Having watched chopper bikes become popular again for kids the banana seats still make me smile. I remember my high handle bar, long seat bike that I grew up on. Vinyl goodness. Mine was a coaster bike and didn't have gears. Mine was also a hand me down from some long forgotten cousin, my parents didn't actually fork over a hefty sum of money for a bike.
I suppose my generation moved away from the long seats and high handlebars as the BMX bikes became the rage. I remember selling my pet goat to make enough money to buy my own BMX bike. Somehow the black and white checkered padding made the BMX look all the more dangerous.
I don't know why the Western Daily Press article below popped up on my screen a few minutes ago, but it made me nostalgic for a time when I still pedaled. I'm not actually nostalgic enough to actual pedal again, but the memories are nice.
Western Daily Press
February 25, 2004
CHOPPER BOUNCES BACK FOR BIKE KIDS
SECTION: News; Other; Others; Pg. 9
LENGTH: 208 words
Bicycle-maker Raleigh yesterday unveiled a remodelled Chopper which it hopes will inspire a new generation of child cyclists. With 'ape-hanger' handlebars, red-trimmed tyres and an elongated seat, the Chopper was the epitome of 1970s playground chic.
It became the nation's best-selling children's bicycle, drawing on a wave of enthusiasm prompted by the classic motorcycle film Easy Rider.
A second model was produced in 1971 and won a legion of fans, many of whom continued to ride the bike long into adulthood.
Cult fans include England goalkeeper David James, pop star Damon Albarn and DJ Norman Jay.
Raleigh, based in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, sold 1.5million Choppers between 1969 and 1979, but halted production in 1984 as the BMX came into fashion.
Prompted by a new wave of nostalgic interest, Raleigh spent nine months designing a third model Chopper which retains most of the quirky features of the original.
The bike still includes a back rest and chrome seat loop, with only the gearshift altered, moving from the crossbar to the handlebars for safety reasons.
The £199.99 bicycle will be produced in Vietnam following the closure of the company's Nottingham production line in November 2002.
"...moving from the crossbar to the handlebars for safety reasons," and oddly something about making choppers safer just seems odd. Maybe its just me.
