Specialized Turbo Creo 28mph Electric Road Bike

[Stefan Mikes]

Stefan you miss again the topic of this thread or the reason for buying&riding a Creo or a SL drive.

Why so serious?

My merry comment was a reply to yours:

"Hey, you stupid Creo SL riders, why do you spend so much money for a light E-Bike, just buy a standard Bosch bike with 10kg more, it's the same!"

It is not the same. The "heavy" bike is simply far more powerful. Meaning you might make a 12% incline on the Creo but -- maybe -- with a great effort, or you'd might to walk the bike uphill. The matter is not the speed. It is the power, torque, and climbing capability that also results from the drive-train used. I would say my Trance E+ might do even better because of better gearing and geometry.

The reasons people buy Specialized SL e-bikes are clear: More natural, "trad bike" feeling, more workout, no need for powerful motor and heavy battery for fit people. And you can carry an SL up the stairs (Vado SL), uphill (Creo SL) or over an obstacle (Levo SL), shall such need arise. There is no reason to reiterate on how great the SL e-bikes are: They indeed are. The trouble starts when an SL owner tries to convince others the SL is actually better. It is not better. It is different. Same as an MTB and a road-bike are both excellent bikes, just very different.

OK?

 

[jodi2]

Sorry Stefan, it's to hot here and I was to blind to see the relation... ;-)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Sorry Stefan, it's to hot here and I was to blind to see the relation... ;-)

Same here. Time for a ride!

 

[jodi2]

35 degrees Celsius. Since four days and two days more. Can you beet this? ;-)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Easier here Greetings from a ride!

 

[SwiftySanders]

I guess so.
Compared to old one is like night and day. And there was nothing wrong with old one, it was just like that from the start, which I presumed was OK as SL Levos with the same motor have been also quite load at the launch.
But new Vado has much quieter motor so I guess all new SL and Creo also got the same treatment now.

Can I pay them to replace the old motor with the new one? I also want to upgrade the drivetrain and shifting. I want the electrict shifting.

 

[RMK!]

I have ridden many different ebikes including mountain, road, fat tire folders, cruisers and even commuter ebikes. I chose the Creo SL Comp E5 because it is a well engineered, nice looking, light and nimble ebike. It is stealthy and does not look nor perform like many ebikes that are essentially an acoustic bike with a scabbed on motor and battery. I am a reasonably fit 69 YO who likes to ride for enjoyment and exercise. I am not a bike racer (past or present) nor club rider, so the $1500 (or much more) delta for a carbon version Creo simply didn't work for me.

I also like to support companies like Specialized who make good products, respect their employees and have a social conscience. I feel it is important to vote with your wallet, as well as your ballot.

 

[RMK!]

My understanding is that the belt drive on the Vado motor was the reason for it being described as "quiet". The Creo SL is still ver 1.1 so that indicates no changes have been made. On my test rides, I didn't think the SL was loud but it was more noticeable in Turbo mode.

 

[jodi2]

Are we all talking about the same drive and Vado, Vado SL? afaik it has the same SL motor and version as the Creo.

In the few german forum postings about the Creo, the motor noise is quite a topic, while I read almost no complaints about it here. But as I said the Creo is also not very popluar here, and the few intersted disturbs the noise on a so expensive road bike. Also you don't here much of the motor at higher speeds (where 25km/h is the limit here fopr the motor) or rough roads/during gravel use.
With the Vado SL and Levo SL almost no one here complains.

I personally was suprised about the noise during my first test ride. Now riding my Creo freqently I don't bother in Level1 or with Level2+3 near the limit of 25km/h when the wind gets louder or on rough roads (which is 50-60% of my tours). Only at very steep hills AND smooth asphalt with maybe 15km/h the noise disturbs me, but my gasps are louder...
But for someone only doing roads/asphalt and often strong uphills and in a group with others without motor I guess he/she would wish a more silent motor...

 

[jodi2]

Yesterday I found lots of new paths nearby and rode more uphills than expected with only 60% battery at the beginning. So I had to do the last miles and the last few uphills alone. I was still surprised how easy this was with the Creo Evo. Normally with my gravelbike without motor I would be almost "dead" after a tour like this at the end. And with my last e-bike weighing 10kg more than the Creo it would be terrible uphill without motor. And also during the whole ride tour much less fun with the heavy bike. You (almost) don't feel the difference to a normal bike with the Creo/the SL.
Two years ago I was very surprised how versatile are gravel bikes, really "Go anwhere bikes" and I found my new passion here. This is even more true with the Creo, which extends your range, possible uphills and your motivation so much and with so less disadvantages (except the hole in your wallet...).

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Pay attention to the Part 2 & 3 of the video I made in the morning. The Part 2 is the Syncdrive Pro (Yamaha PW-X2) motor. Part 3 is Vado 5.0.

If the SL motor noise is far lower than one of Giant/Yamaha, consider the 1.1 motor quiet.

 

[jodi2]

It's impressive that you hear nothing at the Vado 5.0. I think the Creo is more like the Yamaha, but I don't care much.
Nice front light at the Vado!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Nice front light at the Vado!

That's a part of the current Euro spec for S-Pedelec Vado (6.0). The Supernova M99 Pro is fully automatic, with day-lighting always on, low-beam activated when it's getting dark (also in tunnels), high-beam 1600 lm on demand.

 

[RMK!]

I thought the Creo was very quiet and only slightly noticeable in Turbo mode.

 

[TurboTed]

Sorry, screwed up my previous post and couldn't see a way to edit it. To clarify, I have an alu frame creo on order with an ETA of November I see @RMK! is replacing the stock 28 mm tires with 42 mm tires, so there will be some increase in the diameter of the wheel as a result and I wondered if you can use Mission Control to change the wheel diameter or if your LBS has to do that.

Since I live in Canada, the assistance on my bike will be restricted to 32 kph. I realize the larger diameter would make the restrictor cut in at a higher speed, but I wondered if there is any opportunity to sneak in a km or two of extra assistance using the app?

Edit to say: Ahh, I see the edit button now. Sorry to screw up my first post on the board.

 

[RMK!]

Sorry, screwed up my previous post and couldn't see a way to edit it. To clarify, I have an alu frame creo on order with an ETA of November I see @RMK! is replacing the stock 28 mm tires with 42 mm tires, so there will be some increase in the diameter of the wheel as a result and I wondered if you can use Mission Control to change the wheel diameter or if your LBS has to do that.

Since I live in Canada, the assistance on my bike will be restricted to 32 kph. I realize the larger diameter would make the restrictor cut in at a higher speed, but I wondered if there is any opportunity to sneak in a km or two of extra assistance using the app?

Edit to say: Ahh, I see the edit button now. Sorry to screw up my first post on the board.

Sorry about your regulatory speed limitations and that Nov delivery. OTOH, at least you live in a country with an intelligent, reasonable human at the helm as opposed to a bat $hit crazy person running our ship of state aground ... but I digress.

I'll check the Mission Control App to see if there is a setting for tire size. The primary difference is in width of the Pathfinders and even then, I can't see 4mm making much difference.

Update: The Mission Control App has a Wheel Circumference Setting but only dealers have access to make those changes. Humm ... you may be onto something with your bolded comment.

 

[Deacon Blues]

OTOH, at least you live in a country with an intelligent, reasonable human at the helm as opposed to a bat $hit crazy person running our ship of state aground ... but I digress.


If you're referring to Justin Trudeau then you don't know what you're talking about. This guy's going for his 3rd ethics violation in 4 years.

You've got a nut job and we've got a narcissistic idiot who likes to wear black face.

 

[RMK!]

Intelligent reasonable human being isn't exactly the highest praise but you're right, I was only judging based upon casual observation ... or perhaps, grading on the curve. We've had some horrible presidents but they all look better now.

Back to ebikes ... eh

 

[TurboTed]

Sorry about your regulatory speed limitations and that Nov delivery. OTOH, at least you live in a country with an intelligent, reasonable human at the helm as opposed to a bat $hit crazy person running our ship of state aground ... but I digress.

I'll check the Mission Control App to see if there is a setting for tire size. The primary difference is in width of the Pathfinders and even then, I can't see 4mm making much difference.

Update: The Mission Control App has a Wheel Circumference Setting but only dealers have access to make those changes. Humm ... you may be onto something with your bolded comment.

Thanks for the prompt reply @RMK! . By the way, love the colour of your Creo ... which may have to do with mine being the same.

 

[RMK!]

Thanks for the prompt reply @RMK! . By the way, love the colour of your Creo ... which may have to do with mine being the same.

Normally I'm not a fan of flat black but it's understated and makes the bike more stealthy which I like.