Turbo Creo SL Expert Evo/Road Info.

[Liisjak]

Hello,

so I'm in the market for a Creo and my local dealer is offering me 20% off on a 2020 EVO Expert model or 15% off on a 2021 road model, needless to say, I'm torn as to which to choose.
I've heard that the dropper seat post is nothing to write home about, and the gravel pathfinders are quite clunky and heavy. On the 2021 model I'd get the remote on the bar, but is it really worth the price difference?
I haven't been able to demo the bike...so does anyone have any experience on how does it compare to let's say a Diverge? As the limit in my country for E-bikes is 25 km/h and I imagine I'd be going over the limit quite often.

Any kind of info. would be greatly appreciated

 

[Deacon Blues]

I test rode a couple of Creos before the pandemic hit (a basic aluminum model and a carbon SL Expert). At the time one of my two road bikes was a 2016 carbon Diverge. The Creos felt very similar to the Diverge, just a bit heavier. The aluminum Creo felt a bit stiffer in the rear, but the Future Shock really improved the front end ride over my Diverge, which didn't have the FS.

 

[Alaskan]

It really depends on where you ride and which bike is better equipped for that. Don't get suckered in by a few dollars into a bike that does match your type of riding as well.

 

[JeffC57]

On the 2021 model I'd get the remote on the bar, but is it really worth the price difference?

I think the remote buttons are an essential accessory. Without them, it is more difficult to change support level and you probably won't do it as often as you should. You can add the remote buttons to the handlebars on any Creo. In the US they cost about $70 USD. Also some of the the 2021 models have a chain stay which can also be retrofitted on a 2020 Creo. I have a 2020 Creo CC EVO and I had my bike shop install both the remote buttons and the chain stay.

 

[Oberst]

I think the remote buttons are an essential accessory. Without them, it is more difficult to change support level and you probably won't do it as often as you should. You can add the remote buttons to the handlebars on any Creo. In the US they cost about $70 USD. Also some of the the 2021 models have a chain stay which can also be retrofitted on a 2020 Creo. I have a 2020 Creo CC EVO and I had my bike shop install both the remote buttons and the chain stay.

Same here. Would not have bought without the buttons!

 

[eddief]

I think the only negative about my Creo WAS having to deal with the interface on the top tube. Not terrible, but pretty inconvenient. I installed my own remote buttons and now the bike is perfect. Finding YOUR location for the buttons can be a bit trial and error.

 

[Liisjak]

Thanks a lot guys for the info. A friend of mine is selling a Trek Checkpoint SL 7 2020 for less than half of its original price and I'll test ride it and hopefully, I can find a Creo to demo and compare.
I'd mainly use the motor to get back home as I live on top of a 7km more or less steep climb...which is kind of annoying after a 70-100 km tour.

 

[jodi2]

Not everyone feels the same, I don't need the remote buttons, I prefer the clean look without them. Also you need them less often on a 25km/h limited Creo, where you need to change the levels less often, as you are often riding over the limit/without motor. On those Creos you normally stay in level1 all the time, just in stronger uphills you switch to level2 or 3 once in a while.
But of course the remote buttons are very small and almost invisible and do not really hurt. But they aren't a must have for everyone on a 25km/h Creo, depends on the price.
Tires are always a very personal thing an easy to change.
If you need the dropper post or not, you should know. The one on Comp Carbon Evo and Expert Evo ist still a quite cheap and heavy dropper post.

But I wonder if you are thinking of buying a Creo just because of a good deal? We can't judge how a Creo feels for you, you should try yourself before buying one and also if it fulfills your expectatations and needs and is suited for your height profile. There are almost no other ebikes which ride better/with less resistance without motor or over the 25km/ limit. So it's no problem if you ride often over the limit, you will never feel like someone/something ist braking you down like with other ebike over the speed limit. But you will also not take much advantage of the motor, so if you ride 95% over the limit, you ride 95% an very expensive and heavier bike instead of using simply an lighter and cheaper "organic" bike.
A "normal fit" rider will normally pass the 25km/h if it's flat and won't have much advantage of 25km/h Creo let's say in the Netherlands. But a rider in the alps would make best use of it...

 

[pbd87]

The Creo feels just like a heavy Diverge. I rode them back-to-back several times when deciding what to get. I got the Creo. I've ridden it up mountains, with and without the assist. With assist off, it literally just feels like a Diverge that's 10lbs heavier. But then you press that little button, and it suddenly feels a lot lighter than a Diverge. I would've gotten a Diverge, and spend a large majority of my recreational time in 0 assist or lowest assist (which is really just enough to cancel out the weight penalty on a hill, I think, or just enough to make a headwind disappear). But I got the Creo because I wanted to also use it to commute, and the motor makes the commute SO much faster and more pleasant. On recreational rides, I will also kick the motor into highest assist in a couple of sketchy road sections between my house and the trails, and it's great for that, to get out of harm's way faster.

The Road Remote buttons are mandatory for me, both when riding in traffic and when riding up a dirt trail, mountain, etc. But they're easy to install yourself after, you don't need them installed by the shop. I got a Comp Evo version, and after just a week or 2, I yanked out the dropper and replaced it with a Roval Carbon post (I needed setback and I didn't use the dropper), installed the buttons, and re-wrapped new tape, super easy. Doing it yourself also means you can experiment with where to put the buttons for your own preferences. Mine ended up on the inside of the bar, under the shifters, and I can easily reach them from both the hoods and the drops. I also wrapped the tape over them, so they're 99% invisible, can't tell they're there.

 

[jodi2]

The Creo feels just like a heavy Diverge. I rode them back-to-back several times when deciding what to get. I got the Creo. I've ridden it up mountains, with and without the assist. With assist off, it literally just feels like a Diverge that's 10lbs heavier. But then you press that little button, and it suddenly feels a lot lighter than a Diverge. I would've gotten a Diverge, and spend a large majority of my recreational time in 0 assist or lowest assist (which is really just enough to cancel out the weight penalty on a hill, I think, or just enough to make a headwind disappear).

Motor/motor support does not equal weight difference between bikes or ebikes. If so my 27-28kg Stromer should feel the same with motor support or even "lighter" as my 13kg Creo. And that's definitely not the case. So the Creo never feels as light as a Diverge in handling/agility, but not that far away from the Diverge. And it feels lightyears better than a heavy standard ebike with normal motor/drive...
A little bit more weight or let's say stronger built/stronger frame also sometimes is better. My actual normal gravel bike without motor is a very light one and almost to light/to senible for my actual weight, I feeel better/more stable on the Creo at the moment, even without motor. This is surely different for light riders...

 

[pbd87]

Motor/motor support does not equal weight difference between bikes or ebikes. If so my 27-28kg Stromer should feel the same with motor support or even "lighter" as my 13kg Creo. And that's definitely not the case. So the Creo never feels as light as a Diverge in handling/agility, but not that far away from the Diverge. And it feels lightyears better than a heavy standard ebike with normal motor/drive...
A little bit more weight or let's say stronger built/stronger frame also sometimes is better. My actual normal gravel bike without motor is a very light one and almost to light/to senible for my actual weight, I feeel better/more stable on the Creo at the moment, even without motor. This is surely different for light riders...

I was specifically referring to riding up hills, where a motor can remove a weight penalty. That's all I was saying.

Of course nimbleness and handling isn't affected. It'll still feel 10lbs heavier. But you don't have to muscle those extra 10lbs up hill when you can turn on the assist, I thought that should've been obvious.

 

[jodi2]

I was specifically referring to riding up hills, where a motor can remove a weight penalty. That's all I was saying.

Of course nimbleness and handling isn't affected. It'll still feel 10lbs heavier. But you don't have to muscle those extra 10lbs up hill when you can turn on the assist, I thought that should've been obvious.

Of course, but this is true for ANY ebike compared to a lighter bike without motor, no matter if the ebike is 10, 20 or 30 lbs heavier. I think the special "position" of new ebikes with assist drive like Creo or Vado SL is worth a precise description, what it's like and what you can expext. Your know for sure (or you wouldn't have bought an expensive Creo) but people who are new to these bikes/to this ebike category may misunderstand "you press that little button, and it suddenly feels a lot lighter than a Diverge".

 

[bayareabikeman]

I think the remote buttons are an essential accessory. Without them, it is more difficult to change support level and you probably won't do it as often as you should. You can add the remote buttons to the handlebars on any Creo. In the US they cost about $70 USD. Also some of the the 2021 models have a chain stay which can also be retrofitted on a 2020 Creo. I have a 2020 Creo CC EVO and I had my bike shop install both the remote buttons and the chain stay.

What do you mean by "chain stay". Do you mean chain stay protector?

 

[Calcoaster]

What do you mean by "chain stay". Do you mean chain stay protector?

I think he might mean a chain keeper. Some people complained of chain drops, especially on the earlier Creo’s. Some other causes seemed to be wrong chain installation: inner and outer teeth on the (wave type) chain ring need to match up with the proper chain links, and the rear derailleur has a clutch lever that locks it. It’s easy to forget to engage the lever after changing a tire or working on the chain. The keeper seemed to be an easy solution for most people.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

a chain keeper.

A "chain guide"

 

[kahn]

A "chain guide"

I actually prefer KEEPER. It really is not guiding anything but preventing the chain from jumping up and OFF and jammed into the damn works - that is between the front gear and the motor housing.

Or you can also call it a hand cleaner - as you no longer have to grab the chain and yank and yank and keep yanking as you try to lever it out of the jammed position - ask me how I know and know and know!!!!

 

[JeffC57]

What do you mean by "chain stay". Do you mean chain stay protector?

Maybe chain stay isn’t the correct term. Here is a picture of one. My Creo didn’t come from the factory with one. They came with some ‘21 and later models on some Creos. My LBS got one for my ‘20 Creo and installed it for me. Here is a picture

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I actually prefer KEEPER. It really is not guiding anything but preventing the chain from jumping up and OFF and jammed into the damn works - that is between the front gear and the motor housing.

Or you can also call it a hand cleaner - as you no longer have to grab the chain and yank and yank and keep yanking as you try to lever it out of the jammed position - ask me how I know and know and know!!!!

It's a "chain guide", like it or not Fortunately, the bike terminology is very clear. Which reminds me of the following anecdote:

Once, my band played in a talent show. One of our guys played a mandolin, which resembled a small guitar. After we finished, one of the jurors started asking questions:
-- What is this strange instrument you're playing?
-- It's a mandolin.
-- Weird... It does not look like a mandolin. Are you sure your instrument might not bear another name?
-- It's a mandolin. This instrument got its name very long time ago and there is no need to invent yet another name for it.

 

[cj3209]

Still trying to decide if I'm going to keep the dropper post and change out the pathfinder pro tires. I use the dropper post on my MTB for rough stretches and going downhill as fast as I can just like in one of the recent pro races. Maybe I'll try that on the Creo...lol...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Why should you change the Pathfinders Pro?