Battery intro at 2:30, Range extender at 5:17, Charger at 13:27 TCU on-frame display panel overview at 9:10 Ride test begins at 19:47, Motor closeups at 21:09
I just got mine and tried it out in the mountains (in California). Got a road bike version and zoomed up the hills at 8-9 % - Kept up with my athletic husband, if fact in max power went past him! Definitely a mood elevator in these pandemic times.
I bought the aluminum version and I am loving it. I live on a Marine Base and now I can ride with the young marines and I am 70 years old. Changes everything!
Rock on! I just posted the Turbo Creo SL Expert, but the video won't go fully public on RUclips for a bit because I like to mix things up. You can still watch it on the website: electricbikereview.com/specialized/turbo-creo-sl-expert/ I'm hoping to cover more road models later this year. Thanks for the feedback!
For an expensive lithium-ion downtube located battery, the best way to store it, prior to your next ride, is at 40-50% charge which should multiply its expected lifetime by more than 4 times. You can charge it again prior to your next ride and, since it's a quick charger (0-100% in around 2.5 hours) you can simply charge it to full shortly before your next ride.
Hey Court, You looked like you were having too much fun, you seemed to forget you were working. Enjoyed the review and the 360 rear camera view. Always enjoy seeing Charlie and hearing his comments. I feel like I’m looking into the future with the way this bike is equipped. Keep up the good work.
Yeah! Had a blast... took a little spill today while reviewing another bike, but I'll heal fast. Charlie was great and indeed, it feels like we're arriving at the future of ebikes with these Creos. This was my first 360 footage (and my worst, lol) but I've got some better shots and learning how to activate the footage better for the future, so keep an eye out ;) Thanks for the positive comment!
They are pretty loud. Didnt expect that. I had the Turbo S and it was great but kept dying on me. Specialized kept fixing it but eventually it was out of warranty and became a spider accomodation in the back yard. I predict in 10 years all these ebikes will be leaking out into landfill unfortunately because they are so proprietary.
The batteries are dying, I’ve had two gen 1 460wh Kenevo batteries die on me. You get the red lights and the beep. If someone bothered setting up a re-celling service, affordable re-celling service, they’d make a fortune. Specialized won’t keep making gen 1 batts forever, so they’ll be a gap in the market. *i now have 2 x 460wh and 1 x 504wh batts for future proofing.. **if you don’t want to get rid of a bike you love, the motors are also interchangeable...
Hey there, love the review and just wanted to add that a quick way to get a rough idea of your speed on a class 3 would be to turn on the speedometer app on any smart watch. Granted it would not be completely accurate, but it would give you a rough idea of top speed.
Great tip! I didn't have a phone mount or would have used my smartphone. Had my hands full with the cameras and stuff, but these bikes are very fast. We did some unfilmed rides to see how fast they would accelerate and whether they maintain the higher speeds and I was very impressed with the results.
Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that I recently picked up the new Giant Revolt E+ Pro bike and wanted to see if had one lined up for a review or would be interested in using my bike as a review model. Love all the videos! Keep up the good work.
OK Court as requested: TDU Community Challenge [South Australia] on Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon EVO: - 2.47hrs ride, 73km 101wh used; average Speed 26.18kph; maximum elevation 446m; elevation lost 814m; max speed 62.15kph; average level of support 24.41%. battery left 76%; callories 1385; Weight 72kg; age almost 72 years; also know a guy who did 171kms and 1670m gain on the EXPERT version [with battery extended fitted]
Thank you for your review! Currently on a 2019 Levo, finding myself on 46 mile rides alot more than I ever thought I'd do. Might need one of these for long rides, and my Levo for trails only. 👍
Regarding the noise, as exhibited in this video, my Creo SL Carbon is MUCH quieter. This leads me to believe that the microphone used here is sensitive to those frequencies produced by this motor. I do notice that the motor is incrementally louder at higher powers and higher cadences (i.e., more than 95 RPM). Also, it can be heard more (still quiet though) when going up a fairly steep hill in Sport and Turbo mode. In "regular" riding, though, you have to try to hear it. The issue is almost completely resolved, though, when shifting to a higher gear and reducing your cadence.
Hi, great review. I have a question, my wife had recently done her chemo. She used to ride but now, she has no energy to go for even a simple short bumps. I am looking for a eBike that can get her to have the assistance to ride and when she is tired, the ebike can take over. Can this bike do that task? I have no experience on ebikes and what the differences are. Appreciate your thoughts.
What you’re after is a throttle. Sadly, I don’t think any of the major bike brands offer them on any of their ebikes due to how these bikes are classified all over the world - in some a throttle will automatically classify it as a scooter. What you could look for are smaller but more affordable brands like Luna and Rad power bikes (?) who import parts and maybe does tweaks to their motors. I believe they’re popular in the US because they’re more powerful and affordable, just not as refined as the Specialized Creo. If you’re after a roadbike, however, you may be out of luck unless you build your own. Giant’s Revolt+ has a walk mode, but not sure how good it is.
Seems like a nice product but the only way I'd shell out that kind of cash would be if the drive train came with a long term warranty and I was guaranteed to be able to buy replacement batteries for 15-20 years. What use is it when the batteries and components aren't available?
@@ElectricBikeReview Anything above 25km/h is illegal unless you get it registered and taxed, it would be classed as a moped or motorcycle and you would need to wear a crash helmet!
Thanks for this excellent review- -incredible detail! Certainly seems like Specialized are onto a winner here, just hoping that we’ll be able to get hold of a cheaper aluminium version soon...
Yeah, I do think it's very efficient. The motor, lightweight design, and super efficient tires and aerodynamic body position. I cannot confirm these ranges as I got them second hand from dealers and people at a special event. I welcome real world feedback, but I don't feel like Specialized stretches the truth about their products as much as some of the other smaller companies I've seen in the past. A lot of it must come down to how the rider interacts with the bike too.
Duy Nguyen: This motor IS efficient, 75% compared to 50% for other bicycle motors. Note, too, that it's most efficient between the cadences of 70-110 RPM while most other ebikes are tuned for the 50-60 RPM use.
You erred with your advice to get a left entry Z-Cage as the cable for the Range Extender is designed to go from the opposite side and then beneath the cage into the electric plug. The cable would be too long if the RE was mounted as you advise or seem to believe.
Also, the Z-cage shown on the seat tube of the test bike is actually a left entry model. The nomenclature is based on how they would be oriented when mounted on the down tube, not the seat tube. Confusing, but that's the way they do it.
Court, I'm wondering if you have any experience with the Orbea Gain? I am sitting between this Turbo Creo and the Orbea Gain. I can certainly get more bike per $$ going with Orbea, but I'm wondering what you feel about the ebikemotion x25 system over the specialized system?
I'd really like to buy a Carbon EVO, but it's hard to justify buying one since my Defy Advanced Pro 0 is only a year and a half old and I still really enjoying riding it. Court, did you notice much difference (EVO is a heavier and has wider tires) between the two bikes on the pavement?
Yes, the tires go from 28c to 38c on the EVO which provides comfort and stability. You could always swap into tires like this aftermarket if you prefer the narrower drop bar, but I preferred it. I see the EVO as a fast, lightweight, "do anything" platform since it has the bottle cages, fender bosses, and rear rack option. It's an incredible bike, feels like a race car... that same feeling I got on a non-electric road bike years ago, like you feel your energy going straight into the bike... and now it's boosted by a capable but lightweight motor. Both are awesome, I'd personally get the EVO and swap to a Cobble Gobler or Kinekt suspension post. The Future Shock that it comes with 2.0 is awesome!
I've just ordered one of these - the 2021 version - and I just wondered how easy - or hard - it is to change the tyres should you get a puncture. I'm from the UK
Court, after test riding and loving the heavy R&M ebikes, I’m intrigued with this new hyper-light design from Specialized. I’d like to see your review of the $9k expert model. ALSO, what do you think of doing a comparison between this Specialized and the Stromer ST5 and the R&M SuperDelite? They are 3 of the best ebikes, and yet they go in very different design directions. I’d like to see how you would compare the Stromer hub motor approach to the heavy R&M belt drive/Rohloff mid-drive full-suspension approach to this Specialized hyper-light carbon-fiber approach!! I don’t think anyone has compared these 3 yet - strengths, weaknesses, intended purposes, and intended customer differences.
Hey! I pushed hard and published the Creo SL Expert early this morning, check it out here, the video isn't fully public on RUclips yet ;) electricbikereview.com/specialized/turbo-creo-sl-expert/ out of the three bikes you mentioned, if price wasn't a factor, I'd go for either the Creo SL Expert EVO or R&M Superdelite. I love the lightweight active designs from Specialized but appreciate the bulletproof, fully comfortable, almost motorcycle-like nature of R&M. Stromer would be last for me given that it's too heavy to feel sporty, not any faster than the Creo SL, and yet less comfortable. It would be cool to review these three back to back... I've been pretty heads-down on individual reviews, but I like your idea, thanks :D
Cant afford one but the aluminium is the entry point at £4000 , I’m pushing 60 now and live in a hilly area of the uk , Cornwall, the carbon version is £5500. Too much for me , really enjoyed though, 80 miles is incredible.
You convinced me chaps, I’ve ordered one today and it’s due on Thursday. I’ll let you know what this sixty something makes of it...love cycling but my knees and other parts are letting me know of late that they’re not enjoying the climbs so much these days😎
Question: I havent used my dropper post and cannot say I really need it. I got the bike used, but barely, and have swapped out pedals and added a size small Revelate Tangle to my L Creo to hold my Topeak Road Morph. I have a question. I would like to know what others' thoughts are on replacing the dropper post with the "Rock Gobbler(?)" mentioned in the review. Does it work? Is there a better one? What are your thoughts? I'd also like to know others' thoughts on the weight differentials of regular post, rock gobbler vs just leaving the dropper post, but probably never ever use the latter.
I think a Redshift suspension seat post would be awesome for this bike; I don't see a need for a dropper post on a gravel bike - an MTB or now, a race bike, yes.
EBR, just for fun, I think it would be cool to do trolling vids on roadies. See if they can keep up, for a time. I know if and E bike is near me, I always try to catch it for training purposes, but also try to draft it to simulate being in a race pace-line. I surprise any e bike owners by staying with the. In the short run, I know a dedicated club racer and go faster, but not for so long.
It would be helpful if you would introduce your riding partner...Charlie? And what shop he’s affiliated with ? His shirt I believe said Electric City Bike but I don’t see them listed on your “where to buy” . Thanks !
Hi Frankie, yeah! That's Charlie McCormick from ElectriCityBikes in Washington DC. We had a better intro but for some reason the cameras I use occasionally get this shake going on... I did my best to keep some of it (at the very beginning of the video) but had to cut his intro out. There will be other reviews with him to check out soon. Thanks for asking :)
They need to quadruple the power from the battery with a hand throttle it would still be legal because its got pedals 110 volts with a hundred miles of range would take a lot of cars of the road for all them short journeys.
Rendel they’re listed in Specialized’s AU website, including this model, but not cheap for obvious reasons. I believe this green one is AUD$9,500 and the top of the line is a painful AUD$19,000. The cheapest one is aluminium and costs $7,200.
Can you replace the stem with one from a different manufacturer or do you have to use the stem from Specialized? I would need a higher rise stem than the one on the bike.
Good question David, on the last day of this event I was asking about fork replacements and it sounds like the custom Future Shock 2.0 stems use a proprietary interface so they are not easy to swap out... and this may include the fork as well. Best to double check with a Specialized rep (I asked some of the team leads from Specialized a few deep advanced questions via email and they haven't gotten back to me yet. I'll include this question if/when I hear back ;)
Just an off topic comment (sorry) but, for the life of me, I'll never understand why people carry those bike bags, the ones that hang over the opposite shoulder. They are off balance, annoying in how that have to be constantly shifted back into position, a dangerous impediment to safe cycling because of their imbalance and the sudden almost unpredictable shifting they often do...a total waste. I feel it's far better to wear a backpack, particularly those that shift the weight to one's waist while hanging low enough to see behind. I'm amazed that they are still being sold...and bought (!).
Hi, I rode the Creo SL S-Works last Saturday and my concern is that when the motor is off, there is resistance from the crank. I wasn't able to test it with motor on at greater than 25 kph (our local limit for e-bikes) so in your experience, when you exceed the limit will there still be a resistance with motor on at say Eco mode?
Arnold Cruz: When the motor disengages (when exceeding the motor's set speed assist limit, when not peddling or when the motor is in the off mode) there is zero motor resistance, none at all.
@@lazurm thank you for the reply. I took home my Creo SL Comp Evo yesterday and yes there was no resistance as I rode around the village with motor off. I can't explain why this felt a lot better than the S-Works Creo SL (it's a demo bike).
100% Yes, Specialized makes e-bikes that are so dialed-in you cant really go wrong. Have you checked out the latest Turbo Creo 2? I think they are discounted right now.
Jamie Baier it is removable you have to pull the motor out first though, I think his point was it’s not easily removable. You can’t have spare batteries and just swap it out when it dies... unless you want to pull everything apart, depends on you mechanizing level
Love the whole concept. I've been riding a 2017 Turbo (basic) and loved it but I'm really a road-frame fa. My only concern is the motor noise which sounded a bit loud, especially compare to my Turbo with no noise.
Valid concern, I owned one of the first Turbo Expert models with the standard Brose motor and the Brose S Mag on the newer ones seemed louder... I'd say the SL 1.1 motor here is on par with the Brose S Mag, just not as powerful. For me, the lowered weight is worth it and the sound wasn't so bothersome because the bike is just so much fun. Go try one at your local Specialized dealer if you can ;)
@@ElectricBikeReview I test rode an aluminum model in Erie,PA today. $5000. Only negatives are the motor noise and the motor control panel: when you are in one mode you can't go back down a mode you must double or triple click to do so.
@@ElectricBikeReview I test rode the aluminum model in Erie,PA today. $5000. Only negatives are the motor noise and the motor control panel: when you are in one mode you can't go back down a mode you must double or triple click to do so.
Any further info or new information on the new Shimano pedal assist motor, or anything on Brose or the Specialized Turbo Levo SL? Maybe Specialized will make a range extender of their own for the old 2018s and older #eMTBs.
Larry - I am 99% sure Specialized will not do a range extender on older models. They are just not wired for a dual battery setup. Dual batteries are actually quite complicated and potentially dangerous. If you wired two batteries together that were not balanced (same voltage level) they would "equalized" to the same voltage instantly. That means you might get a damaged BMS, a fire or worse. Most systems use a diode to alternate between batteries for this reason. On those other questions at least one of them will be announced in a couple of weeks - stay tuned!
Charlie McCormick dude u r talking to a master at Specialized eMTBs, u need to look up trail watts booster or range extender it’s not that complicated! I was just thinking Specialized themselves could make more money by making one of their own, u feel me 😆
@@emtbtrailrider539 You definitely are the master! This is the first I am seeing these. Since they are sold out it clearly it is working. Looks like they solved the wiring issue by providing a new wiring loom, which is smart. Is there a USA seller? If you do have a warranty problem with your Levo, you might want to swap the original loom back in. Do you have one of these?
Charlie McCormick I got 3 Specialized eMTBs so I just interchange the batteries by carrying an extra battery in my backpack 🎒. But if I do get one, I’ll get the trail watts booster because they have a great reputation in Europe. I talk to the guys about it all the time but I’m not in a hurry to buy one 😆
ElectricBikeReview.com hi court I haven’t had the chance to test ride I saw this bike at last years cycle exhibition at the NEC Birmingham Uk .if you check out you tube site Road.cc they have reviewed two similar bikes Pinarello Nytro @£6000 and the Willier Cento 1 @ £4299 one is mid drive other rear hub
That sounds interesting.I see them leaning more towards the sport side of things... keeping their ebikes closer to bicycles (hence no throttle). But, I love that they aren't shy about selling speed pedelecs :)
If you want to save money, check out the 2021 turbo vado sl 4.0. Its a flat bar version of the creo. Same frame, motor, battery, geo etc. In aluminum for 3300 bucks
nelsonman1231: If you value exercise, riding in places motorbikes aren't allowed, riding with other cyclists (especially if they're your friends and/or fellow bicycle club members), enjoy the quietude, feeling the good tired after a long ride, etc., then get the Creo SL.
Great till the battery / motor packs it in. Which happens way too often with Specialized Levo’s.I've had 2 motors and batteries die.I want a Creo but,,,,,,,,,
Cannondale2019: I hope your chosen name doesn't indicate that you're being biased. :) Batteries can last a lot longer if stored at 60% of charge in the correct venue (room temp., etc.). As for the motor, riding a Creo on the road or gravel is usually a smoother process. Either way, at this time Specialized has rarely had to simply replace any bad motors, no questions asked. They've tested this motor thoroughly so I'd guess that it's extremely reliable.
Addition to my previous post: I really like the EVO. So much so, I won't go and test ride one (liar), because if I do I'll buy one. One thing I don't like about the EVO is the dropper seat post. To me, it's not needed on this bike.
Yeah, I'm with you... the dropper seat post says "I can go off-road like a mountain bike!" but I would guess that it's just not necessary or very comfortable for most riders compared with a Cobble Gobbler or suspension seat post... even the standard carbon post that the non-EVO models come with. I feel like they were sending a message more than optimizing for most desired use case.
The dropper post is brilliant for us old farts, who struggle to get our leg over these days. drop it when getting off and then raise when back on....I lot of accidents happen when people are trying to get on and off bikes, especially when tired.
Without any sarcasm I kindly ask: someone please explain why the hell we need a dropper post to a bike like this? 95% of the people cannot utilize it even in an All-mountain MTB so putting a dropper post to a light gravel bike is totally unecessary. So why here? Most of the users of the gravel bikes not even go to rough terrain and they use their bikes only on paved surfaces... i know the industry wants to sell us literally everything, but this is a total non-sense.
NEVER EVER BUY Specialized e-bike. I bougth a Specialized Turbo S, I think in 2015, so it's not that old. Now the rear drive has a mechanical problem. Went to the dealer they replied that it's an old bike and cannot be repaired, and there are no more spare parts. WHAT, this was a 5000 Euro bike. And now it's ready for the scrap yard ??, a 5000 Euro bike within a couple of years. First of all not very sustainable and very envirionmental unfriendly and towards customers ........ What a crap brand.
Yeah, I'm told we will probably see an aluminum alloy version in April for $5k, but I'd pay extra for the carbon given how much comfort it can add (important to my back and neck at higher speeds). I'll try to cover it and share my thoughts down the line ;)
I have a 2016 Diverge and now use it as my winter bike, along with my Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0. Both are awesome bikes. I don't need an electric powered road bike, but I sure want one. What's holding my back............ $8200 Can.
I hear you Christopher. Ebikes got me after a knee injury, I was commuting to work daily via bike and needed some help during recovery. These days, I don't actually own an ebike... but I still think they are a blast and can be great for super hot days or lots of climbing and cross training. Fun fact, they actually use less energy than an analog bicycle in many cases, based on rider diet and how we get food. Electricity is cheap and plentiful on a local level and way more efficient than the human body when used to propel an electric bicycle. There's an argument to be made about the sustainability of Lithium-ion batteries etc. but if it means that someone will ride more often and use their car less, then that's a major win fitness wise, environmentally, and even cost wise depending on the ebike and lifespan of use.
Thanks for the feedback, I was experimenting with some new mounts to get different angles and wasn't super happy with it, but stuck most of it at the end ;)
Hi, great review. I have a question, my wife had recently done her chemo. She used to ride but now, she has no energy to go for even a simple short bumps. I am looking for a eBike that can get her to have the assistance to ride and when she is tired, the ebike can take over. Can this bike do that task? I have no experience on ebikes and what the differences are. Appreciate your thoughts.
Azwat Bakty: Just going by what you've stated here, I'd think that it'd be a lot safer to do indoor rides (check out "Zwift"). And go by her doctor's advice, of course.
![[4K] Watch SpaceX Catch A Starship Rocket From Space!!! #IFT5](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pIKI7y3DTXk/mqdefault.jpg)
Battery intro at 2:30, Range extender at 5:17, Charger at 13:27
TCU on-frame display panel overview at 9:10
Ride test begins at 19:47, Motor closeups at 21:09
Looks like fun!!
Yeah! I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the encouragement and feedback, Stephen :)
I just got mine and tried it out in the mountains (in California). Got a road bike version and zoomed up the hills at 8-9 % - Kept up with my athletic husband, if fact in max power went past him! Definitely a mood elevator in these pandemic times.
I bought the aluminum version and I am loving it. I live on a Marine Base and now I can ride with the young marines and I am 70 years old. Changes everything!
Thank you for reviewing this bike! Would love to see more road type e-bikes.
Rock on! I just posted the Turbo Creo SL Expert, but the video won't go fully public on RUclips for a bit because I like to mix things up. You can still watch it on the website: electricbikereview.com/specialized/turbo-creo-sl-expert/ I'm hoping to cover more road models later this year. Thanks for the feedback!
For an expensive lithium-ion downtube located battery, the best way to store it, prior to your next ride, is at 40-50% charge which should multiply its expected lifetime by more than 4 times. You can charge it again prior to your next ride and, since it's a quick charger (0-100% in around 2.5 hours) you can simply charge it to full shortly before your next ride.
interesting...
Hey Court, You looked like you were having too much fun, you seemed to forget you were working. Enjoyed the review and the 360 rear camera view. Always enjoy seeing Charlie and hearing his comments. I feel like I’m looking into the future with the way this bike is equipped. Keep up the good work.
Yeah! Had a blast... took a little spill today while reviewing another bike, but I'll heal fast. Charlie was great and indeed, it feels like we're arriving at the future of ebikes with these Creos. This was my first 360 footage (and my worst, lol) but I've got some better shots and learning how to activate the footage better for the future, so keep an eye out ;) Thanks for the positive comment!
Thanks for your kind words!
They are pretty loud. Didnt expect that. I had the Turbo S and it was great but kept dying on me. Specialized kept fixing it but eventually it was out of warranty and became a spider accomodation in the back yard. I predict in 10 years all these ebikes will be leaking out into landfill unfortunately because they are so proprietary.
durianrider: What was the issue(s) with your Turbo S?
That's been my main concern about getting an eBike. Do you know of any that don't have a lot of proprietary parts? (Battery in particular)
The batteries are dying, I’ve had two gen 1 460wh Kenevo batteries die on me. You get the red lights and the beep. If someone bothered setting up a re-celling service, affordable re-celling service, they’d make a fortune. Specialized won’t keep making gen 1 batts forever, so they’ll be a gap in the market. *i now have 2 x 460wh and 1 x 504wh batts for future proofing.. **if you don’t want to get rid of a bike you love, the motors are also interchangeable...
Hey there, love the review and just wanted to add that a quick way to get a rough idea of your speed on a class 3 would be to turn on the speedometer app on any smart watch. Granted it would not be completely accurate, but it would give you a rough idea of top speed.
Great tip! I didn't have a phone mount or would have used my smartphone. Had my hands full with the cameras and stuff, but these bikes are very fast. We did some unfilmed rides to see how fast they would accelerate and whether they maintain the higher speeds and I was very impressed with the results.
Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that I recently picked up the new Giant Revolt E+ Pro bike and wanted to see if had one lined up for a review or would be interested in using my bike as a review model. Love all the videos! Keep up the good work.
OK Court as requested: TDU Community Challenge [South Australia] on Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon EVO: - 2.47hrs ride, 73km 101wh used; average Speed 26.18kph; maximum elevation 446m; elevation lost 814m; max speed 62.15kph; average level of support 24.41%. battery left 76%; callories 1385; Weight 72kg; age almost 72 years; also know a guy who did 171kms and 1670m gain on the EXPERT version [with battery extended fitted]
Sure it's great . Pricey for most of us . Would love to see ya do the Luna stealth bike similar to the road bike hear but under 2K
Good call, David! Thanks for the request, I've been meaning to visit them for a while now so I'm taking a not here based on your request.
LUNA FTW!
I’m going to try building my own carbon bike with a 500w hub motor... I think I can pull it off for less than 2k!!
Thank you for your review!
Currently on a 2019 Levo, finding myself on 46 mile rides alot more than I ever thought I'd do. Might need one of these for long rides, and my Levo for trails only. 👍
That rock kickstand has got to add some weight to the bike.
Lol, yeah! At least five pounds :P
R Zu true
Regarding the noise, as exhibited in this video, my Creo SL Carbon is MUCH quieter. This leads me to believe that the microphone used here is sensitive to those frequencies produced by this motor. I do notice that the motor is incrementally louder at higher powers and higher cadences (i.e., more than 95 RPM). Also, it can be heard more (still quiet though) when going up a fairly steep hill in Sport and Turbo mode. In "regular" riding, though, you have to try to hear it.
The issue is almost completely resolved, though, when shifting to a higher gear and reducing your cadence.
Great review--thanks! I plan to get the Turbo Creo SL!
I’m set to buy the aluminum model soon! Thanks for this awesome review!
Did you bought it? If so is it worth it?
@@ludoviccoutu7960 honestly? yes! It's worth it because it's a multi-purpose bike. The bike does ride great on the trail!
Love the color! (green)
You were on a Large here, how was the fit, and what size are you? Great detailed review!
Hi, great review. I have a question, my wife had recently done her
chemo. She used to ride but now, she has no energy to go for even a
simple short bumps. I am looking for a eBike that can get her to have
the assistance to ride and when she is tired, the ebike can take over.
Can this bike do that task? I have no experience on ebikes and what the
differences are. Appreciate your thoughts.
No this bike will not ride if you don't pedal I think
What you’re after is a throttle. Sadly, I don’t think any of the major bike brands offer them on any of their ebikes due to how these bikes are classified all over the world - in some a throttle will automatically classify it as a scooter.
What you could look for are smaller but more affordable brands like Luna and Rad power bikes (?) who import parts and maybe does tweaks to their motors. I believe they’re popular in the US because they’re more powerful and affordable, just not as refined as the Specialized Creo. If you’re after a roadbike, however, you may be out of luck unless you build your own. Giant’s Revolt+ has a walk mode, but not sure how good it is.
Seems like a nice product but the only way I'd shell out that kind of cash would be if the drive train came with a long term warranty and I was guaranteed to be able to buy replacement batteries for 15-20 years. What use is it when the batteries and components aren't available?
Easy to use and clean. Very convenient.
How easy is it to sit at the 28mph limit in turbo? Really easy on my levo in turbo at its 20mph. Creo would be sweet to ride to work in turbo.
This thing is amazing I wish I had the cash for it
Nice bikes and great review as always :) We can only dream of 28mph here in the UK ;)
Thanks Rab! I'm really grateful to have Class 3 in North America. Do you guys have 45km/h just required to have a special license or something?
@@ElectricBikeReview Anything above 25km/h is illegal unless you get it registered and taxed, it would be classed as a moped or motorcycle and you would need to wear a crash helmet!
Thanks for this excellent review- -incredible detail! Certainly seems like Specialized are onto a winner here, just hoping that we’ll be able to get hold of a cheaper aluminium version soon...
petee1968: It's already here, the cheaper ($5,000) aluminum version.
agreed. I have the exact same bike and this provided more details than other RUclipss
331.2 wh battery, you've got min range of 56km and max range of 121km, this bike must be incredibly efficient.
Yeah, I do think it's very efficient. The motor, lightweight design, and super efficient tires and aerodynamic body position. I cannot confirm these ranges as I got them second hand from dealers and people at a special event. I welcome real world feedback, but I don't feel like Specialized stretches the truth about their products as much as some of the other smaller companies I've seen in the past. A lot of it must come down to how the rider interacts with the bike too.
Duy Nguyen: This motor IS efficient, 75% compared to 50% for other bicycle motors. Note, too, that it's most efficient between the cadences of 70-110 RPM while most other ebikes are tuned for the 50-60 RPM use.
Very good review…
May I ask you which frame size you rode / would recommend? I‘m 1,85 m tall with a bit longer legs (inseam 90 cm)
Really cool bike:-)
You erred with your advice to get a left entry Z-Cage as the cable for the Range Extender is designed to go from the opposite side and then beneath the cage into the electric plug. The cable would be too long if the RE was mounted as you advise or seem to believe.
Also, the Z-cage shown on the seat tube of the test bike is actually a left entry model. The nomenclature is based on how they would be oriented when mounted on the down tube, not the seat tube. Confusing, but that's the way they do it.
@@bennywatson902 Thank you for that clarification.
Court, I'm wondering if you have any experience with the Orbea Gain? I am sitting between this Turbo Creo and the Orbea Gain. I can certainly get more bike per $$ going with Orbea, but I'm wondering what you feel about the ebikemotion x25 system over the specialized system?
I'd really like to buy a Carbon EVO, but it's hard to justify buying one since my Defy Advanced Pro 0 is only a year and a half old and I still really enjoying riding it.
Court, did you notice much difference (EVO is a heavier and has wider tires) between the two bikes on the pavement?
Yes, the tires go from 28c to 38c on the EVO which provides comfort and stability. You could always swap into tires like this aftermarket if you prefer the narrower drop bar, but I preferred it. I see the EVO as a fast, lightweight, "do anything" platform since it has the bottle cages, fender bosses, and rear rack option. It's an incredible bike, feels like a race car... that same feeling I got on a non-electric road bike years ago, like you feel your energy going straight into the bike... and now it's boosted by a capable but lightweight motor. Both are awesome, I'd personally get the EVO and swap to a Cobble Gobler or Kinekt suspension post. The Future Shock that it comes with 2.0 is awesome!
I've just ordered one of these - the 2021 version - and I just wondered how easy - or hard - it is to change the tyres should you get a puncture. I'm from the UK
Can you do a comparable review with the Giant Gravel Bike equivalent to the Turbo Creo SL Comp
Great review, do you know when the alloy version will be available?
Great question Enrique! I spoke to a dealer about this and they estimate that it should be available by April, 2020.
ElectricBikeReview.com Awesome! I am on the market for a gravel ebike and can't decide between the turbo creo EVO and the Revolt E+, both look amazing
Court, after test riding and loving the heavy R&M ebikes, I’m intrigued with this new hyper-light design from Specialized. I’d like to see your review of the $9k expert model. ALSO, what do you think of doing a comparison between this Specialized and the Stromer ST5 and the R&M SuperDelite? They are 3 of the best ebikes, and yet they go in very different design directions. I’d like to see how you would compare the Stromer hub motor approach to the heavy R&M belt drive/Rohloff mid-drive full-suspension approach to this Specialized hyper-light carbon-fiber approach!! I don’t think anyone has compared these 3 yet - strengths, weaknesses, intended purposes, and intended customer differences.
Hey! I pushed hard and published the Creo SL Expert early this morning, check it out here, the video isn't fully public on RUclips yet ;) electricbikereview.com/specialized/turbo-creo-sl-expert/ out of the three bikes you mentioned, if price wasn't a factor, I'd go for either the Creo SL Expert EVO or R&M Superdelite. I love the lightweight active designs from Specialized but appreciate the bulletproof, fully comfortable, almost motorcycle-like nature of R&M. Stromer would be last for me given that it's too heavy to feel sporty, not any faster than the Creo SL, and yet less comfortable. It would be cool to review these three back to back... I've been pretty heads-down on individual reviews, but I like your idea, thanks :D
Cant afford one but the aluminium is the entry point at £4000 , I’m pushing 60 now and live in a hilly area of the uk , Cornwall, the carbon version is £5500. Too much for me , really enjoyed though, 80 miles is incredible.
Great review - thank you so much :)
You convinced me chaps, I’ve ordered one today and it’s due on Thursday. I’ll let you know what this sixty something makes of it...love cycling but my knees and other parts are letting me know of late that they’re not enjoying the climbs so much these days😎
How tall are you? how did the large frame fit you?
Question: I havent used my dropper post and cannot say I really need it. I got the bike used, but barely, and have swapped out pedals and added a size small Revelate Tangle to my L Creo to hold my Topeak Road Morph. I have a question. I would like to know what others' thoughts are on replacing the dropper post with the "Rock Gobbler(?)" mentioned in the review. Does it work? Is there a better one? What are your thoughts? I'd also like to know others' thoughts on the weight differentials of regular post, rock gobbler vs just leaving the dropper post, but probably never ever use the latter.
I think a Redshift suspension seat post would be awesome for this bike; I don't see a need for a dropper post on a gravel bike - an MTB or now, a race bike, yes.
EBR, just for fun, I think it would be cool to do trolling vids on roadies. See if they can keep up, for a time. I know if and E bike is near me, I always try to catch it for training purposes, but also try to draft it to simulate being in a race pace-line. I surprise any e bike owners by staying with the. In the short run, I know a dedicated club racer and go faster, but not for so long.
It would be helpful if you would introduce your riding partner...Charlie?
And what shop he’s affiliated with ?
His shirt I believe said Electric City Bike but I don’t see them listed on your “where to buy” .
Thanks !
Hi Frankie, yeah! That's Charlie McCormick from ElectriCityBikes in Washington DC. We had a better intro but for some reason the cameras I use occasionally get this shake going on... I did my best to keep some of it (at the very beginning of the video) but had to cut his intro out. There will be other reviews with him to check out soon. Thanks for asking :)
Great , thanks !
He’s visiting from cold country :)
They need to quadruple the power from the battery with a hand throttle
it would still be legal because its got pedals 110 volts with a hundred miles
of range would take a lot of cars of the road for all them short journeys.
What a stupid idea. Stick to your Bafangool motor.
The bikes your testing all look great, are they available in Australia?
Rendel they’re listed in Specialized’s AU website, including this model, but not cheap for obvious reasons. I believe this green one is AUD$9,500 and the top of the line is a painful AUD$19,000. The cheapest one is aluminium and costs $7,200.
Can you replace the stem with one from a different manufacturer or do you have to use the stem from Specialized? I would need a higher rise stem than the one on the bike.
Good question David, on the last day of this event I was asking about fork replacements and it sounds like the custom Future Shock 2.0 stems use a proprietary interface so they are not easy to swap out... and this may include the fork as well. Best to double check with a Specialized rep (I asked some of the team leads from Specialized a few deep advanced questions via email and they haven't gotten back to me yet. I'll include this question if/when I hear back ;)
@@ElectricBikeReview I believe all the Future Shock systems use a standard stem interface.
You can use a different stem - mine has a Origin8 Propulsion Riser stem which raises the bars. I may put the stock one back on it but it works fine.
Just an off topic comment (sorry) but, for the life of me, I'll never understand why people carry those bike bags, the ones that hang over the opposite shoulder. They are off balance, annoying in how that have to be constantly shifted back into position, a dangerous impediment to safe cycling because of their imbalance and the sudden almost unpredictable shifting they often do...a total waste. I feel it's far better to wear a backpack, particularly those that shift the weight to one's waist while hanging low enough to see behind. I'm amazed that they are still being sold...and bought (!).
Those type of bags normally also have a strap that keeps it in place so it’s not as bad as you would think.
Hi, I rode the Creo SL S-Works last Saturday and my concern is that when the motor is off, there is resistance from the crank. I wasn't able to test it with motor on at greater than 25 kph (our local limit for e-bikes) so in your experience, when you exceed the limit will there still be a resistance with motor on at say Eco mode?
Arnold Cruz: When the motor disengages (when exceeding the motor's set speed assist limit, when not peddling or when the motor is in the off mode) there is zero motor resistance, none at all.
@@lazurm thank you for the reply. I took home my Creo SL Comp Evo yesterday and yes there was no resistance as I rode around the village with motor off. I can't explain why this felt a lot better than the S-Works Creo SL (it's a demo bike).
Is it still good in 2024?
100% Yes, Specialized makes e-bikes that are so dialed-in you cant really go wrong. Have you checked out the latest Turbo Creo 2? I think they are discounted right now.
Unremovable battery? Another thoughts on it when it dies ?
Jamie Baier it is removable you have to pull the motor out first though, I think his point was it’s not easily removable. You can’t have spare batteries and just swap it out when it dies... unless you want to pull everything apart, depends on you mechanizing level
Love the whole concept. I've been riding a 2017 Turbo (basic) and loved it but I'm really a road-frame fa. My only concern is the motor noise which sounded a bit loud, especially compare to my Turbo with no noise.
Valid concern, I owned one of the first Turbo Expert models with the standard Brose motor and the Brose S Mag on the newer ones seemed louder... I'd say the SL 1.1 motor here is on par with the Brose S Mag, just not as powerful. For me, the lowered weight is worth it and the sound wasn't so bothersome because the bike is just so much fun. Go try one at your local Specialized dealer if you can ;)
@@ElectricBikeReview I test rode an aluminum model in Erie,PA today. $5000. Only negatives are the motor noise and the motor control panel: when you are in one mode you can't go back down a mode you must double or triple click to do so.
@@ElectricBikeReview I test rode the aluminum model in Erie,PA today. $5000. Only negatives are the motor noise and the motor control panel: when you are in one mode you can't go back down a mode you must double or triple click to do so.
but where is turbo on these things?
Any further info or new information on the new Shimano pedal assist motor, or anything on Brose or the Specialized Turbo Levo SL? Maybe Specialized will make a range extender of their own for the old 2018s and older #eMTBs.
Larry - I am 99% sure Specialized will not do a range extender on older models. They are just not wired for a dual battery setup. Dual batteries are actually quite complicated and potentially dangerous. If you wired two batteries together that were not balanced (same voltage level) they would "equalized" to the same voltage instantly. That means you might get a damaged BMS, a fire or worse. Most systems use a diode to alternate between batteries for this reason. On those other questions at least one of them will be announced in a couple of weeks - stay tuned!
Charlie McCormick dude u r talking to a master at Specialized eMTBs, u need to look up trail watts booster or range extender it’s not that complicated! I was just thinking Specialized themselves could make more money by making one of their own, u feel me 😆
@@emtbtrailrider539 You definitely are the master! This is the first I am seeing these. Since they are sold out it clearly it is working. Looks like they solved the wiring issue by providing a new wiring loom, which is smart. Is there a USA seller? If you do have a warranty problem with your Levo, you might want to swap the original loom back in. Do you have one of these?
Charlie McCormick I got 3 Specialized eMTBs so I just interchange the batteries by carrying an extra battery in my backpack 🎒. But if I do get one, I’ll get the trail watts booster because they have a great reputation in Europe. I talk to the guys about it all the time but I’m not in a hurry to buy one 😆
Amazing ,amen i had that bike👍🏻
Here in the UK Ribble Cycles have ebikes similar to these bikes
Hmm, interesting! Thanks for the heads up. Have you had the opportunity to test ride? I'd love to hear your thoughts :)
ElectricBikeReview.com hi court I haven’t had the chance to test ride I saw this bike at last years cycle exhibition at the NEC Birmingham Uk .if you check out you tube site Road.cc they have reviewed two similar bikes Pinarello Nytro @£6000 and the Willier Cento 1 @ £4299 one is mid drive other rear hub
Why does this bike cost so much?
Recouping research costs, supply chain issues, and the fact that they CAN (and people buy them like crazy...).
Cool video.
Thanks Jack! Doing my best to share info and demonstrate what I'm seeing and feeling with the new bikes :D
I recommend you buying this.
Specialized Turbo should come out with a throttle version under $2000 and they will sell more instead of there $4000 bikes
That sounds interesting.I see them leaning more towards the sport side of things... keeping their ebikes closer to bicycles (hence no throttle). But, I love that they aren't shy about selling speed pedelecs :)
throttle is not the future I think. here in Australia it's banned on road, as in Europe.
Do you not like to pedal?
Damn I’m stuck between this or an onyx rcr
If you want to save money, check out the 2021 turbo vado sl 4.0. Its a flat bar version of the creo. Same frame, motor, battery, geo etc. In aluminum for 3300 bucks
nelsonman1231: If you value exercise, riding in places motorbikes aren't allowed, riding with other cyclists (especially if they're your friends and/or fellow bicycle club members), enjoy the quietude, feeling the good tired after a long ride, etc., then get the Creo SL.
Great till the battery / motor packs it in. Which happens way too often with Specialized Levo’s.I've had 2 motors and batteries die.I want a Creo but,,,,,,,,,
Cannondale2019: I hope your chosen name doesn't indicate that you're being biased. :)
Batteries can last a lot longer if stored at 60% of charge in the correct venue (room temp., etc.). As for the motor, riding a Creo on the road or gravel is usually a smoother process. Either way, at this time Specialized has rarely had to simply replace any bad motors, no questions asked. They've tested this motor thoroughly so I'd guess that it's extremely reliable.
Addition to my previous post: I really like the EVO. So much so, I won't go and test ride one (liar), because if I do I'll buy one. One thing I don't like about the EVO is the dropper seat post. To me, it's not needed on this bike.
Yeah, I'm with you... the dropper seat post says "I can go off-road like a mountain bike!" but I would guess that it's just not necessary or very comfortable for most riders compared with a Cobble Gobbler or suspension seat post... even the standard carbon post that the non-EVO models come with. I feel like they were sending a message more than optimizing for most desired use case.
The dropper post is brilliant for us old farts, who struggle to get our leg over these days. drop it when getting off and then raise when back on....I lot of accidents happen when people are trying to get on and off bikes, especially when tired.
@@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834 Now that you mentioned, I totally agree.... personal experience... I can vouch for it haha
@@ElectricBikeReview you don't have any cobbles in the USA. ...
@@helenHTID remember to drop it as you come to a halt before unlocking the cleets, otherwise you fall over like I did twice! !😂😂
Without any sarcasm I kindly ask: someone please explain why the hell we need a dropper post to a bike like this? 95% of the people cannot utilize it even in an All-mountain MTB so putting a dropper post to a light gravel bike is totally unecessary. So why here? Most of the users of the gravel bikes not even go to rough terrain and they use their bikes only on paved surfaces... i know the industry wants to sell us literally everything, but this is a total non-sense.
I think it's to go faster: cornering, etc.
at last the future is here
Totally, these ebikes really impressed me... they nail the fun fast experience without adding so much weight or changing the human feel of it ;)
Amazing,,,
Let the other guy talk
NEVER EVER BUY Specialized e-bike. I bougth a Specialized Turbo S, I think in 2015, so it's not that old. Now the rear drive has a mechanical problem. Went to the dealer they replied that it's an old bike and cannot be repaired, and there are no more spare parts. WHAT, this was a 5000 Euro bike. And now it's ready for the scrap yard ??, a 5000 Euro bike within a couple of years. First of all not very sustainable and very envirionmental unfriendly and towards customers ........ What a crap brand.
I think that's the same for all current eBikes, I'm afraid... :(
I had one before and the stupid mode controller would die every few months.
For 6.5k$ they better be nice
Yeah, I'm told we will probably see an aluminum alloy version in April for $5k, but I'd pay extra for the carbon given how much comfort it can add (important to my back and neck at higher speeds). I'll try to cover it and share my thoughts down the line ;)
It's worth noting that the "non-electric" version is half the price and weight, and provides a more robust exercise experience.
I have a 2016 Diverge and now use it as my winter bike, along with my Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0. Both are awesome bikes. I don't need an electric powered road bike, but I sure want one.
What's holding my back............ $8200 Can.
I hear you Christopher. Ebikes got me after a knee injury, I was commuting to work daily via bike and needed some help during recovery. These days, I don't actually own an ebike... but I still think they are a blast and can be great for super hot days or lots of climbing and cross training. Fun fact, they actually use less energy than an analog bicycle in many cases, based on rider diet and how we get food. Electricity is cheap and plentiful on a local level and way more efficient than the human body when used to propel an electric bicycle. There's an argument to be made about the sustainability of Lithium-ion batteries etc. but if it means that someone will ride more often and use their car less, then that's a major win fitness wise, environmentally, and even cost wise depending on the ebike and lifespan of use.
@@ElectricBikeReview Holy crap...preposterous argument bait on Aisle 9. You do you buddy. I'll refer back to my original comment and leave it there.
Who knew Robert De Niro was a cyclist!
As always. So many na na na na na.
The 360 camera is horrible and vertigo-inducing. The distortion artifacts really detract from the quality of your video.
Thanks for the feedback, I was experimenting with some new mounts to get different angles and wasn't super happy with it, but stuck most of it at the end ;)
Have to agree. Could be useful in the future but the technology is not quite right yet.
As mentioned, the 360 camera is really hard to watch.
Is it me or it's kinda noisy. Not that stealthy :D
Oh my god you talk way too fast and way too much couldn’t even watch this past 9 mins
sorry this price kill everythink. garbage
FYI 250 W is not a likiting factor in the EU. The only limiting factor here is max speed which is set at 25 km/h. Many ebikes go to 500 W
Hi, great review. I have a question, my wife had recently done her
chemo. She used to ride but now, she has no energy to go for even a
simple short bumps. I am looking for a eBike that can get her to have
the assistance to ride and when she is tired, the ebike can take over.
Can this bike do that task? I have no experience on ebikes and what the
differences are. Appreciate your thoughts.
Azwat Bakty: Just going by what you've stated here, I'd think that it'd be a lot safer to do indoor rides (check out "Zwift"). And go by her doctor's advice, of course.