If you kit the bike out with front and rear panniers, then utilize the front rack for a box, and do the same in back, you'll have a pretty decent cargo capability. Except its loaded high-centered and to the sides.
But you'll also have what is really a standard bike with front and rear panniers. The sort of bike I was building before I decided to do a build with
a proper cargo bike frame as a base. This thing from Specialized really is a half-assed effort as cargo bikes go. The only concession to cargo utility is the fat 20" wheels, and maybe the standover gained from the step thru frame. But I look at it this way: Its a start. They'll need to bloody their nose a bit and see what really sells first.
The Surly Skid Loader cargo ebike released just before this is similarly handicapped in size (but it has a proper mid drive), but that bike seems to be a bit of a hit because it is aimed at urban apartment dwellers who have limited parking and need to fit the bike into an elevator to get it home. Maybe thats why Specialized made this glass half empty.
Since this bike was announced, Trek has gone all in on two substantial design releases. And in the USA market, both Aventon and Lectric have come in with vastly more fit-for-purpose cargo offerings.
Worth noting: The Fjallraven panniers Specialized is showing with this bike add - with the lid packs they aren't showing - $600 to the purchase price for four of them. I decided, after looking at those panniers, if I was going to have office trash cans strapped to my bike I sure as hell wasn't going to blow $300 for a pair of them. Hardshell panniers are a good idea, stupidly executed by Specialized.
Commercial products are available but are priced at US$300 for a pair. This alternative offers more space for minimal cost, needs only a few simple tools and can even be assembled in a few minutes.
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