Is Specialized getting serious about bikes for the rest of us?
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!
The Raleigh Sojourn is classified as a touring bike, but it would also make an excellent commuter or all-arounder. Currently available at REI for $1,000.
There is much to like about this bike: aged Brooks saddle and matching bar tape; bar-end shifters; standard rack and SKS fenders; disc brakes; and the Reynolds 520 steel frame. Here are two reviews of the 2008 model:
Dirtrag Magazine
Bicycling Magazine
2009 Specs:
Sizes: 53/55/57/59/62cm
Frame: Reynolds 520 Butted Cr-Mo w/CNC dropouts, Spoke holders, pump peg
Fork: 4130 Cr-Mo Cross w/Disc Mounts
Cranks: Shimano FC-R453 Octalink 30/39/50t
Bottom Bracket: Shimano Octalink
F. Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra
R. Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Shifter: Shimano Dura-Ace Bar End, 9spd
Brake Levers: Tektro R200 Aero Road Levers
Brakes: Avid BB5 Road 160/140mm rotor
Gear: SRAM PG-950 9spd (11-34)
Rims: Freedom CTX 2.3 Trekking Double Wall
Tires: Vittoria Rondenour Cross w/Reflective Side 700x35c
Pedals: Wellgo M21, alloy body/cage
Handlebar: WTB Mtn Drop, 31.8
Stem: Alloy 3D Forged Ahead 2 bolt Clamp
Seatpost: Alloy Micro adjust 26.8 x 350mm
Seat: Brooks B17 Aged
Headset: 1-1/8 threadless
Colors: Khaki
Chain: KMC Z9000
Hubset: (F) Joytech Disc 32h (R) Joytech Disc 32h
Spokes: 14g Stainless MAC w/Alloy Nipples
Grips: Brooks Leather, Drk Brown
Extras: SKS Fenders, Cateye reflector set, Bell, Water bottle mounts, Rack, Lezyne Pressure Drive pump, Owners Manual
The Surly Cross-Check is probably one of the most popular all-rounders, so it's about time we mentioned it here. At City Bikes, you can purchase the complete bike for $1,050 or the frameset for $410.
The frame is steel, and it has eyelets for fenders and braze-ons for a rear rack. The fork allows plenty of room for wider tires.
Here's the specs for the complete bike:
Frame: 4130 CroMoly steel. Main triangle double-butted. TIG-welded. Rear rack bosses
Fork: CroMoly, lugged + brazed crown. 1-1/8" threadless steerer
Headset: Ritchey Logic Comp. 1-1/8" threadless, w/ 15mm spacers
(+ 10mm clamp-on hanger = 25mm stack total). Black
Stem: Kalloy 1-1/8" threadless. Forged. Black
Handlebars: Salsa Moto Ace Bell-Lap 26.0mm clamp diameter. Black
Brake Levers: Tektro #R200A standard levers on 52-62cm sizes, R100A small hand levers on 42-50cm
Brakes: Tektro Oryx cantilever #992, black
Shift Levers: Shimano Bar-end type #SL-BS77. 9-Speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra #FD-4500 Double
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra #RD-4500-GS Mid-cage
Crankset: Andel Forged arms, Silver aluminum, granny ring compatible. 110mm BCD rings, 36 & 48t, ramped and pinned, Black
Pedals NOT INCLUDED
Bottom Bracket: Shimano Deore LX #BB-UN54, 68x113mm
Seatpost: Kalloy Uno 27.2mm x 250mm. Black
Saddle: WTB SST Steel rails. Black
Cassette: Shimano Tiagra #HG-53 9-speed 12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25t
Chain: Shimano HG-73 9-Speed compatible
Hubs: Shimano Deore #HU-M510. 32 hole, 100mm O.L.D. front, 135mm O.L.D. rear.
Rims: Alex #AL-DA16. 32 hole x 700c. Black
Tires: Ritchey SpeedMax Cross 700x32 Wire bead. Black wall
For fun, check out the Surly blog.
Here is my sister's Smoothie ES frame and fork (by Soma Fabrications) built up as a comfortable and stylish town bike. The rain in Portland appears to have infiltrated my camera, but you can still make out the important elements: upright and swept-back handlebars, platform pedals, full fenders, and a dynamo headlight.
The Smoothie ES is a light and sporty frame, but it doesn't have to be set up as a road bike. This bike is light and sporty AND comfortable and stylish! Also, the Cobalt Blue is luscious.
In case you missed it, here's a link back to Part I, regarding the Soma Smoothie ES.
Pake (pronounced "Pah-Kay,")" calls the C'Mute "a tough jack of many trades frame... fast commuter, sport tourer, CX, geared or single speed." It's made by the same people who make Soma frames, and the Soma Store sells the C'Mute fork and frame for $360. You may also find a dealer who will special order you the complete bike... prices will vary.
The frame really is built as an all-rounder, with double eyelets and clearance for wide tires. The horizontal dropout allows it to easily be converted to a single or fixed gear.
Specs:
Frame: Butted Tange 4130 CrMo tubeset. Sizes 47-60 cm.
Clearance for 35c tires with fenders.
Decals: Removable w/o stripping clearcoat
Horizonal dropouts (updated to a longer slot for 2009)
Optional unicrown steel fork w/ rack and fender mounts and low rider pannier mounts;
44mm rake, matching paint
Extended headtube
Color: Pave-Mint
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.
