Ross
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Ross
Did Ross have any higher end bikes? I got a call from a friend who has an older Ross with full Arabesque. I'm going to check it out tomorrow, but I have no knowledge on Ross bikes. Its cheap so more than likely I'll get it, I just wanted a little knowledge before I looked at it . thanks
#2
Edumacator
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 7,431
Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...
Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2385 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,862 Posts
Did Ross have any higher end bikes? I got a call from a friend who has an older Ross with full Arabesque. I'm going to check it out tomorrow, but I have no knowledge on Ross bikes. Its cheap so more than likely I'll get it, I just wanted a little knowledge before I looked at it . thanks
edit: also Tom Kellogg
#3
WGB
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Niagara Region
Posts: 5,655
Bikes: Panasonic PT-4500
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1783 Post(s)
Liked 2,305 Times
in
1,365 Posts
Ross installed 600 Arabesque on Aristocrats as well (and several others).
As T-Mar and others have said many companies mixed higher end stuff with lower as cost saving measure so sometimes only part of the set will be 600 Arabesque.
That's the bad news. Good news, Ross has a reputation as lower end so even good ones are cheaper than they should be. Go see it. If a better one it will be fine bike. Please post photos.
I have had an Aristocrat and a 294 and really really liked both. The 294 I strongly regret moving on. I wish I still had it.....
As T-Mar and others have said many companies mixed higher end stuff with lower as cost saving measure so sometimes only part of the set will be 600 Arabesque.
That's the bad news. Good news, Ross has a reputation as lower end so even good ones are cheaper than they should be. Go see it. If a better one it will be fine bike. Please post photos.
I have had an Aristocrat and a 294 and really really liked both. The 294 I strongly regret moving on. I wish I still had it.....
Last edited by WGB; 08-29-20 at 10:38 AM.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 652 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times
in
1,874 Posts
Shimano New 600EX (aka Arabesque) was 1978-1983. During the latter portion of the time range, the 600EX models were the Gran Tour and Aristocrat. Both were decent mid-range bicycles but as noted by WGB they did tend to scrimp a bit to get a cost advantage on the competition. They still spec'd 27" wheels, used slightly stouter tubing and didn't have as many braze-ons as you might expect. Oh yeah, some of the later ones also had the funky, proprietary, Ross safety dropouts on the forks.
#5
Master Parts Rearranger
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Portlandia's Kuiper Belt, OR
Posts: 4,680
Bikes: 1982 Trek 720 - 1985 Trek 620 - 1984 Trek 620 - 1980 Trek 510 - Other luminaries past and present
Mentioned: 221 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1553 Post(s)
Liked 2,006 Times
in
984 Posts
The guys have answered it well. 1980-85 was the time for Signature models, with several top-notch builders at the helm. The later Signatures were 290, 292, and 294. I had a 1985 294 with Campagnolo Triomphe, my first real road bike that fit me. Great bike. Early Signatures and the 508 Triad are incredibly rare, but as well made as any top-shelf bicycle out there.
#6
Full Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 457
Bikes: 91 Ritchey Ultra, 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper, 1990 Klein Rascal, 97 Trek OCLV9700, 90 Minnelli Eclipse, 95 Marin Bear Valley SE, 1991 Breezer Lightning Flash 1991 Diamondback Axis 1992 Stumpjumper Comp 1983 Stumpjumper Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 101 Post(s)
Liked 639 Times
in
234 Posts
Also curious, are some models painted with chrome underneath?
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I’ll post pics in the morning when I get it.
#8
Senior Member
I purchased a Ross Signature 292S that supposedly was second from the top of the line. I got it from Goodwill for $15. I thought it was just ok. I thought the lug work could have been better. It had Shimano 105 golden arrow components. I traded it to a co-op for a Giordana Spica. I came out way ahead on the deal.
#9
Senior Member
I recently got this Ross Mt. Hood mountain bike for free. It weighs a hefty 30 pounds. It is way too small for me. I am going to see if my daughter has any interest otherwise I will move it on. It has roller cam brakes.
Likes For rjhammett:
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Ross is just one of those brands I never paid attention to. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: The Urban Shores Of Michigami
Posts: 1,745
Bikes: ........................................ .....Holdsworth "Special"..... .......Falcon "Special".......... .........Miyata 912........... ........................................
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 701 Post(s)
Liked 667 Times
in
417 Posts
Did Ross have any higher end bikes? I got a call from a friend who has an older Ross with full Arabesque. I'm going to check it out tomorrow, but I have no knowledge on Ross bikes. Its cheap so more than likely I'll get it, I just wanted a little knowledge before I looked at it . thanks
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,097
Bikes: Trek 800 x 2, Schwinn Heavy Duti, Schwinn Traveler, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Schwinn Continental, Cannondale M400 and Lambert, Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 801 Post(s)
Liked 1,001 Times
in
655 Posts
Ross for most of their life made cheaper bikes that were sold in bike shops. We had them in our shop. When they moved to Allentown, PA , they made a real effort to improve their reputation. They hired Tom Kellogg to build their high end bikes. Then they offered some better bikes then offered some better bikes to fill in the gap between their legacy bikes and Signature bikes. I don't know where this bike fits in however, it could be a decent bike
They also jumped into mountain bikes early with some decent bikes and mountain bike specific marketing. These can be deals in the used market because of Ross's lower end reputation.
They also jumped into mountain bikes early with some decent bikes and mountain bike specific marketing. These can be deals in the used market because of Ross's lower end reputation.
#13
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 9,128
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,445 Times
in
1,557 Posts
Sounds like a Super Gran Tour. Usually black and gold with the arabesque, the least bad of their low end bikes.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 8,016
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 629 Times
in
355 Posts
I was given two (1980ish?) Ross Super Grand Tour Professionals with the full Arabesque adornments. It was lipstick on a (two) pigs. The Ross Super Grand Tour Professionals were the heaviest feeling, deadest frames I have ever ridden. I like to say that the only fitting word in that rather long-winded name was "Ross."
Parted them out and sent them on their way.
Parted them out and sent them on their way.
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 08-30-20 at 06:55 PM.
Likes For Lascauxcaveman:
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Not sure what to think about this one. It’s kinda light, frame looks decent but has stamped dropouts.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: The Urban Shores Of Michigami
Posts: 1,745
Bikes: ........................................ .....Holdsworth "Special"..... .......Falcon "Special".......... .........Miyata 912........... ........................................
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 701 Post(s)
Liked 667 Times
in
417 Posts
I found two distinct versions of the Super Gran Tour Professional...
The first looks like the one Lascauxcaveman describes. Nice components on a low-end frame, i.e., stamped dropouts, cheap braze-ons, no spec for frame materials.
Another inconsistency is that it is set-up as more of a sport-racing bike than touring...
The first looks like the one Lascauxcaveman describes. Nice components on a low-end frame, i.e., stamped dropouts, cheap braze-ons, no spec for frame materials.
Another inconsistency is that it is set-up as more of a sport-racing bike than touring...
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: The Urban Shores Of Michigami
Posts: 1,745
Bikes: ........................................ .....Holdsworth "Special"..... .......Falcon "Special".......... .........Miyata 912........... ........................................
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 701 Post(s)
Liked 667 Times
in
417 Posts
The other Super Gran Tour Professional is the "XV" model, much nicer frame and more of a touring bike, also with Shimano 600 EX components....
Likes For branko_76:
#18
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Staten Island, NY
Posts: 6
Bikes: Ross Mt. Hood
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Does anyone know how Ross serial numbers run? I have a Mt. Hood that’s all original except for the seat and tires but I’m not sure what year it is. Is there another way to tell the year? Thanks.
Serial # RY85031594
Serial # RY85031594
#19
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Staten Island, NY
Posts: 6
Bikes: Ross Mt. Hood
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I figured it out. It’s a 1985 Ross Mt. Hood High-Tech. Thanks for the guidance!
Likes For mtbikerjohn:
#22
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,572
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 959 Times
in
625 Posts
Yes, I regularly target this model solely to harvest parts. Bike itself is low end, so they can be cheap. Parts can be $300 or more in value.
#23
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 310
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 84 Post(s)
Liked 282 Times
in
87 Posts
As others have already mentioned, Ross really upped their game in the early '80's, unfortunately just before they went out of business, which was due to a government contract gone bad and not their bike sales. About a year ago, I picked up a beautiful Ross Super Gran Tour XV, with the Arabesque group, Ishiwata 024 tubing, forged dropouts and it rides wonderfully. Strangely, I get more compliments on this bike when I'm out riding than I do when I'm on my Masi, 3Rensho, Olmo...
Last edited by JoeBass; 06-14-23 at 03:47 PM.
Likes For JoeBass: