Ross Bicycles History

1940

The company was founded in 1940 as the Ross Galvanizing Works. It was located in Brooklyn, New York. After WWII ended, at the suggestion of Sherwood Ross, the company switched to the manufacturing of wheeled goods including bicycles, tricycles, wheel chairs, lawn mowers and roller skates.

1950

The company moved its manufacturing plant to Rockaway Beach in Queens, NY in the 1950s and by the late 50′s solely manufactured bikes and trikes and was the 3rd largest domestic producer of bicycles after Schwinn and Huffy.

1970

The company moved again in the early 70′s to a new facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania. During the two oil crisises in 1973 and 1979 the company worked around the clock in three shifts and turned out over 1 million bicycles in each of those years.

1980

In the late 1970’s and through the mid-1980′s, Randy Ross had models called the Ross Diamond Cruiser.  Randy Ross introduced the first production MTB, the Force 1, during the first Interbike Show in October 1982. In early 1982 Ross Signature (hand made bike department) was making custom Mountain bikes. Jim Redcay was the builder (Tom Kellogg was working on Road Bikes). Jim was also involved in the Force 1 frame development. This was the first bike Randy Ross had built in Allentown with cantilever brakes.

In 1983, Randy Ross coordinated the creation of the “Ross Indians”. They were the first professional factory sponsored mountain bike race team in history, complete with paid riders, uniforms and a support staff. By 1985 Ross Bicycles was selling over 100,000 mountain bikes.

2000

Ross Bikes is recognized as a bicycle company committed to customer service and product satisfaction. Randy Ross’ ability to create excitement for his products is unparalleled by anyone in his industry.

2010

In 2007, Randy Ross introduced the stepper bike, an elliptical, stationary, and road bike all in one. Randy Ross products used by sports celebrities including Shaquille O’Neil, Dan Marino, Dave Steward,Brian O’Neil, Mark Bavaro, Terry Kirby, among others.