With the drop in coverage, it was more difficult to get more and more sponsors for the ABA nationals. The sponsors would not have the benefits of indirect advertising in the magazines. Founder and creator of the USA BMX, Merl Mennenga, Huffy Nel Lusso realized that many promises made to BMX families were not fulfilled. His dissatisfaction and the lack of alternatives to the IBMX tracks near his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, were his primary reasons for creating the ABA.
In 2002, the ABA attempted to purchase the NBL from USA Cycling after it was approached by officers of USA Cycling to sell the NBL but was turned down by the USA Cycling board. Despite the expensive second TV advertisements shown on the-popular programs like Magnum, P.I., Dynasty and Good Morning America, it was difficult to win over the public. The light attendance most likely did not justify the reputed $4000 in television advertising the ABA invested.
It has a throttle and pedal-assist to help power you through your commute. At a mere 46 pounds, it’s light enough to load into your car or even carry up a flight of stairs. Thumb controls on your handlebar and an easy-to-read digital display let you keep track of your speed, distance, and battery level.
Mennenga sent out press releases and faxes to the BMX press, track operators and bicycle manufactures allegedly hinting that they should boycott persons and organizations that participated in the Knott’s Berry race. Another financial drain was the Pro Spectacular concept, a revival of a similar experiment abandoned in 1980 after financial losses. At the time, BMX as a whole was not a mature enough sport for the concept to be a success.
Previous to the piloting position with the ABA, he had no experience with BMX racing. Mr. Keeling had departed the ABA on March 2, 1984, and announced the creation of the new governing body on March 23, 1984. Some thought the creation of the USBA was timed to take advantage of the ABA’s financial dire straits and to cause a stampede of ABA tracks to change affiliation to the new organization. Mennenga saw it as a personal betrayal to the point that he called a press conference to denounce them. He charged at that press conference that it was they who had given him bad advice to take a hard, uncompromising line against the track owners, the racers, and the BMX press. His basic charge was that their collective advice was deliberate sabotage to undermine the ABA so they could make this move to set up their own governing body and destroy the ABA.
If you are located in another country please check with your local Giant & Liv retailer for product offerings and availability. Here’s the place to discuss those early mountain bikes from the late 1970’s to the mid to late 1980’s. Discussion of BMX bicycles built during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Huffy Nel Lusso Discussion of bicycles built with 26″ x 1.75, or 26″ x 1-3/4″ wheels, typically from the 1950s to the 1960s. This forum is for tricycles, scooters, small bicycles or any other childrens riding “toys”. Discussion of bicycles built before 1933, typically but not limited to 28″ wheel bicycles.
Check out the Schwinn Women’s Circuit Hybrid Bike here. This is an invitational only race of the top 10 age and skill level finishers of their state championship series. The state champions get a special number plate with a red background and a white number one. The winner of the single event ROC (which is held the day before the ABA Grand-nationals at the same venue) is the champion of that event in his/her age group.
Your support also goes towards new features and faster hosting with fewer down times. I simply wanted to catalog every bmx bike ever, and share the info. Ellis finished second in points in 1995 to Christophe Leveque, but was awarded the title of National Number One Pro due to an ABA rule at the time that prohibited non-US citizens from earning the title.