Huffy Goes Plus Size

As I posted last month, some people are calling "Plus-Size" the latest and greatest thing to hit mountain bikes. But in a sign that either confirms that to be true, or possibly heralds that the trend has already peaked and will start trailing off soon, one can now buy plus size mountain bikes at WalMart and other big-box retailers. Yep - Huffy now makes plus size. Huffy 3.0.

The Torch 3.0 is the basic model 29+, selling for $199.99

Huffy seems to have totally embraced plus-size bikes, too, in offering 4 different models in 3 wheel sizes - 26-in., 27.5, and two 29-in. models. I suppose that offering the bikes in 3 different wheel sizes is supposed to make up for the fact that they apparently don't offer different frames sizes. Instead, they seem to be "one size fits most" and the concept of proper bike fit must not be a priority.

The 26+ model, the Tyrant, is $179.99, and the 27.5+ Vantage is $189.99. Two versions of the 29+ sell for $199.99, with a disc-brake-equipped "top-of-the-line" model selling for $249.

Just like department-store fatbikes, it's practically a given that most of the Huffy 3.0 bikes that get sold will be ridden primarily on pavement, where their mid-fat tires will be more or less unnecessary. Still, that doesn't stop them from proclaiming the benefits of  "better traction," "more momentum" and "less exertion."

The 29+ Warhawk is the "top-of the line" at $249.00. Disc brakes and a slightly "hydroformed" frame seem to be the main "upgrades" over the lesser model. All the models appear to have the same, spindly, crappy-looking "suspension" fork.

To announce the new "3.0" line, Huffy put out a new commercial with the very strange tagline "Be the Motor."

In the video we find this guy. . .

. . . on this bike . . .

. . . zipping around this "rugged" terrain . . .

. . . in some kind of post-industrial wasteland:

Most of what the guy rides on could easily be handled with a decent road bike with some tire clearance -- like on this path that under most definitions would be described as "paved":

Good thing he's got those fat 3-in. tires.

But he does encounter a stray rock:

Any rider who wasn't filming a commercial for a "rugged" new mountain bike would just go around it.

Oh -- and there's a gratuitously-placed small pile of loose dirt:

Some unexplained elements include this small man-made "brush fire". . .

. . . And the weird motorcycle engine sound effects throughout the video:

"Vroom - Vroom" -- How old is this guy supposed to be? Six?

Yeah - that "explains" the sound effects -- but the concept still doesn't make a lot of sense.

Does the arrival of department store plus-size bikes mean that the new trend has fully caught on? Or is it about to jump the shark?

You can watch the Huffy 3.0 commercial right here:

Enjoy!