| As the world around us continues to become more | | | | been "chopped" - put together from several different |
| and more complicated, even our toys become more | | | | bikes. |
| complicated - for example our mountain bikes are | | | | The most distinctive feature of the chopper bike is its |
| more complicated than ever with dozens of gears and | | | | handlebars... also called ape hangers, which extend high |
| choices between hard tails and soft tails and having to | | | | above the head of the rider. The seat or saddle, |
| decide between disc brakes or v-brakes. | | | | meanwhile is situated even lower than normal, and the |
| In such an atmosphere, it's not surprising that the | | | | pedals are pushed far forward. |
| "retro-look" is back. Well, actually the retro-look never | | | | The design of the chopper doesn't stop there, of |
| goes out of style, it just lies dormant for a decade or | | | | course. Enthusiasts pile on all the accessories they can |
| so before coming back. There really is nothing new | | | | think of, from chrome to gold to fake fur, from special |
| under the sun. | | | | paint jobs to sound systems. |
| Today, lowriders and chopper bicycles are resurging in | | | | If you're mechanically inclined, you can put together |
| popularity. They are certainly not for riding | | | | your own chopper bike out of bits and pieces of |
| cross-country or downhill, but for riding on pavement or | | | | others, but if you'd just like the look without all that fuss, |
| across soft beach sand, they are wonderful. | | | | there are chopper bike shops out there who can |
| It's more than just the high handlebars, generous seats, | | | | provide you with the bike, and all the accessories you |
| and fat tires that provide a comfortable ride, it's the | | | | need to customize it to your satisfaction. |
| ability to express one's individual tastes by decorating | | | | The frame |
| their bikes. These bikes have become fashion | | | | Just like beach cruisers, you might think that these |
| statements among the youths of the major urban | | | | choppers with all their accoutrements would weigh you |
| areas of the country. | | | | down, but that's not the case as everything is made |
| Chopper bikes first appeared in California in the early | | | | from space age materials for lightness. However, they |
| 1960s. They were built by kids, who wanted to copy | | | | typically only come with one gear, so riding up hills can |
| the then-popular customized motorcycles called | | | | be a bit of a chore. |
| choppers. Why chopped? Because the bikes had | | | | |