80's MTB: Ross or Nishiki?
07-16-18, 01:33 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: ABQ
Posts: 305
Bikes: Always
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
80's MTB: Ross or Nishiki?
Hi all!
I recently started looking into older MTB's for a commuter bike. I found these two bikes on the local CL, in Albuquerque. They both seem to be mid-80's with similar sizes, frame materials, and components (bullmoose bars and Suntour Power friction shifters). Ross has Shimano DR's and the Nishiki with Suntour. Neither seller will go down in price. I kind of dig the Ross more, paint is better it seems anyway and it's got some cool boss locations. Are either of these even worth asking price?
What do you all think?
Nishiki for $120: https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/b...644440084.html
Ross for $150: https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/b...643143871.html
I recently started looking into older MTB's for a commuter bike. I found these two bikes on the local CL, in Albuquerque. They both seem to be mid-80's with similar sizes, frame materials, and components (bullmoose bars and Suntour Power friction shifters). Ross has Shimano DR's and the Nishiki with Suntour. Neither seller will go down in price. I kind of dig the Ross more, paint is better it seems anyway and it's got some cool boss locations. Are either of these even worth asking price?
What do you all think?
Nishiki for $120: https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/b...644440084.html
Ross for $150: https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/b...643143871.html
07-16-18, 02:06 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 654 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,038 Times
in
1,876 Posts
Which one would fit you better? The Ross is about 1" larger.
07-16-18, 02:15 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: ABQ
Posts: 305
Bikes: Always
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
07-16-18, 02:35 PM
#5
Senior Member
Is that a leather carrying strap on the Ross? Where can I get one of those if so? I vote the Ross bc I’m a paint guy.
07-16-18, 02:48 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: ABQ
Posts: 305
Bikes: Always
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Apparently a few of the Ross MTB's have bosses for shoulder straps that came with the bikes originally. The seller made their own leather strap in this case. Pretty snazzy!
07-17-18, 05:56 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: AZ/WA
Posts: 2,403
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 460 Post(s)
Liked 54 Times
in
30 Posts
Iike the fork on the Nishiki but the fit is more important. And that bland color of the Nishiki is not fun. Bullmoose bar years are a plus for both.
07-17-18, 07:52 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: ABQ
Posts: 305
Bikes: Always
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I do prefer the Nishiki’s fork more. I’m pretty sure the color is silver whereas I thought it was a champagne like some Univega’s of that time.
07-18-18, 01:27 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: South of the Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 4,122
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1119 Post(s)
Liked 2,255 Times
in
1,311 Posts
I vote for the Ross. It has much nicer tires (the Nishiki has some center-ridged cheapies). No kickstand like the Nishiki. Better saddle. The 90's STX pieces are nice and will function well. The ergo grips are better than the foam. I also think the double bottle cage mounts on the DT are a cool 80's mtb touch.
07-18-18, 07:19 PM
#10
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,526
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
If those bikes have the Suntour XC II pedals on them, they are worth $75 to $100, maybe more. I've sold them for as much as $150 in pristine, complete, no rust, condition. I sold a crusty set, missing dust caps, for $50.
07-18-18, 07:59 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fairplay Co
Posts: 9,523
Bikes: Current 79 Nishiki Custum Sport, Jeunet 620, notable previous bikes P.K. Ripper loop tail, Kawahara Laser Lite, Paramount Track full chrome, Raliegh Internatioanl, Motobecan Super Mirage. 59 Crown royak 3 speed
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 790 Post(s)
Liked 1,769 Times
in
635 Posts
Well the Ross is a nicer bike it's gone hope you got it. If not the Nishiki is fine for the price and as pointed out the parts are likely worth the asking price or more.
07-18-18, 08:42 PM
#12
...addicted...
I'm working on one of those Ross Mtb's right now. Really pretty top notch components. The '85 had all Shimano deerhead Tourney XT (1st Gen) components. Mine didn't come with a back wheel, just the hub is $70. The bare frame is a lot heavier than a similar size Reynolds 531 frame, but different purposes and all. Hope you got it, if not, the Nishiki looks like another quality mtb. If you don't get either of them, early Schwinn High Sierras seem like they'd be a good fit for your criteria too.
07-18-18, 09:14 PM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: ABQ
Posts: 305
Bikes: Always
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Both sets of pedals are just cheap beartraps unfortunately. Would’ve been nice though!
07-18-18, 09:18 PM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: ABQ
Posts: 305
Bikes: Always
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm working on one of those Ross Mtb's right now. Really pretty top notch components. The '85 had all Shimano deerhead Tourney XT (1st Gen) components. Mine didn't come with a back wheel, just the hub is $70. The bare frame is a lot heavier than a similar size Reynolds 531 frame, but different purposes and all. Hope you got it, if not, the Nishiki looks like another quality mtb. If you don't get either of them, early Schwinn High Sierras seem like they'd be a good fit for your criteria too.
07-18-18, 09:21 PM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: ABQ
Posts: 305
Bikes: Always
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Picked up the Ross this afternoon. Turned out the seller works in the building right next to mine, so didn’t have to travel to get it.
I think it’s a pretty rad bike. DR’s and wheels aren’t original but everything else seems to be. The fit is much better than I expected so that’s a plus for my long legs but short reach weirdness.
I’ll get some pics up tomorrow hopefully since I left it in my office.
I think it’s a pretty rad bike. DR’s and wheels aren’t original but everything else seems to be. The fit is much better than I expected so that’s a plus for my long legs but short reach weirdness.
I’ll get some pics up tomorrow hopefully since I left it in my office.
Last edited by Parabolous; 07-18-18 at 09:25 PM.
07-19-18, 07:12 AM
#16
...addicted...
I did pick up the Ross. Too cool to pass up. This one is not so original as I thought. I figured the DR’s weren’t original but it turns out the wheels aren’t either. I cannot find any info to know what year it’s supposed to be or the model. Seller thinks it’s a Mt. Hood but no way of knowing.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...oss-bikes.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...er-theory.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-any-good.html
Late 1980's Ross Mt. Bike Models - differences- Mtbr.com
The serial numbers are a very common format. The first number is almost certainly the year. The 2nd letter could be a month or fortnight indicator. If it is a month, then R3J would represent October 1983 and that is late enough in the year for production of 1984 models to have started, which would explain the black logo.
It would certainly be a coincidence if these were Japanese manufactured, given the R prefix. The Mt. Whitney may have been the only Ross manufactured in Japan during a particular model year but the evidence suggests it wasn't always so. I have a 1983 road test of a Ross Hi-Tech (note article spelling as High Tech). The model isn't stated but the bicycle is chromed and the component mix matches a Mt, Whitney, as shown in the 1983 Ross advertisements in the same issue. This article specifically mentions the Ross built frame, so I believe all the R-code serial numbers are Ross manufacture.
It would certainly be a coincidence if these were Japanese manufactured, given the R prefix. The Mt. Whitney may have been the only Ross manufactured in Japan during a particular model year but the evidence suggests it wasn't always so. I have a 1983 road test of a Ross Hi-Tech (note article spelling as High Tech). The model isn't stated but the bicycle is chromed and the component mix matches a Mt, Whitney, as shown in the 1983 Ross advertisements in the same issue. This article specifically mentions the Ross built frame, so I believe all the R-code serial numbers are Ross manufacture.
07-20-18, 12:40 PM
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: ABQ
Posts: 305
Bikes: Always
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here are some things I found useful when researching what exactly I had with my Ross:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...oss-bikes.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...er-theory.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-any-good.html
Late 1980's Ross Mt. Bike Models - differences- Mtbr.com
Looking forward to pictures when you get around to it
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...oss-bikes.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...er-theory.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-any-good.html
Late 1980's Ross Mt. Bike Models - differences- Mtbr.com
Looking forward to pictures when you get around to it
07-20-18, 12:53 PM
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: ABQ
Posts: 305
Bikes: Always
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Alright so here are some quick and dirty photos of the bike. Apologies for the size of the pictures. Looks like from what I read about the serial numbers I have a 1984 frame. There is some surface rust around the frame, notably the fork crown and braze on threads. The RD isn't getting into the small cog but it looks like a limit screw issue. The STX RD has a date code of TJ which I believe is October of 1995. The seat post skewer is tightened down all the way so I'm a little concerned that the tube has been ovalized. The MTB decal is a little faded but it's Ishiwata Steel with Tange Hi-Tensile fork blades. Maybe this is a Japanese Ross?
07-20-18, 02:19 PM
#19
Steel80's
I had a chrome Mt. Hood, it was a beast. Very heavy stem and bars. Good canti brakes, I think it had Suntour components, including a triple. It would be good for a commuter, but it beat me up, and vice versa, as a mountain bike.
07-20-18, 03:41 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fairplay Co
Posts: 9,523
Bikes: Current 79 Nishiki Custum Sport, Jeunet 620, notable previous bikes P.K. Ripper loop tail, Kawahara Laser Lite, Paramount Track full chrome, Raliegh Internatioanl, Motobecan Super Mirage. 59 Crown royak 3 speed
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 790 Post(s)
Liked 1,769 Times
in
635 Posts
Nice bike based on the markings and details the frame is US built 83 and the fork is likely Tange made inf Japan. While they likely work great with the Suntour power thumbies the STX road DR's look look really out of place I would likely change them for some nice early DX or LX MTB stuff which can be found fairly easy and cheap the Suntour stuff is getting pricey and a bit hard to find.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
frantik
Classic & Vintage
4
05-12-14 04:59 PM
neeeeeel
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
0
07-10-10 02:32 PM
