Ready To Ride "In Style"
Lowrider bicyclists ride as a culture and customize thier biciyles to fit thier likes and personalities.
From the very young to grandparents, lowriding is a way of life and expression.
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Photos by ROBERT LOWE and HOPE CASTRO
Wakefield's lowriders show of Andres West's latest two wheeled creation. Attention to detail and exquisite workmanship bring out the finest in the Lowriding community and demonstrate their commitment to the art form. |
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Want to make a Lowrider bike? Here's what it might cost:
$210 Basic bike
$150 Body work
$500 Murals
$ 16 Tires
$ 60 Baby D rims
$ 45 Steering Wheel
$250 Hydraulics | |
Lowrider Bikes: A Way of Life
Biker clubs promote fancy styles and family values
By ROBERT LOWE and HOPE CASTRO
Q'bo Knights News Service
Dream On is a $4,000 Lowrider bike. Covered with murals of dragons and wizard girls, this bike also has hydraulics, fancy "Baby D" rims, and is lavishly upholstered. It belongs to Irma Villa, a member of Nemesis, a local Lowrider bike club. Her first bike was 14 karat gold, and is now "retired".
Why do people spend $4,000 on a bicycle? "A Lowrider is more then a bike. It's a culture," says Lilian Robles of the Raza Unida Club, who with her sisters hosts a popular Chicano-oriented radio show on KXCI. "Lowriding is pride which comes from the corazón (heart). It is an important part of our Chicano community. We of the Raza Unida Club are trying to break the stereotype of Lowriders as gangsters and educate ourselves and the community."
For her efforts with Raza Unida, Robles recently received a Can-Do Community Award. The Raza Unida Club works on many projects and presentations at middle and high schools in Tucson. This club has 30 members, from about 9 to 29 years of age. Raza Unida has existed since 1992 and is best known for its wide range of ages, its bikes and most of all, its love of "La Raza".
"A Lowrider bike is a bike modified to enhance a low profile," explains Bobby Herrera, one of the owners of Ajo Bikes on South 12th. Ajo Bikes caters to the lowrider bike community. "Lowrider bikes are worth anywhere from $400- $1,000, and much more with after-market customizing. About 15% of our business is to Lowrider bikers."
The clubs in this community include Nemesis, Camaradas, Wicked Style, and Raza Unida. "I get a sense of security having my children in this club. It keeps them busy and out of trouble. We travel together everywhere around Arizona and we are going to New Mexico soon," says Joe Villa. "The kids do all the work putting their bikes together including custom paint and upholstery. Every chance they get to do hands on work, they take it. Helping each other is important in order to reach our goals." Villa and his club have won 37 trophies.
"My dream Lowrider bike would be an all gold three wheeler with a mural of a joker on the back and graphics everywhere," says Andres West, an 8th grade student at Wakefield and a member of Raza Unida. "I'd upholster the seat, add twisted forks and hydraulics. It would have a sound system-the best- and Baby Dalton rims with 20 inch white wall tires. That's my dream Lowrider!" In reality West's bike is purple and chrome with Baby D's. "I like being in the club because these bikes are cool and when you finish customizing your bike, you get to go around and show it off," he concludes.
"I'm not in a club but I like putting Lowrider bikes together," says Sam Castro, a fifth grader at Corbett. "It's like putting a model car together. There are so many pieces and instructions to follow in order for it to come out the way you want it to."
Ready to "roll" with your own custom bicycle?
Call Gee-Dub @ (804) 986-7955. |
