Vintage Early 80's Huffy Aerowind Phase One Road Bike
 

Hello,
I'm new to the bicycle community and just recently purchased my first road bike a 84 Bianchi. Ill post photos of it tomorrow as im sure what model it is. I picked up a Aerowind at a local thrift shop two weeks ago and it is in amazing shape. I've done a little research and found that it was huffy's first road bike and that you can find them as cheap as 10 bucks at a yard sale or even $300 plus depending on if a huffy enthusiast is willing to pay that. Shimano AX components, the brakes are Shimano AX parapul~s which is a center pull braking system. Three piece shimano cranks, steel rims . Any input on the research I have found?
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...erowind-01.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...93120c1891.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...af0d5a1f9e.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...db279f1746.jpg

AX came in four different levels of components. This appears to be a mix of the bottom two levels. The crannkset appears to be from the 2nd from bottom level which was known as Adamas AX. The derailleurs and brakes appear to be from the bottom level which was just known as Shimao AX. Both levels were road and touring components intended for entry level bicycles. I couldn't imagine paying anywhere near $300 for this bicycle.

Is the bike in the photograph your bike? I see that it says Old Ten Speed Gallery accross the top of the photograph. If it is yours, how much did you spend on it? Personally, I like the looks of the bike in the photograph (how it rides is a completely different matter). Depending on what you paid, you may have a good find. However, in my limited experience, I would agree with the previous price assessments.

update: I took photos of my bike today

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...2/DSC_5781.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...2/DSC_5782.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...2/DSC_5783.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...2/DSC_5784.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...2/DSC_5785.jpg

I have one of those, completely original and barely ridden. I am sure it was barely ridden because it is simply awful. The only thing I kind of like on the bike are the pedal (which are heavy), and the saddle. Never-the-less, they seem to have a certain cache' than some people like...as an art piece. As such, if it is pristine, maybe $100 if I were in a care-free mood and was looking for an art piece. Half if not, $10 if in marginal condition.

I picked it up for $50 thinking it was worth more. Compared to the Bianchi I purchased its like night and day. I really do like the components on this bike though, the pedals are heavy and by looking at it you would think it would ride better. Its about 3 times the weight of my Bianchi as well. I mite just hold onto it though, are they a rare find or a dime a dozen?

Although they are a bit unusual, there seem to be plenty about. I can only explain this as there is not much of a market for them. Again, they are interesting, so long as you are not trying to ride one. You ought to be able to get your $50 out of it if it is in good mechanical condition and are patient.

If it were mine....I'd fix it up and ride it on Sundays....cool old niche bike......but that seat's gotta go.........

I agree. while not the best bike on the road they are an oddity and liable to be a real headturner. who knows maybe you can get paceline of carbon snobs laughing so hard they tumble all over themselves LOL

Aerowind & Free Spirit...
 

Sears sold a VERY similar 12-speed model made with basically the same flattened frame & braking system. Adamas AX everything. Mine has the huger self-centering Altus AX derailleur. I picked up this blue one for about $50 less than you paid for yours. Personally, I think it is one of the better Free Spirit bikes I have found. :)

I had a his and her set of aerowinds once upon a time. I gave them to my neighbor and a week later he sold them in a yard sale. While they seem interesting at first glance, upon closer inspection the are....huffy through and through

There exists such a beast?

They have Huffy enthusiasts?!

When I was a kid in school if you road a huffy you might as well have had a pocket protector, corduroy slacks and Velcro sneakers to match. I know some of the early huffy's were decent, but as far as huffy enthusiasts go..... It's very doubtful.

Watch out, some are big dudes.
http://www.bikeforums.net/general-cy...ers-unite.html

I am a Huffy enthusiast! I love mine.................

http://www.bikeforums.net/mountain-b...tain-bike.html

Hence the need for a 35 lb. gaspipe bike! :)

That's actually a pretty nice looking bike!

Nothing wrong with a Huffy for MTB use... I've actually considered getting one myself, just for farting around on my property when the weather's too crappy out for enjoyable road riding.

[Is he gone yet?]

Don't hurt me! ;)

Yes if you are f@rting around on your property, a gaspipe bike is totally appropriate. :D

LOL! So obvious, but I totally missed that one!

Joke all you want but Huffy Aerowinds are somewhat collectible....

I bought one new in the early 1980's when a local dept store went out of business. Probably paid about $75 then. It was a step up from my late 1970's Kmart All-Pro. Picked one up abandoned by the road side a couple of years ago. I guess my standards are higher now as I don't really miss either of them....

A guy that works at the co-op has one of these, he loves the thing. It's kinda like a sunday driver, whenever he rode it. He said it doesn't ride bad at all, and the only thing he hates is the secondary brakes. I love the crank on them. Judging by my S&Rs fork rake, being real similar to this bike, I wouldn't ride it with no hands, and they are ungodly heavy.

I dunno if it's a case of the decades dulling the memories; or the energy of being young- but I don't remember the heavy old BSO's I rode being so bad. [But for some reason, I'm glad that I don't HAVE to ride them, these days! :) ]

I was overjoyed when the Aerowind commercial finally made it to youtube!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMgYNm4Q6dM

Ride like the wind, baby! :D

I love how the ad copy is all about how aero it is, meanwhile, the rider's shirt is flapping in the wind. :lol:

"Huffy! The ultimate riding experience! ....Available at Toy's-R-Us."

THAT'S rich!