Ross Tom Kellogg
07-20-21, 07:13 PM
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Montedino
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Ross Tom Kellogg
Hello fellow bike 🚴 fans,
Apologies for another post this week. It’s just that the hunt continues. I also thought some of the cool 😎 (at least to me) bikes I’m coming across may be of interest.
Found on CList is a Ross Signature touring bike. It’s listed as a Tom Kellog build. Ross 531 main tubes, fork and stays.
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/...330602429.html
The blue paint looks the same as the bike another BikeForums member posted not too long ago. Regarding the bike in that other post, which I will try to provide a link to later, I think the consensus was the value would have been around $300. I know everyone’s asking sky high prices nowadays. However, I’m interested to know what we think it may realistically fetch in the Philly market.
Thanks!
Apologies for another post this week. It’s just that the hunt continues. I also thought some of the cool 😎 (at least to me) bikes I’m coming across may be of interest.
Found on CList is a Ross Signature touring bike. It’s listed as a Tom Kellog build. Ross 531 main tubes, fork and stays.
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/...330602429.html
The blue paint looks the same as the bike another BikeForums member posted not too long ago. Regarding the bike in that other post, which I will try to provide a link to later, I think the consensus was the value would have been around $300. I know everyone’s asking sky high prices nowadays. However, I’m interested to know what we think it may realistically fetch in the Philly market.
Thanks!
Last edited by Mdl; 07-20-21 at 07:23 PM.
07-20-21, 07:27 PM
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That's a fair price at $750. Parts group is good quality, frame is excellent, and the paint looks good. Plus the bike is in a large city. If I were the seller, I doubt I'd drop my price to move this.
07-20-21, 09:08 PM
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That belongs to forum member KonAaron Snake. I'm actually surprised it's still for sale, as I feel the price is quite reasonable for what it is. Had Aaron's been my size, I would have had a very difficult time not buying it.
I have the same bike in the next size up. It's a very nice riding bike. Just rode mine the other day with my kids: https://www.bikeforums.net/22149742-post17522.html
I have the same bike in the next size up. It's a very nice riding bike. Just rode mine the other day with my kids: https://www.bikeforums.net/22149742-post17522.html
07-20-21, 09:19 PM
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...the guy who made that frame went on to a long and relatively influential career, with most of his later focus on titanium frames.
He won't be making any more of them. That's a solid price for that bicycle, if it's your size.
...the guy who made that frame went on to a long and relatively influential career, with most of his later focus on titanium frames.
He won't be making any more of them. That's a solid price for that bicycle, if it's your size.
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07-21-21, 08:57 AM
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...the guy who made that frame went on to a long and relatively influential career, with most of his later focus on titanium frames.
He won't be making any more of them. That's a solid price for that bicycle, if it's your size.
...the guy who made that frame went on to a long and relatively influential career, with most of his later focus on titanium frames.
He won't be making any more of them. That's a solid price for that bicycle, if it's your size.
Mdl, are you actively looking to buy? Does the Kellogg fit you? If so, You should seriously consider it. It's a really nice, handbuilt full Reynolds 531 frame (don't let the Ross name scare you off), and the rarity of that era Kellogg bikes adds something (to me, at least).
As his (and mine) are set up essentially in the "touring" mode, with date/era catalog "correct" parts, it's a nice, comfy, well handling, "all day" kinda bike.
I weighed mine this morning: came in at a few ounces over 25lbs. I was going for as close to oe spec on my build rather than weight savings, and even with that in mind, it is not all that heavy. Surely doesn't ride heavy. That's a size larger than Aaron's, with a rack, heavy 27" clincher wheels w/ 27x1 1/4" wire-bead tires (and I put on a larger freewheel since I took the pic last week), and other "heavy" components. I mean the crankset alone is one of the more heavy I've seen (close to 2 lbs), and the pedals (on Aaron's) are especially heavy. As Aaron's sits, it's not an overly heavy bike to begin with, and if you wanted a "lighter" ride, you could easily, easily shave off a few pounds just by changing a few components.
There is another one in town near me, that the guy has decked out in Campagnolo Nuovo Record and other lighter components. I'd imagine that comes in closer to 21lbs.
Anyway, the Kellogg Ross is something you should look into if you are looking for a quality, vintage bike that kinda slips in under the radar.
As his (and mine) are set up essentially in the "touring" mode, with date/era catalog "correct" parts, it's a nice, comfy, well handling, "all day" kinda bike.
I weighed mine this morning: came in at a few ounces over 25lbs. I was going for as close to oe spec on my build rather than weight savings, and even with that in mind, it is not all that heavy. Surely doesn't ride heavy. That's a size larger than Aaron's, with a rack, heavy 27" clincher wheels w/ 27x1 1/4" wire-bead tires (and I put on a larger freewheel since I took the pic last week), and other "heavy" components. I mean the crankset alone is one of the more heavy I've seen (close to 2 lbs), and the pedals (on Aaron's) are especially heavy. As Aaron's sits, it's not an overly heavy bike to begin with, and if you wanted a "lighter" ride, you could easily, easily shave off a few pounds just by changing a few components.
There is another one in town near me, that the guy has decked out in Campagnolo Nuovo Record and other lighter components. I'd imagine that comes in closer to 21lbs.
Anyway, the Kellogg Ross is something you should look into if you are looking for a quality, vintage bike that kinda slips in under the radar.
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07-21-21, 04:08 PM
#7
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That looks like a great bike but as someone who has tried to sell bikes in that market, my bet is that it'll be listed for a very long time.
The recent bike boom never seemed to happen in the Philly and surrounding areas as it did in NYC and other cities.
Walmart and Target sold out of bikes and those bikes were bringing top dollar but nice vintage bikes never sold.
The recent bike boom never seemed to happen in the Philly and surrounding areas as it did in NYC and other cities.
Walmart and Target sold out of bikes and those bikes were bringing top dollar but nice vintage bikes never sold.
07-21-21, 07:33 PM
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Were there different models of Signature?
I've only seen (and owned) this style (Ishawata tubing)
I've only seen (and owned) this style (Ishawata tubing)
07-21-21, 08:04 PM
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That looks like a great bike but as someone who has tried to sell bikes in that market, my bet is that it'll be listed for a very long time.
The recent bike boom never seemed to happen in the Philly and surrounding areas as it did in NYC and other cities.
Walmart and Target sold out of bikes and those bikes were bringing top dollar but nice vintage bikes never sold.
The recent bike boom never seemed to happen in the Philly and surrounding areas as it did in NYC and other cities.
Walmart and Target sold out of bikes and those bikes were bringing top dollar but nice vintage bikes never sold.
07-21-21, 09:23 PM
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Mdl I just read yesterday there were different Signature models. I’ll try to find the link to the site.
Please do and please notify me. I'd be interested in that. I regret getting rid of my Signature. There might be a difference in ride quality between 521 and Ishawata but even then what else did the better ones have apart from Components? I see some had Columbus tubing.
Please do and please notify me. I'd be interested in that. I regret getting rid of my Signature. There might be a difference in ride quality between 521 and Ishawata but even then what else did the better ones have apart from Components? I see some had Columbus tubing.
07-21-21, 09:49 PM
#12
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I see there are four in the '85 catalog, the 290S, 292S, 294S, and the Triad 508.
There may have been other models or variants added in other years.
I remember when these were current models, but the local dealer didn't stock them, they were sort of a custom order deal. I'm not sure if they just didn't sell up against bigger brand name bikes or if the dealer didn't fully commit to the this line of bikes. They sold a ton of Super Gran Tour and Gran Tour II models, plus all the lesser models. Every one I remember seeing there was already sold awaiting pickup. They didn't stock the racks with them like they did with the other brands. By the time these came about, mountain bikes were starting to get the most attention in most shops here.
There may have been other models or variants added in other years.
I remember when these were current models, but the local dealer didn't stock them, they were sort of a custom order deal. I'm not sure if they just didn't sell up against bigger brand name bikes or if the dealer didn't fully commit to the this line of bikes. They sold a ton of Super Gran Tour and Gran Tour II models, plus all the lesser models. Every one I remember seeing there was already sold awaiting pickup. They didn't stock the racks with them like they did with the other brands. By the time these came about, mountain bikes were starting to get the most attention in most shops here.
07-22-21, 05:08 AM
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I do not have an appreciation for how scarce these are but I simply cannot wrap my head around forking out $750 for anything with a Ross badge.
This bike reminds me of my ‘98 Ford Contour SVT. Quite a good performer for that era but it always bore the stigma of being a Contour.
This bike reminds me of my ‘98 Ford Contour SVT. Quite a good performer for that era but it always bore the stigma of being a Contour.
07-22-21, 08:03 AM
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I do not have an appreciation for how scarce these are but I simply cannot wrap my head around forking out $750 for anything with a Ross badge.
This bike reminds me of my ‘98 Ford Contour SVT. Quite a good performer for that era but it always bore the stigma of being a Contour.
This bike reminds me of my ‘98 Ford Contour SVT. Quite a good performer for that era but it always bore the stigma of being a Contour.
I have no interest in the sale of this one. But judging it by the paint color or the graphics misses a lot of what's going on. Which is fine. There are some find bicycles available used in the $300 range. Sometimes there's some snob appeal involved in buying and selling bikes. If you're not in the market for something that costs $750, you should probably look for something else.
07-22-21, 08:40 AM
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I do not have an appreciation for how scarce these are but I simply cannot wrap my head around forking out $750 for anything with a Ross badge.
This bike reminds me of my ‘98 Ford Contour SVT. Quite a good performer for that era but it always bore the stigma of being a Contour.
This bike reminds me of my ‘98 Ford Contour SVT. Quite a good performer for that era but it always bore the stigma of being a Contour.
A Tom Kellogg-built Ross bike is fully comparable to a Waterford-built Paramount.
07-22-21, 08:59 AM
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Yeah $750 is at the low end for a bike built by one of America's premier frame builders. The parts group is very solid on this bike and the paint job is good. If it were a 57, I'd be tempted and I do not need another bike.
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07-22-21, 11:39 AM
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I do not have an appreciation for how scarce these are but I simply cannot wrap my head around forking out $750 for anything with a Ross badge.
This bike reminds me of my ‘98 Ford Contour SVT. Quite a good performer for that era but it always bore the stigma of being a Contour.
This bike reminds me of my ‘98 Ford Contour SVT. Quite a good performer for that era but it always bore the stigma of being a Contour.
Ford does that quite a bit (or used to) -- i recall the Taurus SHO and the Probe SVO also. Chevy had the Z24 Cavalier, but i think that was a sticker package primarilly, those Ford SHO, SVO, SVT cars had performance that rivalled some of the ponycars of that era
07-22-21, 11:49 AM
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I do not have an appreciation for how scarce these are but I simply cannot wrap my head around forking out $750 for anything with a Ross badge.
This bike reminds me of my ‘98 Ford Contour SVT. Quite a good performer for that era but it always bore the stigma of being a Contour.
This bike reminds me of my ‘98 Ford Contour SVT. Quite a good performer for that era but it always bore the stigma of being a Contour.
07-22-21, 05:32 PM
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Interesting info. I guess due to rarity I'd never seen or even heard these existed. I seen the campy equipped one but just assumed someone built it up on their own. I was quite happy with my Signature, perhaps innocence was bliss. Now I have something else to watch for I guess.
PS I owned a British racing green '73 Corvette convertible. Worst car buying decision ever. Rebuilt the motor, repainted it then woke up and realized it wasn't me. In retrospect, a Chevette might've been smarter, oh and cheaper.
PS I owned a British racing green '73 Corvette convertible. Worst car buying decision ever. Rebuilt the motor, repainted it then woke up and realized it wasn't me. In retrospect, a Chevette might've been smarter, oh and cheaper.
07-22-21, 08:43 PM
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Very much so. the 29X series Signatures are a Signature in name only. They were built / imported from Taiwan (as best as I can determine at this time).
Kinda like saying "I have a Vette!" while in reality you have a CHEvette, and not a CORvette.
That's fine, you don't have to get it, I can totally relate. I have the same mental block that Trakhak mentions. You could put a top end Paramount in front of me, but in my mind, it is the same as a 40+ pound Continental, even though they are not even remotely the same, and only associated by having the same manufacturer name on the headbadge.
I've added some Signature information in the History Of Ross thread. You can start reading here, and continues a few posts below that:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...l#post21882438
Some more reading about Tom and the Signatures here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/22064906-post3.html (scroll down a little in this post)
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...im-redcay.html
Kinda like saying "I have a Vette!" while in reality you have a CHEvette, and not a CORvette.
That's fine, you don't have to get it, I can totally relate. I have the same mental block that Trakhak mentions. You could put a top end Paramount in front of me, but in my mind, it is the same as a 40+ pound Continental, even though they are not even remotely the same, and only associated by having the same manufacturer name on the headbadge.
I've added some Signature information in the History Of Ross thread. You can start reading here, and continues a few posts below that:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...l#post21882438
Some more reading about Tom and the Signatures here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/22064906-post3.html (scroll down a little in this post)
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...im-redcay.html
Here is additional reading regarding Ross mountain bikes from the same era:
MOMBAT: Ross Bicycles History
07-22-21, 09:05 PM
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Very much so. the 29X series Signatures are a Signature in name only. They were built / imported from Taiwan (as best as I can determine at this time).
Kinda like saying "I have a Vette!" while in reality you have a CHEvette, and not a CORvette.
That's fine, you don't have to get it, I can totally relate. I have the same mental block that Trakhak mentions. You could put a top end Paramount in front of me, but in my mind, it is the same as a 40+ pound Continental, even though they are not even remotely the same, and only associated by having the same manufacturer name on the headbadge.
I've added some Signature information in the History Of Ross thread. You can start reading here, and continues a few posts below that:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...l#post21882438
Some more reading about Tom and the Signatures here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/22064906-post3.html (scroll down a little in this post)
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...im-redcay.html
Kinda like saying "I have a Vette!" while in reality you have a CHEvette, and not a CORvette.
That's fine, you don't have to get it, I can totally relate. I have the same mental block that Trakhak mentions. You could put a top end Paramount in front of me, but in my mind, it is the same as a 40+ pound Continental, even though they are not even remotely the same, and only associated by having the same manufacturer name on the headbadge.
I've added some Signature information in the History Of Ross thread. You can start reading here, and continues a few posts below that:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...l#post21882438
Some more reading about Tom and the Signatures here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/22064906-post3.html (scroll down a little in this post)
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...im-redcay.html
...a similar example of bicycles constructed in their lean years, by frame builders who later went on to become famous, and whose work is sought after, would be the Specialized frames produced by Yoshi Konno. It's true that they sell at a discount from 3Rensho bikes, but $750 for this one is a discount from something with Spectrum on the downtube.
I have no interest in the sale of this one. But judging it by the paint color or the graphics misses a lot of what's going on. Which is fine. There are some find bicycles available used in the $300 range. Sometimes there's some snob appeal involved in buying and selling bikes. If you're not in the market for something that costs $750, you should probably look for something else.
I have no interest in the sale of this one. But judging it by the paint color or the graphics misses a lot of what's going on. Which is fine. There are some find bicycles available used in the $300 range. Sometimes there's some snob appeal involved in buying and selling bikes. If you're not in the market for something that costs $750, you should probably look for something else.
07-23-21, 07:28 AM
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@Mdl - Must have been overseas as both were a 290S (exactly same components as one show above in brochure).
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07-23-21, 08:19 AM
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Nice bike.
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07-23-21, 10:34 PM
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What is basis for the price? Are there comparables? I did a search on the big auction site, for sold items, and can't find them.
Last edited by Mdl; 07-24-21 at 05:43 PM.