In terms of sizing, the Haul LT (and its sibling, the Haul ST) are remarkably well-engineered. Most e-bikes with a single frame size struggle to fit riders with 12 inches of difference in height, but thanks to its telescoping stem and dual-telescoping seatpost, the Haul comfortably fits riders 4’5” to 6’4”.
With roughly 14” of saddle height adjustment and 6” of flexibility in handlebar height, the LT’s fit and riding position can be tailored to its rider. I found comfort in a mostly upright position with a small amount of weight on the handlebars.
Pedaling felt relaxed and comfortable overall, though it took a few rides to adjust to the crank-forward design, which requires pedaling in a slightly outward and downward motion. I have tested some bikes where this felt extreme, but the Haul took only a slight adjustment; overall, the experience was easy and enjoyable.
The bike was also remarkably responsive due to its torque sensor. The motor engaged smoothly with an adaptive feel in most of its assist levels, but it could feel somewhat jerky and oversensitive in PAS 5. After a few rides, I learned that it was important to maintain steady pressure and a consistent cadence, which smoothed out the ride almost completely.
In terms of handling, the bike felt surprisingly nimble, given its length and weight of over 90 lbs. When moving, I found it easy to forget that the bike was so large; it cornered quickly and steered precisely thanks to its 20” wheels and wide 700-mm handlebars.
The bike’s 3.5”-wide Carless Whisper tires added a surprising amount of comfort and cushion to the ride—especially as the Haul does not include any form of suspension. The tires feature a central band of smooth street tread for low rolling resistance and a knobby side tread to add stability and grip when cornering.
Very little of my testing was done on unpaved surfaces, but I took a few short trips on dirt and gravel surfaces. The Haul LT felt surprisingly rugged and capable there, suggesting that it could be functional as an adventure bike when hauling camping gear, etc.
Two areas with room for improvement were the LT’s display and its light system. I liked the unobtrusive size of the display/control panel, but it was necessary to pair it to the Globe app to turn off the lights or see an accurate battery charge readout. I would prefer the ability to access these functions without using my phone.
Additionally, considering that one of the Haul LT’s most practical uses is transporting child passengers, we hoped to see brake lights—and possibly turn signals—to increase rider safety. Our testing showed the bike to be highly practical as a cargo/child carrier; this important feature would give it greater appeal to cautious parents.
Otherwise, we found the Globe Haul LT’s ride quality to be excellent, as we expected from its pedigree as a Specialized e-bike. It felt sturdy, powerful, responsive, comfortable, and extremely well-built. The bike does not feature many bells and whistles, but its standard features and feel generally seemed to be a step (or two) above the norm.
