cs1

I was thinking the same as you. From what I can see the average price is at least $50. If you can snag a nice set under $30 you are lucky. I am more into the MTB world and like the SunTour thumb shifters. They're on their way up in price too.

wrk101

I predict the Suntour barcons are going to keep appreciating nicely. On the barcons, they were the standard on nicer touring bikes from the 1970s and 1980s. Touring bikes from that era are appreciating nicely, and some of them came with DT shifters (like my 1984 Trek 620). So people are going to be hunting them. Meanwhile, like anything vintage, some are getting tossed, or have been destroyed, so the supply is dropping.

In addition, the barcons are a favorite for North Road and mustache bar conversions. So the demand is out there.

Suntour made some beautiful thumb shifters, I almost picked up a so so Raleigh just to get a set.

neo_pop_71

I hope it's acceptable for me to do this, sorry if I'm in the wrong...

Here is a good deal on some Dura Ace 9 speed bar end shifters, $40.00 in Madison, WI.

https://www.reachoo.com/ads/94672693?utm_source=yakaz

-D-

ThermionicScott 

These Nokian W160s seem to roll better than the Kenda Klondikes I used last season, but they still sound and feel like I'm riding through Velcro.

Chris_in_Miami

Spotted this oddball at a pawn shop over the weekend - a Nashbar C/Tour probably from the late 80's. 26" wheels, drop bars with Suntour SL indexing barcons, XCE drivetrain, U-brake at the rear wheel, Ishiwata EX frame, Tange MTB fork! The frame looked pretty cheaply made, and although it has "tour" in the name, it only had one bottle cage mount, and one set of eyelets at each fork end. I'd be curious to take some measurements to see if they just took an MTB and slapped the drop bars on it, I couldn't really eyeball it accurately from my vantage point. Tempting for $60, but I passed.

frantik

i dont think i could pass on a lugged frame and barcons for $60, though it's not my size so maybe

realestvin7

Go back and get it. That's totally a legit bike and was produced as you see it.

frantik

+1

Gravity Aided

Looks like 60$ in period parts alone , at least in these here parts .

wrk101

Just picked up my next conversion project. Really marginal size wise (larger than my usual) so we will see. But, hey, its chrome, the chrome is in great shape, what's not to like?

It also has some wild frame details, from the gussets at the head tube, to the orientation of cable stops, to the dual bottle cage braze ons, both on top of the down tube, to the pump peg on the back side of the seat tube. I'll have to round up a set of roller cam brakes, or perhaps a couple of u brakes (got some of them in the bin.)

Tange cromoly triple butted tubes. 1986 +/- Ross Mt Hood.

It would look great paired up with my chrome Katakura racing bike.






bill

shoota 

Damn that's sexy. I was under the impression that the chromed Ross frames were Mt. Whitney. Doesn't matter, that's going to be awesome looking when you're done. I have some left over parts from an '84 Ross if you need them. I'm not sure if they're even the same originally.

wrk101

Early Mt Hoods were chrome as well. It looks like the Mt Whitney and Mt Hood were their two chrome models.

neo_pop_71

Hmmm... that's interesting!

Hey Bill, do you know who was making frames for Ross and Nishiki in the late '80's? I ask because my '89 Nishiki Alien (w/E-stays) and '89 Nishiki Ariel (w/out E-stays), both (Richard) Cunningham Design, have very similar frame details. Both the Alien and Ariel have the triangle gusset at the head tube and the sleeved seat post junction, just like your Ross. The Alien is Tange Prestige and the Ariel is full 4130 double butted frame and fork. I'd be curious to know who was manufacturing such similar frames. I finished rebuilding my Alien a few months ago, I did a 96'er build with a 1x9 drivetrain and Rick Hunter SuperCrown CX fillet brazed fork. I nicknamed the bike "RASKAL" because it got me in trouble with some park rangers near my home as I was riding on closed fire road trails. Presently, it's my favorite bike, it's a total blast and I love it! I'll attach a couple pics.

Thanks!

-DON-

RFC

Bill, I, too, am a sucker for chrome. That will make a great conversion. If you are in need of a U brake, let me know and I might be able to find one.

wrk101

Unfortunately, I know little/nothing about the Ross brand. They did make a number of nice MTBs in the early to mid 1980s, there is a 1985 catalog on line. They also made a lot of dept store junk. Perhaps they should have split the brand, and given their nicer road and MTBs a totally different brand name. Kind of looks Taiwanese to me. But maybe they were still producing them in Allentown? Unfortunately, all of the decals on mine are MIA, except the headbadge. I need to do a mock up size wise before I go too far on this one.

Snagged a picture of a similar era Mt Hood, built, pretty neat bike:

rodar y rodar

I understand that Velcro feel, but Marathon Winters sound like frying bacon. Good thing they don`t smell like bacon because I`m seldom faster than a dog even on slicks- with the stud muffins I`d be screwed for sure!

RFC

BTW, what is this, a Murray?

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/bik/3523257478.html

Thanks

RFC

Chris Chicago

mongoose


https://www.flickr.com/photos/1646105...in/photostream

RFC

Thanks!

wrk101

Early Mongoose MTBs were often pretty good. And the brand name has been destroyed by linking up with Walmart. This means if you can look past their recent screwups, you can get a deal.

frantik

mmm chrome

guzziee

Mmmm, can't give this thing away locally, maybe I should convert it

frantik

^ wow seriously? surprised Realestvin hasn't come for it i wish people were giving away chromed mtbs here!

cs1

I have an 86 Stumpjumper set up the same way. Nashbar probably had them made by the same people. That is a lugged frame with a lugged fork. There's nothing cheap about it.

cs1

Could the size have anything to do with it? That's one tall frame.