Classic Ross...

I restored my childhood 1983 Ross Adventurer 10 speed. It was a low-mid range bike at the time, and not really worth much now, but I'm glad I still have it for sentimental reasons.

Your bike looks of higher quality than mine, but most Ross bikes were never considered as high of quality as, say, Schwinn or European bikes at that time.

I found a lengthy discussion about Ross here:
bikeforums.nett 39115.htmlOpen ↗

Ross was pretty much a Department Store Bike, but it was one of the higher quality Department Store Bikes. Many Department Store Bikes from the 1980's had the brake extension levers and mounted the shift levers on the stem. Most higher quality bikes from the 1980's had down tube shifters and did not have the brake extension levers or a kickstand. That doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with your bike. If you enjoy riding it, then by all means ride it. It just isn't what would have been considered an entry level bike back then.

It appears to be in really great condition and all original. To a collector, it is probably worth a little more than what you paid for it.

Yes I'm sure it's worth more than the $25.00 I spent for it. That was even with the shoes and the Forte' pedals on it. I'm a newbie to road riding so I don't have really high standards when it comes to high quality equipment. The guy I purchased it from was almost exactly my size. All I had to do was raise the seat about 1/2" and it fits me really well. I guess we were two old pieces of history that were meant for each other..

I had one when I was a kid - girls style step through, heavy like you wouldn't believe, but it was my first 10 speed. It had cheater bars, but I seem to remember down tube shifters? I believe that it was purchased at Sears.

The good thing about the stem mounted shifters was that you could move them to the down tube if you wanted to. You just had to trim the cables.