Looking for ideas and opinions on the "Ross Signature" Custom or team frame
07-26-19, 07:23 PM
#26
1/2 as far in 2x the time
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I am the original owner of a Ross Signature Triad which I still have, the 63 cm pink frame purchased directly from the Ross showroom in Commerce, CA in 1985. The stamped numbers on the bottom are 508 6316 84 107. I had it built up at a bike shop in Pasadena with Shimano Dura Ace bottom bracket, chain rings, and cranks; the remaining components are Shimano 105 I believe. I competed as an age group triathlete (international distance) for several years.
Since 1990 it has been used off and on for fitness riding. First generation Time clipless pedals were installed in the early 90s which have since been replaced by Speedplays. As my age got higher and my speed got slower, I could no longer do justice to the flashy hot pink paint and had the bike refurbished and painted burgundy in the mid-90s by Cycle Art in San Diego county; at that time a cracked bottom bracket was replaced.
At age 60, the 53/42 chain rings coupled with a 6 speed 13-24 became impractical for my knees, and I bought a carbon fiber Storck with more appropriate old man gearing. I am torn between keeping the beautiful Ross for flat rides or selling it to someone who would appreciate it for the classic it is. I am taking it to have it refurbished by Joe Bell in San Diego whose work is very respected.
Is there a market for it?
Since 1990 it has been used off and on for fitness riding. First generation Time clipless pedals were installed in the early 90s which have since been replaced by Speedplays. As my age got higher and my speed got slower, I could no longer do justice to the flashy hot pink paint and had the bike refurbished and painted burgundy in the mid-90s by Cycle Art in San Diego county; at that time a cracked bottom bracket was replaced.
At age 60, the 53/42 chain rings coupled with a 6 speed 13-24 became impractical for my knees, and I bought a carbon fiber Storck with more appropriate old man gearing. I am torn between keeping the beautiful Ross for flat rides or selling it to someone who would appreciate it for the classic it is. I am taking it to have it refurbished by Joe Bell in San Diego whose work is very respected.
Is there a market for it?
As long as you're not in a rush, that bike will find the right owner.
07-28-19, 04:41 PM
#27
Junior Member
Here are the pre-refurbish pictures. Sorry for the poor quality - had to hastily snap them as I dropped it off to Joe Bell in San Diego. I also included one of the original pink color from 1986 - for some unexplained reason the bike was much faster when I rode it back then.
Corrosion on underside of top tube near head tube
Top of top tube
Undersurface of bottom bracket area
Corrosion on underside of top tube near head tube
Top of top tube
Undersurface of bottom bracket area
03-25-20, 10:57 AM
#28
Junior Member
The finished product!
Here is the finished product, thanks to Joe Bell in San Diego for the paint job and frame modifications necessary for 21st century components. And Evan at The Bicycle Stand in Long Beach for the building it up and fitting.
For those who want more details, after making an appointment with Joe Bell last summer, I removed the wheels and seat, and drove the bike down to Joe in San Diego from Los Angeles. Great guy. I took pictures of the original pink color and he spent about two hours with me going over different cans of paint from various manufacturers to find the exact shade I was looking for. He made recommendations for frame modifications. He had notebooks containing every original emblem and decal for every bike imaginable, including my Ross. He removed and saved the components and did an absolutely masterful job on the bike. He is the Micheal Jordan of bike painters.
Evan at The Bicycle Stand in Long Beach is an expert in refurbishing classic bikes, as evidenced by the numerous vintage Colnagos, Masis, etc hanging in the store. He spent hours with me on the front end discussing different component options and really understood what I was trying to accomplish and made great recommendations. He spent hours after fine-tuning the fit. The end result, and this is the only word that truly captures it, is "*****in'".
For those who want more details, after making an appointment with Joe Bell last summer, I removed the wheels and seat, and drove the bike down to Joe in San Diego from Los Angeles. Great guy. I took pictures of the original pink color and he spent about two hours with me going over different cans of paint from various manufacturers to find the exact shade I was looking for. He made recommendations for frame modifications. He had notebooks containing every original emblem and decal for every bike imaginable, including my Ross. He removed and saved the components and did an absolutely masterful job on the bike. He is the Micheal Jordan of bike painters.
Evan at The Bicycle Stand in Long Beach is an expert in refurbishing classic bikes, as evidenced by the numerous vintage Colnagos, Masis, etc hanging in the store. He spent hours with me on the front end discussing different component options and really understood what I was trying to accomplish and made great recommendations. He spent hours after fine-tuning the fit. The end result, and this is the only word that truly captures it, is "*****in'".
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03-25-20, 11:04 AM
#29
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Beautiful!
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03-25-20, 11:18 AM
#30
Senior Member
Wow. That looks fantastic.
As much as I like my 294 S, it has nothing like that quality of lugwork. I would put your frame up against other top American builders without a problem.
As much as I like my 294 S, it has nothing like that quality of lugwork. I would put your frame up against other top American builders without a problem.
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03-25-20, 01:27 PM
#31
Junior Member
This process of refurbishing this bike has given me a whole new perspective on what a great bike this is, from the response on this forum to the people who did the makeover. Thanks to everyone.
03-25-20, 04:18 PM
#32
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That's a beautiful, and FAST looking bike! 
.
Almost as fast as you made it look 30 years ago!
Enjoy!
. Almost as fast as you made it look 30 years ago!
Enjoy!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
03-25-20, 05:36 PM
#33
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I have an early ross kellog frameset. 531. Nice but a tad whippy.
03-25-20, 07:03 PM
#34
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That Ross is gorgeous! I really liked the deep candy red (it is one of my favorite colors) but that pink looks hot. But what really does it are the components: matching black stem (conversion!), bars, & seat post; white saddle and bar tape; all black wheels/tires and freaking Chorus groupset. 
Yet another example in my eyes of how to do a modernized steel race frame superbly. We can all go home now. 
(oh wait, we're already home...)
Yet another example in my eyes of how to do a modernized steel race frame superbly. We can all go home now. (oh wait, we're already home...)
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03-25-20, 07:43 PM
#35
Junior Member
RiddleOfSteel (derived from Caress of Steel by Rush?) Thank you SO MUCH for that feedback. My hope was to reinvent its glory day state from the 80s, when it had all white contrast. That combo looked awesome back in the day - when all the components were metallic silver. It looks different with today's current black components and I wasn't sure if I was gonna stick with the white seat and bar tape or switch to all black. Your feedback is very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
03-26-20, 12:54 PM
#37
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RiddleOfSteel (derived from Caress of Steel by Rush?) Thank you SO MUCH for that feedback. My hope was to reinvent its glory day state from the 80s, when it had all white contrast. That combo looked awesome back in the day - when all the components were metallic silver. It looks different with today's current black components and I wasn't sure if I was gonna stick with the white seat and bar tape or switch to all black. Your feedback is very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Riddle Of Steel from Conan the Barbarian the movie. My avatar pairs with it, even if Arnold is now holding up a '60s Paramount.
03-26-20, 03:22 PM
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
