Longhorn Bikes * Low Rider Bikes * Comfort Bikes * Trail Bikes * BMX Bikes * MTB Bikes * Road Bikes
Hey Austin! This is Rene Martinez from Longhorn Bikes. I just wanted say "What's Up?" and invite you to stop by the next time you roll east and feel like hanging out in a bike shop. We trade custom, new and used bikes plus every day accessories such as inner tubes, tires, wheels, saddles, handlebars, brakes and fenders. We're east of I-35 @ 2308 Cesar Chavez Street Austin, Texas 78702 Mon-Fri 10am-6pm SAT 10am-3pm 512-542-9505. Orale ~ Rene Martinez
Second Saturday BBQ This is an ongoing event that happens on the second SAT of each month from noon-3pm. Hang out, meet new bike people, learn to speak Spanish! Bring an instrument if you'd like as well as a chair and a cooler. This is has always been a low key good time so come on out! BYOB and we'll provide fresh cooked fajitas and taco's... Eastside Style.
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By Denise Gamino on Monday, July 09, 2007 AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
These
bikes
hook
second
looks
Horns
replace
handlebars
on
these
bicycles
cool
enough
for
Jesse
James
Anyone
can
steer
a
bicycle
in
the
typical
manner,
with
chrome
handlebars
hardly
worth
a
second
glance.
Then,
there
are
those
who
take
things
way
too
literally.
They
feel
the
need
to
steer
a
bicycle
with
a
steer,
or at
least
the
part
of a
steer
that,
with
a
squint
of
imagination,
sort
of
looks
like
handlebars.
These
people
ride
around
Austin
on
funky
bikes
gripping
longhorn
steer
horns.
There
are
not
yet
enough
of
these
longhorn
bicycles
to
make
a
herd,
but a
definite
ripple
of
delight
tickles
those
who
catch
a
glimpse.
"Some
people
take
pictures,"
said
Jon
Williams,
a
master
carpenter
and
contractor
whose
horn
handlebars
are
so
long
he
can't
ride
his
bicycle
on
the
sidewalk.
"The
ladies
like
it."
"That's
good
steering,"
others
yell.
Longhorn
bicycles
are
created
by
Rene
Martinez
at
his
hot
Longhorn
Bikes
shop
made
slightly
bearable
by a
large,
industrial-strength
fan.
Wheels
and
tires
hang
from
the
ceiling,
and
tools
and
rags
cover
a
well-worn
work
table.
Metal
drawers
overflow
with
gadgets.
Music
from
KGSR
radio
fills
the
air.
Kids
who
come
in
for
low-rider
bikes
make
fun
of
Martinez
for
listening
to
"K-Geezer."
Martinez
formerly
ran a
Mexican
import
business
at
this
spot
on
East
Cesar
Chavez
Street
across
the
parking
lot
from
Juan
in a
Million
restaurant.
Two
years
ago,
Martinez
and
his
friend
Lynn
Carter
were
passing
time
in
the
bike
shop
when
Carter's
eyes
rested
on
some
leftover
imported
longhorn
steer
horns.
He
challenged
Martinez
to
affix
the
horns
on a
bicycle.
A
steer
was
born.
Soon
after,
Jesse
James,
cable
television's
star
auto
and
motorcycle
mechanic
who
is
married
to
actor
Sandra
Bullock,
was a
passenger
in an
SUV
driving
past
Longhorn
Bikes.
James
saw
one
of
the
longhorn
bikes
on
display
and
had
his
driver
pull
over.
It
was
near
closing
time,
so
Martinez
was
outside
getting
ready
to
bring
his
display
bikes
inside.
He
instantly
recognized
the
tattooed
star
of
"Monster
Garage."
"Hey,
Jesse!"
he
said.
"What's
going
on?
It's
an
honor
to
see
you
here."
"I
like
your
bike,"
James
said.
"Is
it
for
sale?"
"No,
because
it's
my
advertising
and I
just
made
it."
"Oh,
come
on.
Come
on."
"Well,
how
much
would
you
give
me
for
it?"
"Two
hundred."
Martinez
thought
the
bike
was
worth
$500,
so he
didn't
give
in to
the
celebrity
car
whiz.
James
left,
but
not
before
his
driver
stopped
to
look
back
at
Martinez.
"Tell
you
what,"
he
said,
"you
ought
to
make
these
and
sell
them.
That's
nice."
Martinez,
who
also
specializes
in
lowrider
bicycles,
has
sold
about
a
half-dozen
of
the
longhorn
bikes.
The
bikes
cost
about
$500,
but
customers
can
also
bring
in
their
own
horns.
Or,
Martinez
will
sell
horns
for
$175
and
install
them
for
anyone
who
already
has a
bicycle.
Customer
Williams
found
his
longhorn
horns
at a
dusty
shop
in
Fort
Worth.
"We
had
to
hunt
for
them.
We
went
to
the
Stockyards
and
went
into
a
bunch
of
stores.
Then
we
went
to
this
gallery
and
they
said
they
had a
warehouse
down
the
other
street.
We
had
to go
upstairs
and
through
three
doors.
It
was a
crazy,
cool
old
building
with
wood
floors.
It
was
boiling
hot
up
there."
Eight
pairs
of
longhorn
horns
were
in
the
warehouse,
so
Williams
quickly
picked
some
out
and
paid
$160.
He
brought
them
to
Martinez's
bike
shop,
but
the
steer
horns
were
so
big
Martinez
had
to
cut
eight
inches
off
each
one.
Now
each
horn
measures
30
inches
and
looks
huge
on
the
black
single-speed
beach
cruiser
customized
with
144-spoke
wheels.
The
bike,
which
Williams
usually
rides
around
his
neighborhood
north
of
Hyde
Park,
is
missing
just
one
thing,
he
said.
He
needs
to
buy a
cowbell.
dgamino@statesman.com; 445-3675
FrankenBike # 15 November 18, 2006 on Saturday from 11-6pm.
We will have bands and a low rider bike contest (who has the best ride!). FrankenBike is free bike swap meet held once a month in Austin, Texas that is open to anyone who wants to buy, sell or trade bicycles and bicycle related gear or parts. Finish building the FrankenBike you're working on or turn your spare parts, bikes or gear into cash. Everyone is welcome to bring bikes, parts, gear, a cooler, chairs, a table etc... just remember to dress for the weather and bring plenty of water. As far as what to expect... a lot of people with bikes, parts and gear spread out over the grounds, hanging out, making deals or just looking around or asking for advice. Expect to have lots of fun, score some cool stuff for your bike or sell what you bring with you. If you have any questions email or call 512-736-1870. FrankenBike is a fun, safe event for kids of all ages.
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Rene Martinez 2308 Cesar Chavez St Austin, Texas 78702 Mon-Fri 10am-6pm SAT 10am-3pm 512-542-9505 longhornbikes@hotmail.com
Longhorn Bikes * Low Rider Bikes * Comfort Bikes * Trail Bikes * BMX Bikes * MTB Bikes * Road Bikes
