Things to know about Low Rider Cars, Trucks, and Bikes
Posted by admin at 30 May 2014, at 12 : 49 PM
Low rider cars (AKA “lowrider” cars) are outrageously customized classic cars, with suspensions dropped low to the ground. The opposite of a fast little sports car, the lowrider is made to go slow and low. This expression of the owner’s attitude helps explain why low rider cars have become more than transportation: they’re a culture, an art form, a way of life.
Low rider cars have been around for decades, and the cars that have been converted into lowriders are as old as the 1930s. The key is the low suspension, but some other characteristics are often found: custom paint jobs in flamboyant colors, whitewalls (often with spokes), flame graphics, custom exhausts, and let’s not forget those awesome hydraulic systems that can launch many lowrider cars clear off the ground!
In the end, low rider cars and the whole lowrider culture are all about self-expression. If neon or LED lights are your style, go for it. If you like an original, classic car look, then that’s what you should have. But in the end, it’s the classic, cool, low-to-the-ground profile that really defines low rider cars. Slow and low.
Low rider trucks may be pickups, but they’re not meant to haul dirt, nor are they off road vehicles. Old school rims…custom interiors with unique upholstery…custom paint jobs with numerous thin layers of varying colors, metal flakes and hand-painted graphics…driver-controlled hydraulic pump systems…these machines will make you re-think the definition of the word “truck”.
Of course, low rider trucks (and mini-trucks) have lowered suspensions like other classic low riders, and often unique body modifications, powerful custom sound systems – everything you never imagined seeing in a pickup or van. The key is the low suspension, but some other characteristics are often found: loads of chrome and/or gold details, custom exhausts, and let’s not forget those whitewalls (often spoked) that tuck under the wheel well to give the lowest possible ride.
Ultimately, low rider trucks (and the whole lowrider culture) are about self-expression. If a tricked-out show truck with wild flame graphics is your taste, go for it. If you like a more traditional look look that just happens to be lowered, then that’s you. It’s the classic, cool, low-to-the-ground profile that really defines low rider trucks.
Low rider bikes (or “lowrider” bikes if you prefer) have been tearing up the pavement since the 1960’s. Inspired by the awesomeness of the culture known as low rider, bikes imitating the style were developed. Legend has it that kids who were too young to work on cars got tired of being pushed away by dads and older brothers, until they took matters into their own hands, and invented low rider bicycles. Soon, the style took off, and makers like Schwinn started mass producing low rider bikes, or at least muscle bikes that could be turned into lowrider bikes.
So what are low rider bikes anyway? Well, as applied to bicycles, lowrider style means lots of chrome, big ol’ handle bars, white-wall tires, sissy bars, banana seats. custom upholstery…in fact, everything customized wherever possible. The more the better. Any kind of custom paint is especially welcome on low rider bicycles too. In fact, the best lowrider bikes, the most respected ones, are built all the way from scratch.
Really, low rider bikes and the whole lowrider culture are all about self-expression, so the sky is the limit. If you can do it to a bike with your own two hands, it’s you. But in the end, it’s the classic, cool, low-to-the-ground profile that really defines low rider bikes. You know ‘em when you see ‘em.