Retro World - Lowrider Bikes

I was just a little kid in the late 1960s, when the TVto "see and be seen in style."
show The Munsters was on the air in Prime TimeLowriders are usually considered to be among the
TV, young enough to feel that Eddie Munster (themost comfortable of bikes. The "apehanger"
werewolf son) was my favorite character on thehandlebars extend up so high that riders are perforce
show. I don't remember him riding the "convertedforced to sit up straight - reducing the stress on the
Schwinn Stingray" which was apparently the firstback which is one of the chief causes of biking
lowrider bike featured on TV, and which started thediscomfort. The tires are cushiony, the seat, whether
craze for the lowriders during the late 60s and 70s.banana or some other kind, are roomy and
I do remember that I wanted to sleep in a bureaucomfortable. Most of them have only one speed and
drawer as he did - I felt that would be nice and snug!a simple coaster break, so they don't break down
What I most remember about the show, in thethat often.
technology department, was the car they drove -With the new space age materials of which bikes are
the converted hearse. Now that was a car!made, these bikes aren't as heavy as you might
Anyway, that's just a bit of historical interest. Mostthink, so if you're thinking of getting a new bike, and
kids today have never even heard of the Munsters -like to indulge in your creativity, you might want to
or if they have it's the remake done in the 1980sconsider getting a low rider. (Even if you don't want
which had none of the charm of the original - giveto trick it out, or "pimp it" as the slang goes, it is still
me Fred Gwynne, Yvonne DeCarlo and Al Lewis anya classic "retro" design and a fun ride.)
day of the week!But if you do want to trick it out (a term I prefer to
It wasn't a TV show that brought the lowrider back"pimp" frankly, as I would think that word would
into favor in the late 1980s, however, but merely thehave unpleasant connotations) there are plenty of
concerted creativity of people in the Chicanostores, both bricks and mortar and online, where you
neighborhoods of Los Angeles, who began exercisingcan purchase practically any accessory you can think
their creativity by tricking out their bikes withof - from gold and chrome mirrors, rims and spokes,
chrome, paint, and all sorts of accessories. The hobbyto hand-painted murals on the frame, to rows of
caught on and has spread through urban areasmirrors on each side, to a baby spare tire mounted
throughout the United States.on the back!
Lowrider bikes are not built for speed - they are builtSo check out your local store or surf the web, and
for leisurely rides along the beach (hence the fathave some fun!
tires), or through the neighborhood. The riders want