Anybody know the history of Ross bikes?
10-08-07, 01:10 PM
#126
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Identical bikes
Al, it sounds like our bikes are almost identical. I've got some pictures on my Photobucket site if you want to take a look and see how similar they are. I had a mishap that was the fault of my "relic" friction shifters on a metric century ride a couple of weeks ago. The shifter for the rear loosened up and banged down through the gears on a pretty steep climb. Needless to say I could'nt get unclipped fast enough and ended up falling over. Nothing hurt but my pride thankfully. I will be looking at switching to an indexed system if it's possible. I too am on the low budget cycling plan but I can see moving up the ladder of quality bikes in the future. In the meantime I really love this bike and it will be with me for awhile...Jeff
Jeff: I think you are right, our bikes are probably twins. I have the Sugino No. 6 cranks, etc. Sorry about your fall but I am glad you are alright. One thing about the Ross, it can probably handle a fall a lot better than you and I can. I dumped mine once and tore myself up a bit but the bike came through pretty well. I expect your bike was older than quite a few of the people riding in the century. Good Luck.
10-08-07, 02:35 PM
#127
WV is not flat..
Jeff: I think you are right, our bikes are probably twins. I have the Sugino No. 6 cranks, etc. Sorry about your fall but I am glad you are alright. One thing about the Ross, it can probably handle a fall a lot better than you and I can. I dumped mine once and tore myself up a bit but the bike came through pretty well. I expect your bike was older than quite a few of the people riding in the century. Good Luck.
10-08-07, 07:10 PM
#128
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This thread is awesome and I don't even own a Ross.
10-09-07, 05:51 AM
#129
WV is not flat..
10-14-07, 06:42 PM
#130
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Just stumbled across this photo online, apparently Victory Cycles in Kokomo still has their Ross sign up!
10-16-07, 09:47 AM
#131
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Just last Thursday bought a (guessing) 80-85 gran tour in immaculate condition, except the decals are peeling off. Mine is a little different than brandenjs. It's charcoal grey, doesn't have any seattube decals, and has downtube shifters. And it's a 12 speed.
Rode it on a charity century ride Saturday, completely as I got it except I removed the suicide levers and added clipless pedals, and rack+bag.
Road great except the chain broke once. Kind of expected to have something like that.
Great bike. Mine's going to end up being a workhorse instead of a beautiful vintage ride like you guys though. Might convert it to single speed.
What's with the fork dropouts? Is it designed that way so that you can mount the wheel on the lower side for more clearance? Would that even be safe?
Rode it on a charity century ride Saturday, completely as I got it except I removed the suicide levers and added clipless pedals, and rack+bag.
Road great except the chain broke once. Kind of expected to have something like that.
Great bike. Mine's going to end up being a workhorse instead of a beautiful vintage ride like you guys though. Might convert it to single speed.
What's with the fork dropouts? Is it designed that way so that you can mount the wheel on the lower side for more clearance? Would that even be safe?
10-16-07, 10:29 AM
#132
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10-16-07, 10:50 AM
#133
WV is not flat..
Just last Thursday bought a (guessing) 80-85 gran tour in immaculate condition, except the decals are peeling off. Mine is a little different than brandenjs. It's charcoal grey, doesn't have any seattube decals, and has downtube shifters. And it's a 12 speed.
Rode it on a charity century ride Saturday, completely as I got it except I removed the suicide levers and added clipless pedals, and rack+bag.
Road great except the chain broke once. Kind of expected to have something like that.
Great bike. Mine's going to end up being a workhorse instead of a beautiful vintage ride like you guys though. Might convert it to single speed.
What's with the fork dropouts? Is it designed that way so that you can mount the wheel on the lower side for more clearance? Would that even be safe?
Rode it on a charity century ride Saturday, completely as I got it except I removed the suicide levers and added clipless pedals, and rack+bag.
Road great except the chain broke once. Kind of expected to have something like that.
Great bike. Mine's going to end up being a workhorse instead of a beautiful vintage ride like you guys though. Might convert it to single speed.
What's with the fork dropouts? Is it designed that way so that you can mount the wheel on the lower side for more clearance? Would that even be safe?
10-16-07, 11:29 AM
#134
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Can someone tell me if the Signature 290s models have stamped or forged dropouts? There is one for sale locally and am debating about driving out to see it or not.
10-16-07, 12:05 PM
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Componentry seems to be a mix of "golden arrow" (600 I think?) and altus with tourney cranks. Maybe some stuff was replaced by a previous owner.
I'll get pics up tonight.
I'll get pics up tonight.
10-16-07, 12:13 PM
#136
Unique Vintage Steel
Golden Arrow was the first generation of 105 (produced 83-86). I'm currently searching for good photos of the cranksets and several other parts for my component catalog site as there seems to have been at least 2 versions of several of the parts.
10-16-07, 12:25 PM
#137
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After a little bit of searching I found these pics: https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php...ight=ross+fork
Which look almost exactly like mine, but smaller size. same color too. Notice the fork ends.
Which look almost exactly like mine, but smaller size. same color too. Notice the fork ends.
10-16-07, 03:56 PM
#138
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Safety C dropouts
After a little bit of searching I found these pics: https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php...ight=ross+fork
Which look almost exactly like mine, but smaller size. same color too. Notice the fork ends.
Which look almost exactly like mine, but smaller size. same color too. Notice the fork ends.
I think that is just a safety idea to keep the front wheel from falling out if it isn't tightened properly. Ugly as sin.
10-16-07, 10:02 PM
#139
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All of the Signature line bikes had forged drops. Not sure of your tubing on a 290S, though, probably a lower-end Ishiwata, which is still nice stuff.
10-17-07, 05:28 AM
#140
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Gotta keep those lawyers at bay somehow.
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10-17-07, 03:58 PM
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https://www.randyrrross.com/- Just thought some of you might be interested in what my brother Randy is up to vis a vis the bicycle industry. Thanks to everyone for keeping ROSS BICYCLES alive, Andy!
10-17-07, 04:04 PM
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10-17-07, 06:01 PM
#143
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Interesting "stepper" bikes there. Reminds me of this thing I saw in the Denver transport museum:
Nice to see pictures of the old Ross bikes on that site too.
Nice to see pictures of the old Ross bikes on that site too.
10-18-07, 06:07 AM
#144
WV is not flat..
https://www.randyrrross.com/- Just thought some of you might be interested in what my brother Randy is up to vis a vis the bicycle industry. Thanks to everyone for keeping ROSS BICYCLES alive, Andy!
10-29-07, 07:55 PM
#145
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So, what about the BCA bikes of Allentown, PA? Gaspipe junk? rare collectibles?
11-15-07, 03:47 PM
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One thing to note - on my '85 Gran Tour I have clearly dated parts that were manufactured from early 1982 to late 1984. If you feel a need to date an old Ross you need to date multiple parts, not just the first one you notice. It looks like they sort of swept out the warehouse to build some of the bikes - just an interesting note.
The old parts are solid, though. I just completed overhauling all the bearings (Maillard hubs, unknown headset, Campagnolo-style alloy touring pedals (I don't know the brand), plus I had a new Shimano UN-54 cartridge-bearing bottom bracket installed, just because that cost no more than overhauling the old one. It rides really smooth and the derailleurs shift very nicely. The rear derailleur is marked "RD 501" - this snaps through shifts like it was brand new. In my case the bike has very low miles on it so it has very little wear and with basic maintenance it is a pretty nice ride.
11-17-07, 10:20 AM
#149
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Another for my Ross stable. Found it at a yard sale this morning. It's a 1987 Centaur, one owner, four rides and hung from a hook in the basement. Original Ross branded tires are in beautiful condition and even has a Velcro fastened cuff strap too. 
The chain is in dire need of a clean & lube... Look at the kinks in the bottom run.
The 'Grab-On' foam has seen better days, I'm thinking a red Cenelli style bar tape. I gave a C note, only because of the marque. It compliments my MTB.
Enjoy!
It looks to be all Shimano brakes & drive train. I'll be back with specs & detail shots after a clean up.
The chain is in dire need of a clean & lube... Look at the kinks in the bottom run.
The 'Grab-On' foam has seen better days, I'm thinking a red Cenelli style bar tape. I gave a C note, only because of the marque. It compliments my MTB. Enjoy!
It looks to be all Shimano brakes & drive train. I'll be back with specs & detail shots after a clean up.
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11-18-07, 10:48 AM
#150
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Nice Centaur find Stacey. It shouldn't take much to clean up like new.
I had a similar Centaur a while back that I would have kept except it was a bit too small and it was pink and white. It had a comfortable, stable ride and the Shimano drivetrain shifted great after I swapped out the original chain for a narrower KMC Z chain.
I had a similar Centaur a while back that I would have kept except it was a bit too small and it was pink and white. It had a comfortable, stable ride and the Shimano drivetrain shifted great after I swapped out the original chain for a narrower KMC Z chain.