| Most people buy bikes in order to get around - or | | | | show "The Munsters" is generally regarded as the |
| to have fun biking cross-country or downhill. | | | | "founder" of the lowrider bike craze. He rode a |
| However, there's a new rage on the scene, | | | | George Barris customized Schwinn Stingray. |
| people who like to trick out their bikes - bikes | | | | (George Barris is most famous for his car |
| called low riders - and then display them. | | | | customasations - he created the 1960s Batmobile, |
| The lowrider bike looks exactly as you think it | | | | for example.) However, these types of bikes fell |
| would from the name - the seat is set low to the | | | | out of fashion in the 1980s, when the BMX and |
| ground and the handlebars are typically higher | | | | mountain bikes came into use. |
| than the head, indeed they can remind you of | | | | Lowriders came back into favor in the 1990s, |
| "chopper" motorcycles - indeed some are | | | | when Chicano neighborhoods in California revived |
| decorated to look exactly like a motorcycle - right | | | | the hobby, and it quickly caught on in the urban |
| down to the faux gas tank. The imagination is the | | | | areas of the country. |
| limit when creating a lowrider. | | | | Lowrider Lingo |
| When I say it's a rage, I mean just that. People | | | | As with any other hobby, the enthusiasts have |
| have been known to spend thousands of dollars | | | | devised their own terminology for their bikes. |
| on their lowrider, adding sound systems, hand | | | | Those tall upward-swept handlebars are known as |
| painted murals, and even hydraulics. They delight | | | | apehangers. When you're creating your bike |
| in using excessive chrome, overspoked wheels | | | | you're either "tricking it out" or "pimping it." |
| and even fur. They put two mirrors on each side | | | | "Pimped to the max" means there's absolutely |
| of the handlebars, spare tires on the back...oh, all | | | | nothing more you can add to it. |
| kinds of things. | | | | The future of the hobby |
| To get an idea of what a lowrider looks like, visit | | | | Lowriding is still pretty much a neighborhood thing |
| the web, as there are many sites that display | | | | - or enthusiasts might gather where there is a |
| these creations. was one of the first on the | | | | local car show, but there has yet to be an annual |
| scene, as you can tell from the domain name. | | | | competition or major venue where lowriders can |
| There are many more including and The TV | | | | exhibit their bikes to the general public. |
| character Eddie Munster, from the 1960s TV | | | | |