According to one of our twin boys, the Specialized Globe Haul LT is “a very talented bike.” I’m inclined to agree. Testing cargo bikes is one of my favorite assignments, because scientifically speaking this is the most fun type of bicycle. How can you not end up smiling as you drive around being serenaded by toddlers? (Note: your mileage may vary)
Cargo bikes usually come in two variants: cargo bike, with cargo at the front, or long tail with cargo behind the rider. Bucket bikes are often more expensive, but work well for heavier loads because the weight is placed closer to the ground and is more stable. Long tail bicycles are simpler and therefore usually cheaper, but can suffer from problems with onboard cargo. Both types have advantages depending on where you drive and how much weight or passengers you carry on a regular basis.
Specialized’s Globe Haul ST came out to a lot of fanfare in 2023 as a well-designed all-in-one short-tail e-bike. The Globe Haul LT is the longer, more rugged sibling to the Haul ST (the letters indicate short tail versus long tail). We put it to the test while driving to and from school, to playgrounds, grocery stores and more.
Design and construction
The Haul LT has an aluminum frame with a steel fork, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and a Microshift 9-speed gearbox
(Image credit: Tyler Boucher)
The Haul LT has an aluminum frame with a steel fork, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and a Microshift 9-speed gearbox. The frame is complex, with a latticework of struts and tube support, which makes for a very robust whole. The steel fork is also sturdy and offers little comfort.
The Haul ST’s 20” wheels are fitted with Specialized’s own 3.5-inch “Carless Whisper” tires. These wide tires roll well, have some tread and, with careful pressure changes, can add some cushioning. The hub-based motor delivers 700 watts and the large battery (772 Wh) has a stated range of up to 60 miles. Top speed is a snappy 28 mph. MSRP for the complete bike is $3500.
The frame is complex, with a latticework of struts and tube support, which makes for a very robust whole.
(Image credit: Tyler Boucher)
The bike doesn’t come standard with a throttle, although Specialized sells one as an add-on. This allows accelerator pedal assist up to 20mph, changing it from class 3 to class 2. I have not tested this, but my understanding is that even with the addition of the accelerator pedal, the pedal assist still works up to 28mph.
The Haul LT is available in only one size and one color (“Gloss White Mountains”). The weight limit, including the rider, is 440 lbs. The bike itself weighs about 90kg, without accessories, and feels it all. The total bike length is just under 7 feet (82 inches, to be precise).
Saddle height and handlebar height are both adjustable, making it relatively easy to switch between riders of different sizes. The low standover height also contributes to the driving characteristics.
The back of the “School Bus Kit”: padded seats, a luggage rail for passengers to hold on to, and running boards.
(Image credit: Tyler Boucher)
Specialized equipped my test bike with the ‘School Bus Kit’, which includes padded seats and a luggage rail for passengers to hold on to, running boards, a front rack and basket, and hard front panniers. These suitcases look a bit like waste baskets, but work great for quick shopping at the supermarket. They have drainage holes in the bottom, just in case. When installed, the baskets bring the overall width of the bike to approximately 27 inches.
The total retail price for this kit comes to around $1100, which increases the overall price considerably. The rear seats are extremely soft (yes, I tested them) and the luggage rail is quite sturdy. The frame has a lifetime warranty and Specialized also offers a 2-year “e-system” warranty.
The ride
The integrated 1500 lumen lamps worked fine. They are usually unobtrusive, but plenty bright enough when needed. And the tires are excellent, I would say the best in their class
(Image credit: Tyler Boucher)
One of the shortcomings of long tail cargo bikes is that any small frame flex is magnified by the weight (especially wobbling children) at the rear of the bike, which can cause steering problems. Of the bikes I’ve ridden in this category, the Specialized Haul LT avoids this problem the best. The bike is clearly very well built and remarkably stiff, which translates directly into confidence when riding.
The disadvantage is that to achieve this stiffness, the bicycle is heavy. The Haul ST, which is considerably shorter, is heavy for its size, and the LT is both lengthened and strengthened compared to the ST.
This isn’t really a problem while riding, but it does pose a problem while parking or maneuvering the bike on foot. It’s just not feasible to lift this bike up a curb or a few steps. The size and weight also make storage difficult. You’ll need dedicated storage space on the ground floor, and if for some reason you need to transport the bike somewhere, you’ll need a van for that.
I also had trouble getting the kickstand on and off with kids on the back, simply because of how heavy the bike was. For a smaller person, the Haul LT would be extremely difficult to maneuver with any cargo on board.
(Image credit: Tyler Boucher)
If size and weight aren’t an issue, and that won’t be for everyone, the Globe Haul LT does a lot of good. It’s fun to drive and the handling is perfect. The tires are excellent, I would say the best in their class. The brakes and drivetrain did everything they needed to and the gear range (sometimes an afterthought on cargo bikes) was solid. A small miss was the lack of a chain guard. This is a bike meant to be ridden in casual clothes, and a chain guard is a necessity. If I were to keep this bike long term, that would be the first thing I would fix.
The integrated 1500 lumen lamps worked fine. They are usually unobtrusive, but plenty bright enough when needed.
I used the bike mainly at level 5 (full steering) and seemed to get about 35 miles per charge, which is very good for this category. The power kicked in quickly and provided consistent assistance when needed, once I got the hang of the torque sensor. I did experience some “ghost assist”, where gentle pedaling at speed caused the motor to fire. Each system has its quirks, and it seems like it’s just a matter of getting familiar with each one to get the best performance.
Value and conclusion
(Image credit: Tyler Boucher)
I think it’s really good to see a company like Specialized bringing its significant resources and OEM purchasing power into the cargo bike world. While a bike built for cruising around town may not seem to have much in common with a bike built for racing the Tour de France, there are similarities: both bikes must work flawlessly and both must be purpose-built for the task that needs to be carried out. I hope we see more major bike companies throw their hat into the ring in this category. The more e-cargo bikes there are in the world, the better, I say
The Globe Haul LT from Specialized does a lot of good. It drives well, carries weight very well and can go very far on a single charge. But it’s big. I’d like to try the same bike, but six inches shorter and 15 pounds lighter, just to see how much easier that would be to work with. I understand why Specialized went this route (presumably partly to differentiate the LT from the ST), but I think the size will be an issue for some people.
Price-wise, it compares very favorably with options like the well-reviewed Tern’s GSD ($4,500) or Momentum’s PakYak E+ ($5,500) or several others with larger wheel sizes. It’s an increasingly densely populated market, with many good options at different price points. At $3500, the Specialized Globe Haul LT has few competitors, at least for now.
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