Njbudman81

Anyone seen this thing. I know huffy isn't the greatest company but it's a neat bike. I might get one for my wife. Has a cup holder, bottle opener and cooler rack

Huffy Panama Jack 26" Women's Cruiser Bike - Blue : Target

spdracr39

It is a cool vintage looking bike. I know a guy that has one. He rides all over downtown everyday and has no issues with it. It weighs about 45 lbs though.

wahoonc

We routinely rent a couple of Huffy cruisers when we go to Savannah, a bit heavy but seem durable enough. I have a Huffy that I bought at WM that is okay, but it was the 3rd one, had to take the first two back when the rear hubs self destructed in the first week of riding.

Aaron

jdswitters

I looked at those last year for the GF. When looking at the welds I became a believer in child labor, because only a 5 year old could have made welds with that many gaps. Not against a well priced bike, I own a beast, but some things just are not worth it. I have a friend who used to tour cross country that now rides a cranberry a few nights a week on the MUP, seems to be working fine for him.

wahoonc

Tell me about the welds! I had to put caulking on mine to keep water from running down inside the tubes! I also like the way they didn't bother to clean them up, just painted over the weld splatter and all, but what do you expect for $69.95...

Aaron

okane

the first thing I would do when I got it home was to strip it down, clean out and replace all the original grease (if any), and reassemble it properly. Easy enough to do on this type of bike if you're able to properly set up and adjust the headset, wheel, bottom bracket bearings and properly secure the brake, it will pedal easier, last longer, and you'll have a safer ride....the key point being that you know what you are doing!


Neighbor purchased new a big box store bike a couple of years ago that had no, that's right no grease in the rear hub. He said it made a funny noise when he rode it the first time. No wonder

bicyclridr4life

Aaron, $69.99 for a Panama Jack?!? I'll take four at that price. They cost $139.95 plus tax everywhere I've seen them in stock.

jake9364

Hi, I jujst bought a Panama Jack bike at Walmart for $190.00. Love the way ot looks and love cruiser bikes, however, when I pedal it makes a noise like something is hitting something, checked all over, fenders not touching, kickstand, tightend all nuts bolts, chainguard, you name it, but it still makes the noise, bujt only when I pedal (tighten the pedals also), anyone have any ideas? Thanks. jake9364@sbcglobal.net

bicyclridr4life

might be a loose crank bearings, or over-tight rear hub bearings.

wahoonc

Not the Panama Jack version I have the Crapbrook (Cranbrook) version.

Aaron

okane

Read my earlier post....and don't be surprised if you find NO grease in one or more of the bearing assemblies, or they are improperly adjusted, or both! Plenty of on line how to tutorials/videos.

And by the way, welcome to the forum. LIke many of us, you may just find that you enjoy working on your bike and setting it up properly.

Lastplace29er

I would spend a little more and get a nice Townie type bike with an AL frame.

Original 1 | Electra Bikes

linnefaulk

A friend of my son's rode that for a couple of years until it broke. For that price, it was fine.

Chris Chicago

had to adjust hubs and true the wheels a bit on the huffy cruiser I put together. Spoke nipples were bigger than my wrenches so I used an adjustable... Kind of awkward.

Both hubs were way tight but grease was decent , just added a little to the rear hub

RubenAlonzo

Hi, new member here from Texas. I just bought my Panama Jack and think its wonderful. I ride it daily 22 miles to/from work on the access road next to the highway (hardly any traffic) and even though the ride is hilly at times, this bike can just muster through. I really like the built in removal (has a carrying strap) cooler and built in cup holder, as well as the bottle opener on the right front fork. She might be a bit heavy BUT I tend to ride my bike not carry it around so the weight is negligible. The rear rack is adjustable too!

fixiejunkie

A female friend has a Panama cruiser. She say's she loves it .. I cannot tell I never tried it

mpe104

I've seen this bike around the east coast where I lived and worked a couple years ago. Problems I've seen come in to the shop have been rear hubs coming loose, flat tires the day the bikes hit the road, pedal bearings making noise and rust.. Oh and they are 100lbs.. They look cool though

wahoonc

That is just about any Huffy...

Aaron

GP

I know two people that commute short distances on Panama Jacks.

bluegoatwoods

These modern Huffys deserve a bit more respect than they usually get. They're tough.

But they have weaknesses, too. The weaknesses that I know of have been listed already in this thread.

But they are easy to repair. Unless one of those bad welds breaks loose, I suppose. Then it's time for a new bike. At very little cost, when it comes right down to it.