Huffy Vintage Bikes

A Guide to Huffy Vintage Bikes

Huffy bikes have been a part of the American bicycling scene since 1929 when the Huffman Manufacturing Company first began manufacturing and selling them under the Dayton brand name. More than 100 million bicycles bearing the Huffy logo have been sold throughout the U.S. If you’re shopping for affordably priced vintage Huffy bikes, eBay is the place to look.

Various models of old Huffy bikes

By 1960, Huffy had become the third-largest bicycle manufacturer in the U.S. with a wide range of models, including:

• The Radio Bike - The Radio Bike had a radio with three vacuum tubes built right into its top tube. Between 1955 and 1958, approximately 8,500 Huffy Radio Bikes were manufactured.
• The Scout - The Scout was one of the first mass-produced 10-speed bicycles.
• The Dragster - The Huffy Dragster was a three-speed muscle bike that was designed to make doing wheelies easier.
• The Sigma - The Sigma was Huffy’s take on the BMX bike.
• The Penguin - The Huffy Penguin had a 36-spoke rear wheel and an oversized “banana” seat that made it look like a chopper motorcycle for kids.
• The Slingshot - The Huffy Slingshot incorporated a long-wheelbase frame with a 16-inch front wheel and a 20-inch back wheel.

How do you evaluate a vintage Huffy bike?

While relatively rare models like the Huffy Radio Bike may appeal to collectors, for the most part, people buy old Huffy bikes to ride. Vintage Huffy bikes have a reputation for being sturdy, quality machines that hold up for a very long time. Since Huffy bikes are heavy, they tend to work better as commuter bikes than as racing bikes.

The value of a riding bike will depend upon the condition of the brakes, the forks, the wheels, the tires, the handlebars, the derailleurs, and the pedals. Make sure to look at what condition these components are in. It’s easy to find parts for old Huffy bikes if one of those components needs to be replaced.

How can you tell what year a Huffy bike was made?

If you aren't sure what year a Huffy bike was manufactured, looking on the inside of the rims or under the back side of the derailleurs will reveal that information. If these components are original, the date codes should be there. The Huffman Manufacturing Company and its successor, the Huffy Corporation, included date code information with its bicycles until the 1980s.

Content provided for informational purposes only. eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Huffy Corporation.