1997 American Bicycles X1al 
#1 2009-08-06 9:11am
- Racer
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1997 American Bicycles X1al
1997 American Bicycles X1al
This orange bike was from the magazine test of the American Bicycles X1al. The first two prototypes went to Troy Kendrick (MN, Pro) and Adam Provo (CA, Pro).
I started this bike company in 1997. We did just the prototypes and one batch of bikes.
The orange bike was tested in June 1998 issue of Snap Magazine. It was shown in that years buyer guide in all the different sizes and colors.
Came in Candy Apple Blue, Red and Orange.
I'm holding the red frame and Adam is sitting next to his bike. The bike debuted at the 1997 ABA Fall Nationals. The picture was for the catalog and was taken at Coal Canyon, CA.
Erick Weinstetter BMXr from 1978-2001, 2005 Raced Penn-1, District G, PA01, CA-14, NJ-4
Project: 1983 SE Quadangle 42.5% complete (A recreation of my last Quad)
Project: 1985 Profile Cruiser 6% complete (LOL. A recreation of my Profile)
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#2 2009-08-06 11:16am
- flapjaqz
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
Nice frame !
I wonder if Troy still has his? I doubt it. the last time I talked to him he said he dont have anything sitting around anymore.
Was this the same company that made the original Race-tec frames?
Used white HUTCH mike D bars, not windstyler bars.
Original GHP bars, pads, color line stickers.
one (1) white mike buff Z-rim 36h
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#3 2009-08-06 12:45pm
- BTEstep
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
Those are nice looking frames. Why did you stop?
****The Few, The Proud****
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#4 2009-08-06 3:34pm
- MonocoqueMike
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
Nice lookin' rig...I am digging the orange and the yess fork...
It's all in the Technique...
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#5 2009-08-06 7:21pm
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
Yeah Yess was a team Co-sponsor.
We had two investors lined up, both fell thru. Out of money. I was waiting for my partner to pick me up and we were to go to Reno, NV for the ABA Nationals and hook up with Troy. My partner left me hanging and we had no way to reach Troy. I just decided enough was enough and we pulled the plug.
Ask Mike Gul about the pain it was to get a prototype made. I got so mad at the frame builder I put Mike on the phone with him.
We gave up on that builder then went to Cheeta to get bikes made.
Erick Weinstetter BMXr from 1978-2001, 2005 Raced Penn-1, District G, PA01, CA-14, NJ-4
Project: 1983 SE Quadangle 42.5% complete (A recreation of my last Quad)
Project: 1985 Profile Cruiser 6% complete (LOL. A recreation of my Profile)
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#6 2009-08-07 8:49am
- BTEstep
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
I would buy one of those frames if you ever decide to build again. they look sweet. I swear I have seen one somewhere before, myabe I was seeing things.
****The Few, The Proud****
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#7 2009-08-17 11:43pm
- fanmegaman
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
That bike has bad memories ehh racer? Sucks that the investors chickened out on you and your buddy ![]()
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#8 2009-09-06 10:07pm
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
Not bad memories. I tried, you can only win the race if you get on the gate.
The first investor actually was the one who asked me to start it after hearing about my success with Hyper.
But her son got accepted to a private college and she fealt she couldnt afford to invest.
The second investor just got nervous cause the production batch by Cheeta took forever to build.
Its my fault we shoulda had the investors money in our account before placing the order.
My only regret were my own errors, slipping a pedal here and there- decision wise. Leaving Troy hanging with no way to let him know whats up. I didnt know even. I literally was waiting to go to the race and my partner to pick me up. When I finally called him and said where you at, he was like he is not going and didnt want to work on the company. I just couldnt do it alone financially or workload wise.
Erick Weinstetter BMXr from 1978-2001, 2005 Raced Penn-1, District G, PA01, CA-14, NJ-4
Project: 1983 SE Quadangle 42.5% complete (A recreation of my last Quad)
Project: 1985 Profile Cruiser 6% complete (LOL. A recreation of my Profile)
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#9 2009-09-08 3:00pm
- Hokey
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
Looks like it has the same drops as my Dingo......
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#10 2009-10-23 10:24am
- Paolo
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
Bummer to hear. I, to this day, think you had one of the cleanest, best looking logo designs in BMX. The geometry was great looking too. I recall seeing these in Snap as part of a "new for next year" type thing. The only one I ever saw in person was a deep red one at Brainerd Lakes, MN. I wish I could have had one.
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#11 2010-08-23 2:14am
- adamprovo
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
Hey dudes this is Adam. A friend said she came across this thread. Oh the good old days. This was the best bike I ever had and I want to thank you Eric for saving my butt and getting me back to California on the tour. Wish things wouldve worked out for the company and my career.
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#12 2011-01-11 7:43pm
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
Adam for those of you that never met him raced AA Pro. Against my wishes lol. He didnt quite have enough earnings to get forced into AA but he felt he was ready. He could hang for sure, but I tried to convince him to stay A Pro. He just needed a bit more seasoning and a better sponsor ![]()
See some of my short lived company at http://americanbicycles.wordpress.com
BTW thanks Paolo. The one at Brainerd was perhaps Troy Kendricks as his was Candy Red. We also had a co sponsored rider up there whos name escapes me, but I forget what color he went with.
Erick Weinstetter BMXr from 1978-2001, 2005 Raced Penn-1, District G, PA01, CA-14, NJ-4
Project: 1983 SE Quadangle 42.5% complete (A recreation of my last Quad)
Project: 1985 Profile Cruiser 6% complete (LOL. A recreation of my Profile)
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#13 2013-03-07 7:46pm
- tonyjenkins
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
Sorry I am sooo late but I have a the candy blue frame in my garage! I am so excited because I never new of any others. Contact me please with any info, I love the bike, never raced it but it is in very good to excelent shape. I will have too post a picture.
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#14 2013-03-07 10:00pm
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
Be cool to see how it looks. WE had three riders in Texas, was probably one their bikes. Casper Green (Am), Brandon Taylor (AA Pro) and Kevin Herring (Am). Not sure what color frames they all got.
Erick Weinstetter BMXr from 1978-2001, 2005 Raced Penn-1, District G, PA01, CA-14, NJ-4
Project: 1983 SE Quadangle 42.5% complete (A recreation of my last Quad)
Project: 1985 Profile Cruiser 6% complete (LOL. A recreation of my Profile)
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#15 2013-03-08 6:01pm
- tonyjenkins
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Re: 1997 American Bicycles X1al
I took some pics gonna try to post them, not sure how yet.
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