Old Huffy bicycles any good?
09-24-08 | 07:08 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 257
From: Ashland, VA
Bikes: The keepers: 1969 Magneet Sprint, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1973 Raleigh Twenty, 3 - 1986 Rossins.
Back in the early 70's when I worked at the bike shop, the pecking order was as follows:
Schwinn/Raleigh/most anything lugged from Europe was top tier - the Schwinns could take a beating way better than the alternatives. Japanese bikes that were starting to show up were in the class, unless it was a C. Itoh. They were garbage.
Columbia's were about a half step down. Cosmetically they were obviously cheaper and a bit cruder, but the quality build was there, so you bought that if you couldn't afford a Schwinn. Sears bikes (non-Puch's) were about the same quality, although there was a bit of varience between the entire line.
Huffy's were another half to a full step down. Obviously cheaper, although they held together. A prime ride for a parent buying for a spoiled bratty kid who wasn't about to take care of it.
Murray's, although they looked about the same as Huffy's were definitely another step down. Now you're starting to deal with maintenance nightmares.
Iverson's were the absolute bottom of the barrel - to the point that no bicycle shop would ever consider carrying them under any conditions. Sold in catalog stores, toy stores and the forerunners of what later became the big box stores.
Schwinn/Raleigh/most anything lugged from Europe was top tier - the Schwinns could take a beating way better than the alternatives. Japanese bikes that were starting to show up were in the class, unless it was a C. Itoh. They were garbage.
Columbia's were about a half step down. Cosmetically they were obviously cheaper and a bit cruder, but the quality build was there, so you bought that if you couldn't afford a Schwinn. Sears bikes (non-Puch's) were about the same quality, although there was a bit of varience between the entire line.
Huffy's were another half to a full step down. Obviously cheaper, although they held together. A prime ride for a parent buying for a spoiled bratty kid who wasn't about to take care of it.
Murray's, although they looked about the same as Huffy's were definitely another step down. Now you're starting to deal with maintenance nightmares.
Iverson's were the absolute bottom of the barrel - to the point that no bicycle shop would ever consider carrying them under any conditions. Sold in catalog stores, toy stores and the forerunners of what later became the big box stores.
__________________
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
09-24-08 | 07:14 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 171
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Bikes: Giant TCR
I had a Stone Mountain Huffy and it wasnt a good experience with that. I had brake problems, fork and rear wheel problem, handlebar problem, shifts problems, kickstand problems and pedal problems, and the bike just have a year. I left it at a shop so they can make adjustments but shifting problems stills there. I make a shift and the chain even lose contact with the gear and stays between 2 gears. I could only in one mode of speed. Now I got a Giant and I only have to make a little deralleiur adjustment
05-30-10 | 03:17 PM
#28
Very, very Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Bikes: 2012 Surly Troll, 1999 Hardtail MTB
Sorry for bringing an old post like this back to life, but I have a question about Huffys. I know about their reputation. In 1998 or 1999 I got for my birthday a 26 inch Huffy mountain bike. I was told much later that it had cost $300 (which seems really high for a Huffy), purchased at Sports Authority. Back then I had no ideas about bikes, couldn't tell a Trek from a Huffy apart. I rode it sometimes in the summer and didn't use it much after 2006.
Not sure what happened early last year, but I decided to ride a bike again and started commuting - pretty much every day of the year, including winter. Before I started commuting, I brought the Huffy to my LBS, and they replaced a few things: chain, pedals, some other stuff all-in-all I spent $90. Later on I got slicks and fenders.
After one year and 4000 miles later, I have to say, I'm very satisfied with the bike. I haven't had any issues, besides some flats. Bike is riding fine, no problems whatsoever. Now, don't get me wrong, I know that they are better, lighter bikes out there. Bikes that are way more fun to ride. But hey, it's old, it's a Huffy and I use it for commuting and errands around town.
So my question to the experts here: What happened? I thought Huffy's are junk? Is it possible that Huffy's reputation suffered because they had so many recalls. But the bikes that didn't had recalls weren't all that bad? (meaning they didn't fall apart on you after 100 miles). The original purchase price of $300 my family paid, seems very high, were there ever Huffy's that sold for that much ? Were there higher priced Huffys that had a better quality?
Not sure what happened early last year, but I decided to ride a bike again and started commuting - pretty much every day of the year, including winter. Before I started commuting, I brought the Huffy to my LBS, and they replaced a few things: chain, pedals, some other stuff all-in-all I spent $90. Later on I got slicks and fenders.
After one year and 4000 miles later, I have to say, I'm very satisfied with the bike. I haven't had any issues, besides some flats. Bike is riding fine, no problems whatsoever. Now, don't get me wrong, I know that they are better, lighter bikes out there. Bikes that are way more fun to ride. But hey, it's old, it's a Huffy and I use it for commuting and errands around town.
So my question to the experts here: What happened? I thought Huffy's are junk? Is it possible that Huffy's reputation suffered because they had so many recalls. But the bikes that didn't had recalls weren't all that bad? (meaning they didn't fall apart on you after 100 miles). The original purchase price of $300 my family paid, seems very high, were there ever Huffy's that sold for that much ? Were there higher priced Huffys that had a better quality?
05-30-10 | 03:39 PM
#29
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,931
Likes: 4,824
From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
sometime in the '80s they began an association (bought?) with Raleigh. There may have been some cross-pollination. I really didn't pay attention to bikes after that time, so I don't know all of the history. Up until the early 80's, Huffy was synonymous with gaspipe junk that was built solely to separate fools from their money; if you actually wanted to ride a bike it was a bit of an insult.
03-08-11 | 07:15 PM
#30
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
First and foremost, I, too am a "big" person, and can't keep my tubed tires from bursting. I'm trying to find solid, or "airless" tires that will fit my bike (a ram's horn Huffy 10 speed-model? appears to say "Suroarco", but it is worn, so I can't be sure-I'm also not sure how to measure the wheels, but the rim is 26" in diameter from edge to edge, and the tire seems to be about 1" wide).
My local Bike Shop doesn't maintain a lot of stock of bikes, though a fair amount of parts, but he doesn't carry solid tires, so I assume I'd have to have him order them if I go through him. Will I have to know brands and other specs then I've mentioned?
In general: what are your recommendations?
03-08-11 | 09:26 PM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,630
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From: Rhode Island (an obscure suburb of Connecticut)
Bikes: one of each
Here's the definitive article on tire size;
https://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
https://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
03-10-11 | 11:50 AM
#33
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Here's the definitive article on tire size;
https://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
https://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
Thanks for the link.
03-10-11 | 12:01 PM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 158
From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
Unless it has Red White and Green Team 7-11 graphics, it will most likely be a piece of junk.
With your size I'd recommend against a road bike - it will feel uncomfortable and harsh. My son is a bit bigger than you are (he's 6'5 330 pounds) and he rides a 29" wheeled hardtail mountain bike. I'd suggest something similar - perhaps an old school rigid mountain bike.
*Edit - just noted the necro date - these comments can apply to yomark's question too.
With your size I'd recommend against a road bike - it will feel uncomfortable and harsh. My son is a bit bigger than you are (he's 6'5 330 pounds) and he rides a 29" wheeled hardtail mountain bike. I'd suggest something similar - perhaps an old school rigid mountain bike.
*Edit - just noted the necro date - these comments can apply to yomark's question too.
Last edited by canyoneagle; 03-10-11 at 12:10 PM.
03-10-11 | 12:03 PM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 158
From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
Huffy was originally the nickname for "Huffman" which had been making bicycles since about 1934. Originally they could be found under the brand name "Dayton" or "Firestone" back in the 1930s, along with the actual Huffman name.
They had a nice, sturdy product for many years, but began to diminish in quality in the 1960s. Huffman, Dayton and other sub-branded bicycles like "La France" from the 1930s and 40s are good quality machines, usually the equal of a Schwinn or a Columbia (though Schwinn has a higher cachet among collectors). After WWII they branded their bicycles as "Huffmans" directly rather than relying so much on sub brands. Huffmans from the 1940s and 50s are decent quality machines, though probably not as luxurious as the Schwinns of their time. It was in this time in the 1960s that Huffman began to acquire a reputation for being a more "second tier" brand compared to Schwinn and Columbia (or imports like Raleigh). It's a shame too because their bikes were still of very nice quality in that time. Like many US brands they suffered a decline in the 1960s and 1970s.
Pre war Huffman products are the most sought after- they made some absolutely beautiful and well-made bicycles in that time. Post war items aren't bad either- especially earlier ones. Stuff from the mid-late '60s and onwards are second tier, but durable and give good service. They lack many of the options pluses of higher end makes, but Huffmans can be quite simple and durable. Newer stuff is a bit more of a department store grade. With Huffman products, usually older is better, until you get back to the really good stuff before WWII.
Pre war La France (Huffman) from Nostalgic.net
Post war Huffman from Nostalgic.net
They had a nice, sturdy product for many years, but began to diminish in quality in the 1960s. Huffman, Dayton and other sub-branded bicycles like "La France" from the 1930s and 40s are good quality machines, usually the equal of a Schwinn or a Columbia (though Schwinn has a higher cachet among collectors). After WWII they branded their bicycles as "Huffmans" directly rather than relying so much on sub brands. Huffmans from the 1940s and 50s are decent quality machines, though probably not as luxurious as the Schwinns of their time. It was in this time in the 1960s that Huffman began to acquire a reputation for being a more "second tier" brand compared to Schwinn and Columbia (or imports like Raleigh). It's a shame too because their bikes were still of very nice quality in that time. Like many US brands they suffered a decline in the 1960s and 1970s.
Pre war Huffman products are the most sought after- they made some absolutely beautiful and well-made bicycles in that time. Post war items aren't bad either- especially earlier ones. Stuff from the mid-late '60s and onwards are second tier, but durable and give good service. They lack many of the options pluses of higher end makes, but Huffmans can be quite simple and durable. Newer stuff is a bit more of a department store grade. With Huffman products, usually older is better, until you get back to the really good stuff before WWII.
Pre war La France (Huffman) from Nostalgic.net
Post war Huffman from Nostalgic.net
So, to further clarify my commnt below - I'm assuming the subject bike in this thread is of the 70' - 80's department store variety, which are to be avoided.
03-10-11 | 04:31 PM
#37
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
To be quite honest: I haven't worked in a while, and this is presently my only mode of transportation other than shank's mare. Buying anything else is not an option right now. It's either: get this bike ready to ride, or my feet. I only need it for a very short distance, but long enough that I'd rather ride the bike than walk.
The ride is okay, everything is in balance…I wish the brakes were better (stronger), but that may be an issue of inertia because of my weight.
Other than that, it's perfectly fine for my purposes, except for the bursting inner-tube issue.
I suppose it's more of a point of curiosity to want to know what the model is: I tired various ways of finding a list of models on the internet, to no avail except of course for modern products currently listed on the Huffy webpage. I was ultimately hoping that, once I had the model name, I'd be able to look up all the relevant specifications on the web, but a I'm begining to beleive that is a pipe-dream.
The ride is okay, everything is in balance…I wish the brakes were better (stronger), but that may be an issue of inertia because of my weight.
Other than that, it's perfectly fine for my purposes, except for the bursting inner-tube issue.
I suppose it's more of a point of curiosity to want to know what the model is: I tired various ways of finding a list of models on the internet, to no avail except of course for modern products currently listed on the Huffy webpage. I was ultimately hoping that, once I had the model name, I'd be able to look up all the relevant specifications on the web, but a I'm begining to beleive that is a pipe-dream.
07-11-16 | 01:57 PM
#38
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1
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Help!?!?!
Ok, Honestly I know nothing about bicycles, in the turns of value and age. I am wonding if someone can help me. I have a JC Penny's Mens Lightweight 5 speed, (believe it to be early to mid 70's), and a Huffy Durasport 10 Speed Road bike (Oblivious). PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME OUT WITH VALUE AND AGE! thank you.
07-11-16 | 02:08 PM
#39
It's MY mountain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,160
Likes: 4,147
From: Mt.Diablo
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Ok, Honestly I know nothing about bicycles, in the turns of value and age. I am wonding if someone can help me. I have a JC Penny's Mens Lightweight 5 speed, (believe it to be early to mid 70's), and a Huffy Durasport 10 Speed Road bike (Oblivious). PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME OUT WITH VALUE AND AGE! thank you.
07-11-16 | 02:35 PM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 10
From: Richmond VA area
Bikes: '00 Koga Miyata Full Pro Oval Road bike.
Ok, Honestly I know nothing about bicycles, in the turns of value and age. I am wonding if someone can help me. I have a JC Penny's Mens Lightweight 5 speed, (believe it to be early to mid 70's), and a Huffy Durasport 10 Speed Road bike (Oblivious). PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME OUT WITH VALUE AND AGE! thank you.
07-11-16 | 02:49 PM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 27,577
Likes: 5,405
From: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Come on guys...
They have to be worth at least 3 cents a pound scrap.
And those things are HEAVY!!!!
It really depends on the condition of the bike. I see a lot of old Huffy, Schwinn, and Murray bikes on the road being used as city bikes, commuter bikes, and college bikes.
Battered and abused, and needing new tires and a complete restoration, and you'll be lucky to get $20 for them.
Ready to ride, good rubber,good grease. Perhaps $75 or so.
They have to be worth at least 3 cents a pound scrap.
And those things are HEAVY!!!!
It really depends on the condition of the bike. I see a lot of old Huffy, Schwinn, and Murray bikes on the road being used as city bikes, commuter bikes, and college bikes.
Battered and abused, and needing new tires and a complete restoration, and you'll be lucky to get $20 for them.
Ready to ride, good rubber,good grease. Perhaps $75 or so.
07-11-16 | 04:15 PM
#42
It's MY mountain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,160
Likes: 4,147
From: Mt.Diablo
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
On the other hand, the charity probably wouldn't take them.
I suggest finding a nice homeless guy; give him the bike and $20 to take it off your hands.
02-19-17 | 05:13 PM
#45
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Huffy Stalker serial #HC5633776
I STILL have my Huffy my now x-boyfriend bought me on 5/18/91. I know this because I still have the owners manual and he had completed the back pg. section "Owner's Warranty Record." It has in hand writing: "Pro
Sport Cycle System, Model Name Stalker, Serial No. HC5633776, Store Name Kmart, Code No. 90791, Date Purchased 5-18-91, Model No.K6539." So here it is 26 years later and I am still riding the same bike!!! It's been on rough, dirt, one-track and 2-track trails as well as paved roads and sidewalks. I've replaced 1 rim and have had to do the normal maintenance...i.e. brakes, tires, etc. Love my Huffy and it gives me a great workout every time I ride it!
Sport Cycle System, Model Name Stalker, Serial No. HC5633776, Store Name Kmart, Code No. 90791, Date Purchased 5-18-91, Model No.K6539." So here it is 26 years later and I am still riding the same bike!!! It's been on rough, dirt, one-track and 2-track trails as well as paved roads and sidewalks. I've replaced 1 rim and have had to do the normal maintenance...i.e. brakes, tires, etc. Love my Huffy and it gives me a great workout every time I ride it!
02-19-17 | 07:34 PM
#46
It's MY mountain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,160
Likes: 4,147
From: Mt.Diablo
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
I STILL have my Huffy my now x-boyfriend bought me on 5/18/91. I know this because I still have the owners manual and he had completed the back pg. section "Owner's Warranty Record." It has in hand writing: "Pro
Sport Cycle System, Model Name Stalker, Serial No. HC5633776, Store Name Kmart, Code No. 90791, Date Purchased 5-18-91, Model No.K6539." So here it is 26 years later and I am still riding the same bike!!! It's been on rough, dirt, one-track and 2-track trails as well as paved roads and sidewalks. I've replaced 1 rim and have had to do the normal maintenance...i.e. brakes, tires, etc. Love my Huffy and it gives me a great workout every time I ride it!
Sport Cycle System, Model Name Stalker, Serial No. HC5633776, Store Name Kmart, Code No. 90791, Date Purchased 5-18-91, Model No.K6539." So here it is 26 years later and I am still riding the same bike!!! It's been on rough, dirt, one-track and 2-track trails as well as paved roads and sidewalks. I've replaced 1 rim and have had to do the normal maintenance...i.e. brakes, tires, etc. Love my Huffy and it gives me a great workout every time I ride it!
02-20-17 | 12:17 PM
#47
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 365
From: Maryland
Bikes: Lots of English 3-speeds, a couple of old road bikes, 3 mountain bikes, 1 hybrid, and a couple of mash-ups
02-20-17 | 04:53 PM
#48
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 379
From: ohio
Bikes: Surly long haul trucker, Surly steamroller,Huffy Catalina, Univega Alpina 501. Gravity deadeye monster, Raliegh sport , Electra loft 1
Never had a problem with a huffy made in Celina Ohio . They are heavy but stood a lot of abuse from a lot of kids once they left Celina it they went down hill fast . I actually test road in high school for huffy around 78 you were given a bike told dinner was paid for some where 12-16 miles away. It was 70-75% girls they always had a guy with the group to patch a tire or put a chain back on . only made $20-25 a day but it had other benefits
for a guy in High school
I have an 80ish Huffy 3 speed it does just fine for a ride around the park with kids and grandkids
Roy
for a guy in High schoolI have an 80ish Huffy 3 speed it does just fine for a ride around the park with kids and grandkids
Roy
02-20-17 | 05:37 PM
#50
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I just got my bike out to ride since the weather is like Spring here in Michigan. I had several people on the bike trail ask me what year it was, etc. I hadn't looked at my paperwork in a long time, so looked it up and then started a search to see if there were other ones out there. That's when I came across this website and I was surprised at some of the comments. So wanted to in my experience to the mix regarding Huffy bicycles. Why do you ask??