Talk to me: Vintage Ross Eurotour 3 Speed USA!!
 

Dump find, really nice condition. Allentown PA! Tell me what you know!
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...af897fffb.jpeg

Looks to be a, perhaps, 40 pound city bike. Are the rims aluminum? Looks to be steel everywhere else. Integrated chain guard is a nice touch.

I would think it has a Shimano '333' hub, about which I have no experience or opinion.

With aluminum rims, depending on the quality of braking, and all new consumables and a comfortable saddle, it'll probably do well as a low cost city commuter. That'd be nice in a high-theft area, since you can easily find another if it goes missing.

i believe it is all steel. i was surprised how intact and rust free it is, even the rims and fenders. tires and pedals look little worn and original. how to date it?

I’d keep the front basket and maybe the fenders (the front looks awfully short) and toss the rest back into the tip.

Spiffed up a little!
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5748c981a.jpeg

have family member who might be interested. threw it on Facebook as well. i think it has a cool vintage feel, and isn't from Walmart made in China! added value/interest in made in USA! chromed steel cleaned up well. i think it would be fine for a town bike, errands, beach cruiser, etc.

I probably assembled a hundred or so of those back in the late '70s and early '80s. Very basic bikes but they work, and I prefer the 3-speed versions to the derailleur ones.

In for service
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1c436e902.jpeg

IGH > derailer every time for any around-town commuter where stop-and-go is expected and top speed isn't a priority.

It's a pity these disposable Ross things are let down by brake calipers that wouldn't stop a flea from charging through a tuft of dust though - not helped by the steel rims as others have said, but it's not as if any other 3-speed from this era would have aluminum hoops instead.

I'd take one of the Sears Free Spirit Brittany 3-speeds any day over this though. A far better copy of a Raleigh Sports with a semblance of frame geometry actually made for an adult (because they're just copies of a 21" Sports), decent enough components, real fenders (not the penny-pinching cutoff fender that Ross spec'ed here), and equipped with a real bottom bracket rather than a repurposed anchor.

-Kurt

For sure that has steel rims. @rwh63 clean it up refresh the grease in the front hub and the bottom bracket and put a squirt of oil or two in the rear hub. The ride it. While the Eurosport isn't high end, it is a good bike. As @thumpism said with the three speed is is a good combination. I believe that the Allentown made bikes are better than the earlier ones made in Far Rockaway, NY. Some people say that the NY made frames have rust problems because the factory was close to the water, which is true. But when Ross moved to Allentown they also got more serious about making better bikes.

Fenders were so out of style at the time, (I'm thinking '80's) that bikes that did have them seemed to have kept them short. Or perhaps they were just saving a few cents a bike. You could put leather flaps on the back ends of the fenders to get more coverage.

Sheldon Brown was not a big fan of the Shimano three speeds and I believe that may be based on earlier experiences. In my opinion they got better, so by the '80's it should be pretty decent. It will never have the parts availability of Sturmey Archer, but as long as it is still working, you are good to go. I hope the shifter works properly, they are getting expensive. They are simple too, just a ball for the detent with a leaf spring. The problem with them is the plastic cover.

Good luck. Ride the heck out of it and post some pictures when you do.

P.S. I like your Colman lanterns. Red, is that a Sears or other brand made by Colman?

used to read sheldon brown's site back in the day! not sure i'll be the one riding this into the sunset, but who knows. i really grabbed it because i found it unusual and in nice shape. heavy and durable is fine for its purpose.

btw, just tried the shifter while on the stand, and seemed fine. did its thing. i see the rear hub oil port. any particular oil?

lanterns: i got a little into the lantern thing during Covid. several Coleman red 200A's, various double mantel greens, etc. some passionate collectors (and hoarders!) of these things.

I sold and fixed many of these in 1978-1980. They were not great. The 3-speed hub was not durable, and parts are not available.

But if you like it, please enjoy it. I list the negative traits not to discourage you except if you're thinking of investing in it. It's a nice design, and they skimped on the recipe when they built this model.

Interesting piece of American bicycle history...why they hired Tom Kellogg to create a Paramount level set of bikes.

I worked on these in the '70s. I also maintained a small rental fleet of them. Nice catch, and nicely "nostalgic". As mentioned, they are basic and get the job done. Check the frame for breaks where they join, but they should they be ok. Trueing the wheels was always problematic. Don't expect perfection, which is not necessary and is not going to happen. You can true them up using both brake pads (left and right) and just aim for something that spins without going too far to one side or the other. Oil everything up. Gumwall sides on the tires not dried up and peeling off? Brakes and gears are easy to adjust. It may need new brake pads, especially with steel rim. You shouldn't have to go to crazy with this type of bike, which is a nice.

thx for the positive vibrations! Lots of meat on the pads. Frame appears great. Gumwalls very good (still some side nibs). Using 0000 steel wool and everything is shining up nicely. Barely any rust. This bike was definitely in good dry storage.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2a5ea9c59.jpeg

The issue isn't amount of meat, it's the tenderness. Rock hard old pads and steel rims. Even with new pads steel rims brake poorly. Kool stop continentals or minimum file or sand the old pads

Enjoy it. It's good for occassional slower paced local riding on level terrain. Just take it easy with it, and avoid riding in the rain. Older brake pads (tend to dry and harden with age) have very limited stopping power when the steel rims are wet. I have to admit this bike brings back memories.

just like to update this thread. sold it today, april 21, 2023, to an urban commuter (3 miles). i'm glad it will see a new life, serving a purpose. thx to all participants.

Perfect!