Specialized Turbo Creo 28mph Electric Road Bike

Captain Slow said:
To get rider power on your Garmin you have to tell it to disable the fake channel. I don't know why it works this way, but it does. Whenever I select rider power it just tells me I'm producing around 100 watts all the time regardless of the power I'm actually putting out.

The Vado SL weighs 7 lbs more than the Creo?????? That's a big difference and I'm surprised it's that much. I would have guessed maybe 3 lbs.

It's interesting the impact the speed limiter has on battery life. I did a solo ride on Saturday and at various times I was going anywhere from 35 to 65 km/hr. - so the motor turned off. A few times on the flats I was going a bit quicker and in the 37-40 km/hr. range and not using any battery at all. But if I had the 45 km/hr. limit obviously I'd still be using battery, probably going a slight bit faster.
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Hello! I just joined EBR and I’m thrilled to see that you brought up pairing the Garmin with Power Meter on the Creo. I had the same problem and because I had no one to turn to for advice, I called Garmin. They were extremely helpful and told me that this “glitch” will be fixed in a new release coming soon. In the meantime, they said to disable the Fake Channel. Unfortunately, I was only able to pair my Garmin 1030 with the Creo Power Meter when I had the Fake Channel Enabled.....and of course, I had very low, inaccurate watt readings during a challenging ride. I will try to disable again tomorrow and see if it works.
 
I just got now Vado 4.0 SL for my brother and took it for a spin and couldn't believe how silet motor was compared to my Creo.
Setup was the same 30%, 60% and 100%. On 30% on the flat, motor was virtually silent. Uphill, compared to Creo, motor was roughly 50% or more quieter in every mode.
Do you think, that there ware some improvement don't with the lates motor or it is just wear and tear and the gears in the motor will get louder within first hundreds of kilometers, or I might ask/push my mechanic for motor replacement?
Levo SL was also quite loud on different videos, but this Vado is on pair with my Turbo Levo regarding low noise.
Or it is maybe the alu frame vs carbon? 🤔
 
SKent said:
Re the Creo motor. I took my bike back to the shop. They upgraded the software and firmware. That seems to have fixed the problem.
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Can I do this myself? Nevermind, I can't. I have to go to Mikes Bikes today. The app showed me.

Capt MudBuster said:
Question: Is anyone else having trouble getting the Creo to show actual 'rider power' on their Garmin? (I'm using the Garmin 830)
I've tried using the Fake Channel on the app, set to Rider Power. I either get one of two readings: a static power that doesn't change, like 100w --- or I get the combined motor+rider power reading. I've not been able to to just isolate my actual power input. Any thoughts or tips would be appreciated!
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Do you have your ebike setting setup correctly on your device? You can add your eBike under sensors in the settings.
 
Last edited:
I'm considering a Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon EVO. I bought a 20" fat tire folder ebike in Feb and have put over 1700 miles on it in the last 4 months with little or no use of the throttle. I had nice road and mountain bikes hanging in the garage unused for years until I got back into cycling via this unusual route. I will keep the folders (my wife has one as well) for rides with her and to take on trips. I'm looking for a daily rider and the Creo seems perfect for my planned use.

I'm 69 and a little concerned about the more aggressive riding position at my age. I can easily go 30 miles on the fat tire folder with low pedal assist. I want to do longer rides (up to 50 miles) and use a "real bike" that better fits my 6'5", 200lb frame. I'm thinking about getting the XXL model as I have long legs/arms but due to the pandemic run on bikes, no dealer in my area actually has one in stock. Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
RMK! said:
I'm considering a Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon EVO. I bought a 20" fat tire folder ebike in Feb and have put over 1700 miles on it in the last 4 months with little or no use of the throttle. I had nice road and mountain bikes hanging in the garage unused for years until I got back into cycling via this unusual route. I will keep the folders (my wife has one as well) for rides with her and to take on trips. I'm looking for a daily rider and the Creo seems perfect for my planned use.

I'm 69 and a little concerned about the more aggressive riding position at my age. I can easily go 30 miles on the fat tire folder with low pedal assist. I want to do longer rides (up to 50 miles) and use a "real bike" that better fits my 6'5", 200lb frame. I'm thinking about getting the XXL model as I have long legs/arms but due to the pandemic run on bikes, no dealer in my area actually has one in stock. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Click to expand...
I’m 79, 6’3,” 175#, and have had the Creo Comp EVO (XL) for over a month. I have ridden it 600 or so miles with the longest ride so far around 40 miles. I find it extremely satisfying and comfortable, the drop bars allowing me to vary my position on the bike. Though some pan them, I even find the flared drops more comfortable than straight ones when using them.
 
tomyboy said:
Got new revision of the motor like Vado has. It is silent compared to the previous one. :cool:
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That is very interesting information. I had a Creo comp evo on loan for half a day and it was really fun even being a 25km/h bike but I found it very loud compared to my Vado.
 
RMK! said:
I'm considering a Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon EVO... I'm thinking about getting the XXL model as I have long legs/arms but due to the pandemic run on bikes, no dealer in my area actually has one in stock. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Click to expand...
Not sure where you are in NorCal, but there are lots of XL models in both colors up there if you want to try that size first. Use the FIND NEARBY button.

Mike's Bikes in Pleasanton also shows an XXL in Navy Blue, and they can probably ship to one of their other locations if that's more convenient for you.

In any case both XL and XXL models are listed as available on the website so you can order direct for shop pick-up or have your shop order.
In both cases you can negotiate price or extras since the shop gets most of the profit even if you order direct "click-n-ship".

Good luck, and have fun!
 
e-levity said:
. . . models are listed as available on the website so you can order direct for shop pick-up or have your shop order.
In both cases you can negotiate price or extras since the shop gets most of the profit even if you order direct "click-n-ship".

I was advised by LBS to order bike through them. Then the LBS will be happier as they will get a commission . . . and, in my case, the dealer offered to let me back out of the deal, if, after riding (it was not in stock) the bike it did no meet up to expectations. To me a big plus.
Click to expand...
 
Seeya said:
I’m 79, 6’3,” 175#, and have had the Creo Comp EVO (XL) for over a month. I have ridden it 600 or so miles with the longest ride so far around 40 miles. I find it extremely satisfying and comfortable, the drop bars allowing me to vary my position on the bike. Though some pan them, I even find the flared drops more comfortable than straight ones when using them.
Click to expand...
How's the battery range? Did you get the range extender?
 
RMK! said:
How's the battery range? Did you get the range extender?
Click to expand...
Didn’t get the extender, waiting to see how well it did on internal battery alone. I’ve concluded I don’t need it.

My rides are on fairly level paved trails with elevation gains of around 300 feet. I find I can usually do about 70 miles with 2 bars (20%?) left. Almost always ride in “eco” but sometimes venture into “sport.” I usually maintain a speed between 17 and 20 mph. No range apprehension as the bike is as easy to pedal without power as my late 1980’s Trek aluminum 1500.
 
Seeya said:
Didn’t get the extender, waiting to see how well it did on internal battery alone. I’ve concluded I don’t need it.

My rides are on fairly level paved trails with elevation gains of around 300 feet. I find I can usually do about 70 miles with 2 bars (20%?) left. Almost always ride in “eco” but sometimes venture into “sport.” I usually maintain a speed between 17 and 20 mph. No range apprehension as the bike is as easy to pedal without power as my late 1980’s Trek aluminum 1500.
Click to expand...
You're an inspiration Seeya and that's amazing mileage out of a 320Wa battery. I may be in sport mode more than eco but if I can get 40-50 miles out of a charge I'll be happy. My rides are similar but I want to do more county road riding (some dirt & gravel) hence my interest in the EVO.
 
Hi,

my name is Jo and I live in Germany, southeast from Frankfurt.
I’m 49 now, doing a lot of “allday cycling” since I’m 19, many years instead of having a car. The last 7 years I used a speed or S-pedelec to get to work. That’s what we call here the ones which can support over 25km/h up to 45km/h, but which have several disadvantages here, need of driving license, insurance, license plate and lots of restrictrictions and certifications, for drivers and manufacturers. That’s why all these are quite heavy, even with strong motors and big batteries. But there’s nothing like a Creo, not one light pedelec with just little support over 25km/h.
We moved last year, now it’s to far to cycle all day to work, so I do more tours with my gravelbike in my free time. Due to more mountains around now, this is more interesting, but at the moment with more than 100kg weight it’s challenging. Without motor I’m often tired and a little bit frustrated already after one hour. With the speed pedelec with lowest motor support it’s fine and enough range, but the weight of the bicycle is terrible, around 25kg. Also unpaved roads are often illegal as it’s classified as a small motor cycle here and you aren’t allowed to change several parts (e.g. tires).
I tried a Creo two mounths ago and was really excited, I’ve never tried such an E-bike/pedelec which feels less like like one, this would be perfect for me! I only disliked the price and the motor noise…
Specialized lowered the price (here?) for the lowest two Creos 2.5 weeks ago and I finally found a serious local dealer which offered at least a small discount, so I had to pay about 1000 € less than most dealers still wanted in June. Still a terrible price for the simple components, but enough to push me, so I ordered a Creo Comp Carbon Evo in XL, which I ride since tuesday.

Sorry, for the long introduction, but pedelecs and their speed limitations are different here, what I wanted to explain. Also the Creo is not very popular (other than the Levo SL) here, as most people who prefer racing handlebars (is that the right expression?) or racing bicycles are very conservative and believe all motor support only for old or fat or disbled people. An E racing bicycle is still a no-go for 99% of them. Therefore there’s also not much discussion and exchange about the Creo, that’s why I registered here.

It may be right, that a fit and light rider will have less benefit from/less need for a Creo and also the speed limit here makes it less usefull in flat areas. I cycled thursday to work, 40km with 170 hm and did not feel much benefit. Back home there are more hm and two long and stressing uphills, but overall not to terrible for 40km. Altogether I wouldn’t buy a Creo for this and stay with my normal gravelbike.
But with hills and mountains it’s completely different. Today I did 60km with 730hm and was really tired. But never “dead” or insane what would have been the case without motor after the first or second mountain. I used exactly half of the battery (which is about 20-30% of the electrical energy I would need with the speed pedelec, depending on the support level). So I think it’s obvious that’s far from swinging eggs. Instead the Creo pushes you to go further, to do even a dertour or a hill more than you would normally do. Even if you’re fit and light.
Maybe I will have less or no more need in a few years for the Creo in perfect shape. But if this happens it has done a good job for me and my health.

To the technical part: Disappointing at the comp is the simple and heavy sprocket cassette, but that’s quiet easy to change. Worse are the simple wheels combined with the proprietary axle size. I’m not an expert in wheels, but I had several times in strong uphills with the lowest gears and in fast rough downhills the impressions that the 24 hole rear wheel is quite flimsy at my weight. I have a 28 hole wheel set from an excellent wheel builder for my normal gravel bike with only the rear wheel around 200g lighter and perfectly strong and reliable in any situation even with my weight. So I will order a similar wheel set for the Creo, even if it hurts that I can’t use the old one/that the Creo does not simply use 12x100+12x142.
 
jodi2 said:
Hi,

my name is Jo and I live in Germany, southeast from Frankfurt.
I’m 49 now, doing a lot of “allday cycling” since I’m 19, many years instead of having a car. The last 7 years I used a speed or S-pedelec to get to work. That’s what we call here the ones which can support over 25km/h up to 45km/h, but which have several disadvantages here, need of driving license, insurance, license plate and lots of restrictrictions and certifications, for drivers and manufacturers. That’s why all these are quite heavy, even with strong motors and big batteries. But there’s nothing like a Creo, not one light pedelec with just little support over 25km/h.
We moved last year, now it’s to far to cycle all day to work, so I do more tours with my gravelbike in my free time. Due to more mountains around now, this is more interesting, but at the moment with more than 100kg weight it’s challenging. Without motor I’m often tired and a little bit frustrated already after one hour. With the speed pedelec with lowest motor support it’s fine and enough range, but the weight of the bicycle is terrible, around 25kg. Also unpaved roads are often illegal as it’s classified as a small motor cycle here and you aren’t allowed to change several parts (e.g. tires).
I tried a Creo two mounths ago and was really excited, I’ve never tried such an E-bike/pedelec which feels less like like one, this would be perfect for me! I only disliked the price and the motor noise…
Specialized lowered the price (here?) for the lowest two Creos 2.5 weeks ago and I finally found a serious local dealer which offered at least a small discount, so I had to pay about 1000 € less than most dealers still wanted in June. Still a terrible price for the simple components, but enough to push me, so I ordered a Creo Comp Carbon Evo in XL, which I ride since tuesday.

Sorry, for the long introduction, but pedelecs and their speed limitations are different here, what I wanted to explain. Also the Creo is not very popular (other than the Levo SL) here, as most people who prefer racing handlebars (is that the right expression?) or racing bicycles are very conservative and believe all motor support only for old or fat or disbled people. An E racing bicycle is still a no-go for 99% of them. Therefore there’s also not much discussion and exchange about the Creo, that’s why I registered here.

It may be right, that a fit and light rider will have less benefit from/less need for a Creo and also the speed limit here makes it less usefull in flat areas. I cycled thursday to work, 40km with 170 hm and did not feel much benefit. Back home there are more hm and two long and stressing uphills, but overall not to terrible for 40km. Altogether I wouldn’t buy a Creo for this and stay with my normal gravelbike.
But with hills and mountains it’s completely different. Today I did 60km with 730hm and was really tired. But never “dead” or insane what would have been the case without motor after the first or second mountain. I used exactly half of the battery (which is about 20-30% of the electrical energy I would need with the speed pedelec, depending on the support level). So I think it’s obvious that’s far from swinging eggs. Instead the Creo pushes you to go further, to do even a dertour or a hill more than you would normally do. Even if you’re fit and light.
Maybe I will have less or no more need in a few years for the Creo in perfect shape. But if this happens it has done a good job for me and my health.

To the technical part: Disappointing at the comp is the simple and heavy sprocket cassette, but that’s quiet easy to change. Worse are the simple wheels combined with the proprietary axle size. I’m not an expert in wheels, but I had several times in strong uphills with the lowest gears and in fast rough downhills the impressions that the 24 hole rear wheel is quite flimsy at my weight. I have a 28 hole wheel set from an excellent wheel builder for my normal gravel bike with only the rear wheel around 200g lighter and perfectly strong and reliable in any situation even with my weight. So I will order a similar wheel set for the Creo, even if it hurts that I can’t use the old one/that the Creo does not simply use 12x100+12x142.
Click to expand...

Jo, Welcome to EBR, and thanks for your commentary.
 
On monday 13th of July here (or in whole Europe?) the alloy E5 was lowered from 4699 to 4499 Euro and the Comps from 6499 to 5999 Euro, th other versions unchanged. It was exactly the day I tried the E5 and wanted to order, but was unsure between E5 and Comp Evo. I came home from the dealer and wanted to compare the two versions once more when I saw the new prices. Seems like Specialized wanted to make the decision easier for me... ;-)
Still to much money for the used components.
As I said, the Creo is not very popular here, maybe the new prices to sell a few more. But I don't know why they didn't lower also the prices for the higher models, which are even more overpriced. Maybe the usual Experte and S-Works customers here don't care if they spend a monthly salary more or less...
 
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