In response to one among our twin boys, the Specialised Globe Haul LT is “a really proficient bike.” I’m inclined to agree. Testing cargo bikes is one among my favorite assignments as a result of scientifically-speaking, they’re essentially the most enjoyable form of bike. How are you going to not find yourself with a smile whereas using round being serenaded by preschoolers? (Caveat: your mileage might fluctuate)
Cargo bikes sometimes are available in two varieties: bucket (bakfiets), with cargo in entrance, or lengthy tail with payload situated behind the rider. Bucket bikes are sometimes costlier, however work effectively for heavier masses as the load is positioned nearer to the bottom the place it’s extra secure. Lengthy tail bikes are less complicated, and thus are often cheaper, however will be affected by dealing with difficulties with freight on board. Each varieties have advantages, relying on the place you journey and the way a lot weight or what number of passengers you often carry.
Specialised’s Globe Haul ST got here out to a lot fanfare in 2023 as a well-designed do-it-all brief tail cargo e-bike. The Globe Haul LT is the longer, extra strong sibling of the Haul ST (the letters denote brief tail vs. lengthy tail). We put it by its paces using to and from college, to playgrounds, grocery shops and extra.
Design and building
The Haul LT options an aluminum body with a metal fork, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, and a Microshift 9 velocity drivetrain
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
The Haul LT options an aluminum body with a metal fork, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, and a Microshift 9 velocity drivetrain. The body is complicated, with a latticework of struts and tubing help to make for a really strong unit. The metal fork is equally stout, providing little in the way in which of consolation.
The Haul ST’s 20” wheels come geared up with Specialised’s personal 3.5 inch “Carless Whisper” tires. These extensive tires roll effectively, have some tread and, with cautious pressure-changes, can add some cushion. The hub-based motor places out 700 watts and the massive battery (772 wh) has a said vary of as much as 60 miles. Prime velocity is a zippy 28 mph. MSRP for the whole bike is $3500.
The body is complicated, with a latticework of struts and tubing help to make for a really strong unit.
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
The bike doesn’t come inventory with a throttle, although Specialised sells one as an add-on. This permits for throttle help as much as 20 mph, and adjustments it from Class 3 to Class 2. I didn’t take a look at this, however my understanding is that even with the addition of the throttle, the pedal help nonetheless works as much as 28 mph.
The Haul LT is available in one dimension and one coloration solely (“Gloss White Mountains”). The load restrict, together with the rider, is 440 lbs. The bike itself weighs roughly 90 lbs, with out equipment, and feels each little bit of that. Total bicycle size is slightly underneath 7 ft (82 inches, to be exact).
Saddle peak and handlebar peak are each adjustable, making for comparatively straightforward swaps between totally different dimension riders. The low standover peak additionally helps with rideability.
The backend of the “College Bus Equipment”: padded seats, a cargo rail for passengers to carry on to, and operating boards.
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
Specialised geared up my take a look at bike with the “College Bus Equipment,” which consists of padded seats and a cargo rail for passengers to carry on to, operating boards, a entrance rack and basket and arduous shell entrance panniers. These panniers look a bit like waste paper baskets, however work nice for fast grocery retailer runs. They’ve drain holes within the backside, simply in case. Put in, the hampers convey the bike’s general width to about 27 inches.
Complete retail worth for this package comes out to roughly $1100, which bumps the general worth up considerably. The seats on the again are extraordinarily comfortable (sure, I examined them) and the cargo rail is suitably stout. The body has a lifetime guarantee and Specialised additionally presents a 2 yr “e-system” guarantee along with this.
The Experience
The built-in 1500 lumen lights labored nice. They’re unobtrusive more often than not, however a lot shiny sufficient when wanted. And the tyres are wonderful—I’d say greatest at school
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
One of many shortcomings of lengthy tail cargo bikes is that any minor body flex is magnified with weight—particularly wiggly children—on the rear of the bike, which might create steering issues. Of the bikes I’ve ridden on this class, the Specialised Haul LT avoids this difficulty the perfect. The bike is clearly very effectively constructed and is remarkably stiff, which interprets on to confidence whereas using.
The draw back is that, with a view to obtain this stiffness, the bike is heavy. The Haul ST, which is considerably shorter, is weighty for its dimension, and the LT has been each lengthened and strengthened in comparison with the ST.
This isn’t a lot of a difficulty whereas using, however does pose an issue whereas parking or maneuvering the bike on foot. Lifting this bike up a curb, or up a few steps simply isn’t possible. The dimensions and weight additionally make storage troublesome. You’ll want devoted space for storing on floor stage, and if for some cause you could transport the bike someplace, you’ll desire a van to take action.
I additionally had a tough time partaking and disengaging the kickstand with children on the again, merely due to how heavy the bike was. For a smaller individual, the Haul LT could be extraordinarily troublesome to maneuver with any form of cargo on board.
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
If the dimensions and weight don’t pose a difficulty, and so they received’t for everybody, the Globe Haul LT does lots proper. It’s enjoyable to journey, and dealing with is spot on. The tyres are wonderful—I’d say greatest at school. Brakes and drivetrain did all the things they wanted to and the gear vary (typically an afterthought on cargo bikes) was strong. One small miss was the shortage of chainguard. It is a bike meant to be ridden in informal garments, and a series guard is a necessity. Had been I holding this bike long run, that’s the very first thing I’d repair.
The built-in 1500 lumen lights labored nice. They’re unobtrusive more often than not, however a lot shiny sufficient when wanted.
I primarily used the bike on the extent 5 (full ship) help setting, and appeared to get round 35 miles per battery cost, which is superb for this class. The facility was fast to interact and provided constant assist as wanted, as soon as I acquired the hold of the torque sensor. I did expertise some “ghost help,” the place pedaling gently at velocity induced the motor to interact. Each system has its quirks, and plainly it’s only a matter of familiarizing your self with every of them to greatest extract efficiency.
Worth and conclusion
(Picture credit score: Tyler Boucher)
I feel it’s a excellent factor to see an organization like Specialised convey its appreciable sources and OEM buying energy into the cargo bike world. Although a motorcycle constructed for puttering round city doesn’t seem to be it has a lot in frequent with one for racing the Tour de France, there are similarities: each bikes have to work flawlessly and each must be goal constructed for the duty at hand. I hope we see extra huge bike corporations throw their hats within the ring on this class. The extra e-cargo bikes there are on this planet, the higher, I say
Specialised’s Globe Haul LT does lots proper. It rides effectively, carries weight very effectively and goes a great distance on a single cost. However, it’s huge. I’d like to check out the identical bike however shortened by six inches and 15 lbs lighter, simply to see how a lot simpler that will be to work with. I perceive why Specialised went this route (presumably partially to distinguish the LT from the ST), however I feel the dimensions will probably be a difficulty for some individuals.
Value-wise, it matches up very favorably in opposition to choices just like the well-reviewed Tern’s GSD ($4,500) or Momentum’s PakYak E+ ($5,500) or varied others with bigger wheel sizes. It’s an more and more populated market, with numerous good choices throughout worth factors. At $3500, the Specialised Globe Haul LT has few friends—no less than for now.
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