[cyanutopia]

Can you please help me identify this road bike? It is an all aluminum, chrome colored frame with "AMERICAN" in red letters along the downtube and has your company sticker near the bottom bracket. The serial number is 349002. I have tried calling the company who's sticker is near the bottom bracket, but they said they don't remember anything about this one. Thank you so much for any information you can provide! Some images are provided below.

 

[twrecks]

First thing: You seatpost is backwards. Please fix that. Chain needs lube too.

I had a mid-nineties road bike with 105 and it had that same finish, along with the 1" threaded fork I would say this bike is no newer than 1995 or so.

 

[twrecks]

http://abcbike.com/index.cfm

Is this who you called? I'm suprised that they wouldn't have an idea of what they sold.

Does every bike shop have this same web design? I see it everywhere.

 

[handsomerob]

Those rear drop outs are pretty distinctive. I would definitely mention those to whoever you talk to on the phone.... good luck.

 

[uzziefly]

Have you fixed your seatpost? And, err, your chain's rusted dude... It's a nice bike, take care of it!!

Good luck, yeah what handsomerob said, the dropouts are distinctive..

 

[SDizzle]

Does every bike shop have this same web design? I see it everywhere.

QBP engine. All it does is mirror the QBP inventory site with prices adjusted per the shop's specifications.

 

[cyanutopia]

Yup, the seatpost has been fixed. What exactly is so distinctive about the rear dropouts? Is it because it comes out as one pipe and splits into two lower down than normal bikes? Also, do you think I need to get a new chain or just lube and clean the existing one really well?

I bought this bike for $175 today, I hope I got a good deal.

 

[Mel Erickson]

You got an ok deal. Looks like 7 or 8spd Shimano 600 (Ultegra) with a polished alu frame/fork and some type of Mavic wheels. The dropouts are the parts where the rear wheel slides into the frame. What makes them distinctive are the three holes. Never seen dropouts like these. Check the wheels, they look to be out of true as evidenced by the intermitent black brake pad marks on the rims.

As far as the rust is concerned, most of it should clean up easily and looks only superficial. The chain could be fine. If it's not overly worn (check it with an accurate ruler by measuring from pin to pin over 12 inches. A new chain will measure exactly 12 inches. A chain needs replacement if it is 1/16 of an inch or more over 12 inches) it just needs a cleaning and lubing.

 

[uzziefly]

Yup, the seatpost has been fixed. What exactly is so distinctive about the rear dropouts? Is it because it comes out as one pipe and splits into two lower down than normal bikes? Also, do you think I need to get a new chain or just lube and clean the existing one really well?

I bought this bike for $175 today, I hope I got a good deal.

Oh yeah you could check for loose pins too.. My old hybrid (ok not that old) had a rusted chain and when I checked, or rather, the LBS guy, the pin was about to break on one of the links.. So, check it out too..

 

[WheresWaldo]

Problem with calling the bike shop is that you are dealing with a 10 y.o. bike. If you are not speaking to the owner or manager you are probably talking to some kid that would never know what you are talking about. Best bet is that if you live a reasonable distance from the shop is pack it in your car/van/suv and take it to the shop so they can see it.

 

[Howzitbroke]

Looks like a mid to late 80"s Schwinn alu. Available just before they released their Paramount line.

 

[laffeaux]

Can you please help me identify this road bike? It is an all aluminum, chrome colored frame with "AMERICAN" in red letters along the downtube

The frame was made by the American Bicycle Manufacturing, based in St. Cloud, Minnesota. American was most noted for mountain bikes, with the CompLite, Breezer, and Montaneus models being thier most popular. They were also responsible for what is likely the lightest and most expensive MTB frame ever made: the American Beryllium frame.

You can read more about the company here:
http://www.firstflightbikes.com/new_page_3.htm

 

[cyanutopia]

Laffeaux, thanks so much for the information! Are these bikes collectible and about how much are they worth? I absolutely love the look and ride of mine and probably won't sell it for a really long time (all the while taking very good care of it).
Do you happen to have any more information on ABM's road bike models? Were lots of them made? I can't seem to find much information on ABM's road bikes, only their mountain bikes. Thanks again!

 

[laffeaux]

Laffeaux, thanks so much for the information! Are these bikes collectible and about how much are they worth? I absolutely love the look and ride of mine and probably won't sell it for a really long time (all the while taking very good care of it).
Do you happen to have any more information on ABM's road bike models? Were lots of them made? I can't seem to find much information on ABM's road bikes, only their mountain bikes. Thanks again!

I'm not an expert on American frames, althought I recently purchased a late 80's Complite frame (mountain). I believe that they are collectable, but not valuable. American made excellent frames, but due to a minimal marketing budget few people knew of them. As a result there's little demand for an excellent frame.

I have a friend who's more of an expert. He spends time on mtbr.com. I'll see if he knows anything more about the road frames, and refer him here.

 

[turbogrover]

American Bicycle MFG. was a long time sponsor of the Chequamegon 40 Fat tire festival in Hayward WI. I never even knew they made a road bike model. It might be pretty valuable in the future so take care of it. I wouldn't even ride it until I could find out more about it. Their mtb's were very nice rides.

 

[cyanutopia]

Oh man, I'm super excited about my bike now that I'm finding out it's not a Schwinn after all as someone above had said.

I'd love to find out anything and everything about the bike, so if anyone's got any more information, or places where I can get it, please let me know. Also, turbogrover, were you serious about not riding it?

 

[datawhacker]

I have an 87 and 91 catalog. Road frames are mentioned in 1991, but not much else than a picture. Your seatstay looks like it might be a newer design, and from the serial number, I think it may be a 1993. I believe that the first digit is the year of manufacture. Here is the 91 road frame:

<a href="https://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/datawhacker/american001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

 

[Doggity]

I think you're extremely fortunate to find such a beautiful bike for $175....but that is THE oddest saddle I've ever seen!

 

[cyanutopia]

Thanks Doggity! I feel very lucky I'm almost done "restoring" the bike to near-mint condition and I'll post up pics once I'm done. I was so excited about going riding this Saturday, but the temperature in Houston dropped from 75 to 32 in the course of 3 hours today