I am trying to decide between these bikes and hoping someone here can give me some input. I've ridden the Comp Carbon and it's a sweet ride indeed. At least 85% of my riding will be on pavement, and I mostly want an e-bike for longer rides, climbing and faster group rides, but I like the idea of having the flexibility to go confidently and comfortably off road as well. I know I can put wider tires on the Carbon Comp, but there are a few features of the EVO that sound like they would make it more gravel friendly, although I question whether I would pay a price for them on pavement performance. For instance, would the EVO feel the same standing up on a climb? I do know the EVO is a little heavier so I assume I would have to work a little harder or use more assist on the climbs (we have a lot of big climbs where I live in Utah) and presumably that in turn would affect the range of the battery. Has anyone ridden both that can comment? I can't find the EVO in my size at any LBS in my area so I can't try it myself. Thanks for your thoughts.
Creo SL Comp Carbon EVO vs SL Comp Carbon?
- Thread starter NBS
- Start date
darlingbastard
New Member
I've ridden the evo in a short 15m test ride. The location of the dropper post switch was annoying and I've not heard much love for the feature so far from others on this site. I liked the flared bars but not enough to make it a deal clincher. Otherwise the bikes are identical and a tire swap is all that is needed to turn one into the other (which most shops will let you do when you build the bike).
There are only 3 things different between the Comp Carbon EVO and the Comp Carbon; the dropper seat post, the flared bars, and the wider tires. Everything else is exactly the same (well, except for the colors). I test rode both models and they ride very much the same. The dealer told me the wider tires and the dropper post probably made the EVO one pound heavier than the straight Comp Carbon. As the bastard mentioned, the dropper switch is mounted below the left brake unit which makes it awkward to use. The dropper only goes down 50mm so it's not near the drop that you might find on a mtn bike. As I've mentioned before, I purchased the Comp Carbon and the dealer swapped the tires to the EVO model's 38s. For the $20 price difference he also swapped the rigid carbon seat post for the S-Works carbon post which has a bit of damping built in. I also recommend getting the TCD display as it tracks lots of different info.
I rode the S-Works Creo SL which was lent to me by my LBS and I now own the Comp Evo. While I ride mostly on cemented and asphalted roads, I've done some rocky and gravel roads and the Comp Evo easily deals with them just like my Niner RLT 9 Steel. I find the dropper seat useful when going down a 15% grade path. I'm not bothered by the dropper post switch position which I can vary anytime I want. Flared vs. non-flared drop bars, not a big deal.
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
I'm taking a carbon comp for a test ride tomorrow. The LBS has an aluminum model, but it's a large, so I'll ride the carbon comp, which is my size (medium).
I suspect I'll end up buying the aluminum and have the shop install wider (38mm) tires.
I suspect I'll end up buying the aluminum and have the shop install wider (38mm) tires.
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
Will do. Looks like if I decide to buy the aluminum model I won't be able to get it until June. The carbon EVO I could get next week. 
Personally, I don't think the EVO is worth the extra $2200.
Personally, I don't think the EVO is worth the extra $2200.
US$6,500 - US$5,000 is $1,500. Or is that another currency?
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The Canadian Dollar, it seems.
I didn’t ride the Creo in aluminum, but I did rode an Orbea aluminum frame. One trip down a bumpy canyon road at speed was all it took to convince me to get a carbon frame. On the other hand, I have Di2 on my regular road bike but was perfectly happy with Ultegra on the Creo Comp. There is only one chainring after all. I decided to get the Comp Carbon (not EVO) and change the tires to either 32’s or the 38’s that come with the EVO. Hoping LBS will let me try EVO wheels on this bike so I can see the difference in ride quality before I decide. Will report back!
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
Yes, when I say $2000 I'm talking Canadian dollars.
I also have Di2 on one of my road bikes and I'd love to buy a Creo with Di2, but that bike is $10,000 Can, which is way more than I want to spend.
NBS, I'm a bit worried about the Creo's ride with an aluminum frame, but Captain slow, who just bought an aluminum Creo, hasn't complained about the ride. It's unfortunate that I can only ride the carbon model.
If I buy the bike I plan on switching to 38mm tires, so that should soften the ride somewhat.
I also have Di2 on one of my road bikes and I'd love to buy a Creo with Di2, but that bike is $10,000 Can, which is way more than I want to spend.
NBS, I'm a bit worried about the Creo's ride with an aluminum frame, but Captain slow, who just bought an aluminum Creo, hasn't complained about the ride. It's unfortunate that I can only ride the carbon model.
If I buy the bike I plan on switching to 38mm tires, so that should soften the ride somewhat.
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
I have 25mm tire on my Defy and 32mm tires on my Diverge. The difference in how the bikes ride over rough pavement isn't huge, but it is noticeable. What's also noticeable is how much faster my Defy is. I'm amazed at how much of a difference 7mm wider tires and 3 pounds of weight make when it comes to the hills.
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
I was going to test ride a carbon Creo today, but it looks like it's going to rain, so I rescheduled for tomorrow. When I phoned to let the bike shop know they told me, after checking their stock, that they also had a medium Creo aluminum and that they would build that up for me, so I could compare the carbon and aluminum.
I'll post my thoughts on the two bikes after the ride.
I'll post my thoughts on the two bikes after the ride.
Anxiously awaiting your thoughts!
My regular road bike is a Trek and I love it...but I ride a 47 frame and the new Domane doesn't come in that size :-(
So I rode the Creo Comp Carbon yesterday with the tires from the EVO (38s). I did a 36 mile ride with two good climbs, one about 4.5 miles, the other 7.6, 3,200 ft climbing altogether. Didn't like the ride near as much as with the road tires -at least not going uphill. Downhill it was bomb proof. Uphill I found it harder to keep up a decent cadence and I used higher assist settings than I did last ride on the bike with the tires it came with. Bought it the way it came - with the 28s. Maybe it's just the roadie in me, I don't do that much riding off the pavement and I am not used to the feel of the big tires. Maybe, if I find myself wanting to go off road more as we get into the season, I will invest in some 32s and see how I like them. For now, I'm happy.
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
I'm back from my test ride I did two rides-one one the Creo Comp E5 aluminum ($6000) and the second ride on the Turbo Creo SL Expert ($10,000). The Expert had a carbon frame, carbon wheels, and Di2 shifting.
The first ride was on the aluminum model. I found the bike to be pretty stiff, but not much stiffer than my Defy Advanced Pro 0. With the front stem shock the front felt fine. The stiff feeling came entirely from the rear.
The second ride was on the carbon model. I could feel the stiffness difference right away. The back end felt more compliant and not as jittery.
What surprised me the most about the two bikes is the difference in power on a very steep hill I went up.
If I had ridden up this hill on my carbon road bike I would have had to stand up in the saddle. With the Aluminum Creo I didn't have to get out of the saddle, but it was far from an easy ride. I knew I had climbed a hill when I got to the top.
When I tackled the same hill with the Creo carbon it felt like the motor had a bit more power. Since the motors are the same I suspect the felt difference was due to the 3 or 4 pound weight difference between the two bikes.
The weight difference definitely made a difference on the steep hill, but wasn't as noticeable on the hills with less of an incline.
Honestly, I was a bit disappointed with the bike's power on the hills. I guess I was expecting more "oomph", especially the really steep hills. I understand why Specialized went the way they did, but I wish it had a bit more power.
I also didn't like the button for changing levels. One time when I reached over to change the power level a gust of wind hit the bike, causing me to swerve. I thought, "Crap, don't crash this $10,000 bike!" I was wearing fairly thick gloves and I found it hard to press down on the button to switch levels. I'm MUCH prefer a switch up by or on the hoods.
The first ride was on the aluminum model. I found the bike to be pretty stiff, but not much stiffer than my Defy Advanced Pro 0. With the front stem shock the front felt fine. The stiff feeling came entirely from the rear.
The second ride was on the carbon model. I could feel the stiffness difference right away. The back end felt more compliant and not as jittery.
What surprised me the most about the two bikes is the difference in power on a very steep hill I went up.
If I had ridden up this hill on my carbon road bike I would have had to stand up in the saddle. With the Aluminum Creo I didn't have to get out of the saddle, but it was far from an easy ride. I knew I had climbed a hill when I got to the top.
When I tackled the same hill with the Creo carbon it felt like the motor had a bit more power. Since the motors are the same I suspect the felt difference was due to the 3 or 4 pound weight difference between the two bikes.
The weight difference definitely made a difference on the steep hill, but wasn't as noticeable on the hills with less of an incline.
Honestly, I was a bit disappointed with the bike's power on the hills. I guess I was expecting more "oomph", especially the really steep hills. I understand why Specialized went the way they did, but I wish it had a bit more power.
I also didn't like the button for changing levels. One time when I reached over to change the power level a gust of wind hit the bike, causing me to swerve. I thought, "Crap, don't crash this $10,000 bike!" I was wearing fairly thick gloves and I found it hard to press down on the button to switch levels. I'm MUCH prefer a switch up by or on the hoods.
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