messinbessin

Rescued from obscurity, rebuilt with new tape/hoods, cables and housing. Just too cute not to post...

armstrong101

I have a Rossi. I think they eventually found a niche in making chromed bikes. So seeing yours is a bit suprising.

What groupset is on your bike? I'm not recognizing it.

Slash5

As far as I know Rossi bikes were a house brand for Scattolon Cycle in Hamilton On Canada.
I sold one in the spring. Dropouts were marked Tecnotrat, I gather a contract builder in Italy. It had no tubing markings but must have been decent tubing with a weight of 23 lbs with a cheap replacement rear wheel and tires.

armstrong101

>As far as I know Rossi bikes were a house brand for Scattolon Cycle in Hamilton On Canada.

My understanding is that Scattolon in Hamilton were the only distributor for Rossi in Canada, and hence you would only find Rossi's from them.

AFAIK, Rossi is a small builder somewhere in Italy.

messinbessin

Armstrong 101 you are right about the heritage, the water bottle has Rossi on the side you see, but Scattolon on the other (and I found the bike in Hamilton). The groupset is Suntour derailleurs and Shimano brakes, Ambrosio Elite rims on Suzue (sp?) hubs. The frame is a basic crmo, but nicely finished. What I love is the paint was in fantastic shape, with just a few nicks, and glows after polishing.

Slash5

Somehow I doubt the OP's bike came from some little frame maker's shop in Italy. Scattolon even had crappy mountain bikes with the Rossi name on them.

messinbessin

Yeah, have to agree with that comment. Its a decent, solid frame, but no lightweight.
I was pleased that the original water bottle came with the bike, until I opened it and smelt the years old, dried out Gatorade that was left in it the last time it was used - bleached overnight, dishwashered and still stained inside! Strictly there for the pictures!

armstrong101

The only Rossi I've ever come across in person is the one I own. It's Columbus SL with Campy dropouts bike, all chromed. It's beautiful. There's these links (haven't read through them carefully):

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ike-rossi.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...980-rossi.html

That said, if Scattolon did sell crappy MTBs with the Rossi name, then I would be suspicious about Italian heritage also.

messinbessin

That chromed Rossi is gorgeous - the lugwork! Mine is definitely not related in terns of any craftsmanship, but oddly the 'Rossi' logo on the bottle is the same font. Maybe there was a licensing agreement or something?
Cheers.

big chainring 

Can't help but think of Jim Rossi, 6 time national champion and 2 time Olympian. Carry on.

bazil4696

I bought a Rossi from Scattolon cycle in Hamilton, Ontario in 1985. Mine is the perriwinkle one. It came new with Miche crank and pedals, and crappy Modolo brakes which I upgraded after the first ride. The bike is still very original. Even the non matching tubular rims are still on it, other than the cassette which I changed cause I aint 20 something no more. Front derailler broke so was switched to a Campy. Original plastic Ofmega rear derailleur is still slugging it out back there. Only the seat and pedals are changed other than previously mentioned.

My friend saw it and said I could HAVE his, which is the red/white one. All NV Campagnolo and pantographed. Thought I'd share them both with you. I could find no mention on google for "ARTCICLO" pantograph on the gooseneck and seatpost

The date code on the NV derailleur is '84, but the lugs are different. both frames are Columbus/Campy dropouts.

T-Mar

It's always been my understanding that Rossi was Scattolon's private label brand. Their advertising proclaimed they were imported, hand built, Italian bicycles. The OP's bicycle appears to be late 1980s and reminds me of the Miele entry level models of the era. It may have been sourced though Guvin or their Japanese contractor. The serial number may provide a clue to the origin.

Slash5

I suppose it's possible that some of the Rossi bikes Scattalon sold were made by Rossi in Italy but it wouldn't surprise me if none of them were. I had one and it appears to be a contract bike made by Tecnotrat in Italy - at least the drop outs were. I've seen Rossi mountain bikes that were obviously almost bottom of the barrel Asian bikes. Scattolon Rossi's are very common around here. I should drop in an ask them but I've never found them to be very talkative. I should take the Italian woman in my car pool with me, maybe I'd find out more.

gthomson

messinbessin Did you ever find out anymore about this bike? I see the exact same bike (but in much rougher condition) posted on FB Marketplace. Just wondering if it's worth dropping $100+ on it?

T-Mar

I still think the OP's bicycle was manufactured by Guvin/Miele. The SunTour Alpha 4050 Accushift derailleur system would put it 1987-1988 and upper entry level, bordering mid-range. It also appears to have era and level appropriate Shimano Light Action brakes and Sakae SX crankset. Given the apparent era and level, I'd expect a seamed, double or triple butted CrMo tubeset, along the lines of Tange 900 or Ishiwata EX, up to a seamless, double butted CrMo, like Tange #2 or Ishiwata 022.

In good condition, in your area, such a bicycle should bring at least $300 CDN. For me to pass at $100 CDN, it would be in very rough condition and/or have a serious mechanical issue. Just be aware that the value will drop post-pandemic.

gthomson

Thanks T-Mar, from the pictures it's definitely not as nice as the OP find but mostly superficial problems like a bit of rust, paint chips, old seat, ect….but would definitely want to view it first.
He's asking $150 so assuming it is as good as it looks, worth a visit at least.
thanks

messinbessin

T-Mar is on the money with his advice - the bike is definitely worth a closer look at $150. Assuming no frame issues and just cosmetic/consumables updates required, you won’t lose money, and if you keep it you should have a comfortable and reliable ride.

browngw 

I picked up a nice clean unmolested Rossi today from a neighbour. It is a 23" frame and rides quite nicely. It was purchased at Scattolon Cycle in Hamilton ON. Ser#TS403604. Paint and condition are above average for its age. Other than hard cracked tires its in very good condition.

T-Mar

I believe the S/N is actually IS403604. That would make it September 1984 manufacture from Guvin's Japanese source. The year would be appropriate for the Z-series rear derailleur and the tubing decal is consistent with that used by Guvin's Japanese contractor. It provides further support to the probability of the OP's bicycle be contracted through Guvin.

gthomson

Picked up like the give was just getting rid of it? if so that's a steal! Wonder how many more of these are kicking around?

What do you plan on doing for the brake hoods? I bought a Sakae Select the other month which was a great find but no brake hoods on that either so I was looking at the ones on Amazon. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with them?

browngw 

My neighbour is a pretty good guy so I offered him $60. The initial arrangement was he wanted me to sell it for him and keep half the cash. I don't like open ended deals like this and I don't sell bikes that are not serviced and ready to ride. I had done some brake cable work and bar tape on it a few years ago so I knew the bike was in good condition and my size. I have used the Cane Creek hoods on a few bikes and they are available in black and brown and are relatively inexpensive. I have them on the Mafac levers on my Dilecta Le Blanc.(shown below)

gthomson

browngw Cane creek hoods, very nice thank you. Will check those out. Any more pictures of those bikes you have there?

browngw 

I tried the Cane Creek hoods on the Shimano levers and they were not a good fit. They need to be a little taller. The two bikes in the picture are my 76 Supercycle Excalibur (Bridgestone) and the 65 Dilecta LeBlanc.

Supercycle Excalibur

Dilecta Le Blanc

cbrstar

I remember seeing a Rossi in my local bike Co-op. I wasn't familiar with the brand but it had a "Made in Italy" decal on it but sadly it was too small for me. I don't think I have ever seen a MTB Rossi, but I have seen some Ross MTB's I wonder if people are getting mixed up with them?