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

Thanks for the link bpeder, those files have helped me a great deal. My bike is a Mt. Hood for sure and the Model # is the same as under the pic in the catalog. I still have the paper work from the bike shop where I purchased it that had that info in it...never mentioned it being a Mt. Hood though. It's strange that the bike had the signature decal though and I'm kicking myself for not caring more about it at the time. I really don't know what would make it any different than the bike in the catalog but maybe it was just a sales technique. I purchased it in Rochester NY new and made corrections to the info in the catalog file that I took off my bike:

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/8845/rossg.jpg

I saw your bike pic in mtbr and it's a little different from mine in a good way...great find! You know from experience also how fun this bike is to ride...that's why I still have it! Besides, the current market can't give me enough money to part with it. I'm older now anyway so it's a good bike for me to cruise around on with the other geezers. LOL

Scrape, not to worry about your decals. Unless you really want to. I read a comment somewhere about decals that seemed wise to me. "Decals tell the person looking at the bike what to think about it instead of letting the bike speak for itself" When I look at your Mount Hood I think it looks like a beautiful chrome MTB that has been well cared for and is in great shape seeing as it is one of the early MTBs Personally, I love a chrome frame. I took good pictures of my Ross and then peeled the decals. All but the head badge and the tubing decal. I like how it looks better now. Don't let that bike hang up too much ya' hear?... ;)

I just unpacked and assembled my latest acquisition - a 1984(?) Signature. Instead of the frame builder's signature on the chainstay, though, it reads "Triad." I'm posting some pics in hopes the sages here can fill me in on this model.
file:///C:/bike/DLR%20bikes/Ross%20Signature/thumbnails/tn_Signature%20044.JPG
file:///C:/bike/DLR%20bikes/Ross%20Signature/thumbnails/tn_Signature%20027.JPG
file:///C:/bike/DLR%20bikes/Ross%20Signature/thumbnails/tn_Signature%20027.JPG
file:///C:/bike/DLR%20bikes/Ross%20Signature/thumbnails/tn_Signature%20005.JPG
file:///C:/bike/DLR%20bikes/Ross%20Signature/thumbnails/tn_Signature%20001.JPG
file:///C:/bike/DLR%20bikes/Ross%20Signature/thumbnails/tn_headbadge%20010.JPG

OK, let's try this upload image thing again ...

Men's Ross Eurotour 1973

25 Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30673301@N04/

This is a model year 1973 Ross Eurotour that I am restoring.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5083/dsc07440.jpg

I have a bike just like this one, I paid $160 at a flea market. to some the price might seam high, but the shimano 105 golden arrow and high quality ishiwata tubing makes this bike well worth it. don't you guys think?

@ neovintage: which one?

Hello, I just saved a Ross Mtn bike from the junk pile but I am having a lot of trouble finding information on it.
It says signature on the frame, and also that it is Made in the USA.
But this frame is aluminum, 7000 series tubing.
Does anyone have information on this bicycle?
Just to restore it will be some work I think
It says: Bryce Canyon, Signature Series on the top tube.

Hey McDave, those are some nice looking bikes. Well, I did a little research and found out I have a 1982 Gran Tour. The 2nd best out of Ross' top 3 models. What is the difference between 1020 Hi-tensile and 4130 Chro-Moly steel? This bike is going to need some work. There is rust on the frame, the seatpost is frozen, maybe a new paint job, etc. Still, it was a great find and I am glad I bought it. Thanks a lot guys for this thread. It was very helpful.

I'looking at a grand tour II later for 75.00 cl add says rides nice,good paint.

Excuse me for bringing back an old thread..

I just picked up an old Ross Mt Rainier(minus the wheels). I've been looking for a XL size MTB for a while, and this showed up on CL. It's a big ol' thing, but it looks like a pretty decent built frame with decent components(I think they are original to the frame). I havent found much information on this model, other than one catalog scan from 85. I am guessing mine to be an 84. It has an Ishiwata sticker on the seat tube and the rear dropouts are vertical.

I'm not sure how they measured the frames on these, but the seat tube is 21.5 inches c-c or 23" c-t. It doesnt have the shoulder strap bosses as seen on some of the chrome framed Ross bikes. Everything is in real good shape, only needing a good cleaning, the paint has been touched up at some point and needing more. Not many miles on it, and looks to have been stored indoors(no rust).

If anyone can enlighten me more on this model, I would be grateful. I'll post up some better pictures later, but here are photos from the sellers ad.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/ross1.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/ross2.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/ross1.jpg

I borrowed the wheels off of my other bike just to get it rolling, unfortunately the tires are a little on the fat side for this frame. Probably going to stick some 1.95 tires that are more road/trail friendly. The fenders will go back on as well. I will get some better daytime pics up when I get some permanent wheels on it.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_3927.jpg

I haven't ridden it yet, but the bars feel pretty good, as I'm used to straight bars on MTBs. The frame seems to be big enough but the damn seatpost is only about 7-8 inches long... and I would be happier if it were about 1/2-3/4" longer.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_3936.jpg

Roger,
That's a great find. Those bars are worth some bucks. You might want to look into the early history of Ross MTBs. You'll find around the time they manufactured your bike they sponsored one of the best mountain bike teams and yes, they rode Ross manufactured bikes, not another brand with Ross decals.

Roger,
That's a great find. Those bars are worth some bucks. You might want to look into the early history of Ross MTBs. You'll find around the time they manufactured your bike they sponsored one of the best mountain bike teams and yes, they rode Ross manufactured bikes, not another brand with Ross decals.

Thanks for the info. The guy that I bought it from... he bought it just for the pedals... to put on his vintage BMX bike... then posted the frame on CL.

I did read up on some of the history. Looking at some old Ross race team photos was pretty cool... I never realized Ross made any bikes that weren't sold at dept. stores.

The bike is done except for tires, although I will be looking for a matching front rack. These tires clear the frame, but trying to get the old feders to clear them is very not doable. I have some 1.95 Crossroads Armadillos that should fit right.

This turned out better than I hoped, and will take over duty as My sons Trail-a-bike(btw,he can reach the pedals now, and is a pretty good stoker).

OK, who frequents this LBS?? :innocent:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_3941.jpg

I have only ridden it up the street, so I dont have any opinion of it yet, but it fits great and is a stout feeling bike. I'm assuming it is 4130 tubing. I switched the position of the barake levers with the shifters, and the brake lever feel is 500% better this way.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_3950.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_3945.jpg

Here is my $20 garage sale ROSS180827

That Gran Tour looks really clean. Nice find for $20.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_%28bicycles%29

Founded in NY, USA, the first one I knew about was early 1980's a college roommate bought a mountain bike and it was a pretty nice bike. I thought they were a Pennsylvania bike, and the wiki confirms they eventually wound up there.

I have been looking for one of these chromed Ross Mt. bikes for a while. When I found this one on Cl in close to my size I picked it up.

I am not sure what year or model (probably around '86), but a really neat bike. I still need to clean and tune it up, but hear it is in the found state with a little bit of rust.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/matketze/Ross%20Mt%20Bike/PB290043.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/matketze/Ross%20Mt%20Bike/PB290042.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/matketze/Ross%20Mt%20Bike/PB290040.jpg

I think some bigger(2.1's) tires and bullmoose bars are all that I will change about it.

Nice find Kobe. It looks like an 86 Mt Hood. I hope to find one exactly like yours to pair up my Mt Rainier. I've only had it for a few weeks, but it is now my favorite bike to ride in this wet season we are having. I like the U-brake feature, which came out on some Ross bikes in 86(I think).


http://mombat.org/186Ross1.jpg

Hi. I'm pretty amateurish when it comes to bikes, so I apologize ahead of time for my lack of knowledge.
However, the stars aligned and I found a bike being thrown away today (which is lovely because my Schwinn got stolen a month ago). It is a black Ross Armstrong 3-speed that looks a lot like a late 60's Raleigh Armstrong. The logo says ROSS Chain Bike Corporation.
Also, the only mention I noticed in this thread of this type of bike is on page 7 and it is brief at most.
I'm curious about my new treasure!

my ross

187168

I am really excited on this one. This bike was given to me. :eek: I've been reading up on it and its not the best tubing (1020) but man this thing is beautiful. I will post more pics when I get it home. Just wanted to share. Sorry its non-drive side.

201411

back in the early 80's I had bought my son a 16 or 18 inch ROSS chromolly MOUNTAIN BIKE....it was a perfect replication of the larger adult version ....gearing,shifters,everything that the larger bikes had....I taught him to shift the gears properly and all....he rode with me everywhere....I made the mistake of trading it in on a new larger bike as he out grew it...I was wondering if anyone may know of one of these selling anywhere....it's the only major toy/bike I ever got rid of and have regretted it ever since....would really like to get one for his kids...it would be neat....
any info ......d_bresler@sbcglobal.net

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5864421716_07a9004a40_z.jpg

My Ross GT Professional II, Got it for 45? Spent the last two days cleaning it. Not sure what the next step would be after that though.
What are the usual first purchases? I'm thinking of replacing the seat first because its pretty tough on the butt.
And I'm not sure exactly about the components, but the derailers and shifting system is shimano, the handlebar is Sakae Randnner, and the crank is Takagi.

This thread will never die :-D

Here's my Big Dumb Mt. Ross:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8T1T8G1SMKc/TgJm4l0ASKI/AAAAAAAAAo0/4RXHk7e0YgA/Tank%252520bike%252520drive%252520side.jpg

More pictures here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/745865-Tank-bike-a-heck-of-a-way-to-treat-a-vintage-MTB?p=12830528#post12830528). These old Ross MTB's are good starting points for fun tank projects. Once you get rid of that derailly thingie all things are possible.

hey how are you doing? im new to this whole forum thing but i had a question for you. you seem like you know your fair share about the ross bikes. i have a ross mens eurosport bike and i was simply wondering if it was worht anything for a collector?
iv been researching the bike itself and havnt quite found anything with valuable information

does anyone know how much a ross eurosport mens bike would sell for? or how much it is worth

if anyone knows how much a ross mens eurosport bike would sell for or even any infromation on it please let me know i picked this bike up from my grandparents garage and im just wondering if its worth anything or not.

please message me or email me if anyone on here knows any infromation on the bike i have i would really appreciate it thank you very much t.treuth29@hotmail.com

if anyone knows how much a ross mens eurosport bike would sell for or even any infromation on it please let me know i picked this bike up from my grandparents garage and im just wondering if its worth anything or not.

Not much, especially if it needs work to be rideable. Ross had a couple nice models, the Eurosport wasn't one of them. If it works it could be a nice beater bike for you to ride around on though.

And more importantly. Do your Grandparents know you picked this up from their garage? It sounds like you have no interest in the bike, other than how much it will put in your pocket, is all I'm saying.,,,,BD

hey how are you doing? im new to this whole forum thing but i had a question for you. you seem like you know your fair share about the ross bikes. i have a ross mens eurosport bike and i was simply wondering if it was worht anything for a collector?
iv been researching the bike itself and havnt quite found anything with valuable information

Ross Eurosports are highly coveted by collectors.

It is worth $75,000 for an example in poor shape.

does anyone know how much a ross eurosport mens bike would sell for? or how much it is worth

A men's Ross Eurosport?

Not worth much on the collector market these days.

A prime, mint example would net you around $7.47.

A beat up, rusty women's model would probably pull down around $21,000.

if anyone knows how much a ross mens eurosport bike would sell for or even any infromation on it please let me know i picked this bike up from my grandparents garage and im just wondering if its worth anything or not.

If the bike had been picked up from your parents' garage- it would be worth approximately $194,000,000.13.

Unfortunately, the "grandparent" aspect knocks a little off the top end- to about $8.

please message me or email me if anyone on here knows any infromation on the bike i have i would really appreciate it thank you very much t.treuth29@hotmail.com

I have some information about your men's Ross Eurosport.

You got it from your grandparents' garage and you're trying to sell it.

Consultation fee: $395.

Thanks.

Correction!:D

$395, AND the bike.

I have a Ross Chimera XC and i love it. I bought it at a bike shop in Utica, NY in 1995. I was told it was a "layaway" that was never picked up from the summer before. I paid the balance which, if I remember right, was still almost $200. I just got it out of storage where it's been for about a decade and had it tuned up. It's in excellent shape and I love to ride it. I would like to know what yesr it actually is. I think a 1994 give or take a year. It's a metallic blue color. Really pretty. If I can figure out how, I'll post a photo. I would love it if any of you could tell me anything more about it. ;)215917

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/9176/dscf0309pw.jpg
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/3255/dscf0310w.jpg

That's an interesting BCA, it looks identical to a Lotus frame set that a friend gave me a while ago. The Lotus was missing a decal from one seatstay cap covering up the "BCA" engraving, I assume they bought BCA's stock at some point. Does your bike have a decal with the country of origin?

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IWtcpfxqfo4/Tua2IvW98yI/AAAAAAAACSA/veaBXmxcA5U/s800/lotus_07.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3n1l9I5fbM0/Tua2Iz-jdYI/AAAAAAAACSA/MJWF-7AyY_8/s800/lotus_08.jpg

MADE IN USA
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/3255/dscf0310w.jpg