Once again I am writing about a subject that involves us all – the balance between our desire for a good and descent bike and the reality of our economy. Some of us may have to compromise for a 150-300$ bike and be happy with it and others will be very sad with their 3000$ mountain bike, road bike or low-rider bike. At the end it is all about what we really need and what we can really afford.
If you are a professional rider your needs and budget have to be higher than the average amateur rider, though there are some amateurs that can buy bicycles with no proportion to their real needs. So think it over it not so hard to be honest with yourself and decide what you really need and what you can really afford.
In the other hand buying cheap bicycles also can be tricky, as the "ausi" site bikeexchange explains:
"It may seem like a good way of saving a little cash, but there are risks involved in buying a cheap bicycle that you need to take into account before laying down your money... The first thing you should do is always to do what research you can. Get the make and model of your proposed cheap bicycle, and go to the website of a reputable bicycle seller. Check to see what you can about the bicycle – who makes it, how much is it usually, is it still in production, and so on. Only if you like the answers you get to this sort of question should you even consider buying the bicycle cheaply."
Here are some points to think about when you buy cheap bicycles:
• Buy what you intend to use it for. Buying a professional bicycle for daily commute isn't the smartest idea
• Beware the word "cheap". When it comes to bicycles, "you get what you pay for"
• The better your bike the more attractive it is for thieves
• Don't forget the most important part of a bike: The lock(s). I recommend using two locks: one chain to wrap
around a tree/post and another chain to secure the wheels
• If you don't use it daily look for a rent a bike service in your hometown
• make sure that your good deal doesn't turn out to be too good to be true
• when you buy Cheap New Bicycles buy one from a specialist seller, usually larger sporting goods chains are
less good to buy from, especially if located in a mall
• Beware of bikes sold with sub-standard parts
• If you must a bike with sub-standard parts take it to a good mechanic and upgrade them as soon as you can
• Buy a cheap bicycle from a manufacturer you have no trouble sourcing parts later on
When buying a second hand bicycle you can find a really good deal for a decent bike but you must be alert and make a good research before you make the final purchase. once again I want to quote the bikeexchange site:
"When buying a second hand bicycle ask a lot of questions: why are they selling it, what brand is it, what is the availability of parts should it need repairs, when was it last serviced, and so on. If the seller gets touchy about this, apologise, but point out that you don't know them and they don't know you, and that a few questions now can prevent problems for both of you further down the line."
I hope this post will help you to do the right choice for your needs and budget – good hunting and god speed.
As I wrought in my previous post, low rider bicycles are getting more popular in the past decade and there are various options and prices to satisfy your love for them. There are prices and designs for the fanatics that money is not an issue for them even if they have no money, and there are people like me that would love to buy the ultimate low rider bike but have to settle for a low budget one.
Movimento Alternativo 2011 low rider bicycles
Low rider bicycle for Low budget pockets
Most of the low rider enthusiasts love to custom builds their bikes, but if you are not up to that you can find a custom bike shop at your local area. If you don’t have that option you can find some ideas in the Bicycle Designer website where you can find ideas for simple designs that cost around 200$-400$. You can buy the parts and find some building advises in Nicholas Pell post that was published on eHow. Other good sites where you can find good parts along with ready to go bikes are www.aztlanbicycle.com and www.toplowrider.com. Don't forget that you can allways find something interesting on e-Bay as well.
My dream low rider bicycle
Dreams are what make us human and it is the source of many good and bad things that we have developed. The custom low rider bike is certainly not a bad thing although sometimes it really looks evil. So, even if I can't afford to buy my ultimate bike I can still dream of it. I found my dream bike on www.lowriderbike.com, it is the most amazing thing you can find. I am talking about a Two Wheeler Chopper Bicycle named Hell's Belle designed by A.J. Duran.
Another thing I find very pleasant to dream of is riding on a Lowlife bicycle along the Florida beaches. As Gary right in his site “Why ride something everybody else rides, when you can ride one of the sickest- A Low Life Bike”. Well I am with you Gary but the thing is it will cost me more than 1000$. Maybe this blog will make it real for some day…
Low bicycle generally refers to a Lowrider bicycles. This unique kind of bicycles started to show up in America in the 1960's as a cultural element of Chicano Americans. part of the street culture of the American barrio where Mexican immigrants maintained a lively urban culture. Basicly young kids would copy the work of Sean 'Custom King' Johnson and adapt it to their bicycles.
In general "Low Rider" refers to a car, bike or tricycle that has been customized to ride lower to the ground. Since the 1960's an entire culture has developed around it, including magazines, gatherings and ride-a-longs.
Based on cars and motorcycles of the same style, a lowrider bike is similar in appearance to many chopper-style motorcycles; the lowrider bike often features high handlebars, a long wheelbase, wider tires, and a more laid back riding position.
If you see a bicycle like that, your reaction will likely either be that it looks really weird or it looks really cool. Because of this strong reaction, low-rider bikes have become significantly popular with folks who like to modify bicycles and make them unique and personal. Besides its unique appearance its purpose is commuting with flash or simply cruising through the neighborhood on a fun and creative bicycle. It is sertenly not designed for performance cycling or racing.
Despite the fact that these bikes originated within the poverty of the barrio, this days lowrider bikes are anything but cheap. The makers of these one-of-a-kind creations regard their bicycles as an artwork and a mechanical marvel ruther than as a means of transportation. Even so you can buy some standard models and a few elaborate models in a good bike store, especially in cities of the American West.
Low bicycle or Lowrider bikes as they are usually called, will bring out the creative and inventor side of you as you go on and embellish your bike with accesories and technical improvisations. They truly are unique and a wonder to look at and a great show of to your friends. Cruising around on a Lowrider Bicycle is a laid back adventure with no urgency or having to be somewhere, just siting back enjoying the carefree ride.
