Commuting - Just found my perfect commuter! - '95 Globe 7

Hello to all. I've been lurking on this forum for a few months researching what I wanted to purchase as my main commuter bike for my short but nasty Wisconsin commute. Sorry for the long post, but I'm excited about my find....

I looked a Breezer's, the Trek Commuters, and Van Dessels trying to find a cost affective bike. I really wanted an internal hub and coaster brake, and good fenders. Unfortunately, I didn't have the $700-1000 to spend. I had pretty much given up and decided I would just find an older good-quality mountain bike and convert it into what I wanted for maybe $400. Well yesterday I visited a used bike shop in Madison and found a bike I had never heard of - a Specialized Globe 7. It have everything I wanted - Sachs Tornado Super 7 internal hub, coaster brake, cantilever brakes in front, chainguard, nice fenders, and integrated generator lighting! And, a very pleasing shape. All for $250.00! I jumped on it!

I was leaving with the bike and a guy commented on how cool he thought the bike was and told me the bike was only imported in 1995-1996 and flopped commerically. They were made in Italy, and ahead of their time for the U.S. market, and that the new Globes were not as good (I agree). Anyone else have one of these bikes? Also, I wanted folks to know these jewels exist, because I sure didn't!

I wanted to clean the bike up real well before putting it into service this week, so attached is photo if no one has seen one of these bikes. Some of the "Specialized" decals were ragged, so I pealed them off execept for the "S" on the head and the "Globe" on the chainguard. Gives it a clean look. One thing I like is that the bike won't grab attention from the wrong people.

Anyway, thanks to all who helped me via their various forum posts. I appreciate it!
Pat

Cool bike! I want one!

What size are those funky whitewall tires?

That is some front fender. Should be a pretty dry ride.

Nice catch.

What a wickedly sweet ride. That was a major score on your part.

Wow, what a find! Makes me inspired to keep a better eye out for rides like that.

Thanks guys! I am stoked! I usually never have good luck with stuff like this. Hopefully others can find these as well. At this bike shop, nobody wanted an "ugly" bike with fenders. And no one will buy internal hubs - they think if you don't have a derailler sticking out you're not getting a good bike!

The rear tire is a Ritchy Cross-Bite 1.4 and looks new. The front is a Specialized-branded Nimbus that looks original. It may be a 1.6. The front tire has a reflective stripe all the way around. I'm going to see if I can find a match for the rear as I like the white-wall look, and the front is cracking a little.

Another cool thing I noticed is that all the light wiring runs inside the frame, and the rear light has a big capacitor and a LED that stays lit for a minute or so when you stop, just like what the Breezer's advertise. Apparently that technology has been around a while overseas.

If I was unhappy with anything, it would be that the front brakes have worn the black off the side of the rim. No problem with that on the rear with the coaster, so the rims will never perfectly "match". Big gripe huh!

The more research I've done, I've never seen one of these listed with a Sachs Super 7 hub - only Shimano. Wonder if the Sachs is a good thing?

Take care,
Pat

>>>>The more research I've done, I've never seen one of these listed with a Sachs Super 7 hub - only Shimano. Wonder if the Sachs is a good thing?<<<<

The Sachs Super 7 is called the Sram Spectro 7. It's a solid product from a very good company.

The Globe today uses a rear derailluer which is not great if you live in a city that has four season. The hub is much better for rain, snow, mud and salt. You really walked away with a gem.

The only other company making bikes of this quality is Joe Breezer. I like the Breezer 3 and I'm really seriously thinking about getting one. Unfortunately, my junk folding bike happens to be the first bike I ever purchased and I will ride that junker until the frame brakes in two! This may take YEARS!

The only thing sad about the bike you purchased is that it looks barely used! The person who owned it did very little riding. I find this so true among used bikes. Folks, there must be thousands of used bikes on the market that are barely used just wasting away in some garage.

Enjoy your bike Pat. I'm envious.

Sweet ride, hard to believe these didn't sell when released. Bicycling has been so positioned in the US as a "sport" or as "training" that requires special gear and uniform and not as a practical activity. But you see a bike like this, that won't get you dirty and you can ride at night and probably requires minimal maintaince it is obvious that anyone could run to the store or bike to work.

That is a beautiful bike, really like the paint scheme... I remember reading about Joe Breeze's admiration of that bike (and somewhat inspired him to give it a go with commuter bikes...). Here's a quote from a Bicycling Magazine article about Breeze/Breezer:


In 1994, Specialized introduced an elegant city bike called the Globe. "It was incredible," says Breeze, who still has one in his garage and rode it until his own prototypes arrived. Specialized positioned the Globe as urban transit, a coffee-house cruiser, but the bike failed to generate a mass following. The last Globes were sold in 1999.

See the full article here: Breezer (http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,5073,6349,00.html?category_id=363)

Sweet ride, hard to believe these didn't sell when released. Bicycling has been so positioned in the US as a "sport" or as "training" that requires special gear and uniform and not as a practical activity. But you see a bike like this, that won't get you dirty and you can ride at night and probably requires minimal maintaince it is obvious that anyone could run to the store or bike to work.


I agree, Kodama. It's a shame that the Globe did not sell better. Perhaps thinkgs are changing a bit -- I really expected Joe Breezer to quickly go broke with his new line of bikes, and have been amazed to find that they appear to be selling quite well.

Anyhow, PatLuc, you really lucked out. Good going!

Paul

Thanks again guys for the complements. That is pretty cool about the Breezers. I had been telling folks "it's just like a Breezer" and I guess I know why now!

Well, I test rode the bike to work today and figured out that it won't fit in the bike rack without scratching the fenders or hitting the tail light, so I'll just have to kickstand it. Will have to explain to the security guys why I won't be parking in the "designated rack". :-)

One feature I can't use is the Trelock 180 integral lock on the rear tube. No key as the previous owner lost it. The Trelock website is not in English, so no help there. The lock body has numbers on it - I wonder if that means something about the key? Anyone have any idea (other than local locksmith) for me to find a key? I'll probably never need the lock, but it's cool to have. Might also prevent the unlikely "ride off" when at the local store.

Pat

Very cool bike, as with the others here, I'm somewhat envious. You didn't pick it up at that cool used bike store in madison, the one in the old auto garage, with the Spaceliner bike above the front door, did you? (can't recall the name offhand) That's a great shop, I visited it in the fall and spent about five hours wandering around. The guys there were extremely helpful and nice and I wound up buying a cool old classic. Great shop, and if you love old bikes, a deadly time trap.

Poquemahone,
Yeah, probably the same place. I know there was a roll-up door, so it was probably an old garage. Budget Bike Center is the name off of Regent St. Tons of old cool stuff in there. As a teen, I wanted a Cannondale. It was a dream bike, you know? Well, there were plenty in there, all for between $200-300 and just the bikes I always wanted. In a weird way, I was kind of bummed I found this bike, because I would have certainly brought home one of those long-lusted Cannondales! I guess I've grown up though, because I knew this Globe was exactly what I needed from a practical standpoint. When I do decide to get a mountain bike, I know where and what I'll get!

I see you are in Richmond. I grew up in central Virginia around South Boston and Danville, and have a really good friend still in Richmond. Growing place these days...

Take care,
Pat

I think this is actually a pretty rare bike. All of the late 90's Specialized Globe's I've seen are either blue or sort of a purplish color, and equipped with a Shimano Nexus 7 hub; I think they were either manufactured in the US or the orient. This bike is one of the early Italian imports, of which I have heard, but never seen. Congratulations on a great find!

i approve of this fancy looking machine.

Yep, that's the shop. Believe me, my opinions of bike shops in general is so low that for me to call a shop "great" really says something. Love Danville, taught a couple of classes there two years ago, home of Wendell Scott and Mojo Nixon. What more could you ask from a town? No great bike shop there, tho...

You shouldn't be bummed; you'll see Cannondales by the thousands and will get one eventually should you so desire. You're not gonna see too many more of what you just got.

Hello to all. I've been lurking on this forum for a few months researching what I wanted to purchase as my main commuter bike for my short but nasty Wisconsin commute. Sorry for the long post, but I'm excited about my find....

I looked a Breezer's, the Trek Commuters, and Van Dessels trying to find a cost affective bike. I really wanted an internal hub and coaster brake, and good fenders. Unfortunately, I didn't have the $700-1000 to spend. I had pretty much given up and decided I would just find an older good-quality mountain bike and convert it into what I wanted for maybe $400. Well yesterday I visited a used bike shop in Madison and found a bike I had never heard of - a Specialized Globe 7. It have everything I wanted - Sachs Tornado Super 7 internal hub, coaster brake, cantilever brakes in front, chainguard, nice fenders, and integrated generator lighting! And, a very pleasing shape. All for $250.00! I jumped on it!

I was leaving with the bike and a guy commented on how cool he thought the bike was and told me the bike was only imported in 1995-1996 and flopped commerically. They were made in Italy, and ahead of their time for the U.S. market, and that the new Globes were not as good (I agree). Anyone else have one of these bikes? Also, I wanted folks to know these jewels exist, because I sure didn't!

I wanted to clean the bike up real well before putting it into service this week, so attached is photo if no one has seen one of these bikes. Some of the "Specialized" decals were ragged, so I pealed them off execept for the "S" on the head and the "Globe" on the chainguard. Gives it a clean look. One thing I like is that the bike won't grab attention from the wrong people.

Anyway, thanks to all who helped me via their various forum posts. I appreciate it!
Pat

I also bought one of these bikes recently (January) and just love it! Like you, I looked at several different commuter types but was not happy with what I found (or could afford). This one popped up on eBay and I jumped on it. I have upgraded a couple of components (suspension seat post, power grip pedals and straps). I am quite happy with the whole rig. The previous owner took very good care of it, (there are some major scratches on the front fender but that gives it character!) From your post it must be older than I thought.
I wil try to put a picture up.

PattLuc -

My bike also did not come with a key for the intergrated lock. I did use a local locksmith and it cost me only $20. You can get a new intergrated lock and cable set from Axabasta from the website below. ($70 + shipping).

http://www.bicycleworkshop.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s93p5

Good luck with the bike.

Thanks Mqolini, and hello fellow Globe owner! I really love mine. It is so "solid" compared to my previous bikes. It's heavy by bike standards I guess, but that makes it more planted I think. I feel like I can ride through anything with this bike, and I have to here in Wisconsin!

Yeah, apparently my bike is rare and a little different from the other Globes. I just purchased a 1994 Specialized catalog from a guy on eBay hoping my bike would be in there. Well, there are three Globes shown (Globe 7, Globe 7 Lux, Globe 3), but none exactly like mine. I mean they are darn close, but my bike has slightly different fenders, crank, seat, and the Sachs hub and brakes. Supposidly my bike was one of the first Globes, but I though a 1994 book would have caught it. 1993 then? I really wish someone who worked for a Specialized dealer around that time could chime in.

I'll scan in some pages from the catalog tomorrow. Maybe your bike will match these. Want to buy a catalog? :-)

Thanks for locksmith info. I think there might be one here in town, and I'll check into it.

Pat

Mike, here you go...
Pat

Here's a better shot of my Globe. If you look closely, you can see my Globe is a bit different. My fenders have mounting "hoops" that go around the outside of the fenders. My front sprocket is different. My brakes are Sachs, as is the rear hub. The rack is a bit different as well. My seat was different too, but I've since replaced it with a big, springy, Bell gel seat. Looks like the chainguard is different too. Not as classy, but comfy!

I still wonder if my bike is a 1993. I'm guessing so, as I don't think my bike came after the ones in the '94 catalog.

The riddle continues.... :-)

Pat

That is a sweet ride. Wouldn't be ashamed to cruise the streets on that.

Here's a better shot of my Globe. If you look closely, you can see my Globe is a bit different. My fenders have mounting "hoops" that go around the outside of the fenders. My front sprocket is different. My brakes are Sachs, as is the rear hub. The rack is a bit different as well. My seat was different too, but I've since replaced it with a big, springy, Bell gel seat. Looks like the chainguard is different too. Not as classy, but comfy!

I still wonder if my bike is a 1993. I'm guessing so, as I don't think my bike came after the ones in the '94 catalog.

The riddle continues.... :-)

Pat

PatLuc - this took a long time to post, but here it is finally. My Specialized Globe has some major repainting goofs on the fenders, other than that, I upgraded the saddle to a Brooks (NOS). The hub is a Shimano 7 speed internal with roller brake. This week I am expecting a Schmidt generator hub from Peter White's shop in NH. Cost more than the bike, but I think it will be worth it.

Hope the photo shows up

:D

This thread is so grand. I have a Globe 3. It is a three speed; I'm unsure of its age. It is too sweet! I wish everyone one of these!

The only other company making bikes of this quality is Joe Breezer.
To be a little more accurate - the only other company making or selling bikes of this type in the U.S is Joe Breezer. And hardly any stores in the U.S are interested in promoting them or anything remotely resembling a practical bike for commuting

In Europe there are plenty to choose from. My daily commuter, a store brand Ragazzi with a Sachs (SRAM) 7 speed/coaster hub, full fenders, lights etc. was bought new in Germany 5 years ago for the equivalent of $130.

I just picked this up for $25 bucks. It has a 7 speed-hub (sachs torpedo 7) and it is a specialized, so I am assuming it is a Globe, but the stickers have been peeled off???? Anyone know for sure and what year it is. It is a blue purple color with off white fenders and a built in generator, rack and a rear wheel lock.
Thanks!