Find out which utility e-bike better handles groceries, kids, and your dollar!
Today, I’m comparing two popular utility bikes: the Specialized Globe Haul ST and the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus. Both of these bikes are designed to tackle whatever life throws at them. The Globe Haul ST and the RadRunner 3 both offer strong motors, impressive cargo capacities, and solid range, making them ideal for anyone needing a reliable utility bike.
Through our testing and the 200+ miles I’ve ridden on each bike, I’ve grown to appreciate both. While I do have a personal favorite, I often find myself recommending the other more frequently. So, let’s dive into the specs, features, and real-world testing data of these two utility e-bikes to see how I came to this conclusion.
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| Specialized Globe Haul ST | Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 | |
| Testing Results | ||
| Range Test – Maximum PAS | 38 miles in PAS 1 | 26 miles in PAS 1 |
| Range Test – Minimum PAS | 54.34 miles in PAS 5 | 60 miles in PAS 5 |
| Hill Test – Throttle | 1:05 – 16.7 MPH | 1:24 – 12.9 MPH |
| Hill Test – Pedal | 1:00 minutes – 18.1 MPH | 1:48 – 10 MPH |
| Speed Test | No PAS: 11.2 mph PAS 1: 13.4 mph PAS 2: 16 mph PAS 3: 20.5 mph PAS 4: 23 mph PAS 5: 26.5 mph |
No PAS: 7.5 mph PAS 1: 8.9 mph PAS 2: 12.9 mph PAS 3: 18.1 mph PAS 4: 20.2 PAS 5: 20.2 |
| Brake Test | 15’ 9” | 20’ 8” |
| Electrical | ||
| Motor | 700W, 90Nm torque – Rear Hub w/ Torque Sensor | 750W, 64 Nm torque – Rear Hub w/ Cadence Sensor |
| Battery | 772Wh | 672Wh |
| Charger | 2 Amp, 48V | 2 Amp, 48V |
| Pedal Assist | 5 Levels | 5 Levels |
| Display | Duo-tone LCD | Duo-tone LCD |
| Throttle | Push Throttle | Twist Throttle |
| Key Components | ||
| Frame | Alloy | Alloy |
| Brakes | Tektro HD-T535 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes w/ 203mm rotors | HD-E350: 2-piston Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brakes w/ 180 mm rotors |
| Drivetrain | microSHIFT 9-speed 11-36t cassette, 50t chainring | Shimano Altus MD310 7-speed 11-34T |
| Shifters (type) | microSHIFT Advent, 9-speed | Shimano SL-TX50-7R 7-speed |
| Fork | Rigid | RST Spring Fork, 60 mm travel with preload adjustment and lock-out |
| Rear Suspension | N/A | N/A |
| Tires | Carless Whisper Reflect, 20X3.5” | Kenda K905 tires sized at 20″ x 3.3″ |
| Handlebar | BMX Style | BMX Style |
| Grips | Black rubber | Ergonomic comfort grips made of imitation leather |
| Saddle | Specialized Body Geometry Comfort Gel | Cushioned saddle, black |
| Kickstand | Center mounted – Moto style | Rear Mounted |
| Rear Rack | Yes – 130lb capacity | Yes – 120 lb capacity |
| Lights | LED front and back | LED headlight, taillight with brake light |
| UL Certification | Yes, 2849 & 2271 | Yes, 2849 & 2271 |
| Weight & Dimensions | ||
| Weight w/battery | 77 lb | 65 lb |
| Battery Weight | 8.4 lb | 7.5 lb |
| Maximum Payload | 419 lbs | 350 lbs |
| Maximum Load On Racks (if applicable) | 132 lbs | 120 lbs |
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The Globe Haul ST’s 772 Watt-hour is externally mounted on the bike’s frame.
Rad Power Bikes went with a slightly larger 14Ah 672 Wh semi-integrated battery.
| Specialized Globe Haul ST | Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 | |
| Max PAS | 37.7 miles in PAS 1 | 26.4 miles in PAS 1 |
| Min PAS | 54.34 miles in PAS 5 | 60.7 miles in PAs 5 |
Look, we get it, e-bike range capability is a factor that weighs heavily on most folks when they are researching their next bike purchase.
As far as muscle goes for each bike, the Globe Haul ST has a 700W motor with torque sensor activation, and the RadRunner 3+ has a 750W motor with a cadence sensor.
Generally speaking, a torque sensor can be more efficient as it varies power based on measuring pedaling power from the rider. Conversely, a cadence sensor delivers power in an ‘all or nothing’ manner if the pedals are rotating at all regardless of pedaling pressure. It goes with the flow of its programming.
So, what do those results tell us about each bike? Well, in a nutshell, both bikes performed well, and anytime you can cover between 25 and 60 miles on a single charge, you’re doing good.
Personally, I prefer the higher floor when it comes to mileage, so I’m partial to the Globe Haul ST’s performance with a minimum real-world result of 37 miles over the RadRunner’s floor of 26 miles.
All-in-all, each bike held its own in our range test and each bike offers some really solid range that most folks will find to be more than enough.
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The Specialized Globe Haul ST comes with a 700W rear hub motor with 90 Nm of torque
The RadRunner 3+ comes with a 750W rear hub motor and 86 Nm of torque.
Hill Test Results:
| Specialized Globe Haul ST | Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 | |
| Throttle | 1:05 – 16.7 MPH | 1:48 – 10 MPH |
| Pedal | 1:00 – 18.1 MPH | 1:24 – 12.9 MPH |
Climbing hills on e-bikes can be tough, depending on motor power and torque. We tested each bike on our steep ‘Hell Hole’ hill in throttle-only mode and max pedal assist (PAS 5).
First, the RadRunner 3+ tackled Hell Hole in the throttle-only mode where it climbed in 1 minute 48 seconds, averaging 10 MPH. With PAS 5 activated, it improved to 1 minute 24 seconds, averaging 12.9 MPH.
The Globe Haul ST, on the other hand, ascended the hill in 1 minute 5 seconds using throttle-only and clocked 1 minute flat with PAS 5, averaging 18.5 MPH.
Next, we tested both bikes on a smaller hill near my office, loaded to 70% of their payload (including me at 180 lbs). The Globe Haul ST carried 110 lbs of weight, and the RadRunner 3+ had 65 lbs, with both weights over the rear tire for consistency.
Both bikes managed the hill successfully but with different results. The Globe Haul ST, with its 419 lb payload, climbed in 1:59, averaging 7.2 MPH. The RadRunner 3+, with a 350 lb capacity, took 2:09, averaging 6.2 MPH.
While the climb times were close, the handling of each bike was not.
The RadRunner 3+ felt more unstable due to its flexy frame, whereas the Globe Haul ST, though still swaying, felt more solid and controlled. The Globe Haul’s motor was louder but more powerful and confident. On PAS 5, its torque sensor felt unnatural without a load, while the RadRunner’s cadence sensor provided more immediate and consistent power.
In the end, both bikes performed well under a 70% load, but the Specialized Globe Haul ST edged out due to its larger payload capacity, modular rack options, and better control under load.
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The Specialized GLobe Haul ST has larger 203mm rotors and 4-piston calipers on its Tektro hydraulic disc brakes.
The RadRunner 3+ has smaller 180mm rotors paired with 2-piston calipers on its Tektro E350HD Hydraulic Disc Brakes.
| Specialized Globe Haul ST | Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 | |
| Ave Stopping Distance | 15 ‘ 9” | 20’ 8” |
If you’re familiar with our work, you know we have a standardized brake test, and we ran both the Specialized Globe Haul ST and the Rad Power RadRunner 3+ through it to compare results.
The Globe Haul ST, equipped with Tektro HD-T535 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes and 203mm rotors, averaged a stopping distance of 15′ 9″ across three runs. Impressively, this is a top 5 result among over 200 e-bikes we’ve tested across all classes. The RadRunner 3+, with its Tektro HD-E350 hydraulic disc brakes and 180mm rotors, averaged a stopping distance of 20′ 8″.
The Globe Haul ST’s larger rotors and 4-piston setup provided stronger, more confident braking, resulting in a shorter stopping distance. The RadRunner 3+, with its smaller 180mm rotors, had a longer stopping distance but still delivered reliable braking performance.
Both bikes performed admirably in our brake tests. The Globe Haul ST’s brakes felt more responsive, especially under heavy load, while the RadRunner 3+’s brakes, though not as powerful, still offered good stopping power for everyday rides. It’s like giving one an A and the other an A+ as there are no losers here.
The riding position on the Globe Haul ST is upright with no suspension.
The RadRunner 3+ has the same upright riding position but a front RST coil fork with 60mm of travel.
| Specialized Globe Haul ST | Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 | |
| PAS 0 | 11.2 mph | 7.5 MPH |
| PAS 1 | 13.4 mph | 8.9 MPH |
| PAS 2 | 16 mph | 12.9 MPH |
| PAS 3 | 20.5 mph | 18.1 MPH |
| PAS 4 | 23 mph | 20.2 MPH |
| PAS 5 | 26.5 mph | 20.2 MPH |
When it comes to speed, the Globe Haul ST and RadRunner 3+ give riders two different experiences. So, let’s chat about how each bike handles speed.
In our tests, the Globe Haul ST hit an impressive top speed of 26.5 mph in PAS 5, making it a Class 3 e-bike. The RadRunner 3+ tops out at 20.2 mph in PAS 5, right in line with its Class 2 designation, capped at 20 mph. Both bikes share the ability to deliver power in an even and linear range across all 5 levels of pedal assist.
Now, let’s talk about how these motors feel when riding. Both bikes have rear hub motors but deliver power differently. The Globe Haul ST has a 700W motor activated by a torque sensor, while the RadRunner 3+ has a 750W motor with a cadence sensor. Both motors offer confident acceleration, which, we think is a ‘must’ for bikes designed to carry a hefty load. They’re both quiet, though the Globe Haul’s motor gets a bit louder when working harder, as I noticed during hill tests.
Overall, both bikes perform as expected based on their speed capabilities. The RadRunner 3+ may not have the Class 3 speeds, but it holds its own, especially in the utility bike class, which focuses more on payload capability than winning sprints.
But if we have to pick a winner for this test, the ‘W’ goes to the Specialized Globe Haul for its Class 3 speeds.
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The Globe Haul ST has a wheelbase of just 43 inches and a step-over height of only 20 inches.
The RadRunner 3+ has a longer wheelbase of 46.8 inches and the same stand-over height of 20 inches.
When we look at the components, the Globe Haul ST has the edge across the board. The microSHIFT Advent 9-speed drivetrain on the Globe Haul is a step up from the RadRunner’s Shimano Altus 7-speed setup. Shifting with the microSHIFT simply feels smoother and more precise each time.
Brakes are another area where the Globe Haul pulls ahead. The Tektro HD-T535 4-piston hydraulic brakes with 203mm rotors delivered better stopping power compared to the RadRunner’s Tektro HD-E350 hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors. This is further supported by the impressive stopping distance of the Globe Haul ST in our Brake Test section.
When it comes to wheels and tires, the Globe Haul ST features double-wall alloy rims and Carless Whisper Reflect tires, which are 20×3.5 inches. These tires provide great traction and stability, plus reflective sidewalls for better nighttime visibility. The RadRunner 3+ has Kenda K905 20×3.3 inch tires with K-Shield puncture protection and reflective stripes.
The RadRunner 3+ includes an RST front coil suspension fork with a lockout, which the Globe Haul ST lacks. This coil fork helps absorb bigger bumps along your route, bumping up the comfort factor. Despite this, both bikes have a comfy ride, but the suspension fork is a nice feature for those rougher paths.
Overall, the Globe Haul ST ships with a slightly better component package. From the drivetrain, brakes, saddle, and tires, it’s clear that Specialized has put a lot of thought into making this bike perform as you would expect.
It’s important to note the value of both bikes. The Globe Haul ST may cost $700 more, but its superior components justify the price. Meanwhile, the RadRunner 3+ still offers great capability and value, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing too much in terms of performance.
But overall, in terms of an ‘apples to apples’ comparison, the Specialized Globe Haul has the better component specs.
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The riding position of the Globe Haul ST is upright and fits riders between 4’ 5” and 6’ 4”.
The riding of the RadRunner 3+ is upright and fits riders from 4’ 11” to 6’ 2”.
First, let’s talk about suspension. The RadRunner 3+ has an RST front coil suspension fork with a lockout, which helps absorb bigger bumps for a smoother ride. The Globe Haul ST, on the other hand, lacks suspension but still offers a comfortable ride.
Storage and modularity are also important. The Globe Haul ST excels here with multiple mounting points for cargo and pannier bags, including front and rear racks and a smaller fork rack. The front rack can handle up to 40 lbs, and the rear rack is rated for 130 lbs. The RadRunner 3+ offers good storage options too, with a rear rack rated for 120 lbs and a mounting point for an additional front rack.
Overall, both bikes offer great ride quality, but the RadRunner 3+ has an edge with its front suspension for smoother rides on rough terrain, while the Globe Haul ST stands out with its versatility and extensive cargo options. So, we’ll call this one a draw.
But since this is a comparison, we have to pick a winner. After putting them through their paces, the Specialized Globe Haul ST came out slightly ahead. It excelled in areas like speed, braking, and ride quality, and felt just a bit more durable when loaded up with 70% of its payload capacity compared to the RadRunner 3+. The build quality and thoughtful design we expect from Specialized gave it the edge needed to take the crown.
That said, I often find myself recommending the RadRunner 3 Plus more frequently. For most folks, the RadRunner holds its own in every test and offers great performance at a lower price point. Saving $700 is a big deal, and many will appreciate the value it provides.
So, just like choosing between an iPhone and an Android, your preference might come down to personal taste. The Globe Haul ST is my personal favorite due to its refinement and capability, but the RadRunner 3 Plus is a fantastic, budget-friendly option that will serve you well. Both bikes will get the job done and do it well, so don’t stress too much about it, grab your new bike and hit the road!
*See the full Globe Haul ST review here.
*See the full RadRunner 3 Plus review here.
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