Montgomery Wards Huffy Open Road
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Spokane Valley,WA
Bikes: 1970's Huffy "Open Road", 1999 TREK 6500 hardtail, 2002 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, 2009 Jamis Aurora Elite
Montgomery Wards Huffy Open Road
Hi Folks, new to the forum, glad to be here. I just aquired a Huffy Open Road and was wondering if anyone knows the history on this bike? I can't seem to find much about it on the internet. Any info would be great.
#2
Elitest Murray Owner
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,657
Likes: 3
Bikes: 1972 Columbia Tourist Expert III, Columbia Roadster
Well it is a Huffy that was sold by Wards. Looks like the late 70s, maybe early 80s. Open Road was a brand name that Wards used (like Sears "Free Spirit"). I'm not really sure there is much more to say about it than that.
#3
perpetually frazzled

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,469
Likes: 9
From: Linton, IN
Bikes: 1977 Bridgestone Kabuki Super Speed; 1979 Raleigh Professional; 1983 Raleigh Rapide mixte; 1974 Peugeot UO-8; 1993 Univega Activa Trail; 1972 Raleigh Sports; 1967 Phillips; 1981 Schwinn World Tourist; 1976 Schwinn LeTour mixte; 1964 Western Flyer
Cool bike! My dad has a sears from 1961 that looks fairly similar. Weird front fender though...
#5
Rustbelt Rider
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,105
Likes: 390
From: Canton, OH
Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban
I'm no Huffy expert but I believe that bike would have been built in the Dayton / Cincinnati Ohio area. It looks like it's in great shape, do you know if the bearings have been serviced?
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|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
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|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
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#6
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 15
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From: Spokane Valley,WA
Bikes: 1970's Huffy "Open Road", 1999 TREK 6500 hardtail, 2002 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, 2009 Jamis Aurora Elite
I paid $25 for it on our local craigslist, and paid $50 at the LBS to have them service the bottom bracket, rear hub, and put a new chain on it. It rides pretty nice for what it is. I am planning on riding it in the Seattle to Portland (204 miles) race this year with 8 other guys on cruisers. They do the ride in one day (16 hours of riding). I'm gonna put a Brooks B17 on it and get to breaking it in.
#8
Rustbelt Rider
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,105
Likes: 390
From: Canton, OH
Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban
I paid $25 for it on our local craigslist, and paid $50 at the LBS to have them service the bottom bracket, rear hub, and put a new chain on it. It rides pretty nice for what it is. I am planning on riding it in the Seattle to Portland (204 miles) race this year with 8 other guys on cruisers. They do the ride in one day (16 hours of riding). I'm gonna put a Brooks B17 on it and get to breaking it in.
__________________
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
"(@)'(@)"""''"**|(@)(@)*****''(@)
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
"(@)'(@)"""''"**|(@)(@)*****''(@)
#9
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
My in laws had this same bike (minus the front basket) in there garage. We picked it up today. Put air in the tires and I rode it to make sure it fits me. Have you found out any info? I cant even seem to find the serial number on mine.
#10
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 449
From: Upper Left, USA
That said, this thread is 7 years old and you may not get a response. I would, though, like to know how the cruiser one day Seatte to Portland went!
#11
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
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Hi [MENTION=304427]benbraker[/MENTION]. You can call out a specific user by using @ in front of their username, like this: [MENTION=185254]jrjwoodsman[/MENTION] It will notify them that they have been mentioned.
That said, this thread is 7 years old and you may not get a response. I would, though, like to know how the cruiser one day Seatte to Portland went!
That said, this thread is 7 years old and you may not get a response. I would, though, like to know how the cruiser one day Seatte to Portland went!

I called Huffy and they will help identify these old bikes. I just sent and email with a picture and the info I do know. I was able to find what I think is the serial number.
#12
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 449
From: Upper Left, USA
Nice! That's actually pretty cool of them. I wouldn't expect that seeing as how they are just big box store fodder.
#13
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#14
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Upper Left, USA
#15
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 4
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The first set of numbers I emailed to Huffy was incorrect. They told me where to look. I did and emailed back.I am beyond thrilled they took the time to tell me some info on the bike. Here is the info i received from them: C==Celina, Ohio where made
7___9==1979 when bike was made
ZHO_____==serial number for the bicycle –for Consumers use only
The picture looked to be a 26” wheel on the bike – you maybe able to still read tire size on the sidewall
Open Road was a brand made for Montgomery Wards
7___9==1979 when bike was made
ZHO_____==serial number for the bicycle –for Consumers use only
The picture looked to be a 26” wheel on the bike – you maybe able to still read tire size on the sidewall
Open Road was a brand made for Montgomery Wards
#16
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,497
Likes: 4,570
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
used to work in a fashion studio in NYC. Montgomery Ward was one of our biggest clients. nothing fancy but as a catalog house, we did a ton of work. never photo's bikes, just ppl in clothing. other depts did other things but don't recall seeing any bikes. miss that work, it was fun
#17
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 2
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The first set of numbers I emailed to Huffy was incorrect. They told me where to look. I did and emailed back.I am beyond thrilled they took the time to tell me some info on the bike. Here is the info i received from them: C==Celina, Ohio where made
7___9==1979 when bike was made
ZHO_____==serial number for the bicycle –for Consumers use only
The picture looked to be a 26” wheel on the bike – you maybe able to still read tire size on the sidewall
Open Road was a brand made for Montgomery Wards
7___9==1979 when bike was made
ZHO_____==serial number for the bicycle –for Consumers use only
The picture looked to be a 26” wheel on the bike – you maybe able to still read tire size on the sidewall
Open Road was a brand made for Montgomery Wards
#20
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 1
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Open Road Bikes
Open Road bikes were sold at Montgomery Wards. They were decent and more affordable than Schwinn but they were heavy and components were just average.
#21
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
The first set of numbers I emailed to Huffy was incorrect. They told me where to look. I did and emailed back.I am beyond thrilled they took the time to tell me some info on the bike. Here is the info i received from them: C==Celina, Ohio where made
7___9==1979 when bike was made
ZHO_____==serial number for the bicycle –for Consumers use only
The picture looked to be a 26” wheel on the bike – you maybe able to still read tire size on the sidewall
Open Road was a brand made for Montgomery Wards
7___9==1979 when bike was made
ZHO_____==serial number for the bicycle –for Consumers use only
The picture looked to be a 26” wheel on the bike – you maybe able to still read tire size on the sidewall
Open Road was a brand made for Montgomery Wards
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