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Ross

Old 08-29-20, 10:16 AM
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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
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Old 08-29-20, 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by sloar
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
As I recall, yep. For awhile they hired a few serious builders to design and build a series, maybe Signature, for them. Maybe Jim Redcay?

edit: also Tom Kellogg
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Old 08-29-20, 10:32 AM
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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.....

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Old 08-29-20, 10:58 AM
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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.
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Old 08-29-20, 11:18 AM
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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.
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Old 08-29-20, 04:03 PM
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Also curious, are some models painted with chrome underneath?
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Old 08-29-20, 04:10 PM
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I’ll post pics in the morning when I get it.
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Old 08-29-20, 04:57 PM
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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.
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Old 08-29-20, 05:05 PM
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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.

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Old 08-29-20, 05:17 PM
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Ross is just one of those brands I never paid attention to. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.
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Old 08-29-20, 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by sloar
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
I recently picked up a ROSS Signature 292S because I wanted the Shimano Golden Arrow components which were near new. The frame is made of triple butted Ishiwata tubing and is nicely crafted. I'm saving the golden Arrow for a future project but the frame will be built into a dedicated touring bike. This one is from 1985. I believe the earlier high-end ROSS bikes were made in USA.
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Old 08-29-20, 05:57 PM
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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.
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Old 08-29-20, 09:36 PM
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Sounds like a Super Gran Tour. Usually black and gold with the arabesque, the least bad of their low end bikes.
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Old 08-30-20, 12:48 AM
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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.
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Old 08-30-20, 09:42 AM
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Not sure what to think about this one. It’s kinda light, frame looks decent but has stamped dropouts.



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Old 08-30-20, 09:42 AM
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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...

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Old 08-30-20, 09:45 AM
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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....

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Old 06-12-23, 09:49 PM
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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
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Old 06-13-23, 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by ToesUp
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

I figured it out. It’s a 1985 Ross Mt. Hood High-Tech. Thanks for the guidance!
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Old 06-14-23, 03:48 AM
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A 1981 Ross Signature Touring...one of the rarer ones..All 531 goodness





Nothing wrong with owning a Ross..
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Old 06-14-23, 05:58 AM
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Got this Ross Professional on Craigs for $70 - just to harvest the Shimano 600 Arabesque. Still have the large 25" frame and fork.


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Old 06-14-23, 06:20 AM
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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.
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Old 06-14-23, 12:14 PM
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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...


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