First Look: Specialized’s New Globe Haul LT

Jul 01, 2023

Increased rear rack space vs. the Haul ST allows this long-tail cargo bike to carry a lot more—kids, groceries, or whatever else you can imagine.

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Specialized’s Globe line of bikes. We loved its debut offering Haul ST so much that we named it our 2023 Bike of the Year. A big part of that decision was that bikes like the Haul—and other kinds of e-cargo bikes—open a door of possibility for many riders and enable them to replace more of their daily car trips with bicycle rides. While most folks probably won’t go 100% car-free, everyone benefits when even a small percentage of riders go “car-lite.”

That’s a little bit about the context in which I cover e-cargo bikes, and it’s also why I’m excited about this latest offering from Specialized—the Globe Haul LT. The LT stands for “Long Tail,” the main feature you immediately notice when looking at this new bike. Besides making accommodations for the larger-sized rear rack, the rest of this bike is very similar to the Haul ST we know and love.

The Haul LT has a total weight limit of 441 pounds (up from 419 lb. on the ST). The length of the rack doubles from the ST, which means there are two MIK adapter slots, plus room for four Coolcave panniers or the new double-wide cargo bags. Passenger capacity increased from one on the ST to a claimed three on the LT. Owners must purchase full-length running boards, an adjustable cargo rail cage, and a passenger kit to carry extra riders not in a child seat. The LT can take two MIK or rack-compatible child seats for smaller kids.

The extra cargo capacity is not without added cost. The new Haul LT sells for $3,500, making it $700 more than the ST.

Aside from the difference in price and size, the two bikes are similar. They share almost all of their parts besides the frame. The motor, battery, and electronic controls are identical on both. Sharing components helps Specialized keep the bikes relatively affordable compared to pricier alternatives. It also makes it easier for dealers to service and keep replacement parts on hand since most of them are interchangeable between the two.

One notable difference that caught my eye is that Specialized lists the Haul LT’s battery as UL-certified. Despite how complicated an issue UL certification of complete bikes is, this is a good thing. It prompted me to look at Specialized’s website to check if the Haul ST’s battery is similarly approved. Its battery (along with the supplied charger) is now also listed as UL-certified. To help further potential owners’ peace of mind, Specialized offers a lifetime warranty of the Haul frame, plus a 2-year e-system warranty. This includes everything electrical on the bike except the battery. The battery warranty is 300 charge cycles (100% to 0%).

In releasing the Haul LT, Specialized addresses the segment of riders who saw the ST and would not consider it because they needed improved cargo space or more passenger capacity. These additions put the Haul LT into a crowded market segment of long-tail e-cargo bikes, with stiff competition from the likes of the Tern GSD, Momentum PakYak E+, Trek Fetch+ 2, and even Aventon with its aggressively well-priced Abound.

I’ll reserve any conclusions or judgments about the Haul LT (and how it compares relative to its rivals) until I get my hands on a test bike. But if it’s anywhere as good as the ST, I should be very pleased. It’s great to see more brands get into the e-cargo bike space and more choices for bikes that are genuine car alternatives.

Test Editor Dan Chabanov got his start in cycling as a New York City bike messenger but quickly found his way into road and cyclocross racing, competing in professional cyclocross races from 2009 to 2019 and winning a Master’s National Championship title in 2018. Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer.

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