Classic & Vintage - Anybody know the history of Ross bikes?

This is a great thread. Hi all, first post here :)

I have a Ross Signature 294S that I bought slightly used in 1985, pretty much all original except for the handlebar wrap and saddle. I think it's the 1984 model, but not certain. Nice bike with nearly full Campy Triomphe gruppo (Suntour freewheel). I know Ross offered at least one model above the 294S around that time. At some point I possessed the full 1985(?) Ross catalog, but sadly got rid of it. I did keep the 294S section, though - I scanned it in and will try attaching it here.

The bike you are thinking of could be the Signature Triad 508. Columbus SL and SP, and full Shimano "new" 600 (????). I currently own a 292S which I always thought was an 85, but the 85 catalog lists it as not being made from Ishiwata tubing, which it is. Maybe I have an 84 or 86. I love this bike and would love to have another, as this one is so stock and near perfect I don't have the heart to upgrade anything.

roccobike, let us know how the Koolstops work. I have the Shimano 105 brakes, and they seem to be good enough, but could use more oomph. Sometimes stopping is an exercise in planning more than anything else.

The bike you are thinking of could be the Signature Triad 508. Columbus SL and SP, and full Shimano "new" 600 (????). I currently own a 292S which I always thought was an 85, but the 85 catalog lists it as not being made from Ishiwata tubing, which it is. Maybe I have an 84 or 86. I love this bike and would love to have another, as this one is so stock and near perfect I don't have the heart to upgrade anything.

roccobike, let us know how the Koolstops work. I have the Shimano 105 brakes, and they seem to be good enough, but could use more oomph. Sometimes stopping is an exercise in planning more than anything else.
First I have to decide what I want to do with this bike. Like you, I hate to change it because it is really nice, but the size of the frame is a problem for me. I might sell it, or take the components off and build up another bike that is the correct size for me. But then I come back to how nice this bike is and I hate to break it up. For now, I'm just going to ride a bike that's the wrong size. Maybe something will break my way that will help me decide which way to go.

The bike you are thinking of could be the Signature Triad 508. Columbus SL and SP, and full Shimano "new" 600 (????). I currently own a 292S which I always thought was an 85, but the 85 catalog lists it as not being made from Ishiwata tubing, which it is. Maybe I have an 84 or 86.
Hi Duane, not sure if you meant to quote my post or not. My bike is definitely the 294S with Campy Triomphe, Ishiwata 024, etc. Same bike as in the picture.

Hi Duane, not sure if you meant to quote my post or not. My bike is definitely the 294S with Campy Triomphe, Ishiwata 024, etc. Same bike as in the picture.
I meant to say the bike that was above the Signature 294 in the Ross line was the Traid 508. Sorry for the confusion.

I had a Ross Mt. Hood from 1985 that went through a long process of improvement. It is now long gone, and I am kicking myself for giving up that ride. It was a tank, to be sure, and the weight really was tiresome (literally!), but I would love to have it back, for at least the sentimental value.

It was a chrome beast, with the black square with a stylized "R" on the head-tube, triangulated bars, Sugino cranks, a heavy Tange (I think) fork, Dia Compe cantis, and a middle of the road shimano drivetrain and shifter set. I rode the stock wheels into the ground just so I could start my upgrades with their replacements: a spiffy set of wide Specialized/Wheelsmith Saturae bolt-on 5 speed wheels. I still have those wheels, as I later got a set of Specialized/Wheelsmith X-32 (or 35, I don't remember) quick-release 6 speed wheels.

I upgraded the drivetrain to the first gen Deore XT, with the nifty black labeled thumbshifters. Got the Deore XT brake levers (with the little rubber boots) and cantis. Road seat for a narrower profile and ease of movement when off-road. Changed out the fork for a unicrown one so I could use a different headset and quill stem (Ross used some weird size and standard compnents wouldn't work). Got a silk finished black Specialized stem and bar, attached through a Shimano 600 headset with an extra lockring (those scalloped nutted ones). Pedals were these interesting Shimano platform types that had this strange internal rigging that allowed toeclips to be attached, which were leather wrapped Christophes.

Went a heck of a lot of places with this bike, off-road through commuting. The frame was subject to some intense crap, including some ski-area downhills, including Mammoth. I was amazed at what it lived through. It was a definite testament to the Ross company. Many people look at them as a bargain basement type of manufacturer, but after getting much more than my money worth out of that bike I can say they knew what they were doing, even if they did build tanks. I am sorry the name does not have a current association with quality, but at least us retro-grouches can bask in the memories.

I do have a chrome Mt Whitney, sans wheels, in my attic that I should probably pull down and restore. It has the original Shimano "Deer Head" group on it, and appears functional. Perhaps that will be the project after the PXN10-E restoration....

*

Good thread.

I recently salvaged a Ross Mt. Rushmore from the dumpster. After a good scrubbing, lube and new rubber the bike runs amazingly well. I was looking for some info on the bike when I stumbled across this forum.

Now I know why all the references are post mortum. Its a shame. The high end mfgrs seem to forget that biking is about fun. This bike is very shiny silver and just fun to ride.

Whan I were but a wee laddie, I shelled out fistfulls of paper route money for a new Ross Eurosport (I came within about an inch and a half of getting a used Schwinn Super Sport - too big, blast). I'm thinking 169 new in 79 or 80. While the other kids in the 8th or 9th grade were getting wound up about stick and ball sports, that Ross introduced me to a good many of the back roads in our county.
In fact, I took it on my first tour, after my sophomore year of high school. From near Boston to near DC. (has it really been 25 years!?), steel rims in the rain, vinyl bar tape, suicide levers, sag support, 20 other kids...
Eventually, I grew aware of it's limitations - shimano front freewheel, no eyelets on the front fork, no freewheel on the rear wheel... it was going to cost a fortune to gear it low enough to wade around with panniers... So I bought a Nishiki Royale.

In college I helped lead tours for the same group I'd ridden with. One of our "regulars" started out on a Huffy, but soon moved up to a Ross Gran Tour II (?). I looked it over when he bought it, eyelets, a decent wheelbase, decent looking frame... He rode that all over, to Florida, Wisconsin, St Louis, Gettysburg, Nova Scotia... An under rated touring bike, I think. Not flashy, but pretty functional. 280 or 300 something new, I think.

Most of you all have later models, lol.

My first bike ever was a Ross. I it was the Gran Tour I. My mom did not think I would stick with it so she made me buy it with my own money. That must have been 77 or 78. I think it cost $215 out the door. I rode it the 7 miles home, smiling all the way. That took me a long time to save for that back then. It was my first bike so I forget the components. I know it was the cheaper end. It had the safety levers that I eventually removed when I started riding with the local club. I put on the Grab-On foam handlebar coverings that were just out too. I put on toe clips and because I could not afford cleats I took my brothers old soccer cleats and cut the cleats where I needed to so that they gripped the pedals. I never had shoes that held the pedals better than those until clipless came along. That thing got me into riding and eventually racing. Treks were just starting to make headway into the market. My Ross was eventually stolen. I bought a Trek after that. A semi sport-tourer, club racer. Sold that to a friend who still laments having that stolen while he was in college. Kleins around that time were exotic. Their frames were going for 2k and up if I remember correctly. They were introducing thin walled oversized aluminum with beautiful brazing. Very posh posh.

Anyway. Ross's were well respected. They had a small following but could not quite find their niche. They had some fine builders (Tom Kellogg was one).

I just got a Ross "adventurer" Mixte for $35 at Goodwill. Since my LBS was on the way home, I stopped in and had it checked out. Didn't need tubes, tires or cranks, but a tune up will be done when I come back from vacation since there is a 3 week wait right now. A change in saddle is definitely in order!!!! Handlebar tape,lights and a good oiling are next

I just got a Ross "adventurer" Mixte for $35 at Goodwill. Since my LBS was on the way home, I stopped in and had it checked out. Didn't need tubes, tires or cranks, but a tune up will be done when I come back from vacation since there is a 3 week wait right now. A change in saddle is definitely in order!!!! Handlebar tape,lights and a good oiling are next

wow another person wiht an adventurer. I have a 1981 adventurer all original brand new no rust not nothing. I also have 2 ross eurosports 1 that is my fav ride i put miles after miles on that thing. The other one i just have as a working ss that i use to get around my dh and xc races. Its an awsome bike. i have 13 friends that all have rosses some have more then 1 and we all get together every month except winter and do a long ride. All ross all day. A lot of fun.

Thanks for sharing the history! I enjoyed it very much. My Dad collects bikes from local shops (which they have taken in trade and don't want to resell) as well as dontated bikes, which he repairs and gives to the homeless in upstate New York as part of a local "bike ministry". Somehow a Starjet made by the Chain Bike Corp. in Rockaway Beach, NY turned up. It's a red one-speed. I love it. I traded a 10-speed which didn't need any work for the Starjet and my neighbors love it. Someone left a note for me today, wanting to buy it. I guess it must have been made by Ross. I have always thought of Ross as a good company! (I must have hadd the good ones when I was growing up!)

Hi Adam, thanks for posting and welcome aboard. I have an old Barracuda (think Sting-Ray) in pieces and I have most of the parts, save for seat, bars & wheels. PM me if you're interested. I'm in upper Bucks Co. PA. If you're still in the Allentown area you could drive by and pick it up... freebie. One of the rear dropouts is stamped 'Chain Bike Co.'

Any info on BCA, Bicycle Corporation of America? I've heard there was a Ross tie-in there, as the BCA bikes have an Allentown origin as well.

It's cool to 'talk' with someone closely associated with a piece of local lore.

I just bought a purple Ross "premier series" and what seems to be superflous "signature series", gran tour . It has shimano exage 300ex - biopace. It looked absolutely brand new. I'm obviously not a bike nut so I decided to do some research and of course found nothing but this thread. When the hell was this bike made?

I just got a Ross Professional. About 25 lbs single speed, was full Shimano 600 (still is, minus derailers). Any info on this? It's a touring bike. What do you figure it's worth? I hear it was late 70s. Perfect shape. The 600 parts look NOS.

Here are some pics of the bike. Anyone have any insights as to when it was made?

Or the bike is gigantic or the person holding it is not that tall ;)

I see: Shimano Exage 300EX, Biopace crankset and aero levers. Wild guess: between '88 and '91 :)

Here are some pics of the bike. Anyone have any insights as to when it was made?


gaudy paint, 600ex... 1985-1987, but that's just a guess. Wait, boopace... 1987 seems more likely. My LBS at that time quit stocking (and thus I quit stalking) Rosses around 1985, and I don't recall any of these in his catalogs.

Thanks, so weird that I have a new bike from the 80's. The whole bike is like brand new. I even peeled off the plastic that protected the crank. Must of been dead stock or something.

Looks like a winner to me! Well, maybe except the color scheme. I'm sure it was the bee's knee's in the late 80's, but good gosh, that's a peculiar paint finish. Is it really marbled? It looks it from the photos.
I would guess that this was the finest Ross (save the Signature line) you could purchase for whatever year it was manufactured.

Yep -marbled like a bowling ball. For some reason I kind of like the garish paint job with the white bars. And hey - the 80's are back, right? But you made me feel better about the purchase, duane.

Cool color!!!!

my Dad at sherwoodross at earthlink dot net with pictures attached and he will be able to tell you when it was made.

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Email addy edited to prevent bot phishing

Stacey
Forum Moderator

my Dad at sherwoodross@earthlink.net with pictures attached and he will be able to tell you when it was made.

Andy, I have a few questions about the Ross company in general (my grandparents were from Brooklyn, and my grandfather remembers the Ross company being in Rockaway Beach). Do you think it would be proper for me to contact your father to ask? I'm mostly curious about the history of the company, and some info on my Ross, too. Info on Ross is so limited, from what I have been able to find (or not find, actually).

Thanks!

Duane

Sure, e-mail him. Yes, company was in Rockaway Beach.

I just rescued a Ross Signature 290S from curbside trash collection. I didn't know anything about it, except it looked like a good bike that someone bought and never rode. I'm so glad that you all have been writing about the Ross bikes. It's fun to get all the background! It still has original Ross tires and has a sticker "made in Taiwan" Will it be a good road or commuter bike?

The 290S was Ross' lowest-priced highline bike (does that make sense??). The frames were very well made, using Ishiwata tubing (although without knowing which year the bike is, it may not be Ishiwata). Should be a very enjoyable commuter, just like my 292S.

Duane, did you ever contact Sherwood and get any info out of him? It sure would be nice to find out more about the heritage, product line, and maybe get ahold of some old brochures.

I did, but he is currently out at the Interbike Show, and said he would respond to my questions when he returned at the beginning of October. I'll keep you posted.

I'm planning on getting a Ross MT.Snow tomorrow i will post pics. I can't find any info on it and i'm lucky i found this thread.

doesn't anyone care about ross bikes anymore ? Any Info on the MT.Snow ?

I have the same Ross signature 294s w/all campy and Rigida 1320's, I purchased it from the original owner and he provided me the original invoice/owners manual for $485.00, dated 1986, probably a leftover 85, or one of the last of that series of bikes, oddly enough the original rims and tires were taken off shortly after purchase and are in very good condition, an aditional set of low flange campy road wheels were used, very low mile bike, a very sweet riding bike, I much prefer riding it as I am getting back into riding and have a few older racers of the era.

I have a Ross Mt. Rushmore vintage about 1993. Weighs about 33 lbs and is set up as a hybrid with Shimano Tourney components. 6-speed freewheel and triple crankset (though I can find no indication that Shimano produced it). The rear shifter has 7 detents so it may handle a 7-speed freewheel. Fully chromed frame that is holding up quite well.

It was a Christmas present and I doubt power-shopping wife spent much over $100.

Anrew, Hi my name is Larry Goldberg and I happened on this thread trying to find out the whereabouts of Randy & Candy Ross. I attende summer camp with them in the late 60's. We are trying to organize a reunion. Strange that my next door neighbor is Alan Goldmeier of Rand Bikes. Any info you can provide would be appreciated.

Last fall I purchaced several bikes at a local police bike auction (21). In the collection I bought alot of unusual bikes. One I'm having alot of difficulty finding any info on.It is a Signature bike called Djerba. The headbadge has a palm tree desert scene with the djerba name on it.All I know is this is the name belongs to a city on an island near northern Africa where a major bike race is held. Any info you have would be appreciated. thank you. Just on a side note I also own 2 other Rosses in my collection;a 26"compact(a heavy little booger, but well built) and a beautiful black grand tour II, a marvelous dream of bicycle genius. It rides like a whisper and is just a little heavier than a fart! A vintage mans dream bike,it cost me $50 and 2 fishing poles!

Wow! Lots of good info here!

I have a Ross Gran Eurosport that I bought new back in the '70's. It hasn't been ridden much for the last 25 years, and has spent most of that time hanging from a hook out in my barn. I got it out a couple of years ago, and found that the tires and tubes (27 x 1-1/4) wouldn't hold air - dry rotted - and hung it back up.

Just yesterday I got it out and bought two new tires and tubes at the bike shop, cleaned her up, squirted a little EB-Blaster on the works, and rode her about 4 miles today. This was the first bike ride in a quarter of a century for both of us, and we were both a little creaky.

This bike has the tempered lug frame, and on the rear of the frame at the hangars for the real wheel it's stamped "Chain Bike Corp". The bike has the old round Ross logo on the frame head, and it's painted white. All of the running gear is Shimano.

The bike seemed to ride pretty well, but I've got to take the wheels and crank off and grease the bearings. Paint is still pretty good, just a little rust at the top of the seat tube. The frame had cracked years ago at the top of the tube where the seat post is split, and I had had it welded. Otherwise no real damage or wear and tear. Still has the Ross-marked saddle in good shape (lucky the mice haven't eaten it!).

I noticed that all of the un-finished aluminum parts, like the brake levers, stem, shifters, etc. are sort of oxydized and pitted - I'd like to clean it up.

I'm 54 years old, and although I've been walking a lot for exercise I need to do something a little more aerobic. I'm getting a new Trek mountain bike, but if I get the old Ross fixed up I may ride that too!

Anyone Know Or Hear Of A Ross Diamond Cruiser 186?? Bought This Bike New In The Early 80's And For Sure It Wasn't Cheep. Its A Great Cruiser And Still Rides Like A Champ. Does Anyone Own One Or Have Info On It??

http://www.airfreetires.com/Specs/Step3.asp?model=Diamond+Cruiser&brand=Ross (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=39115&page=4)
Compare what's on your bike to the spec sheets, that will tell you the year.

Got a pic? I loves me some Ross's

Anyone Know Or Hear Of A Ross Diamond Cruiser 186?? Bought This Bike New In The Early 80's And For Sure It Wasn't Cheep. Its A Great Cruiser And Still Rides Like A Champ. Does Anyone Own One Or Have Info On It??

In 1981 the Diamond Cruiser came in one size and one color, men's 21" in black. The price written in my catalog is $174.95. I don't know if that's retail or what the bike shop was charging for them.

Wheel/Tire size: 26x2.125 Gumwall - 36 x 105 spokes
Braking System: Alloy side-pull caliper
Gears: 5sp dérailleur w/stem shifter 14 - 28T cluster
Crankset: One piece 6 1/2" hot forged 48T

The 1984 catalog shows the Black basic model plus a 'deluxe' Concord Blue model with chrome fenders. Sizes were men's 21" and 23", plus ladies 19".
Frame is 1020 steel
Shifter: 5 sp thumb
Brakes: Alloy side pull
Cluster" 14 - 32
Crankset: 46T
Stem: Ross 4 bolt
Handlebar: Cruiser ('81 had risers)
Hubs: Heavy duty BMX
Rims: Heavy duty steel
Same tires
Cushion grips
Sorry, no prices in this catalog

Hi Adam, thanks for posting and welcome aboard. I have an old Barracuda (think Sting-Ray) in pieces and I have most of the parts, save for seat, bars & wheels. PM me if you're interested. I'm in upper Bucks Co. PA. If you're still in the Allentown area you could drive by and pick it up... freebie. One of the rear dropouts is stamped 'Chain Bike Co.'

Any info on BCA, Bicycle Corporation of America? I've heard there was a Ross tie-in there, as the BCA bikes have an Allentown origin as well.

It's cool to 'talk' with someone closely associated with a piece of local lore.

Hey, I know this thread is forever old, but I was surfing around looking for Ross info and this thread (and this post in particular) caught my eye...

Stacey, by any chance, is that Barracuda still around and would you be willing to part with it?

By way of introduction, let me tell you (and the board) that my name is Rick, and I'm a teacher living in southern central PA. I rediscovered old bikes in the last year or so when I found an old girls' banana seat bike in a thrift store. Pink with a flowered seat. It said "Polo Bike" on the chain guard, which I thought I remembered seeing on old Ross bikes. The headbadge is the same shape as old Ross ones, but it says "STARFLITE" written vertically in red. I figured it was made by Ross for some department store or something. If anyone knows more about the Starflite name, I'd love to hear it...

Since finding the Polo Bike, I've cleaned it up and my 10-year-old daughter rides it. I also found a 20" Ross convertible that I swapped some parts around on, and I recently rescued a beater Ross Apollo without rims from the back-room junkpile of my LBS. I also have a Sears Spyder (made by Huffy, I think) 20" musclebike frame with parts scavenged off a thrift-store Columbia girls' bike. The online pics of bikes in the New England Musclebike Museum got me hooked on Barracudas, and I'd LOVE to find one (even just the frame) with the two sets of twin tubes running from the dropouts to the head tube...

--rick

Since this thread got bumped, I guess I'll post photos of the recent 'on the curb for trash pickup' find. A friend grabbed this for me last weekend:

[/URL] (http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ross1ne6.jpg)[URL=http://img525.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ross3wr5.jpg]

It's a 290S, but I don't know what year. The serial number seems to suggest the frame is 84, but the components date 86 (at least the FD, which seems to match the brakes and RD).

Hey, I know this thread is forever old, but I was surfing around looking for Ross info and this thread (and this post in particular) caught my eye...

Stacey, by any chance, is that Barracuda still around and would you be willing to part with it?

By way of introduction, let me tell you (and the board) that my name is Rick, and I'm a teacher living in southern central PA. I rediscovered old bikes in the last year or so when I found an old girls' banana seat bike in a thrift store. Pink with a flowered seat. It said "Polo Bike" on the chain guard, which I thought I remembered seeing on old Ross bikes. The headbadge is the same shape as old Ross ones, but it says "STARFLITE" written vertically in red. I figured it was made by Ross for some department store or something. If anyone knows more about the Starflite name, I'd love to hear it...

Since finding the Polo Bike, I've cleaned it up and my 10-year-old daughter rides it. I also found a 20" Ross convertible that I swapped some parts around on, and I recently rescued a beater Ross Apollo without rims from the back-room junkpile of my LBS. I also have a Sears Spyder (made by Huffy, I think) 20" musclebike frame with parts scavenged off a thrift-store Columbia girls' bike. The online pics of bikes in the New England Musclebike Museum got me hooked on Barracudas, and I'd LOVE to find one (even just the frame) with the two sets of twin tubes running from the dropouts to the head tube...

--rick


Sorry Rick, the barracuda has found a new home. What part of southern central PA are you in. I spent a lot of time in East Freedom, Blair County as a youth.

Sorry Rick, the barracuda has found a new home. What part of southern central PA are you in. I spent a lot of time in East Freedom, Blair County as a youth.
Hey, I'm just excited that as old as this thread is, you read and responded... thanks! :D and the hunt for a Barracuda frame goes on. I'm in Chambersburg, about an hour south of Harrisburg straight down I81.

Does andyross still check in here? I wonder if he or his dad would know anything about the Starflyte (department store Ross?) bikes I mentioned in my previous post...

--rick

I have nothing to contribute except some old ads that I scanned.

Cool! Anything on the Mt. McKinnley?

Fascinating thread!

So I'm looking for a bike that I can learn mechanics on, so I don't want anything too* valuable, but I want something good enough to sink money into.

I ran across this, and the guy says it's his brother-in-laws bike from the 70's, but he can't be sure of the date. He doesn't remember the model number, but I'm going to meet him at work tomorrow and look at it.

Like I said, this is my first attempt to learn about bikes and parts, so I can't really see what you guys can from the photo. Since there was such a variation in quality, maybe someone could help me out?

My daughter April Ross has some new Barracudas in the cartons she is willing to part with, she lives on eastern LI, you can e-mail her at, april@mcrosscompany.com.

My daughter April Ross has some new Barracudas in the cartons she is willing to part with, she lives on eastern LI, you can e-mail her at, april@mcrosscompany.com.

Thanks. My parents happen to be in the middle of LI, in Huntington. I'll try that email...

--rick

That "Dancing Across America" poster is hanging in our shop to this day.

Here's a sign I have hanging in my shop...

I'm Trying To Post A Picture Of My Ross Bicycle And I'm Having A Little Trouble. Can Anyone Tell Me How To Post A Jpg File?? Thanks For The Help