VeroDea

Hi! I'm not sure whether this is the right place to post for this but I'll give it a try. I'm pretty close to buying a Vintage Huffy Escape from like the mid 70's. I have tried looking up opinions on the bike but I haven't really come across a lot of talk about it.

I'm just commutting on my college campus and the surrounding area. It's not for any long distance cycling or rough terrain. I am a complete novice to bikes so any opinions or thoughts from people who have ridden a huffy escape would be great!

Also, I live in the Northeast where a little thing called winter is setting in. I would like to be able to ride it now, but I know the roads will be icy and slippery. How easy it would be to get winter tires for this bike? I don't know whether it being so old would effect me finding winter tires for it. Or if this bike is good for winter riding in general.

I'm sorry if I'm not being clear I am trying to educate myself on bikes but it's a slow process for me. Any help would be awesome, thanks!

mickey85

I'm sure others will have other opinions but, here's mine...

Keep the Huffy - use it for commuting. Change the cables and tires, but don't spend any real money on it. You can probably get it working in decent enough condition that you don't want to kill yourself every time you ride it. Get some fenders for it, and buy tires at Wal Mart. You don't really need super duper tread when going through snow, and aside from studs, nothing works on ice. Just take it slow, feel it out, and go with it.

Then, when you get some cash saved up, get a better bike from Craigslist or Ebay.

ETA: Being that it's a 3 speed, it'll very likely be pretty bombproof, and you won't have to worry about craptastic derailers or anything on it. I maintain that you probably shouldn't dump a crapload of money into it, but it'll be serviceable. I commuted for a winter on a similar bike (80's Free Spirit 3).

jtgotsjets

You're going to pay someone for a Huffy?

auchencrow

I don't know of any winter tires for an old 3-speed.
For harsh winter conditions, you would do well to get yourself an old hardtail mountain bike, with 26" wheels.

The best 26' winter tires that I know of are Nokians. I have their "Mount and Ground" studded tires, and I ride them every day, regardless of icy conditions. The carbide studs are very durable and don't fall out.
(With these tires glare ice is your friend: but rutted roads with heaps of slushy snow is still a bit of a problem.)

I have the Planet Bike Hardcore-Freddy fenders. These too are highly recommended.

marley mission

bike snob

jtgotsjets

I'm not saying don't ride it—just saying don't pay for it. I'm more like a money snob.

WNG

I'm assuming this Huffy takes 26 x 1 3/8" tires. You're not going to find much of a selection of tires at Walmart these days. I noticed they are reducing their bulk inventory and slow moving items in the bike dept. All tires left are foldable tires, no wire bead. And all seem to start at $20.
I'd try online, Niagara Cycle (or their portal on Amazon). IIRC, they stock a knobby 26x1 3/8" tire at a reasonable price. I would also get a new chain and new brake cables and check the bike for road worthiness.
Learning to ride during the winter, with an old bike, is not stacking the odds in your favor. I would be very prudent about riding in bad weather, ie. snow and sleet.

marley mission

if you need 26 x 1 38 - i just got some here for my free spirit

https://www.junkyrustybikes.net/index.php?cPath=25_61

wrk101

If you are going to pay for a bike, get a rigid frame MTB. Tremendous tire choices, room for fenders, racks, whatever, extremely durable, and cheap.

roccobike

+1, Much better choice. There are many options for tires including studded snow tires. Brand name bikes like Trek and Giant are available for $100 or less. And you can resell it for what you paid. I'd pass on the Huffy.