swduncan

I could have sworn that the Specialized GlobeCity didn't come with a light, but now it comes not only with a light but with a generator hub: https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...id=08GlobeCity. I also thought it wasn't available with an internal gear hub.

So, is Breezer's success attracting some followers?

I had been lusting after the Breezer, but the shop selling Specialized is within riding range. I guess it's down to a full chain case and wheel size.

Joe Dog

I bought my wife a Breezer Uptown and she loves it. It's comfy and comes tricked-out with a nexus 8 speed hub, a generator hub up front and has good lights. Plus it looks good and she likes riding it. Don't know about the Specialized, but I am sold on the Breezer!

djkenny

the bigger wheels are a big attraction, or they at least "were" to me when I checked out a Globe 8 a few weeks ago. I dont know...they are both so similar, but I thought the Breezer just seemed to handle better and seemed to be of slightly higher quality. I rode the simailr internal hub, front generator light model with 700 wheels you are speaking of.

If I can recall correctly, I liked the rear rack of the Breezer better as well.

Sirrus Rider

Well, I don't have a Breezer, but my commuter is a Mountain bike based on 26" wheels like the Breezer. I also picked up an '07 Specialized Sirrus that I have configured as a backup commuter. My MTB commuter feels more sure footed coming up to speed from a dead stop compared to the newer bike, but the Hybrid feels more nimble.

3bikes

Hi, I'm an owner of the Specialized Globe City 6 IG8. I've only got 950 miles on it so far. I was going to write my 1000 mile review in a week or two, but I noticed your post....

I've heard a lot of good things about Breezer. It sounds like a good bike/investment and they have some really good looking bikes. As for my Specialized, I really liked the black-on-black look of the bike and being able to see one in the shop made me decide... not an impulse buy.... it was something that I checked out on-line before purchasing.

Problems: I had a broken spoke at 650+ miles on the rear wheel. I decided to replace all the spokes with a better grade done by hand at the bike shop. Wheel now feels very solid and I know a hand built wheel is better than factory. At 350+ miles, the bottom bracket was loosening up, causing the pedals/front gear to click and make noise. The shop I bought it from took apart and reassembled it, fit it solidly and there have been no problems since with the entire bike. Factory bell is wimpy, replaced it with a very loud "Incredibell".

Pluses: Generator hub and lights are very cool. The click of a switch turns on the current and provides a minimal resistance on the front hub. Much less than one would experience with a side-wall running generator. The Internal Gear 8 Speed hub takes a bit of learning, but now I wouldn't trade it for standard gear clusters. The mechanism stays clean and there is lots of range in that 8 speed hub. I never really use the 8th gear. Mostly I use 3, 4, 5, 6. This bike feels solid and is proving to be a good commuter. I ride West Los Angeles to Hollywood average 4 days per week. Fenders are a real plus as so many people and businesses in LA let excess water run into the streets from sprinklers. Seat, handle bars, frame geometry, reflective sidewall tires and factory rack are all good. I replaced the pedals with Shimano M-324 dual sides (for clicking in or regular shoes). I use a Cateye wireless bike computer, Cateye front flashing light and Vista rear flashing light in addition to the very adequate front generator halogen light and rear LED light powered by the hub (which remains on for minutes with an internal capacitor).

Everyone likes the look of this bike. It just looks so damn good. People ask me about the bike, about the electric hub and lights.... "Nice bike!" I get from people on the street and even from clients. Everyone seems to notice this bike is a real commuter. The cost of the bike is 910+taxes plus all that extra stuff like the Axiom bag, the Specialized Sonoma style shoes, pedals... I'm guessing around $1,300 in all. (I already owned a good helmet, gloves, riding attire)

I'm happy with it so far, only a few set-backs as mentioned above. Best of luck in your decision. Most importantly, get the one that really feels right for your use. - Cheers - 3bikes

Sirrus Rider

The only thing I dislike about either one is a problem also have with my current bike.. They are all dark colors, Black, Navy Blue, or Red which is as bad as black at night. It's my opinion that a commuter bike should be either white, HiViz Yellow, or Blaze Orange so they stand out against a dark road even without active lighting during an early morning commute.

Kimmitt 

That's fair, but my spouse would kill me if I got a bike that color. Reflective tape is cheap if one is going for function over form.

AliceCuriouse

Would someone be able to explain why bigger wheels are good for a commuter bike?

Torrilin

They're not better (or worse). Since most men are taller, a bigger wheel doesn't cause geometry problems the way it can for a short person. And if the man in question already *has* a bike with 700C wheels, it is more convenient to share tubes and tires. A good design can make 700C wheels work, even for a fairly short woman. So it's mostly a convenience thing.

Some cyclists will claim that a given wheel size is faster and argue that that means you should use the faster wheel on your commute. In reality, it is very difficult to prove that a particular wheel size is faster than any of the others. So it's best not to worry about it unless your wheel size means your bike fits badly... bad fit will *really* kill your speed. (of course if you're racing it can be a very different situation, but if you're racing you will be doing a lot of fine tuning that a commuter would never need to worry about)

jfz

Both bikes seem like a good choice to me. I have been considering the Breezer but the nearest shop is over 50 miles from my home. I wouldn't mind driving the distance one time to buy the bike but what if you need service-you would be spending more on gas driving to the dealer than you would save commuting to work on your bike. My decision would have to consider the dealer location as well as the bike quality and accessories.

bellweatherman

The paint color actually has like no difference in it you get seen by a motorist at night. You could have too different riders, one with a white bike and the other with a black bike. Both riding at night. Both will get hit because it's dark out. Now, if they have lights or some reflecters on there, then that would make a difference, but paint makes no difference.

bellweatherman

The Breezer has 26" wheels.
The Specialized Globe has 700c wheels.
Which is better?

dynaryder

There is no better. Some folks like to debate that 700's are faster because they give you taller gearing,but in the real world,the weight of the bike,the weight/tread/psi of the tires,and most importantly the ability of the rider are much bigger factors than wheel size.

I will say that for all weather commuting,I prefer 26's for tire choice. I can go into a shop and pick up skinny slicks or fat knobbies right off the rack. Most places around here carry road tires,but either don't have cross tires,or only have a small selection,and never have anything over 38mm. Plus most bikes with 26" wheels have clearance for wide tires. If I had a long commute on nice roads and didn't have to deal with snow,then I'd do 700's with skinny tires.