About to buy a used bike - unsure if I am making a good purchase or not (Ross Bike)
05-02-11, 12:10 PM
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About to buy a used bike - unsure if I am making a good purchase or not (Ross Bike)
Hello everyone,
I have a question for all of you and I hope I can get an answer.
I got myself into a little predicament. Basically, I need a better bike than the crap-shoot I have now but I am not experienced enough in bicycles to be able to discriminate on what would be a good purchase over a poor one. I am 6'7", which severely limits my choices (I think). However, I did find one through craigslist that looked like it would work: https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/2352890343.html
I went over to check it out over the weekend. Everything seemed fine. The seat could be raised (my old bike is rusted shut). The brakes actually work. Neither the seller nor me could figure out how to rise the handlebars at the time, so I didnt buy it on the spot.
I have no idea if this brand is a good one or not. The seller claims it was made in the 70's - 80's. It has the allentown, pa manufactured medal on the frame.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm sooo tired of using the bike i have now. I feel like it will be the death of me if I keep using it.
P.S. I plan to use this bike to do urban commuting. I'm out of shape, but last time I commuted it took me 30-40 minutes to bike. A third of it is a 25-30 degree incline for roughly a half mile on the way up to work. Like me, some of the roads are not in great shape.
I have a question for all of you and I hope I can get an answer.
I got myself into a little predicament. Basically, I need a better bike than the crap-shoot I have now but I am not experienced enough in bicycles to be able to discriminate on what would be a good purchase over a poor one. I am 6'7", which severely limits my choices (I think). However, I did find one through craigslist that looked like it would work: https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/2352890343.html
I went over to check it out over the weekend. Everything seemed fine. The seat could be raised (my old bike is rusted shut). The brakes actually work. Neither the seller nor me could figure out how to rise the handlebars at the time, so I didnt buy it on the spot.
I have no idea if this brand is a good one or not. The seller claims it was made in the 70's - 80's. It has the allentown, pa manufactured medal on the frame.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm sooo tired of using the bike i have now. I feel like it will be the death of me if I keep using it.
P.S. I plan to use this bike to do urban commuting. I'm out of shape, but last time I commuted it took me 30-40 minutes to bike. A third of it is a 25-30 degree incline for roughly a half mile on the way up to work. Like me, some of the roads are not in great shape.
05-02-11, 01:55 PM
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Its too small for your height.
Ross made mediocre bikes in the 60s. Keep looking for a decent bike.
Ross made mediocre bikes in the 60s. Keep looking for a decent bike.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
05-02-11, 02:36 PM
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I'll keep looking, then. What sort of size should I be looking for, you think? And thank you for your advice. I will let the person know I am backing out.
05-02-11, 03:32 PM
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05-02-11, 03:51 PM
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Ross did make some nice bicycles also,lugged Cro-mo frames,forged dropouts and such.They made bicycles until at least the mid 80's,I own a 1983 Ross.
05-02-11, 05:44 PM
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Yes, just like the song....Walk on by.
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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
05-02-11, 06:44 PM
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In my area there occasionally is a pretty nice road bike which is extra tall. The price is usually lower for the extra tall ones. Keep looking. You'll run across a 25" or even a 27" Schwinn or Raleigh in no time. I mean the size of the frame, of course, not the wheels.
05-02-11, 10:27 PM
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05-02-11, 11:48 PM
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There's a couple of great bikes for big dudes on ebay, 64/65 cm's.........I'm 6 ft 6, so im in your same boat. Take a looksy @ the ones offered there and elsewhere. Posters right, that big is MUCH too smalll for you.
05-03-11, 08:27 AM
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I'll probably give that one Big Chainring mentioned a look. 275 is a bit steep I guess but I can afford it. I mean, right now anything is better than the bike I have now (That is, any bikes where my knees won't bang into the handlebars, of course.)
The guy needs the money for rent. Is this a warning sign or a sign where I can haggle? hah.
Thanks all for your help. I am definitely not looking for a serious bike to go racing with. Only just one to use for commuting on a 30 minute bike ride.
The guy needs the money for rent. Is this a warning sign or a sign where I can haggle? hah.
Thanks all for your help. I am definitely not looking for a serious bike to go racing with. Only just one to use for commuting on a 30 minute bike ride.
05-03-11, 06:36 PM
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I'll probably give that one Big Chainring mentioned a look. 275 is a bit steep I guess but I can afford it. I mean, right now anything is better than the bike I have now (That is, any bikes where my knees won't bang into the handlebars, of course.)
The guy needs the money for rent. Is this a warning sign or a sign where I can haggle? hah.
Thanks all for your help. I am definitely not looking for a serious bike to go racing with. Only just one to use for commuting on a 30 minute bike ride.
The guy needs the money for rent. Is this a warning sign or a sign where I can haggle? hah.
Thanks all for your help. I am definitely not looking for a serious bike to go racing with. Only just one to use for commuting on a 30 minute bike ride.
https://cgi.ebay.com/Motobecane-Nomad...item27baa1c59f
https://cgi.ebay.com/Schwinn-Paramoun...item19c4fa6c1f
https://cgi.ebay.com/BIANCHI-STRADA-L...item3cb79319a1
https://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Large-KH...item3a655497f8
https://cgi.ebay.com/Bianchi-Strada-R...item5d2e7ed9a1 (Here's a nice Bianchi for cheap)
05-03-11, 08:25 PM
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I picked up a really nice 80s Nishiki road bike for $55 on craigslist. All it needed was a cleaning, greasing, a new saddle and new set of tires. It's a lot of fun to ride. MUCH better than I thought it would be - it was hard to tell because it had so much dust & grime on it. Just keep looking.
05-07-11, 08:44 AM
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Had it been the Paragon of Signature series Ross bike I'd be a lot more impressed with the asking price.
The basic ross bikes were 1020 steel tubing..heavy and dead feeling.
Centurian made a decent lower end bike as did Fugi.
The basic ross bikes were 1020 steel tubing..heavy and dead feeling.
Centurian made a decent lower end bike as did Fugi.
05-07-11, 11:15 AM
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6'7"... invest in 1 good hand made frame.. rather than mickey mouse the fit with stuff for us shorties.
