The Globe Live 03 was Specialized’s top tier grocery-getter in 2012, sporting a Gates carbon belt drive, eight-speed Alfine hub, hydraulic disc brakes and an integrated rack. Bikeradar called it a “Tricked out Townie” and it was sold at the premium price of $1,550. This example that I recently refurbished came to me missing a front wheel and several other bits. Along with the a new wheel, I replaced the tires, brake pads and rotors, and brake fluid. I repaired the stuck Alfine trigger shifter and installed a new leather saddle with matching grips. The big surprise is how much fun it is to ride! Read on for my review and info on the Globe Live 03.
Specialized first launched the Globe brand in the 90s, but it was short-lived. They brought it back in 2009, spinning it off as a separate company. Designed and managed by Robin Sansom, the Globe line was aimed at “discerning urban cyclists” and visually inspired by the aesthetic of the Volkswagen “Bug” car. As cringe as that sounds, Globe made some of the most practical, tough, and yes, stylish mass-market bikes of the late aughts / early teens. By 2010, Sansom had left Globe to head up product design and development at Yuba cargo bikes. Globe soldiered on until 2015, when Specialized brought it back in-house and soon after shuttered the brand.
The Live 3 is described as “a light-duty utility bike offering classic urban style”. It weighs in at a sturdy 35lbs. The hand-made aluminum frame has the necessary drive-side seat stay linkage to install the carbon belt drive, and utilizes an eccentric BB to tension the belt. This was my first experience with a belt drive bike, and I was immediately impressed. It was silent and accelerated precisely. I don’t know if it has the original belt, but it was the one mechanical element that worked flawlessly despite the many years and miles this bike has seen. The Gates drive and Shimano Alfine hub work together remarkably well in the stock 50T chainring / 24T cog configuration, delivering a smooth and reliable ride.
The Live 03 I have is a size large, with a 59cm top tube and a 90mm stem. I’m 5′ 6″ and usually ride 53cm bikes, so I assumed it would be too big for me to ride. When I hopped on, I immediately felt comfortable thanks to the generous 57-degree backsweep of the handlebars. It doesn’t handle like a “utility bike” or a “Dutch bike,” but rather more like a road bike that’s been modded into a chill townie / bar bike.
A cool detail to note in the picture above is the mirror mounted under the cargo rack. I don’t think that was stock; it looks to be custom mounted. It’s perfectly positioned to show the road from the rider’s left side, perfect for spotting cars without turning your head. When not in use, it easily folds away. I see something like that and think, “somebody loved this bike“.
There’s a few small differences between the parts on this bike and Specialized’s official product page. I’ve saved it in PDF format here in case it goes offline. The brakes are Shimano BR M445, whereas the website and Bikeradar review say “Auriga Comp”. It’s also shown with a fancy two-legged kickstand, while this one has a standard single-legged one. My guess is perhaps this bike was an earlier or later model than 2012. Some photos show it with a wood basket tray, although the Specialized product page shows it with the same gray steel tray.
My plan was to flip this bike quickly, but I’m enjoying the ride so much that I might hold onto it for a while. I also want to convert it to an electric single speed, knowing it would be a perfect candidate. I’m also curious how a combo of electric motor and belt drive would perform. As it is, this bike is a massive improvement over your standard city bike and a testament to how a well-designed bike will hold up after more than a decade in the streets.