brandenjs

It's been a long time since I got into this thread, but another Ross crossed my path. Maybe someone can help me with a year on this one. It is the lower end Signature series, but all original with a Ross water bottle and Ross labeled tires. Glad to have another Ross in the stable.

OREO1757

The Color is called Wild Cherry. The 290 designates the model type and 21 is for frame size and second 21 is the color code. It was produced in 1985

roccobike

Hmmm, I had a 290S, same color, but the shifters where on the downtube and there where no braze-on stops on the downtube. Instead it had braze ons for shifters. It was a really nice bike, but at 48cm, way to small. I rode it for a while as it got me interested in road biking.

brandenjs

Boy did I make a big mistake on this one. At a quick glance I thought the decal on the top tube said Signature, but it actually says Gran Tour. The writing is not easy to make out. I feel like I have committed a great sin when it comes to bike identification. That would explain it not having downtube shifters. The Gran Tours were a few notches below the Signatures. Still a clean solid bike.

WNG

Since Ross is no more and stuff on their Signature series is scarce, I guess I should post a few pics of my latest find, a Ross Signature Minotaur XC. Unknown year 700C hybrid. But I think it's 1992.

EddyR

I don't think I ever posted this Ross Super Gran Tour. When I was flipping a lot of bikes a few years ago I bought this off CL and it was soon gone. Too large for me but a very nice bike. Typical late 1980's weighing about 23-24 pounds. This was the only Ross I ever bothered with as most were low end that came up on local CL.
Ed

rjhammett

I found a Ross Signature 292S today at Goodwill for $30. It is in great shape. I will post pictures when I clean it up.

PedalPusher7072

Sorry for bringing this thread back to life, but after reading all 17 pages I felt the need to contribute...

First off, thanks to everyone who posted before me. I found all the information to be informative and interesting.

I found my Ross Professional Supergran Tour at a local consignment shop. I picked it up because I needed a bike to ride while my Trek 7.2 fx was down, and was also on the look out for a road bike to learn proper maintenance procedure, and to eventually convert to a fixed/single speed. What grabbed my attention was the badge on the headtube. Living only about 45 minutes from Allentown, I liked the idea of having a locally built bike. I had never heard of Ross, but the bike felt solid, didn't rattle, and it was the correct size for me so I bought it for $125. Once arriving home, I took it for a little ride around the block to find that the wheels were out of true, the brakes squeaked, the gears were a little rough, and my left crank arm was a bit loose, but overall I was very happy with my purchase. I hopped on the trusty internet to see what I could find out about the bike and came across this thread. I am pretty sure that this bike is the original 1979(serial#0979768747). I rode this bike for about to weeks, to and from work while my hybrid was being worked on and I have absolutely fallen in love with the bike. So much so that when I got my brand new hybrid back I had a hard time getting off what is now referred to "Ricky Ross." I think I am going to do a repaint (White & Black with Red accents), new wheels and tires, crankset, saddle. Attached are some pictures of when I picked it up. Thanks again to all the previous posters. Its threads like this that make the internet beautiful.

Ross Professional Supergran Tour - Imgur

kc0yef 

I have a
[h=2]Ross Super Gran Tour XV[/h]
Not at all like your Professional model LOL

PedalPusher7072

Hey! That professional decal makes me go at least 5 mph more...

Bikedued

Repainting that gorgeous bike would COMPLETELY ruin it. Just my humble opinion of course. If you're going to change it to something else, let someone who likes how it looks buy it, and find something the color/style you want. There I said it. Why does everyone new to older bikes want to repaint everything? Especially a bike in such amazing condition. I'll never get it.,,,,BD

auchencrow

This is one of the great mysteries of life, grasshopper.

auchencrow

Here's a bunch'a pics of my '79 Allentown Ross "Aristocrat".
Built-up from a frame, it has quite a mix of parts on it.
(BTW - I think this about as good a ride as I have ever thrown a leg over. )

jacksbike

That is one beautiful looking bike !

zmaxprobe

Where do you locate the model # of a Ross bike? I am having trouble locating the model # on the bike I found.

88prelude

Usually there are stickers on the top tube or if it's a 290 series then on the chain stays. Upload a pic and someone will surely be able to point you in the right direction.

AlexScottAbe

I'm a student, new to the biking scene, and have been doing research on this lil bike I impulse bought at a thrift store.

I'm a production designer and history nerd, so I was initially attracted to the design without knowing anything of it. Of course, this infatuation led me to ignore the fact the bike was way too small for me. I'm 6'3. Oops. Bought it anyway.

But upon further research, and this awesome thread, I was able to find orig catalog and narrow down some more details.

I've attached some pictures and would love to learn more if you are able to identify anything I can't . Specifically, what kind of campagnolo parts are those? Is that standard for the bike? (Haven't seen any mention of it on any of the forum threads about sig series).

Will probably sell once I've sufficiently basked in this underdog bike of history. Would love to try and bring it back to it's former glory.

cb400bill

Welcome to Bike Forums, ASA!

Please take some close up pics of the front and rear derailleurs, shifters, brake levers and calipers, and the hubs and rims.

MeatloafOvadose

I just picked up a Ross Mt Rushmore for 10 bucks. The guy also has a 80s columbia with bull moose bars. I want them for the Ross! This will be my first mountain bike with the early geometry, I like it all ready,feels like my touring bike. I might put drops on it if I cant buy the bull moose bars.

exlibris

Hello All,

As this is my first post, let me say thank you to the members here for all of their knowledge and insight. These forums are an incredible resource.

My question. Has anyone ever seen a blue Ross mountain bike in the Mt. series? - I'm going to look at one that was described as original, with:

Blue ano rims, bull moose bars, big thumb shifters (shimano or maybe suntour?) cantilever brakes, 4130 tubing, and a "Hi Tech" decal. No other decals visible from posting. Any information you guys have on this particular bike would be greatly appreciated - maybe guesses at the model or position in early ross MTB hierarchy.

Thanks for the help.

due ruote 

Keeping the thread alive. Here is a Signature 294S that I picked up from the local CL. It has some upgrades, mostly good ones. Frame is a little rougher than I would have liked, but it will be a good everyday rider once I tweak a few things. And black is an easy touch-up.

What I like about it: the geometry is like a road/crit bike, but it has room for 28mm tires and fenders (and has eyelets).

RiddleOfSteel

Beautiful Ross. As an owner of the same model I completely agree with your geometry assessment. BB drop is 56mm as I measured it, and one needs to use standard reach calipers. The bike rides amazingly well and mine has seen its fair share of groupsets on it, starting with the original all-Campy Triomphe. The Triomphe crankset, IMO, is one of Campagnolo's most beautiful--not a clumsy or forced line, crease, or surface in any of it, and beautifully proportioned.

This is a picture of mine early on, about 3-4 years ago (feeling old?). She is currently sporting her most eclectic set of components right now and serving as my winter/rain bike, but for now: memory lane. Enjoy your Ross! One of the last really special ones.

T-Mar

That vague description could fit a number of different models, depending on the exact year. I've seen Mt. McKinley, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier models in blue. However, I don't recall any with blue anodized rims.

WolfRyder

What is the most top of the line Ross bike from 70's and 80's? anybody know.

T-Mar

Probably the early 1980s, Tom Kellogg built Ross Signature Criterium, which was a $2000 bicycle in its day.