Ross "compact" cruiser
 

I picked up a Ross curved tube, single speed, coaster brake cruiser bike that says Compact on the frame. The paint is in amazing condition and I can't decide if the bike is old or "new". From what I can find in a quick search of the Web, Ross stopped making the Compact cruiser in the late 70s. But it's hard for me to believe the bike is that old. Did someone reintroduce the Ross Compact more recently? Maybe in the 80s or 90s?

A label on the top tube says "tempered steel frame" and the head badge says Allentown, PA.

Ross' offerings were pretty varied. The Compact I parted out (extreme frame rust, light blue paint) had a Shimano FFS crankset and ten speeds. Perhaps "Compact" was more a frame size identifier than a specific model name?

I don't have a picture at the moment, but it looks just like This blue 10 speed Compact, only mine's red, has cruiser bars and is a single-speed coaster....

Here are some pics. All the labels look identical to the ones in the link above.

So, I'm guessing it's mid 70s, but would like to hear any educated guesses....



http://images.craigslist.org/3ke3p03...cd697713da.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/3k33oe3...ff20dd17ed.jpg

I found that same bike in the carbage.
 

Just found your post while doing research on the same bike. I found mine Sunday night while racing home to see the start of True Blood. Mine is Scarlet Red also, frame's in great shape just the name on top tube seems worn away to the white primer coat. I'm goona name her Sookie. I did a lil research the coaster brake was made up until 1982 as a cruiser only in Ice Blue. So the scarlet reds would be earlier they are no longer in the catalog by 1985. There were three speed versions they only came in in ice blue or peacock blue and white. Compact is the size, all compacts are 17.5" frames. there were racers, three speeds, I have that same bike took it out of the grabage. I'll post some pics tonight.

http://backroom.hardsdisk.net/compact.html

http://www.velobase.com/Resource_Too...alogScans.aspx