SPECIALIZED Creo SL- Road ebike

The assist is to 28mph. The details are on the Specialized website. It is supposed to be available in the fall. There is also a short review on Gran Fondo Cycling Magazine as well as a few You Tube videos.
 
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Captain Slow said:
If they were the same price I'd prefer the Creo over the Gain, but given the price discrepancy I will likely end up buying the Gain instead. However, I've checked with some Orbea dealers locally and it's uncertain if they'll even bring the bike in.


Jaxx have you taken the rear wheel off your Gain yet? I'm curious if it uses a 14 mm axle that is ground flat on some sides to act as a torque arm or it uses some other method. I find those ground down axles to be a pain.
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Yeah Cap, flat sided. Now I've had the Gain a few months, I'm really understanding what it's about? Keep the cadence around 75-80rpm and it is a really sweet ride. I don't push it on the Gain, average speed 16-17mph ave HR 126. Fifty miles About 35% battery usage. I get home relaxed having enjoyed the countryside. Oh and for me at least the riding position is excellent, normally would ride a 56cm frame. Went for a medium approx 56cm, added a 120mm stem. Even with the shortish depth headtube the frame fits great.
 
I really like this new e-road bike, but $12,300CAN is way more than I'm willing to pay for a bike.

My wife, who is usually okay with me buying new bikes, asked, "What happens if you buy this bike and a week later crash and damage the frame"? I replied, "I'm out $12,300".
Also, my house insurance, which has an added rider for my bikes, will only pay a maximum of $5,000 if my bike is stolen. That would mean I'd be out $7,300CAN. :(
 
At $6,000 Cdn that would put it very close to the Cannondale Synapse Neo SE (gravel model $5700 Cdn). I've been looking for a Cannondale dealer on Vancouver Island that has one it stock, but none of the dealers I've talked to have one in stock. They will bring one in on a special order, but I want to test ride one before I buy it. Hopefully, my local Specialized dealer will be bringing in a cheaper Creo so I can take one for a test ride.
 
I wonder if Giant has a light e-road bike in the works. Giant bikes are usually a bit cheaper than Specialized, with comparable quality.
 
You can read my review of the Creo SL EVO spec here - pricing is in NZ dollars. I don't think it is as eye-wateringly expensive as people make out. The carbon ones that have been announced are all S-Works-grade fact11 carbon, carbon wheels, Di2 etc. and that would make a very expensive road bike, regardless of the motor and battery. There will be an Al version out $7600 NZD (so around USD5k) probably November.
https://electricbikesnz.com/2019/07/25/specialized-creo-sl-expert-evo/
 
- there is also the BMC AMP LTD ONE which is a direct competitor to Trek DOmane e+ and the Creo Sl. That one is 6-7k ... Big temptations with this e road bikes.
Is it the ultimate toy ??
 
I love riding my road bike, but I have to admit that the one thing I do not look forward to on our group rides is hills. I'm okay with grinding up hills now, but somewhere down the road I know I'm going to want to take the hills part out of the riding experience. Hills are no longer a challenge for me.....they're more of a nuisance.
 
Does anyone have any idea how the Creo stacks up to the Orbea Gains? I'm looking at getting an e-road bike and I've test rode the Creo (it was awesome), but I am wondering about the Gains.
 
Are you still here Josh, is this still your question?
The Orbea gains start cheaper, but also heavier, a good carbon Gain also is expensive (still less than a carbon Creo).
A hub motor like in the Gain is good in flat territory, but bad in longer uphills. There the motor works less efficient and overheats and power reduces. So if ride mostly flat/not very hilly, the Gain is fine (therefore it's popluar here in Eruope for city/allday use). But I won't recommend it for sport in real uphills/mountains.
Also you feel the heavier rear wheel and even more of you go offroad/gravel. There the heavy rear wheel without suspension is bad for bike and rider and bikes with middle motor like the Creo much better.
 
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