In an interesting development in the bike industry, Specialized has put all of its BFROU models into a "stand alone brand" called Globe. According to Specialized, Globe is part of the "dream of a world where bikes are the majority - where cars come with labels that say 'Use Sparingly'."
Not long ago, the Specialized Globe was the name of a single model - a basic hybrid offered to fill all the needs of the everyday cyclist. But now, rather than a Globe model, there's the Globe brand, which includes:
The Vienna series, which seems to have been scaled back from the prior models which we discussed here;
The Roll, which is your basic fixed gear/single speed urban "assault" model;
Haul, a nice-looking 8-speed cargo bike;
Carmel, a beach cruiser/comfort bike; and finally...
The Globe Live models, which appear to be the flagship Globe models, "for riders wanting an option for every whim." Notably, the Live 3 model is built on an aluminum frame and comes with belt drives, fenders, a chaincase, and porteur racks. The Globe Live 1 goes for $580, the Live 2 for $940, and the Live 3 for $1550. The Live 1 and Live 2 are also offered as mixtes.Here are the specs for the Live 3:
FRAME Globe A1 Premium Aluminum cargo design, fully manipulated custom tubing w/ fender and rack braze-ons, integrated kickstand mount
FORK Globe Live straight-blade aluminum fork w/ custom forged crown and porteur basket/rack system
HEADSET 1-1/8" threadless, integrated, semi-cartridge campy style bearings
STEM Forged alloy, 2-bolt, 15 degree rise, 25.4mm clamp
HANDLEBARS Alloy, 25.4mm, 610mm wide, 43 degree up, 57 degree back sweep
TAPE Globe City 140mm
FRONT BRAKE Tektro Auriga Comp, hydraulic dual piston, w/160mm rotors
REAR BRAKE Tektro Auriga Comp, hydraulic dual piston, w/160mm rotors
BRAKE LEVERS Auriga Comp brake levers
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Alfine tap fire, 8-speed
CASSETTE Gates belt drive cog, 24t
CHAIN Belt drive, 122 links
CRANKSET Sugino EX-1 aluminum, w/ alloy chainguard
CHAINRINGS Belt drive, 50t
BOTTOM BRACKET Cartridge bearing, square spindle with crank stop right side and capless bolts
PEDALS Classic full alloy pedal
RIMS Globe RHD 700c, alloy double wall disc specific, 36h
FRONT HUB Hi Lo flange, loose ball, QR, 36h
REAR HUB Shimano Alfine internal 8-speed, 36h
SPOKES 2mm (14g) stainless
FRONT TIRE Specialized Infinity Armadillo, 700x32c, 60TPI
REAR TIRE Specialized Infinity Armadillo, 700x32c, 60TPI
INNER TUBES Schraeder valve
SADDLE Specialized Body Geometry Fitness, 143mm width, front and rear bumpers
SEATPOST Alloy, 2-bolt forged head, 12.5mm offset, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER Globe Chevron forged alloy, chrome plated
CHAINCASE Globe aluminum chain guard for internal gearing
KICKSTAND Pletscher double leg kickstand
RACK Globe porteur front rack/basket w/ wood bottom, 25kg recommended max capacity
FENDERS Globe classic aluminum fenders, long, 700C x 35C wide
If you buy or try out any of these models, let us know what you think in the comments!
