Vitus alive.

[garethhelliwell]

Another great upload Andy. I could take Graham down the pub, buy him ale all night and just listen to his tales and stories.

[charleslicha]

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.

[Saints]

Pretty spacial stuff, makes me really appreciate my ‘85 Vitus 979. Great job.

[daviddunne]

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 .

[JSC]

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?

[johnflynn]

Brill interview, Graham is an absolute wealth of knowledge.

[JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage]

Wow. Great video! I learned so much in just 48 minutes. Excellent.

[purpletrance]

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 👍👌😎

[jonathanhobbs]

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.

[brianfarrelly]

One of the best narratives regarding Vitus and cycling in the 80's and 90's which I've listened to. Many thanks.

[neilplatt]

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

[andylarham]

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 🤗

[davecipres]

Terrific. Graham is awesome. He knows everything 😎

[Jaydad]

This was excellent! I love history and what a treat that he shared his knowledge.

[crawfordmcilveen]

Brilliant interview Andy, I could listen to you and Graham discussing bikes for hours!

[peterquest]

Great vid.worked in bicycle shop for 20 years in the 80s, still learning.great knowledge here .

[BuffsVintageBikes]

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 🙌🏼

[noeldoran]

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…..