Two weeks, two entry-level red bikes. First I picked up a 1985 Trek 500 - 501 frame. I think I got a fair price at $75, but it's nothing special. The frame is a little heavier than I expected, but should be beefy and makes a good candidate for a fendered, racked, singlespeed that I can ride around the flat, flat town of Bowling Green, Ohio. I've already got the bars changed, and a freewheel, but no fenders - it rides ok, but nothing special....a bit rough on any bumps. I have a soft spot for fastback seatpost binders.



Last weekend, I was visiting a friend who I've put on notice to look out for bikes (I got a crashed Supercourse, 50's cruiser and passed on a couple of mixtes from his dump). He pulls a bike out of his car, and as soon as I see 'Ross' on the downtube I start thinking of ways I can softly let him know that he piked up some gaspipe. Turns out it was one of the 'signature series' frames, 290S model, and it seems to be built quite well (for an entry-mid range bike), although the components don't seem to be anything special.



Strangely enough, I think it's too small for me (at 5'9, most bikes I find are far to big), although probably usable. I can't believe that, after several months of finding no bikes worth my time, two suddenly pop up - both close to or at my size, 700c wheels, both American-export manufacturing and both dark red. I won't be the least bit surprised if the Ross turns out to be a 1985 model, just like the Trek.