Hauling kids to school. Pedaling uphill with a week‘s worth of groceries. Navigating downtown with 60 pounds of deliveries stacked on your e-bike. When you need an electric bike that can do it all, two popular choices are the ultra-burly Specialized Globe Haul or the stylish Aventon Soltera.
But with such different designs and price tags, how do you know which of these electric bikes best fits your needs? As an experienced e-bike reviewer, I’ve put both heavy hitters to the test in real world conditions to help you decide.
An Overview of the Contenders
First, let’s briefly introduce our contenders before jumping into the details:
The Specialized Globe Haul markets itself as “the e-bike that can.” Thanks to a 700 watt motor and massive 772 watt-hour battery, this electric cargo bike pulls up to 419 pounds (including rider) to earn its name. Plus with hydraulic disc brakes, huge 20” tires and a $2,699 price tag, the Globe Haul means business.
The Aventon Soltera catches eyes with its handsome matte black aluminum frame and integrated tech like an LCD dashboard and mobile app connectivity. Though with just a 350 watt motor and 41 mile maximum range, its $1,199 value price clearly signals city usage, not hardcore hauling.
Now that you’ve met our challengers, let’s examine how they compare across the specs that matter most…
Powertrain & Range: No Contest Between 700 Watts and 350 Watts
Starting with sheer grunt, the Specialized Globe Haul’s brawny Bafang 700 watt mid-drive motor massively out muscles the Aventon Soltera’s 350 watt rear hub drive.
What does that mean in normal speak? The Globe Haul accelerates faster, climbs steeper hills with less effort, and sustains higher speeds (especially when loaded down) compared to the Soltera. When both e-bikes activate their electric pedal assist, the Globe Haul feels practically double the power.
To fuel its advantage, the Globe Haul depends on a high capacity 772 watt-hour battery versus just 360 watt-hours inside the Soltera. Combined with its more efficient motor, that enormous battery storage bestows the Specialized cruiser with over 50% longer real world range too:
| Spec | Specialized Globe Haul | Aventon Soltera |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Power | 700W | 350W |
| Battery Capacity | 772Wh | 360Wh |
| Max Range | 60 miles | 41 miles |
So while the Aventon Soltera still delivers respectable mileage suitable for most urban commutes, riders needing to travel further between charges should stick with the Specialized Globe Haul.
Hauling Capacity: Hauling Kids & Cargo vs. Carrying Just You
The Globe Haul’s excessive strength really shines when you start loading it up. Thanks to a burly frame design, ultra-wide tires and top notch components like hydraulic disc brakes, this electric bike hauls an mammoth 419 pounds total capacity between rider, kids, cargo and accessories.
For comparison, Aventon only recommends packing roughly 300 pounds maximum onto the Soltera. Go much beyond that and the handling, hill climbing and braking performance starts deteriorating quickly.
So if you need to pull real weight, the Specialized Globe Haul lives up to its reputation. Oversized rear rack, high torque motor, and beefy 20” wheels make light work of really piling it on. But stick to carrying just yourself on the stylish yet less rugged Aventon Soltera.
Electronic Features: Soltera’s Digital Dash vs. Globe’s Analog Approach
While Specialized focused exclusively on mechanical muscle, Aventon upped the tech with handy smart features missing from the Globe Haul.
Front and center, the svelte Soltera sports an integrated backlit LCD dashboard with speedometer, odometer, wattage output meter, battery fuel gauge and other e-bike vitals. Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity enable the dashboard to pair with Aventon‘s smartphone app too for data tracking, route planning, customization and firmware updates.
Unfortunately the Globe Haul keeps things simple — arguably too simple considering its premium price tag. Aside from a no-frills handlebar controller informing battery life, riders won‘t find navigation, ride logging or any fancy integrations. Just old fashioned pedal power and a silent motor.
So while Specialized touts the Globe Haul as “the e-bike that can,” ironically it can’t support much smartphone connectivity or digital dash display options expected nowadays. Depending on your tech appetite, the Aventon Soltera better satisfies.
Ride Quality: Big Wheels vs. Standard Wheels
With such different weights and specialities in mind, the Specialized Globe Haul and Aventon Soltera make diverging choices regarding ride quality as well:
The Globe Haul runs massive 20” wheels front and rear for improved stability and shock absorption, especially with heavy loads. Plus, those big wheels allow the use of specialty extra wide 4” tires unavailable on standard sized rims. Combined with hydraulic disc brakes and a strong frame, it’s built to handle its brawny motor.
Comparatively, the svelte Soltera opts for common 27.5” diameter wheels like most hardtail mountain bikes. Expect a more agile and playful ride feel carving through cities. For stopping power, mechanical disc brakes offer sufficient deceleration under lighter 300 pound recommended limits.
So while the Soltera promotes accessible fun whether moving yourself or some groceries, the Globe Haul inspires confidence tackling more extreme weight and adventures. Their designs clearly align with intended use cases.
| Spec | Specialized Globe Haul | Aventon Soltera |
|---|---|---|
| Wheels | 20” | 27.5” |
| Tires | 4” wide | Standard width |
| Brakes | Hydraulic discs | Mechanical discs |
Cost: Over Double the Price for Double the Power
Finally, considering their divergence across power, hauling ability, components and features, the Specialized Globe Haul and Aventon Soltera make no attempt at similar pricing either.
Given its ultra capable strength, the Globe Haul demands a premium at roughly $2,699 MSRP — which transforms this electric bike into a serious investment. Meanwhile, the gracefully designed Soltera keeps just $1,199 in your wallet as a value-first electric runaround.
In my experience testing both models extensively, the Specialized Globe Haul justifies its high sticker price through unmatched real world performance and durability. But more budget-focused riders receive impressive electrified transportation from the Soltera too.
So weighing your needs and financial realities remains crucial before deciding between these heavy hitting electric bikes!
| Spec | Specialized Globe Haul | Aventon Soltera |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP Price | $2,699 | $1,199 |
The Verdict: Who Should Buy the Globe Haul or Soltera?
Deciding between the Specialized Globe Haul and Aventon Soltera comes down to reflecting on your riding priorities:
The Specialized Globe Haul is simply the most powerful, versatile electric bike money can buy before stepping up to full electric mopeds. Thanks to its ultra robust build, massive motor, huge battery capacity and quality components, I‘ve yet to find terrain or cargo tasks that slow down this electric beast.
Just expect to pay a premium. Given its no compromises approach to performance and durability, the Globe Haul demands roughly double the investment of more basic electric bikes like the handsome Aventon Soltera. But for certain riders, worth every penny!
For city usage, modest cargo needs and tight budgets however, the Aventon Soltera shines bright. What it lacks in long-range power and heavyweight hauling, it offsets with modern tech features, elegant styling and accessible value pricing. Of all affordable commuter e-bikes, the Soltera remains my top recommendation for urban assault.
So depending on the muscle or tech features most important to your electric riding, either the Specialized Globe Haul or Aventon Soltera take the win. Both champion impressive yet very different e-bike achievements simply come down to matching expectations with reality before purchase.
And there you have it — the Globe Haul vs. Soltera electric bike showdown! Let me know if any other questions pop up while shopping and enjoy the ride ahead!
