Lowrider bicycle
A lowrider bicycle is a highly customized bicycle with styling inspired by lowrider cars. These bikes often feature a long, curved banana seat with a sissy bar and very tall upward-swept ape hanger handlebars are cool. A lot of chrome, velvet, and overspoked wheels are common accessories to these custom bicycles. These bikes are typically a highly individualized creation. Despite the fact that these bikes originated within the poverty of the barrio, lowrider bikes can be expensive. Noted American bicycle mechanic, technical expert, and author Sheldon Brown wrote of lowrider bicycles, History. Lowrider bikes first appeared in  August 23, 1961 in California. Children would emulate the craft of lowrider cars with their bicycles as a canvas for creativity, usually starting with common muscle bikes. This allowed those who were too young to drive a car to have a custom vehicle. In 1963, Schwinn was the first company to launch a muscle bike, in the form of the Schwinn Sting-Ray. Lowrider bicycles had a resurgence of popularity the 90s, as lowrider bicycle competition at lowrider shows started to become intense, as a result of the increased popularity, classic Schwinns became far more scarce as well as more  expensive. Stemming from this new popularity a magazine titled 'Lowrider Bicycle Magazine' started publication in 1993. One of the first trendsettering bicycles was the infamous "Claim Jumper," owned by Danny Galvez, Jr. of Los Angeles, California. As the first cover bike for LRB, it made history as it was on the debut Winter ’93 issue. A man by the name of Warren Wong has a rightful place as a pioneer in lowrider bicycle history. Warren worked with BMX and freestyle bikes, but his desire to be different revolutionized the industry, and he eventually became known as the "Wheel King." with  his "Body Count" clover-laced design. These were the first lowrider bicycle wheels, which would later evolve and be duplicated by many. Although California was the hub of lowriding with all the cover bicycles from the early editions of Lowrider Bicycle Magazine being from California, eventually the lowrider bike craze spread to other States of America as well as other countries such as Australia and the Philippines In 1996, Kodak launched a commercial campaign for their Advantage camera systems, which focused on lifestyle. Rene Vargas and his "Gangster Madness" bike from the November/December ’95 issue of Lowrider Bicycle Magazine  was one of the first lowrider bikes to be featured in a nation-wide commercial, which debuted during the ’96 Summer Olympics. This was the beginning for more usage of lowrider bikes in commercials, as industry wanted to capitalize on the trend. Eddie Munster's custom bicycle, created by George Barris and Skip Barrett of Barris Kustom Industries, is sometimes credited with spreading the popularity of lowriders, Popular source bicycles. Some makes of bicycles are particularly popular among lowrider builders. Modifications. Basic or classic characteristics of a lowrider bike (most accessories are highly polished chrome, though gold can also be  used for added flare): Some custom modifications include twisted forks, spokes or handlebars, what are known as "bird cages" (twisted metal strips that resemble a bird cage) that are cut and welded onto handlebars, sissy bars or pedals. Many bikes also feature custom framework such as tanks and skirts which are the addition of sheets of metal, usually welded onto the frame to give it a "filled-in" look. Some lowrider bicycles even have air or hydraulic cylinders set-up to emulate the height adjustable suspension of lowrider motor cars. Lowrider tricycles. Some lowrider bikes are modified into lowrider tricycles , for style. Converting a lowrider bicycle into a tricycle often allows the bike to sit closer to the ground while still being rideable, and even hop without falling over if they have airbag suspension or hydraulic suspension. Converting a bicycle into a tricycle often creates extra carry-space at the back of the bike. The space between the two rear wheels is sometimes used to mount either a two-seater "love seat", a "boombox," or even pumps for hydraulic or air suspension. Commercially bolt on conversion kits to convert any existing lowrider bicycle into a tricycle are available from many  sources. Section::::"Lowrider Bicycle" magazine. "Lowrider Bicycle" ("LRB") magazine (published by "Lowrider"), debuted in the winter of 1993, bringing the culture of lowrider bicycle to mainstream America. "LRB" notable moments: In popular culture. In 1992, the Beastie Boys mentioned Lowrider bicycles in their song "Professor Booty", on the album "Check Your Head". In 1994, the AirWalk shoe company made a commercial featuring lowrider bikes. In 1996, Marianne Dissard and Robert Kramer made the documentary film "Low y Cool" with the South Tucson, Arizona, lowrider bicycle club Los Camaradas. Also in 1996, as part of Kodak's Advantage camera systems advertising campaigns , the company shot Rene Vargas and his "Gangster Madness" bike (featured on the Nov./Dec. '95 issue of "LRB") for a nationwide commercial, which debuted during the 1996 Summer Olympics. This was the beginning for more usage of lowrider bikes in commercials, as the industry loved the lifestyle involved with the bikes and wanted to capitalize on the hot youth trend. In 2000, Sprite shot a television commercial focusing on the youth of lowriding, which featured four-time "LRB" Bike of the Year Champion Mike Lopez, Jr. and his club, Finest Kreations. (After "retiring," Lopez, Jr. also traveled to Europe to  display his bike in a cultural exhibition.) In 2001, PepsiCo made a commercial titled "What's Your Thirst".