I was thinking of the same, buying a Vado SL and changing it to drop bar, as in my opinion the Creo is too expensive (or the Vado SL too cheap, as you like it...). Many more experienced drop bar riders advised me, not to try it. It's more then just changing the handle bar and you don't know what you get afterwards. There's a good chance, that you get a bike that feels terrible for you and you wasted a lot of money and time for the conversion. It's fine to test such a conversion if you do it with an old bike that you already have and also the drop bar componets already at home. But no with a new expensive bike and new parts.
Specialized Turbo Creo 28mph Electric Road Bike
- Thread starter Admin
- Start date
Nova Haibike
Well-Known Member
I am experienced, and I do not see any problem with converting a Vado SL to drop bars, other than cost. Will it ride the or handle same as a Creo? No, but so what? It is probably akin to the difference between a road bike and a gravel bike.
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
Interesting ... thanks to all for the good input. I seem to be falling into a pattern of riding 3-4 times a week @ 25-45 miles per ride. Slowing down to an average of 15-17mph seems to extend the range to 60 miles with my 150% battery (Range Extender) setup. I like (need) the assist from Sport mode to make this ride enjoyable and still get the workout I want. I love the 28mph assist limit of the US setup Creo, but could live with a 20mph assist limit. I think a16 mph assist limit would make the rides more of a grind and rule out the Creo for my use case.
Coming from putting 2500 miles (in 6 months) on a 500W cadence assist ebike, the relatively low power assist levels of the Creo was surprising. My friend who works at Specialized mentioned that the power differential would be noticeable and he tried to steer me toward a Turbo Vado. I test rode both and preferred both the fit, handling and looks of the Creo. If I had been riding an acoustic road bike for the past months, I'm sure I would have a very different much more positive take on the Creo's power output.
I'm in Northern California and the weather allows for a riding season of at least 300 days/year. Having the Creo plus another more powerful long range ebike for off road and cruising with the wife is an ideal situation. I believe that ebikes are here to stay and I have created a number of converts by demoing my ebikes. In my experience, almost everyone who actually rides an ebike loves the experience but here, I'm preaching to the choir ...
I have a similar perspective and like you enjoy how the Creo feels, rides and looks. I’ve only owned acoustics in the past so the Creo marks a significant change in my cycling lifestyle.
My sister owns a Vado 5 and when I first rode it, I was amazed at the amount of torque. However, I really wanted something lighter and more responsive as my carbon Scott Metrix 10 which tips the scales at just under 19lbs making it ultra easy to load into my vehicle for transport. The Creo Exp pretty much checks all the boxes on my list and I’m still able to attain a good workout but appreciate the assist when/if required. In fact, my usual routine when setting out on a ride is to intentionally not activate the TCU until I feel the need. I took delivery of an extender yesterday but likely won’t be using it until next season. It will give me the freedom to increase the range of my rides which I plan to take full advantage of.
We’re expecting snow flurries on Wednesday here but I will try and eke out as many rides on the Creo before more severe conditions set in. My winter riding will then be relegated to a vintage MTB on studded tires. I’m so envious that you’re able to ride so many days throughout the season.
abercrombie
Member
Got a well rated luggage scale and weighed my base carbon model "Creo SL Comp Carbon." Weight additions from factory include SPD pedals for MTB, carbon fiber bottle cages and garmin front mount. Only removals were the clear cassette disc on the rear wheel.
13.12 kg (28.9 lbs)
13.12 kg (28.9 lbs)
Last edited:
Ready
Member
The weight difference between Creo to Vado SL is about the same as Vado SL to Vado.
Last edited:
Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
So 300 rideable days a year on an ebike that's under 30 lb. My 50 lb Como with maybe 90 clear days a year makes me jealous. But not jealous enough to move to CA ...
Ready
Member
As a California resident, I can't wait to get out of the state. Retirement can't come quick enough.
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
It depends on which Creo you're using as a comparison. Carbon Creos weigh around 28 pounds, sans pedals, but the aluminum Creo is very close to the weight of the aluminum Vado SL.
Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
e-levity
Active Member
Look closely, they’re different bikes.That is an expensive 3 lbs.
Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
It was a joke. They are totally different bikes, and I expect everyone reading this thread probably knows that. But the price difference is not a joke.
FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Silicon Valley
There is an old saying in racing... "Fast, good, or cheap – pick two."
Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
The expression isn't just about racing. When I was writing code, I used it all the time. I could knock out something that "usually works" in a few hours, but tested and debugged, and ready for an untrained user could take many days and much more money. I think building contractors and designers have the same issue. It's a complex world...
Ready
Member
Specialized shows the carbon version at 26.7, though that's probably the top of the line. However, the EVO version is still under 30lbs. The carbon comp (non evo) is probably somewhere in between.
FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Silicon Valley
Here is a short list below... I'm a native of this beautiful state and not planning to leave anytime soon.
Unfortunately, the State is only now affordable for those at the top or bottom of the socioeconomic scale.
Unfortunately, the State is only now affordable for those at the top or bottom of the socioeconomic scale.
California is a failed state. How do we know? They're moving to Arizona in droves.
You can't blame Californians for moving to Arizona. But let's hope they leave behind the progressive policies that ruined their state.
www.usatoday.com
Last edited:
Ready
Member
For me, it would be purely politics. It's a one party state and things are being done without discussion. They'll raise the taxes when they feel like it and re-allocate funds without hesitation. I'm paying more and not getting more. As the day wears on, I feel more abandoned. I'd rather take my money and go somewhere else when I'll be more welcomed.
Politics affect my life. Policy on clearing dead forest trees for example is making forest fires more frequent. We're being rationed water-even when we have so much that it runs into the ocean at times. Taxes and taxes but it's not coming back to us. No one knows where it goes actually.
That said, there's a lot of places to go biking and the weather is great. I want a Creo...yes, back on topic.
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
I never bothered to weigh my Creo when I took delivery. The bike shop where I purchased it at told me 27lbs. 11 oz. and the EBR review has it tipping the scales at 28.8 lbs. With pedals (EH500), pump, saddle/kit, lights, various mounts I figure that it's now hovering around 30lbs +/-. Regardless what the actual weight is it's still a very nimble ride even without assist.
It's the calm before the storm. I took the bike out for a ride out on trails this afternoon one last time before an approaching system arrives Friday morning. It was 4 C at the time I took this shot but felt much colder with the wind gusting 50kph at times plus the snow that fell on Wednesday hasn't completely melted yet. Our region is expecting snowfall amounts of 10-15 cm and the outlook for the next several days doesn’t look too promising either. On the upside, I returned home in time to finish my fall chores.
It's the calm before the storm. I took the bike out for a ride out on trails this afternoon one last time before an approaching system arrives Friday morning. It was 4 C at the time I took this shot but felt much colder with the wind gusting 50kph at times plus the snow that fell on Wednesday hasn't completely melted yet. Our region is expecting snowfall amounts of 10-15 cm and the outlook for the next several days doesn’t look too promising either. On the upside, I returned home in time to finish my fall chores.
Similar threads
