CREO SL noise/click, crank area:
I've started getting a noticeable, single click from the crank area (it sounds like a latch closing, and sometimes I can feel it in the pedals) when I stop pedaling to coast when the bike is being ridden with electric power turned off. I started about 30 miles into a 60 mi. ride, initially occurring randomly perhaps one in 10 times but within ~ 10 more miles was occurring perhaps every third or fourth time. It's less likely to occur if I gradually ease into coasting over maybe a quarter of a revolution. When pedaling steadily with the power off there is no noise from the crank area, the bike is very quiet. It sounds to me like it might be a clutch (is there a sprague clutch in there?) that either has become loose, needs lubrication, or is faulty, but that's just a guess.
With power turned on (Eco and Sport Modes) I can hear and feel a very soft click or glitch at the beginning of pedaling and again upon initiating coasting, though the click when stopping pedaling is less pronounced than it is when power is turned off (it may always have been performed this way when powered). The motor whines a bit with power on, when riding gravel in ECO Mode this is nearly imperceptible over the tire noise, it's definitely noticeable when climbing in Sport Mode on steep hills. I do most riding with the power off, reserving it mainly for steeper hills.
I believe the bike is a Turbo CREO SL, carbon rims, elec. shifters, Al crank., but not an EVO. A sticker pasted into the manual states "2019/08" which I take to be the manufacturing date. It was purchased new at a local shop in 2020 and I acquired it used in summer of 2022 in with ~ 60 electric miles and 1 charge indicated and with tires that had new appearing mold flash, so very little used. I estimate I've ridden it ~ 500-1000mi. (< 200mi. electric), all flawless until now. About 200-300 miles ago a stick caught and derailed the chain to the inside of the front sprocket, but the bike rode fine afterwards. Also around that time I fell to the right side while crossing wet tracks but there was no apparent damage. Other than those events the bike has had an easy life.
I've seen one other post listing a similar sounding problem that was attributed to a loose screw (accessed through the front chainring spokes) that the poster said tightened a crank spline. I checked that screw (a Torx) and found it tight.
Update 4/16/2023: I've probably ridden an additional 400-500mi. including a half dozen continuous 2000+ ft. climbs with some 20+% sections in Sport mode and a 20min. full effort level stretch in Turbo, this is more intense riding than the bike saw previously. The click now occurs both with motor off, as before, and also now with motor power on. It occurs only at the moment I stop pedaling and reverse ever so slightly - this is the only abnormal abnormal noise the bike makes. It can be soft or very loud, is loud more frequently than previously and sometimes it seems especially intense after a stretch of heavy cranking. All bolts associated with the crank are tight, the spline is tight and doesn't wiggle, cover is tight, I keep 3 chains in a cleaning rotation and it occurs with all of them, including when the the two additional chains were new, there is no significant wear even on the original chain, all run silently.
Update 7,2026: The above problem continued to get worse until spring of 2024 when the cranks started binding while pedaling. The local Specialized dealer delcared the motor unit to be bad and replaced it for $1200 plus labor (no warranty because the bike was purchased used). The new motor doesn't have the original problem but from the start made other clicking and clutching sounds when pedaled. With power off it can make moderately loud, sharp clicks when I start to pedal and when I'm pedaling lightly and a foot is coming over the top, sounding like a loose ratchet with insufficient lubrication. When under power it makes audible clutching sounds when near the top of pedal strokes which usually go away if I make an effort to maintain continuous pressure or torque. When the unit was new a mechanic at the LBS claimed not to hear these though over the past year they've gotten louder. Everything is tight around the pedals, cranks, and motor mounts. Others I ride with who have Creo's don't have this problem. I'm beginning to question this quality or reliability of these motor units. I love how the bike handles but am thinking of trying a different brand.
I've started getting a noticeable, single click from the crank area (it sounds like a latch closing, and sometimes I can feel it in the pedals) when I stop pedaling to coast when the bike is being ridden with electric power turned off. I started about 30 miles into a 60 mi. ride, initially occurring randomly perhaps one in 10 times but within ~ 10 more miles was occurring perhaps every third or fourth time. It's less likely to occur if I gradually ease into coasting over maybe a quarter of a revolution. When pedaling steadily with the power off there is no noise from the crank area, the bike is very quiet. It sounds to me like it might be a clutch (is there a sprague clutch in there?) that either has become loose, needs lubrication, or is faulty, but that's just a guess.
With power turned on (Eco and Sport Modes) I can hear and feel a very soft click or glitch at the beginning of pedaling and again upon initiating coasting, though the click when stopping pedaling is less pronounced than it is when power is turned off (it may always have been performed this way when powered). The motor whines a bit with power on, when riding gravel in ECO Mode this is nearly imperceptible over the tire noise, it's definitely noticeable when climbing in Sport Mode on steep hills. I do most riding with the power off, reserving it mainly for steeper hills.
I believe the bike is a Turbo CREO SL, carbon rims, elec. shifters, Al crank., but not an EVO. A sticker pasted into the manual states "2019/08" which I take to be the manufacturing date. It was purchased new at a local shop in 2020 and I acquired it used in summer of 2022 in with ~ 60 electric miles and 1 charge indicated and with tires that had new appearing mold flash, so very little used. I estimate I've ridden it ~ 500-1000mi. (< 200mi. electric), all flawless until now. About 200-300 miles ago a stick caught and derailed the chain to the inside of the front sprocket, but the bike rode fine afterwards. Also around that time I fell to the right side while crossing wet tracks but there was no apparent damage. Other than those events the bike has had an easy life.
I've seen one other post listing a similar sounding problem that was attributed to a loose screw (accessed through the front chainring spokes) that the poster said tightened a crank spline. I checked that screw (a Torx) and found it tight.
Update 4/16/2023: I've probably ridden an additional 400-500mi. including a half dozen continuous 2000+ ft. climbs with some 20+% sections in Sport mode and a 20min. full effort level stretch in Turbo, this is more intense riding than the bike saw previously. The click now occurs both with motor off, as before, and also now with motor power on. It occurs only at the moment I stop pedaling and reverse ever so slightly - this is the only abnormal abnormal noise the bike makes. It can be soft or very loud, is loud more frequently than previously and sometimes it seems especially intense after a stretch of heavy cranking. All bolts associated with the crank are tight, the spline is tight and doesn't wiggle, cover is tight, I keep 3 chains in a cleaning rotation and it occurs with all of them, including when the the two additional chains were new, there is no significant wear even on the original chain, all run silently.
Update 7,2026: The above problem continued to get worse until spring of 2024 when the cranks started binding while pedaling. The local Specialized dealer delcared the motor unit to be bad and replaced it for $1200 plus labor (no warranty because the bike was purchased used). The new motor doesn't have the original problem but from the start made other clicking and clutching sounds when pedaled. With power off it can make moderately loud, sharp clicks when I start to pedal and when I'm pedaling lightly and a foot is coming over the top, sounding like a loose ratchet with insufficient lubrication. When under power it makes audible clutching sounds when near the top of pedal strokes which usually go away if I make an effort to maintain continuous pressure or torque. When the unit was new a mechanic at the LBS claimed not to hear these though over the past year they've gotten louder. Everything is tight around the pedals, cranks, and motor mounts. Others I ride with who have Creo's don't have this problem. I'm beginning to question this quality or reliability of these motor units. I love how the bike handles but am thinking of trying a different brand.
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