Specialized Turbo Creo 28mph Electric Road Bike

[FlatSix911]

I recently bought creo SL E5 and have biked about 50 miles on it. Put some alum specialized fenders and Nimbus 2 32mm tires (with tubes) on it. I weighed the rear wheel with tires on it and it was almost 4.8 lbs. so tires are almost putting 10 lbs to the bike!

I dont know much jargon on the Bike parts. I think 46T crank was not enough for me to put me in higher speeds - perhaps I did not have fast enough cadence. I asked LBS to see if we can put a 50T crank on it - he will get back to me.
What do folks think about it?

A larger front Chainring will allow higher speeds as long as you can still maintain a decent cadence. A 50 tooth should be plenty to reach 28 mph.

 

[vdev]

A larger front Chainring will allow higher speeds as long as you can still maintain a decent cadence. A 50 tooth should be plenty to reach 28 mph.

thanks. Any idea about this 50T chainring - what brand could fit this bike?

 

[FlatSix911]

thanks. Any idea about this 50T chainring - what brand could fit this bike?

Take it to your local bike shop and have them measure the BCD... Bolt Circle Diameter of the Chainring.

Then it is a simple matter of ordering a new 50T ring with the correct matching BCD.... FSA and Shimano are good brands.

 

[RMK!]

thanks. Any idea about this 50T chainring - what brand could fit this bike?

Make sure it is a narrow/wide chainring. If you're using a Specialized dealer, it should work out.

BTW, I'm really old and can get the bike to 28+ on the flat ... can't stay there very long, but cadence wise with the stock chainring today I hit 35 mph on a short down hill run.

 

[jodi2]

Who else is using the Creo for Gravel?
What's the widest tire you were able to fit in? Specialized says 42mm, but I would like some real life experiences. I now have 40-622 G-One Allround on a rim width 23mm inner width and would like more grip and width. It seems, 42mm is possible in the rear but noch much more, in the front is a little bit more space.

 

[RMK!]

Who else is using the Creo for Gravel?
What's the widest tire you were able to fit in? Specialized says 42mm, but I would like some real life experiences. I now have 40-622 G-One Allround on a rim width 23mm inner width and would like more grip and width. It seems, 42mm is possible in the rear but noch much more, in the front is a little bit more space.

I'm running the same tires that are stock on the Creo EVO (Pathfinder Pro 700 X 42mm). Other than a dropper post, my bike is now effectively an EVO. I've had the bike for almost 3 weeks and have put 366 miles on it. Less than 20 miles have been on gravel road or dirt trails. I'm confident the bike can handle moderate off road but I'm happy on asphalt trails. Although I love the bikes responsiveness and handling without the Pathfinders and suspension seatpost, I found the ride a bit harsh. The Carbon models are purported to absorb bumps better but in my test riding I didn't notice much if any difference in that regard.

 

[ttevis]

Who else is using the Creo for Gravel?
What's the widest tire you were able to fit in? Specialized says 42mm, but I would like some real life experiences. I now have 40-622 G-One Allround on a rim width 23mm inner width and would like more grip and width. It seems, 42mm is possible in the rear but noch much more, in the front is a little bit more space.

I picked up new Carbon comp about three weeks ago. Love this bike. I’m putting on 20 miles a day after work. Setting up this bike as All Road. Running Rene Herse Barlow Pass (38mm) tubeless. I almost went with 44 mm and now know they would have fit. I ride on gravel and rough and smooth pavement. First time trying RH and likely will purchase again.

 

[SwiftySanders]

With the addition of the SPD SL pedals I have had no pedal strikes. I did some adjustments to the seat post height and fore/aft position. Also have the Kinekt seatpost suspension adjusted to the softest setting. Although the Future Shock 1.5 helps absorb front bumps, the switch to Pathfinder Pro 700 X 42m tires has made the most difference in ride quality. The larger tires give me more confidence going off road on gravel and mild single track trails but also perform great on bumpy paved streets/trails.

I find sport mode (2 bars) is my sweet spot and I'm getting approx 60 miles max range using both batteries. I was hoping for a bit more and switching to eco mode on the flats might help get to 80 miles but location of the switching isn't ideal and requires several clicks to get from Sport to Eco. A drop bar based switch would be better but I'm not interested in an aftermarket solution at the moment.

I rode 76 miles in the last 2 days and after 30 miles my hands start going numb and my crotch starts to hurt. I've been taking a 5 minute break before pushing on and that helps. I hope to get to 50 miles as a regular ride but for now, 30 or 40 miles is my comfort range.

Here is a pic of the current setup with the Pathfinders. View attachment 63740

I think I have these exact same tires on my bike. They are great and comfortable. Ya know now that I think about I think I am getting like 60miles of battery in sport mode. I weigh like 200lbs of solid muscle though.

 

[jodi2]

I'm running the same tires that are stock on the Creo EVO (Pathfinder Pro 700 X 42mm).

I thought the Pathfinder Pro on the Evos comes in 38C/40mm? At least here in Europe, my Comp Evo had these. Maybe in the US with 42mm?

 

[TG Wyoming]

I think I have these exact same tires on my bike. They are great and comfortable. Ya know now that I think about I think I am getting like 60miles of battery in sport mode. I weigh like 200lbs of solid muscle though.

Is the 60 miles in sport mode with or without the battery extender?

 

[RMK!]

I thought the Pathfinder Pro on the Evos comes in 38C/40mm? At least here in Europe, my Comp Evo had these. Maybe in the US with 42mm?

Standard tire on the Comp Carbon EVO in the US is 700 X 38. I wanted the largest tires that fit and my LBS as well as Specialized Rider Care recommended the 700 X 42 Pathfinder. I've got arthritic wrists and many other breakdown issues that occur at my age so anything that assists with bump absorption is welcome.

 

[vdev]

I replaced stock turbo pro 28mm with Nimbus 2 32mm. I done some gravel (like 10%) and they seem ok. I think I could have done 35 or 38 like pathfinders pro but LBS did not have them in stock. I do see that each wheel now weighs 4.8 lbs. I know nimbus 2 are little heavy tires than turbo pro but 4.8lbs is probably on heavier side? do we know how heavy are stock wheel on comp model ? Would carbon wheelset make a lot of difference?

 

[vdev]

Make sure it is a narrow/wide chainring. If you're using a Specialized dealer, it should work out.

BTW, I'm really old and can get the bike to 28+ on the flat ... can't stay there very long, but cadence wise with the stock chainring today I hit 35 mph on a short down hill run.

I can hardly get to 24mph with 46-11. Perhaps I am not strong rider and maybe I need to have more cadence. with new tires and other things put on this bike, it weight 36lbs now

 

[FlatSix911]

I can hardly get to 24mph with 46-11. Perhaps I am not a strong rider and maybe I need to have more cadence. with new tires and other things put on this bike, it weighs 36lbs now

Inflate your tires to the maximum safe PSI and keep your cadence high as you ramp to 28 mph... practice makes perfect.

 

[ttevis]

I just found new 2021 Turbo Creo bikes on Specialized website. S-Works with 12 speed Sram. (yeah) https://www.specialized.com/us/en/shop/bikes/turbo-e-bikes/e-road-bikes/turbo-creo/c/eturbocreo

 

[RMK!]

Now with over 300 miles on the Creo I have a couple of observations. I got into Ebikes with an econo fat tire folder back in Feb and it has performed admirably. It was made in China pre C-19 and with a full suspension and fat tires, gave me a very cushy ride. As a bike, it is useless but with pedal assist and throttle, it is fun and comfortable and it got me back into "bike riding".

OTOH, The Creo is much more of a classic road bike with a small efficient motor and it is a clipped in workout machine. Fast, fun and nimble for sure but really just a way to burn calories and get the heart pumping.

For pleasure riding (e.g. sightseeing) I will be using a large frame fat tire suspension ebike that gives me a more comfortable upright riding position and a throttle assist to get me where I want to go without sweating. When they are all finally delivered, the wife and I will have 4 different ebikes in the garage for friends and family to ride along on pleasure rides. Due to it's size (XXL) and more technical riding requirements, the Creo is a just for me bike and the tool I use to accomplish some of my fitness goals.

I think the ebike craze is justified and my hope is that consumers behave responsibly and not screw it up for those of us who ride existing bike trails by showing respect to the acoustic bike community.
Fortunately, non-throttle ebikes like the Turbo Creo are very stealth and have garnered positive reviews from all levels of cyclists. I read that the Specialized racing team uses Turbo Creos for their off day training rides. That sends a huge pay attention signal to the bike community in general.

Guess you could say I am a totally bought in ebike person ...

 

[jodi2]

I did not know that I'm now in a new community, the acoustic bike community!
Definitely true with the SL drive... ;-)
I would love a Vado SL for my wife, but she needs a really low woman frame in XS, hopefully there will be one in 2021 or 2022...

 

[vdev]

What kind of wheetset can we put on the comp E5 to make it lighter- it is 33lbs now? does that make difference? is it worth it?

 

[FlatSix911]

What kind of wheelset can we put on the comp E5 to make it lighter- it is 33lbs now? does that make a difference? is it worth it?

Carbon wheels will help along with lighter tires and tubes... rotational mass reduction does make a difference in acceleration.

 

[jodi2]

What kind of wheetset can we put on the comp E5 to make it lighter- it is 33lbs now? does that make difference? is it worth it?

The first of these three question is fine, the last two are strange... This depends totally on the rider and his/her wallet. Do you really need weight tuning on an already asisted e-bike? And what is a saved gram worth, $1, $2, $10?
For me the Creo is the best e-bike I've ever ridden in terms of that it feels almost like a normal bike. But this is due to it's weight an the tuning of my Comp Evo the last weeks (about two pounds less) even improved that, it feels noticeably better now.

As FlatSix911 said, better&lighter wheels (rims...) have the biggest effect, also on an e-bike. What this is worth to you, it's up to you. Tuning wheels/good carbon wheels are the most expensive part apart from the frame.
The Creo E5 and Comp wheels are heavy AND weak (at least for heavier riders and gravel), so if needed you can improve both facts with new wheels.
The only wheelsets ready to buy with the rare 12x110 front dimensions of the Creo are at the moment the three from DtSwiss already mentioned here:

Issues with the Turbo Creo SL (all variants)

Frequent chain drop... Hi everyone. I really love my SL Comp Carbon Evo, but both my wife and I (she has an EVO too), frequently experience chain drop when the chain is on the large ring of the rear cassette. It generally happens on steep climbs and it doesn't seem to matter if we are on gravel...

electricbikereview.com

If you stay on roads/only road tires, HEC 1400 Spline 47mm is the best/only choice already build, if you need it for gravel, it's HGC 1400 Spline 42mm with 24mm inner rim width.
If you go to a custom wheel builder you have more options and if you are a light rider also for much lighter wheels/rims than these DT Swiss sets. Prices will be similar.