Papadevo
New Member
LOL. Funny I’ve been thinking about fenders. Winter is coming, and for me that’s the wet season. Most of the trails will be closed soon, so new tires for the road are my current obsession.
Specialized Turbo Creo 28mph Electric Road Bike
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Prairie Dog
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I've been using a set of SKS Raceblade Pro XLs on one of my other bikes but it doesn't extend down far enough to shield the forward drivetrain. The fenders get strapped on in a pinch if I know I'm going to be riding in wet terrain. I used the Raceblades on the Creo the day after it snowed last week and they perform well enough for clip-on mudguards. It's nice to know that they can be swapped between geometries with just a few adjustments to the hex bolts. I hope to take the Creo out a few more rides until the snow becomes a permanent sight on the roads here.
I was also thinking of WTB Riddlers in 700-45, but decided for Panaracer Gravelking SK 700-43. (I love the tire, the grip is great, but it's still ok an tarmac.)
Even with this 43mm tire (really 43mm) the clearance in the rear is already limited, I wouldn't use a wider one there. And I'm not sure yet if my SKS speed rocker guards will fit.
Even with this 43mm tire (really 43mm) the clearance in the rear is already limited, I wouldn't use a wider one there. And I'm not sure yet if my SKS speed rocker guards will fit.
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
Another good gravel option would be the Specialized Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss tire. It has a solid rubber center strip that I would hopefully make this tire still fairly quick, for a gravel tire, on pavement.
Come is a 700 x 38 and a 700 x 42. I just bought a set of 650b x 47 Pathfinders for my Cannondale Topstone Neo Lefty 3.
www.specialized.com
Come is a 700 x 38 and a 700 x 42. I just bought a set of 650b x 47 Pathfinders for my Cannondale Topstone Neo Lefty 3.
Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss Ready
Born in the American Midwest, gravel riding is one of the fastest–growing styles of cycling. The sense of adventure, conquering new challenges, and simp...
Prairie Dog
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Nice to see a photo of a Creo in that part of the hemisphere. Sweet ride! 
FlatSix911
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Well done!
Aren’t those the stock tires on the EVO?
abercrombie
Member
Since I hate changing tires on the side of the road, usually I put in tire liners right away after getting a new bike but I let this Creo SL slide for a bit. Wanted to see what local eKOMs I could break before potentially slowing down the rolling resistance with tire liners. Did another ride, and got another eKOM but on the way home finally got a rear flat riding through road debris after almost 4 weeks and 205 miles. Just put in tire liners in both the front and back, still using the stock tires. Usually I do Mr. Tuffy but decided to give Rhinodillos a try this time.
Weight increased from 13.46kg to 14.03kg.
Weight increased from 13.46kg to 14.03kg.
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When you turn on your Creo, does it start up in the Sport mode (middle option) or does it start up in Eco mode (first option)? Can you choose which mode you want it to start in? If so, how so?UPDATE: I just finished a review for the Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon models here, which includes a full list of specs and video with ride footage! I'm very impressed with the bike and love the new SL 1.1 motor system... it only weighs ~4lbs but provides a surprising amount of zip and power.
Specialized reached out to me earlier this month with some news about their upcoming Turbo Creo SL, which is a high speed electrified road bicycle with the tagline "it's Julian, only faster". For those who aren't familiar with Julian Alaphilippe, he's a celebrated French road cyclist and cyclocross athlete who is renowned for his climbing ability and endurance. So the idea here is that the new Creo ebike will help you climb like a pro, and maybe even do it faster
Name: Specialized Turbo Creo
Marketing Intro: We’re going to flatten your climbs. We’re going to make you laugh at headwinds, ride farther, and go faster than you ever imagined. That’s what our first Turbo road bike is all about. Because, let’s be honest, riding faster is just more fun. Turbo Creo SL—It’s You, Only Faster.
Marketing Overview: The Turbo Creo SL isn’t just the lightest e-bike in its class, it’s literally kilograms lighter than the competition at just 12.2kg (26.89lb) for the S-Works Creo SL. We made the frame out of our FACT 11r carbon, and we designed it to handle like a Tarmac to inspire dancing on the pedals and diving into corners. And with the Future Shock 2.0, and its adjustable damper, we suspend you, not the bike to deliver more control, confidence, and comfort.
We launched Turbo seven years ago, and since then, we’ve been relentless in our pursuit of the perfect e-bike—bikes that feel like you, only faster. Since there wasn’t a motor and system on the market for a performance road bike that we were satisfied with, we developed our own. Designed in California and engineered in Switzerland (the heart of the e-bike revolution), the new Specialized SL 1.1 represents the ideal performance e-road bike motor. It’s based on a decade of research, development, and ride testing, and it features the perfect combination of power, weight, size, range, and ride quality, so it delivers the consistent power in the natural cadence that riders need. In order to build a performance e-road bike, all of these features needed to come together to deliver a true performance road bike experience.
Ultralight and whisper quiet, the Specialized SL 1.1 motor doubles your effort with silky smooth power delivery—power that feels like it’s straight from your legs. No unnatural power curve, lurching, or motor jumps. It delivers up to 240 watts of power that are in sync with your cadence all the way to 28 mph for real-world road riding. And when you want to pedal unassisted, there’s no drag holding you back.
With up to 80 miles of range from the internal battery alone, the Turbo Creo SL lets you enjoy the power, not worry about the range. Our Range Extender, included with the S-Works build and available aftermarket on other models, provides up to 40 additional miles of mountain-flattening power. The internal battery offers 320Wh, while the Range Extender is a 160Wh battery. The Turbo Creo SL’s internal battery can be charged in as little as 2 hours and 35 minutes. Every rider and every ride are different, so we created a Turbo Creo SL Range Calculator to help you determine exactly how far you ride.
Our Mission Control app has logged millions of miles because it offers an intuitive and seamless way to unleash your Turbo. This is a ride app you’ll actually use. Each of the motor’s three assisted riding modes can be tuned almost infinitely for both peak and sustained power delivery. Mission Control can even manage battery power automatically with Smart Control. Just tell it how far or how long you want to ride, and it will ensure you have the battery power to get there. It can record your ride, send it to third-party apps, and it even has an integrated power meter that can send your power numbers to an ANT+ head unit. While seamless connectivity comes standard with the Creo SL, connecting with Mission Control is always optional. The Turbo Connect Unit on the top tube gives you all the control you need to ride.
Our Turbo Creo SL EVO build takes the bike’s revolutionary e-road performance and creates incredible new opportunities for adventure and exploration. This versatile build adds 38mm Pathfinder tires, flared Adventure Gear Hover bars, and a dropper post for long gravel rides, bikepacking, and venturing into the unknown.
The Turbo Creo SL ushers in the era of the performance e-road bike, and our S-Works Creo SL Founder’s Edition celebrates this with an incredible build at just 11.9kg. A host of special touches, including gold foil graphics, a numbered Founder’s Edition plaque on the chainstay, and a custom Founder’s Edition SL Kit make this very limited-edition bike an instant classic.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
WHEN CAN RIDERS GET A TURBO CREO SL?
The Turbo Creo SL will launch globally on July 16th, but only be available in nine markets initially—USA, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, UK, and the Netherlands—with availability globally in October. Our Founder’s Edition, however, will be available for preorder globally on July 16th.
WHAT WERE THE MAIN GOALS WHEN DEVELOPING THE SPECIALIZED SL1.1 MOTOR AND BATTERY SYSTEM?
The new Specialized SL 1.1 motor represents the ideal performance e-road bike motor, based on a decade of research, development, and ride testing. It features the perfect combination of power, weight, size, range, and ride quality. In order to build a performance e-road bike, all of these features needed to come together to deliver a true performance road bike experience.
HOW MUCH DOES THE MOTOR WEIGH?
At just 1.95kg, the SL 1.1 Motor is essentially half the weight of other crank-based motors. To help achieve this light overall weight, the motor casing is made of magnesium.
HOW MUCH POWER DOES THE NEW MOTOR OUTPUT?
Our SL1.1 motor amplifies rider power up to 240 watts and 35Nm of both peak and sustained power. We tuned our motor to deliver constant, strong support across a wide cadence range for a very natural feel while pedaling.
HOW MANY RIDING MODES ARE THERE AND HOW MUCH ASSIST DO THEY OFFER?
There are three assisted riding modes: ECO, SPORT, and TURBO. ECO matches your effort up to 30% of the motor’s power, SPORT matches your effort up to 60% of the motor’s power, and TURBO matches your effort to 100% of the motor’s power—or 240watts. All three assist modes can be tuned almost infinitely to personalize power levels via our Mission Control App. There is also an unassisted riding mode when no power from the motor is desired.
DO ALL THE MODELS HAVE THE SAME RANGE? WHAT IS IT?
Yes. All models use the same Specialized SL1.1 motor and 320Wh internal battery. Range varies with use, but you can expect up to 130 kilometers (80 miles) of range using ECO mode. With a Range Extender (included with the S-Works and Founder’s Edition models and available aftermarket on other models) another 65 kilometers (40 miles) of range can be added.
IS A RANGE EXTENDER INCLUDED WITH EVERY TURBO CREO SL?
The 160Wh Range Extender comes standard with the S-works and two Range Extenders are included on the Founder’s Edition models. For other models, the Range Extender (adding another 65 kilometers / 40 miles of riding) will be available aftermarket and is the perfect tool to extend your Turbo Creo SL rides even farther.
HOW DOES THE RANGE EXTENDER ATTACH TO THE TURBO CREO SL?
While the Range Extender fits in a normal water bottle cage, we recommend using the Specialized Z-Cage along with the included band for increased security—especially on rougher terrain.
WHAT IMPACTS THE RANGE AND HOW CAN I GET THE MOST DISTANCE POSSIBLE?
There are many variables that influence range. The rider’s weight, fitness, and position on the bike, as well as the bike build, bike weight, tire choice, and tire pressure all impact range. Several environmental influences, such as road conditions, elevation, and weather can impact range as well. The less motor support you require, the longer the battery will last. Riding in ECO mode will generally provide the longest battery life. Our Turbo Range Calculator helps riders predict the range they can expect given certain key metrics.
WHAT MAKES THE TURBO CREO SL SO MUCH LIGHTER THAN THE OTHER BOTTOM-BRACKET-BASED E-ROAD BIKES?
The Turbo Creo SL’s FACT 11r carbon frame combines with the lightweight SL1.1 motor, a magnesium housing, a battery integrated into the frame, and thoughtful builds to create the lightest production e-road bike with a bottom bracket motor in the world.
WHAT IS THE TURBO CREO SL’S Q-FACTOR?
The Turbo Creo SL’s Q-Factor (the distance between crankarms) is 181mm.
HOW MUCH TIRE CLEARANCE DOES THE TURBO CREO SL HAVE?
The Turbo Creo SL has clearance for 42mm tires with 700C rims. With fenders, there’s still clearance for 38mm tires.
CAN I USE 650B WHEELS WITH THE TURBO CREO SL?
Yes. The Turbo Creo SL is compatible with 650b wheels and up to a 47mm tire. Keep in mind the Turbo Creo SL uses 12x110mm front hub spacing and 12x148mm rear spacing.
IS THE TURBO CREO SL EXPERT EVO A DIFFERENT FRAME?
No, it’s the same FACT 11r frame and fork as the other Turbo Creo SL Carbon models, just with an adventure-ready build.
CAN THE TURBO CREO SL’S FIRMWARE BE UPDATED?
The Turbo Creo SL firmware can easily be updated at your local Turbo dealer through Turbo Studio, our retailer service platform. Once connected, the bike automatically checks for the latest software versions available and installs them if needed.
HOW MUCH MOTOR TUNING ABILITY DOES THE MISSION CONTROL APP HAVE?
With the Mission Control App, you can tune the level of assist almost infinitely (both peak power and sustained assistance) for each of the three ride assist levels: ECO, SPORT, and TURBO. Our Mission Control App allows you to fully customize your Turbo Creo SL motor to your personal needs and riding preferences. Of course, we only allow the rider to tune the motor and its behavior within the given speed limits in their respective country. We do not allow riders to tune the motor beyond the legally allowed speed setting.
HOW DOES SMART CONTROL WORK?
Using the Smart Control feature of our Mission Control App enables you to enter how far, or how long, you want to ride, as well as how much battery you would like to have left at the end of your ride. Smart Control then takes care of all battery management to reach those targets. It does this with a smart algorithm that checks the bike’s status every 10 seconds. Keep in mind, with Smart Control initiated on the app, assistance modes cannot be altered via the TCU on the bike’s top tube. Riding with no assistance means you’re not getting any motor support, but that the system is still on and recording/sharing data to display on apps or ANT+ enabled devices.
HOW DOES THE TURBO CONTROL UNIT ON THE BIKE’S TOP TUBE WORK?
The Turbo Control Unit has two buttons and a battery level display. The bottom button is used to turn the bike on, while the top button is used to select one of the three assistance levels—or to ride with no assistance. Quickly push the button to cycle through different modes—1/3 blue circle is ECO, 2/3 blue circle is SPORT, and full blue circle is TURBO. Press and hold the button until all blue lights turn off to ride with no assistance.
CAN THE TURBO CREO SL USE A 2X FRONT CRANK?
No. The SL1 motor is only designed for a 1x setup. Simplicity is key for us. The motor and the wide 1x drivetrain provide plenty of range for all kinds of riders.
HOW MANY SIZES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE TURBO CREO SL?
The Turbo Creo SL comes in six sizes: XS, SM, MD, LG, XL, and XXL. These sizes are equivalent to 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, and 61cm frames.
HOW IS THE TURBO CREO SL CHARGED?
Included with every Turbo Creo SL is a Specialized 48V charger that plugs into a port on the bike’s seat tube, just above the bottom bracket. The Range Extender is charged with the same charger. After plugging in your charger, it will take five seconds for the TCU to light-up and indicate charging. When all blue bars are illuminated, the bike is fully charged. A green LED on the charger indicates “standby,” while a steady red light indicates “charging.” S-Works bikes and Founder’s Edition bikes will ship with a “Y” cable that allows both to be charged simultaneously.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CHARGE THE TURBO CREO SL?
You can expect your Turbo Creo SL’s internal battery to charge from 3% to 100% in approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes. A Range Extender will charge from 3% to 100% in approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. Both the internal and Range Extender batteries will charge from 3% to 100% in approximately 3 hours 20 minutes with a “Y” cable.
CAN THE INTERNAL BATTERY BE REMOVED FOR CHARGING?
The Turbo Creo SL’s internal battery is fully integrated into the frame. It is intended to be charged in the frame. In order to get the battery out of the frame, you need to remove the motor first. It’s this kind of integration that allows the Turbo Creo SL to be so light.
If you want to fly with your Turbo Creo SL, the internal battery needs to be removed. You can carry a Range Extender in your carryon and when you arrive at your location, you can ride the Turbo Creo SL with just the Range Extender.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE BATTERY FALLS BELOW 20%?
When the battery falls below 20% charge, the Turbo Creo SL will automatically enter ECO mode to preserve the remaining battery life. At this point, the riding modes cannot be changed until the battery has been recharged.
WHEN A RANGE EXTENDER IS USED, WHICH BATTERY IS USED FIRST? THE RANGE EXTENDER OR THE INTERNAL?
When using a Range Extender, the default setting is for the Range Extender and Internal Battery to be drained simultaneously. By using Mission Control, however, the protocol can be changed to drain the Range Extender first.
WHAT TYPE OF GEOMETRY DOES THE TURBO CREO SL HAVE?
All Turbo Creo SL’s have our Open Road geometry to provide nimble handling with stable steering and confidence at speed. This also gives the Turbo Creo SL much of its versatility, ably transitioning from a twisting road descent to a long gravel road.
Sport for me, so I have to manually change to ECO before starting. If we could default it to ECO that would be great because sometimes I forget and sport is a bit quick off the mark for me when I'm just starting the ride.
I hardly ever use turbo so thinking of detuning that so I have eco, a slower sport mode and a faster sport mode.
I hardly ever use turbo so thinking of detuning that so I have eco, a slower sport mode and a faster sport mode.
wouldn't it make sense for the default start mode to be eco? is there a way to change the start up mode?
Prairie Dog
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Ditto to that.
Captain Slow
Well-Known Member
which computer is that?
TG Wyoming
New Member
Arnold: Are you referring to Garmin firmware update, or to Creo firmware update?
TG Wyoming
New Member
Battery Management: Any advice on at what level to leave my Creo main battery and range extender if I am storing my bike for six months (inside at 75± degrees F) and will have no access to charge batteries for that time period? Thank you.
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e-levity
Active Member
Wyoming winter cold is bad for them. Ship the bike to me in So. Calif. and I’ll keep I charged for ya the next six months.
Battery Management: Any advice on at what level to leave my Creo main battery and range extender if I am storing my bike for six months (inside at 75± degrees F) and will have no access to charge batteries for that time period? Thank you.
I would get in touch with Specialized and ask them if I was you, I would have serious concerns about a battery if it was not charged in that time.
I would get in touch with Specialized and ask them if I was you, I would have serious concerns about a battery if it was not charged in that time.
Has anyone got any info on the 2021 Creo SL Carbon Comp re changes and availability? I thought I read somewhere that 2021 versions would have mode selector switches on the handlebars. Is that the only changes for 2021 models and when they might be available? My LBS has 2020 models, I wonder if the handlebar mode selector can be retro fitted.
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