Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Ross 292s w/ Shimano Golden Arrow

I picked up this Ross 292s today, mostly for the components plus I think I got a good price. The frame is too tall for me at 63cm so I am considering a few options. The bike is in pretty nice shape, very few paint chips, the components are not all scratched up, there is some light rust and it does need a full polish and lube, some cables etc. I believe this bike would be around a 7-8 condition wise after it was finished.

I am considering cleaning and flipping the entire bike. Although the Ross Signature Series frame is pretty nice, triple butted Ishiwata Cro-Mo, I worry that the Ross brand will hold down the potential sales price. Is the Shimano Golden arrow group potentially worth more cleaned up and sold separately from the frame? There is very little information about the value of a full golden arrow group. I realize that it is a mid-range line similar to 105, but I get the feeling that it is somewhat rare and sought after. It is not my intention to sound greedy, I just want to get a grasp on what I have. I hope to make a little money off of this one to fund my other build. I am really really interested in the background and info on the golden arrow components.

Here are some pictures, hope they help:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/3212585729_4e883cd6eb_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/3213431620_07f9aedf6f_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/3213431888_3f429a2cb9_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3387/3213431496_ccc5b3ea64_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3212586205_40a36cc251_o.jpg
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3213431732_e48a522778_o.jpg

Probably would do better parting it out. To many people, Ross = Huffy. Certainly not true in this case, but hard to get the value that those components would have when they are on a Ross.

You have opened my eyes to Ross. Could be a good way to get some nice components.

I acquired a Ross 290 about three years ago that was my first 700C road bike. It was way too small for me but I rode it anyway. It also had a bent fork. I flipped it for cheap and that was a mistake because I've seen these frames sell on ebay for nice bucks. I think Bill is correct about parting it out, but I'll bet you find the frame will flip for some OK bucks. When I had the 290, I was surprised at how many folks knew these were nice rides and differentiated them from the rest of the Ross line.
BTW, it is true to some Ross=Huffy, but that's not correct. Huffy and Murray were on one level, and Ross, IMHO was a full level up. I'm not saying Ross was on a par with Raleigh, Schwinn, Fuji or Peugeot because they're not, but a number of their models were sold in LBSs, including your Signature.
Here's a link to a discussion about Ross bikes. There's a lot of good information in there.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=39115&highlight=ross+history
EDIT: There's one more very personal note to add. That Ross 290, more than any other bike is responsible for my involvement in road biking and partly responsible for my interest in C&V.

The full Golden Arrow group may bring you a moderate profit, but I doubt parting the bike out and selling the frame separately will really garner a much higher profit than selling the bike complete.

My vote would be to keep the bike whole, because it's fairly unique, even if it isn't terribly valuable monetarily.

Also, you aren't too far from Pennsylvania, so you might find some local interest in the fact it was manufactured in Allentown.

The Golden Arrow components are actually the very first incarnation of the Shimano 105 group. 1983-86 was their era I believe. Golden Arrow brake levers did not have a arrow logo on them. Is that Shimano name on the front of the brake levers painted in gold?

Yeah, the word Shimano is gold, it is just gooped up.

JunkYardBike, I hear what you are saying about keeping it together, parting it out is the last option. I am also considering keeping the Shimano group and hanging it on a frame that fits me better, then trying to sell the frame set for enough to break even. I keep trying to think of ways to keep it for myself but I can't ignore the fact that it does not fit, and the last thing I need is another 12 speed. Selling the entire bike is probably the best, low hassle option.

Roccobike, it is funny that you mentioned that some people know the difference between the good and bad. I ran into a guy today that seemed to know quite a bit about the ross signature series. He even told me that a local shop has one equipped with Shimano 600 and one with Campagnolo components.

I realized I never mentioned what I payed. I don't have to make much to break even, I paid $50.00 for it and I will probably only have to spend around 10-20 dollars cleaning it up.

Thanks for all of the information.
Matt

If you can document 'who' made the frame (The frames were outsourced to several notable frame builders) you might have a de$irable bike.
The top line signatures had columbus tubing and campy components.
At the very least, the Signature series (and the later Paragon series which also had the Ishawata frames but Sun Tour Components)is fairly rare.
There's another Ross forum on this site .You might be able to get some interesting perspective on the bike thru there.
Frame would make a great fixie for someone!

+1 The key is finding someone who values the bike, given the Ross name. There is someone trying to sell a similar (actually slightly better model I think) high end Ross on the Chicago C/L for $400.

This is a really nice bike IF you can find someone that can get past the Ross name.

I do like your other idea as well. If you have a nice frame that fits, I would swap parts, and sell the Ross with lesser components. The Ross frame is a good one, but since it doesn't fit, I would let it go.

+1 Since you are in PA, you might just find someone that would give you the "real" value out of this bike, which to me would be around $300.

That sounds like fair advice. I am actually in Ohio, about 2 hours from PA, close enough. So far I decided to keep the bike together, I may change my mind who knows. I am not in a hurry to sell it, so I am probably going to have it until the summer. I was thinking 200-250 max, 150 for a quick sale. I guess time will tell, but I personally like the oddity of the bike, so I will most likely keep it whole.

Thanks,
Matt