A Legacy in Motion

The Ross family legacy in American manufacturing and cycling dates back to 1940, when Albert Ross launched Ross Galvanizing Works. Originally focused on manufacturing pipes, fittings, and ammunition boxes, the company also galvanized U.S. Navy ships during World War II.

After the war ended in 1946, Albert turned his lifelong passion into purpose. He rebranded the company as Chain Bike Corp, shifting gears from wartime manufacturing to bicycle production. From 1946 to 1960, Chain Bike Corp designed and built a wide range of wheeled goods, quickly becoming a recognized name in American cycling.

That love for bicycles became the heartbeat of the Ross family. Albert's son, Sherwood "Jerry" Ross, born in 1921, followed in his father’s footsteps. A brilliant engineer, Jerry eventually became President of Chain Bike Corp and Ross Bicycles Inc. Over the years, he earned several bicycle-related patents, led the Bicycle Institute of America and the Bicycle Manufacturing Association, and helped shape the standards of the cycling industry. Under his leadership, Ross Bicycles produced over 20 million bicycles, pushing innovation, quality, and accessibility in every model.

Ross became known for its willingness to challenge convention. In 1968, the company released standout models like the Marlin with a console stick shift, and the Barracuda Beast featuring a Futura sports car-style steering wheel. The Ross brand thrived on innovation and bold ideas.

In the early 1980s, Sherwood’s son, Randy Ross, stepped in as the third generation to carry the torch. In 1982, as Vice President, Randy had a vision: big-wheeled bicycles, a radical idea at the time. The industry didn’t believe in it. But Randy and his team at Ross did more than believe, they built the first mass-produced mountain bike and made history. What followed would help define an entire sport.

Randy not only produced the first mountain bikes at scale, he also founded the first factory-sponsored professional mountain bike race team, the Ross Indians. That moment marked the official rise of mountain bike racing, and Ross Bicycles became recognized as pioneers of the sport. From 1946 to 1989, Ross Bicycles grew into one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the world, producing American-made bikes that were sold and ridden across the country. And the journey didn’t end there. Today, the legacy continues with Randy’s son, Shaun Ross, leading the charge as the fourth generation in the Ross bicycle family. Alongside a team of passionate investors and industry veterans, Shaun is bringing Ross back with a renewed vision and a deep respect for its history.

That vision lives through both the revival of Ross Bicycles and the launch of a new performance brand: W.A.R. W.A.R. stands for We Are Ross, We Are Riders. A brand born from the legacy, grit, and passion of four generations of Ross. Created by Shaun Ross during the pandemic, W.A.R. was envisioned as a more aggressive, forward-leaning performance brand that allowed Shaun to design bikes he was passionate about, while the classic Ross brand remained grounded in its heritage. When W.A.R. launched in 2020 on WarBikes.com, it sold out almost instantly. The message was clear; the fire that Albert started in 1946 is still burning today

On Christmas Day, 2024, that fire found its next spark. Randy Ross passed away in the arms of his son Shaun. That morning, when Shaun picked him up, Randy, true to who he was immediately began talking about bicycles. About the future. About the importance of Ross in the market in a major way, especially here in the U.S. For anyone who knew him, it was no surprise. You couldn’t have a conversation with Randy without talking about Ross, Ross Bikes, and the family legacy. Even in his final hours, it was his passion. He didn’t just build bikes. He built a movement. Today, Ross isn’t just a name. It’s a legacy on wheels. It’s a call to ride with purpose. It’s a reminder that no matter how long the road, We Are Ross. We Are Riders.