Specialized Globe. Your thoughts and opinions?
 

Hi all. I am looking to get a bike specifically for commuting.
I am looking at the Specialized Globe. Anyone have any experience with this bike? If not, please take a look at the specs and share what your opinion. I would also entertain other recommendations as well. Would it be better to find a beater mtb to convert into a commuter? Thanks

http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkMode...be8sx44.j27002

Here are my thoughts...take them for what they're worth. $770 seems a little expensive for
a commuting bike. What type of weather will you be commuting in? I've commuted on both a mtn
bike and road bike. The road bike cuts off 10 minutes of my commute. If you don't like the position of
a road bike, there are plenty of bikes that are made for road and bike path riding.
Alivio components are very low on the Specialized chain. For that price, it would seem like higher components
should be included.

I think that if you spend many hours a week on a bike, it should be as nice a bike as you can afford. The only caveat is that for a commuter, you need secure parking (like, in your own office) if you ride an attractive bike. I certainly don't think $700+ is too much for a commuter.

As for the Globe, this is interesting. Major American manufacturers seem to be finally responding to the "utility bike" market, after years and years of pretending such things as fenders didn't even exist. This is the sort of bike they've been selling in Europe all along.

The Globe looks like a $450 bike with a lot of accessories. If they're the same accessories you'd buy anyway, then having them integrated by the manufacturer and supported by the bike shop could be a very good thing. The hub dynamo system, in particular, is tough to retrofit, so if that kind of lighting system (vs the more common rechargeable battery system) is what you want, it makes sense to buy it already installed.

Unfortunately, there are a lot more choices in Europe in this market than the three or four similar bikes that are available in the US. So here, if you don't like the rack or the shifters or the bell (!) you don't have a lot of other choices.

You could buy a comparable hybrid and retrofit all the accessories and end up spending less money.

Or you could decide that the act of "commuting" -- riding a bike to and from work -- doesn't actually dictate the form factor of the bike. The Globe is a hybrid -- an upright bike with road wheels. You could also commute on a road bike variant -- a touring bike or a cyclocross bike -- with the same accessories, and have a faster, more comfortable, and more versatile bike. My tourer, for example, has all the same sorts of accessories as the Globe and is optimally suited for commuting, but it's also ready to do a 60-mile road trip with a camping stop at the othr end.

RichC

Hi Steve,
I plan to commute in all types of weather. At this point, its not very far, but I do plan on using the bike as my primary form of transportation. I currently either use my old road bike or my MTB. Perhaps I should just add some fenders and racks to the old road bike. I am quite comfy on my roadie.

My MTB is a Specialized and I really like it. That is why I was looking at the Globe. I do think I can put something together for a whole lot less money. I was just interested in ya'll opinions.

Thanks for your reply Rich. You also make some interesting points. I had no idea that the European market had so many more options. I guess its true that we in the U.S. narrow our choices by our purchase decisions.

I don't think you could put new front wheel with a hub generator on your existing bike for much less than $300. Although the other components aren't very high level, I've happily put 6000 miles on my main commuter that uses Alivio componentry. If you are riding in all types of weather the full chaingaurd will help keep both you and drivetrain cleaner. I would certainly consider this model for commuting less than 30 miles a day. The price seems fair for a well thought out, fully dressed, ready to go to work, commuter. I hope enough people will buy it to make the industry notice.

It has one really good feature -- the dyno hub. It has one really lousy feature -- the suspension. I feel that derailleurs are to0 fragile and maintenance-intensive to be optimal for commuting. Overall, I'd take one of the Breezer bikes for a heavy duty, all-season commuter.

I looked into specing out a typical US-market bike for commuting. After switching to vertical dropouts, adding internal gears, a chainguard, a rack, fenders, and decent lights you have blown quite a bit of money. I don't think that this is a practical route to go.

Paul

Hi Paul. I take it you would recommend a single speed? That is harsh for around here. We have a lot of rather steep hills here in town. I guess a fellow would build his legs to compensate. Thanks for sharing your opinion. Bob

I'd go with internally geared hubs. The old Raleigh three speeds were quite good commuter bikes. I have a Nexus 7 speed, which works quite well on Washington, DC hills. One additional plus is that it makes a chainguard possible.

Paul

It doesnt seem a bad bike for pootling around town, but its quite expensive. I ride Alivio, and it works, but you'd expect better.
The sus fork is a waste of money and adds to reliability problems. The integrated lock is another waste of space.
The riding position is a bit upright for an experienced roadie.
If you ride drop bars, then a cx, or light touring/sport bike would be a better idea.
A few people mentioned hub gears. These are good bits of kit, but are usually supplied on heavy, cumberson cruiser style bikes. Fit them to an old light-tourer with H dropouts, and you will fly.
The best commuter bikes are usually custom built on an old frame. The term "beater bike" usually refers to a crappy bike, but the UK term "hack bike" better expresses the idea of good-enough components on a fine old frame.

This is not a real 'Globe'. The original was much cuter, w/ a 7-speed internal hub and nicer fenders, which have been sacrificed for sport fenders and a derailleur system. This one is probably a nice bike but looks pretty generic for a 'Euro style commuter' to me. I'd check out a comparable Breezer and Kettler before putting your money on the Specialized...but the price does seem about right to me.

my opinion of the bike
 

Dear N7CZinMT

First of all, thanks for the info about shimano Sora Hub. Below are my opinions of the commuter bike you are going to buy. That is not a good bike to buy, neither from its function nor the money you are going to pay.

1 you don't need front and seat suspension. Though I am new here, form your posts I guess you have ridden bike LONG LONG time. So if the bike is not for the tough trail use, you do not need those suspensions. When you meet potholes in the street, you can always relieve yourself from the saddle and let the bike take the punch, even better you may be able to jump the bike over the hole to avoid the punishment. Also tire pressure plays a big role in city commuting, keep pressure around 80 psi, it is fast enough and at the same time give you a lot of cushion. Talking about the seat suspension, I had one in my Mongoose bike, I later found out that though it smooth the pothole a little, it also takes some of my energy of paddling so I changed to regular seat post. Plus city street here at Austin, TX is not that bad.

2 About the hub generator. First of all my believe of generate light is either not bright enough or if it bright enough it will rub too much of your peddling power to the generator. I would go for a rechargeable battery lights. I made a bicycle lights 20W + 50W bulbs and a 4.5 AH battery. It gave me 2+ hours on 20W, 45 minutes on 50W. I used those bulbs on different occasions. Cost was under 70$. And they were BRIGHT. I once had a ride with around 300-400 people at night here at Austin, many of them had fancy lights, but I would say that my light was the brightest.

3 About the integrated lock of the bike, IMHO it is useless because if the thief want to take you bike he will just lift it on his truck. Or simply enough, use a rock to knock out the lock.

4 last it is too high price of this bike. 700$, first you do not need many sale features of this bike, second, it increase the possibility to be stolen if you have to lock it outside, use cheaper bike instead. If you park your bike in a safe place then that sale point of the integrated lock is not needed. The only extra thing this bike offer to your purpose is the fender, but hi, fender is 30$. Plus I guess you already have the rechargeable battery bike light. Other say that you can buy similar bike without those added features at 450$.

finally about the gear, the pattern of 8spd cassette is 11,13,15,17,20,23,26,34 for 28/38/48 chain ring the last two small gears are 22" and 30", If you ride steep hills then that jump will not be comfortable, at least for my experience, mine are 22" 31" and I don't like it and I will modify it later.


Also I checked your webpage and found out that you listed the aebike.com there, I checked aebike.com a week ago and found that they had a brook 17 sale for 34$ and two days later when I check it was gone, 34$ for a brook 17 is a VERY GOOD DEAL but unfortunately it is gone, have you noticed that before?


Regards

Lei Lin

I'd like to add a few of my own opinions. Of course, bikes are really subjective and what works for me may not work for anyone else.

Personally, I'd consider a generator essential, if only from a convenience standpoint. I would never want the hassle of having to charge up a battery. My generator produces enough light for my commute, and the drag is hardly noticable.

My bike does not have an integrated lock, but it might not be a bad feature. It can be a bother to release the u lock, fumble for the key, put the lock in place, and lock it. It would be nice just to be able to lock the bike with less hassle. It wouldn't replace an external lock, but it might be good for quickly dashing into a store to buy something.

Otherwise, I would have to agree. It is a "Commuter Bike" that lacks many of the features that make European commuter bikes useful, and has an expensive useless feature (the suspension) to boot. The price is fine for a real commuter bike, but that is not what this bike is.

I never would have bought it for my commute. Pity, because the original Globe was not bad and could have done as well as the Breezers if marketed inteligently.

Paul

Thanks to everyone for their input!

I have decided agianst the Globe. I am so greatful for each of your impressions and opinion. They have been a great help.

I have purchased a 1996 Specialized Hardrock hardtail with rigid forks that will be my commuter ride. I'll put slicks on in the summer and run the knobby tires on for the winter.

Thanks agn

I bought a Surly Cross Check to which I have added a rear rack, panniers, riser bars, grip shifters, lights, and knobby cyclocross tires.
I was originally looking at a Burley commuter bike with 29 inch wheels and gears inside the rear hub. It comes in 7 and 21 speed configurations.

If the Burley had been less money I would probably not have bought the Surly. And if I had known how much I would eventually have invested in the Surly I would have taken a closer look at the Burley. Buying a bike can be so hurly burly.

Alright, I admit it, I am a fan of Dr. Zeus.

tom o.

My two cents is either get a traditional road commuter or a hard-tail mountain bike.

My bike is an older Giant that I picked up for $450. Sun rot made me replace the cables too early but the bike has 6000 miles on it and is still cranking along. My wife has an identical model that she too rides to work with around 4500 miles on it.

http://www.cyclemobility.org/CMFiles/nightriding.html

I like the hub generator. I think front sus and 38 mm tires are too much weight for road riding, particularly if you do hills - 32 tires are enough for potholes. I would like a more substantial rack than the Pletscher.

What do you like
 

Put together a bike that you like that inspires you to ride. Or maybe you can find one and change it up a bit. There are many variables in the speed of a bike, but there are more variables in one's strength and conditioning. I put together a sweet looking 26'' bmx style bike and it's what I've always wanted but was never going to find off the shelf. I sometimes pass road bikes, fixies, mountain bikes, and sometimes they pass me. Bottom line is that a bike that is your style and you love is a bike that you can build on and is going to Inspire you to ride more, even when weather conditions aren't ideal etc...