| Lowriding began as a cultural element of Chicano | | | | has always been parading them down the street |
| Americans, part of the street culture of the | | | | when completed?these are not pieces of art |
| American barrio where Mexican immigrants | | | | meant for life in dusty museums, for the most |
| maintained a lively urban culture.Lowrider bikes, | | | | part.Each part is usually carefully selected for its |
| one of the most splendid and unique products of | | | | utility as well as its beauty, with the resulting bike |
| this culture, are a cross between the Harley and | | | | a breathtaking example of technical and artistic |
| the cruiser bike, decorated with paint and chrome | | | | ingenuity. |
| and streamers, found in any all-American | | | | Lowrider bikes are becoming a presence in more |
| hometown parade. | | | | and more cities, perhaps made more |
| As you might surmise, lowriding bikes hug the | | | | "respectable" among the affluent bicyclists who |
| ground.The highest points on a lowrider bike are | | | | drive the market by the increasing popularity of |
| almost always its two hand grips, just like you | | | | their cousin, the recumbent bicycle.As the baby |
| might find on its motorized cousin, the Harley | | | | boomer generation ages and feels increasing |
| motorcycle.The seat of a lowrider bike is down at | | | | twinges of back pain riding on the dropped |
| wheel level and its pedals are sometimes higher | | | | handlebars of road bikes, expect to see more and |
| than the seat!These bikes are typically a highly | | | | more lowrider and recumbent bikes alike. |
| individualized creation.Most of them are ridden with | | | | And once you get your first basic lowrider bike, |
| enormous pride by their creators, although you | | | | don't be too surprised if you find yourself flipping |
| can buy some standard models and a few | | | | through the real or online pages of a lowrider |
| elaborate models in a good bike store, especially in | | | | parts catalog musing, "Hmm.I wonder how that |
| cities of the American West. | | | | golden sprocket would look on my bike?"Lowrider |
| Despite the fact that these bikes originated within | | | | bikes have a tradition of creative embellishment |
| the poverty of the barrio, lowrider bikes are | | | | and technical improvisation that calls out the artist |
| anything but cheap.Makers of these one-of-a-kind | | | | and the inventor in many of us. |
| creations regard their bicycles as much as an | | | | What, really, could be better to evoke, especially |
| artwork and a mechanical marvel as a means of | | | | if you're already a bike rider? |
| transportation, though part of the joy of creation | | | | |