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Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon EVO Review

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Electric Bike Review

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Integrated Downtube Battery Pack 320 Watt Hours

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Super Light 1 1 Motor

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Flared Adventure Gear Hover Drop Bars

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Tcu Charge Level Indicator

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Future Shock 2 Suspension Stem

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Carbon Fiber Fork Boost 12mm Thru Axle

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Road Ebike

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Road Electric Bicycle

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo 160mm Shimano Grx 810 Hydraulic Disc Brakes With Ice Tech Rotors

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Body Geometry Power Sport Saddle

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Alloy Chainring 46 Tooth Narrow Wide

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Front View

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Shimano Rx812 Gx 11 Speed Drivetrain

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Back

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Pathfinder Pro Tires 700x38c

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo 46 8v 3 35ah Range Extender Battery Pack

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Range Extender Battery

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Range Extender Bottle Battery

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo 1 9 Pound Ebike Charger

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo 3 Amp Charger With Sly Splitter Cable

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Electric Road Bike

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Front View

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Drop Bars Roubaix S Wrap

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Future Shock 2 0 Suspension Headset

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Ice Tech Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Dtswiss R470 Db Alloy Wheelset

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Rear Disc Brake 160mm

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Rear Wheel 700x28c

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Shimano Rx812 Gx Derailleur

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Sl 1 1 Mid Drive Motor

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon 46 Narrow Wide Chainring

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Tcu Button Pad 10 Blue Leds

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Turbo Connect Unit Top Tube

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon With Bottle Battery And Charger

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Stock Navy

Specialized Turbo Creo Sl Comp Carbon Evo Stock High Step Sage Green

A lightweight gravel grinder road ebike with flared handlebars, wide treaded tires, a seat post dropper, and unique Future Shock 2.0 steer tube suspension. Available in six frame sizes, sold through a vast network of dealers with professional fitting systems, solid two-year comprehensive warranty. The frame offers provisions for two bottle cages, fenders, and a rear rack, wide range of color options
Boost hub spacing with sturdy 12mm thru-axles provide stiffness and control at higher speeds, sturdier spoke bracing angle, wheels won't go out of true as easily and both wheels offer quick release systems. Powerful fast-cooling 160mm hydraulic disc brakes using Shimano ICE-Tech rotors that dissipate heat from stainless steel rotors through aluminum alloy cores and air directing
One of the lightest yet most satisfying electric road bikes I've tested to date, the motor is surprisingly zippy and actually supports 28mph riding, the internal battery offers modest capacity but weighs under 4lbs. Additional Range Extender bottle-shaped batteries are easy to use and look great on the frame
Y-splitter cable to charge the main battery and bottle battery simultaneously costs extra, the Range Extender battery cable is not included when you buy the accessory, the bikes are fairly expensive in general and offer lower capacity battery sizes by default... and they're not removable (avoid leaving your bike in extreme heat), dropper post seems less useful than a suspension seat post here, no charging ports for aftermarket lights or the Mission Control smartphone app

Make:

Specialized

Model:

Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon EVO

Price:

$6,500

Body Position:

Forward, Forward Aggressive

Suggested Use:

Road, Trail

Electric Bike Class:

Speed Pedelec (Class 3)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Comprehensive, Lifetime Frame and Fork

Availability:

Canada, Europe, United States

Model Year:

2020

Total Weight:

31.6 lbs (14.33 kg)

Battery Weight:

3.96 lbs (1.79 kg)

Motor Weight:

4.29 lbs (1.94 kg)

Frame Material:

Specialized FACT 11r Carbon Fiber

Frame Sizes:

16.33 in (41.47 cm)17.61 in (44.72 cm)18.79 in (47.72 cm)19.78 in (50.24 cm)20.76 in (52.73 cm)21.94 in (55.72 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Large 502.5mm Measurements: 20" Seat Tube Length, 21.5" Reach, 29.75" Stand Over, 33.25" Minimum Saddle Height, 20.75" Width, 68.25" Length

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Sage Green with Black Accents, Navy with White and Carbon

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Carbon Fiber, Boost 110mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Thru-Axle with Quick Release

Frame Rear Details:

Boost 148mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Thru-Axle with Quick Release

Attachment Points:

Two Bottle Cage Mounts, Rear Rack Mounts, Fender Mounts

Gearing Details:

11 Speed 1x11 Shimano RX812 GX Shadow Plus Derailleur with One-Way Clutch, Sunrace 11-42 Tooth Cassette

Shifter Details:

Shimano GRX 810 Paddle Shifters on Right (One High, Three-Shift Low)

Cranks:

Praxis, Forged Aluminum Alloy M30, Custom Offset, 165mm to 175mm Length, Aluminum Alloy 46 Tooth Narrow-Wide Chainring, 110 BCD Spider, 181mm Q-Factor

Pedals:

Specialized Dirt

Headset:

Threadless, Cartridge Bearings, Tapered 1-1/ 8" to 1-1/ 2"

Stem:

Specialized Future Shock 2.0 with Smooth Boot Hydraulic Damping (Compression Rebound Dial), 6° Rise, 70mm to 100mm Length, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter

Handlebar:

Specialized Adventure Gear Hover Drop Bars, 103mm Drop, 70mm Reach, 12º Flare

Brake Details:

Shimano GRX 810 Hydraulic Disc with 160mm Dual-Layer ICE-Tech Rotors, Shimano GRX Dual-Piston Calipers, Shimano GRX 810 Four-Finger Hooded Levers with Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Specialized Roubaix S-Wrap (Suede Finish Paired with EVA Vibration Damping Foam), Shimano Rubber Hoods

Saddle:

Body Geometry Power Sport, Hollow Cr-Mo Rails

Seat Post:

X-Fusion Manic Dropper Seat Post, 50mm Travel

Seat Post Length:

300 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

27.2 mm

Rims:

DT SWISS R470 db, Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, 622x20, 24 Hole, Tubeless Ready

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 15 Gauge, Black with Nipples

Tire Brand:

Pathfinder Pro, 700x38c (38x622)

Wheel Sizes:

29 in (73.66cm)

Tire Details:

50 to 80 PSI, 3.5 to 5.5 BAR, 2 BLISS Ready, GRIPTON Compound, Endurant Resilient Core

Tube Details:

Presta Valve (48mm)

Accessories:

Long Rubberized Chain Stay Slap Guard, Optional Range Extender Battery Pack ($450, 46.8 Volts, 3.35 Amp Hours, 160 Watt Hours, 2.3lbs 1.04kg) Range Extender Cable ($45) SLY Charging Split Cable ($65), Replacement Charger ($200), Optional Replacement Battery ($700), Optional TCD LCD Display ($90, Battery Percentage, Pedal Cadence, Speed, Distance, Trip Time, Odometer, Calories, Pedal Watts, Time)

Other:

Downtube-Integrated Battery Pack (Removable with Tools), 1.9lb 54.6 Volt 3.0 Amp Charger, 181mm Q-Factor, KMC X11ET Chain with Missing Link, Maximum Motor RPM Support 120, IP67 Rated Against Water and Dust (Main Battery, Range Extender Battery, SL 1.1 Motor, TCU Display)

Motor Brand:

Specialized SL 1.1 (MAHLE GmbH German Manufacturer)

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

240 watts

Motor Peak Output:

240 watts

Motor Torque:

35 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Panasonic, LG, or Samsung, 5,000 mAh 2,170 Cells

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

6.9 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

331.2 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

2.5 hours (7 Hours with Optional Travel Charger)

Estimated Min Range:

35 miles (56 km)

Estimated Max Range:

75 miles (121 km)

Display Type:

Turbo Connect Unit (TCU), Rubberized LED Console on Top Tube (Blue and Green LEDs), Buttons: Power, S Button (Hold S for No Assist)

Readouts:

Battery Charge Level (10 Bars Total, 5 Bars for Range Extender Battery), Assist Level (0-3)

Display Accessories:

Mission Control App (Bluetooth, iOS and Android, Can Turn Off LEDs), ANT+ Wireless (For Heart Rate Monitors)

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Measures Rear Wheel Speed, Pedal Cadence, and Pedal Torque over 1,000 Times per Second, Offers 180% Peak Multiplication Force of Rider Input)

Top Speed:

28 mph (45 kph)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This in-depth review was sponsored by Specialized Bicycle Components. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Specialized products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below and the Specialized electric bike forums.

Observations:

The new Specialized SL (Super Light) motor system is very impressive… not only is it compact and lightweight at just 4.3lbs, it actually provides good power, can operate above 120 RPM so you can pedal fast in low gears without losing support, and it functions as a Class 3 motor supporting top speeds of 28mph very capably
The main battery can be removed with help from your local shop, so the bike could be ridden non-electric, and you can travel with it on airplanes… running off of the Range Extender battery pack only (which is ~160 watt hours and legal for carryon luggage for most commercial flights)
The Comp Carbon and Comp Carbon EVO both come in multiple colors and six frame sizes, the main differences for the EVO gravel grinder setup are flared handlebars, wider treaded tires, and a seat post dropper… which crates a weight difference of roughly 1.9lbs (31.6lbs for the Comp Carbon EVO vs. 29.7 for the Comp Carbon)

Pros:

No compromises here, I love that the frame has provisions for bottle cages on the downtube and seat tube, and that there are mounting points for fenders and a rear rack
Incredibly stealthy design… this thing genuinely looks like an analog bicycle because the motor casing is so compact and the battery is completely internalized, there are no big LCD displays to distract or cause glare, and the LED readouts on the TCU interface can be disabled using the Mission Control app
Excellent weight distribution, it’s all kept low and centered on the frame and the bike balanced well when lifting from the center (as I weighed it)
The Creo SL Comp Carbon EVO (gravel grinder trail model) comes in two awesome frame colors… I was testing the satin green with black splatter accents, but they also sell a gloss navy with white that has carbon accents (you can see the carbon layers). Note that the carbon can look uneven and reflect up, it’s a more organic style and some people have made comments about it on the Specialized website saying they wish the whole thing was Navy
Motor activation is fairly smooth and fluid (both powering up and cutting out), it’s a zippy noticeable feeling that beats all of the other lightweight road bike models I’ve tested including 250 watt hub motors and the Fazua mid-drive, it’s akin to a Bosch Gen 4 Speed, just a lot smaller and lighter
There’s no reduction gearing or drag here, when riding completely unassisted or pedaling beyond the supported 28mph (45km/h) top speed, it feels really smooth and natural vs. having a big “wall” cutout feeling
Tight tolerance on the battery pack alignment and locking system, you don’t hear it rattling around at higher speeds, even off-road on the gravel we traversed, same thing goes for the Range Extender battery pack, which includes a thick rubber band to surround the battery and secure it to a Z-Cage
Wider Boost hub spacing provides a sturdier spoke bracing angle for strength and stability at high speeds, both axles are thicker 12mm with threaded quick release for easy trail maintenance and fixes
Extra-long rubber slap guard protects the carbon frame from chain strikes when riding on bumpy terrain, it’s a clean lightweight design that’s effective
Narrow-wide tooth pattern on the lightweight aluminum alloy chainring reduces drops and provides a tighter connection, so you and the motor achieve maximum power transfer when pedaling
The Shimano GX derailleur is tucked close to the frame and offers a one-way clutch that reduces chain bounce at higher speeds and on off-road gravel sections, click it up to engage or click it down to perform drivetrain maintenance or remove the rear wheel more easily
X-Fusion Manic dropper post provides seamless transitioning from road to gravel and bumpy sections where you want some extra clearance to absorb terrain changes with your legs, they chose a shorter 50mm travel design and 27.2mm diameter to save weight
Vast network of dealers makes it easier to see, touch, and get fitted on the bike, excellent two year comprehensive warranty with lifetime frame and wheelset… Specialized is now securely positioned as one of the most innovative and committed ebike makers in North America, I reviewed their first entry way back in 2012 and they’ve only gotten better while pushing the boundaries of speed pedelecs while other companies shied away based on European standards. Thanks for your bravery and commitment Specialized!
It’s awesome that Specialized has allowed you to choose which battery is drawn down first, or to drain them both in tandem, using the Mission Control app… this way you won’t be cycling one battery constantly, wearing through its cycles faster

Cons:

Be sure that you purchase a left-entry Specialized Z-Cage bottle holder if you buy the Range Extender battery because the cable comes out of the left side of the battery and the security notch will then be aligned with the front… we had a right-entry Z-Cage and the battery didn’t seat quite right as a result
The Y charging cable (to fill the main battery and an optional Range Extender battery costs extra, and the little cable going from the Range Extender to the bike costs extra
Unlike the Turbo Levo models, the Creos do not include a remote button pad with the S, +, -, and Walk Mode… so you have to take your hands off the handlebar to switch modes, and I don’t think there’s a walk mode here
The TCU LED console is pretty decent, but it doesn’t show your current speed, max speed, trip distance, range, or any other interesting stats. So, it’s nice that Specialized has a smartphone app offering more feedback, but it would be useful to somehow charge your phone off of the main ebike battery, a USB charging port or wireless charging mount would be awesome to see in the future
There’s no shift sensing built into the Specialized motor controllers, and this can lead to increased chain and sprocket wear if you don’t back off a bit on your pedaling while shifting… though it wasn’t a big issue for me during the test rides, the lower powered motor and multi-sensing controller means you shouldn’t cause as much drivetrain damage from poor shifts and it’s easy enough to back off a bit as you shift and actually have the motor system respond and ease back as well… just like you’d do on an analog non-electric bicycle
The primary battery pack is not designed to be removed, you’ll need to remove the motor and bottom bracket with help from your shop. This means you can’t easily charge the main battery separately from the frame or store it separately to reduce heat damage… you have to store the entire bike in a cool dry environment
The charge port on the bike frame is very low, so you have to bend way over, and it’s positioned in the path of the left crank arm which could snag and pop the plug out… ideally it would be on the drivetrain side of the bike vs. the brake side because the proper way to lay a bike down (that doesn’t have a kickstand) is to do so on the non-driveside
No provisions for a kickstand, this is a minor gripe considering the use case of these lightweight performance road style ebikes… at least they included bottle cage bosses, and rack and fender mounts
Minor consideration here, I’ve seen Specialized launch really custom hardware before and then change it up within a year or two, dropping support for replacement parts. Their IP67 rated motor, battery, and display all seem solid, I just hope they stock up on replacement bits so people who make the big purchase can keep their bikes on the road as their technology advances forward… they’re just a lot more custom and less modular than Bosch, for example, which supports their battery designs for 10+ years
Take extra care when unplugging the range extender cable from the bike, because there’s a twist lock feature that might be engaged and you could crack the plastic if you don’t check for it
Minor consideration here, the older Turbo electric bike products from Specialized used a magnetic Rosenberger plug that would easily disconnect if you tripped over the cable, but the new cables are more plastic friction-stick that could pull the bike over. And, be careful with the pedals and cranks once the bike is plugged in, because the charging port is very close to the left crank arm

Useful Resources:

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Andrew Beattie

5 years ago

Going to ride one Friday for 80klms on test. Will tell you if the battery lasts!!!

Court

Awesome, I’d love to hear your results! Keep in mind that weight, tire pressure, wind, and outside air temperature can all play a role in range. Of course, terrain has an impact, and the level of assist that you ride in is going to be part of it. The min/max range I provide on the website is a best guess based on manufacturer, dealer, end user, and my own thoughts on battery capacity with the drive system and bike weight plus tire type. It’s highly subjective… so getting real world feedback is AWESOME and I appreciate yours. Please include your weight and the assist level etc. so it can really help others ;)

will do

Jack

Court brotha, this is your best review yet! Get your hands on a Domane+ HP so I can make up my mind!

Thanks… are you still doing priuslife?
Jack

Hi Jack! Thanks for the props. Yeah, I still have a Prius, but I’m not living in it… just traveling. I donated my old Prius when I moved to Canada, so got a new red one that’s working out (when it’s not covered with snow!) I’ll keep an eye out for the Domane+ HP, thanks again for the comment and encouragement :D

Andy

Hi, nice review. Is 38c the widest tire the frame/fork will allow?

Hi Andy! I’m sorry it took a while to get back to you on this. I had to ask the Specialized rep again because I think they were busy and missed the question the first time. I was told that 700x42c is the largest tire that will work on the Creo models :)

Steve

Hi Court, Could you advise as to what size Creo for someone 5’10” would be best?

Hi Steve! Great question. I’m 5’9″ weighing ~135lbs and tested both large and medium frame sizes. Here’s me on the medium in another review. I prefer the smaller frame for road but might inch up to the large for gravel if you’re looking at the EVO. You get more foot clearance, a bit more stability… there’s a slight increase in weight and turning slows down a tad bit. I tend to prefer smaller bike frames and am right in between the medium and large for most brands. Smaller means lighter and it gives me a sense of control over the bike. I think it really comes down to your own preferences, but the cool thing about Specialized is that they have so many dealers! You could go check them out back to back, even if they are different bikes, just get a feel for the frames. I hope this helps! You might have better resale on Large if you’re getting a masculine colored frame. Note that the medium and large are smack in the middle of the range for specialized… they have two frames smaller and two frames larger for the Creo bikes. I think that says a lot, both sizes will be popular ;)

Yossi

I’m wondering whether this can support the long rides. I’ve been riding a BULLS E-Stream 2 for the past few years. The battery is a beast – 647 wh. The bike is a beast too – 50lb, plus when I do my longer rides I’m packing a spare battery so we’re starting off with 60lb and then throw in kit, snacks, etc. Anyway, two of these batteries get me 100 miles with 6,000 feet of elevation, which is pretty much my ambition for the season. Most weekends I’ll go for around 60 miles, 3,500 feet elevation and then toward the end of the season I work up to the big one.

Now I’m looking (drooling) at the Creo – this is one fine looking ride! But I just don’t know whether it will support the types of rides I like to go on. Not the terrain – that’s no problem, gravel is perfect for my area. But the battery is so much smaller than I have been using. On the other hand, the bike is so much lighter, for starters we’ll be lopping off 20 lb.

If you can provide me with your experiences as far as what you’re getting in terms of distance/elevation, that will be very helpful advice. Thanks!

Hi Yossi! I’d love to give you my own honest feedback about range… but I don’t have anything to share. My time spent reviewing these bikes was very limited and we didn’t range test the battery. I will try to get more info in the future, and I love that they offer the spare bottle batteries as a way to extend rides. Perhaps someone else will chime in with a reply, or you could re-post your question in the Specialized ebike forum and see if anyone else got a Creo or the new Turbo SL (which uses the same motor/battery setup).

William Taylor

4 years ago

Is there any long term reviews or long term owners of this Bike? Its the price of a small used car. Thus, I’m curious about reliability and long term ownership? Does anyone have any warranty stories to share? Do you feel the value is there at $7K minimum? Finally, is there insurance on the bike you can purchase? Just curious. Thanks for any constructive response.

Hi William! Check out Velosurance for bicycle insurance (which can also cover accessories and not reduce their value over time the way some other insurance does). While I have not owned and regularly tested the SL drive system from Specialized, I do feel that it’s working well because I have not seen many complaints here or in the Specialized ebike forums we host. That’s a good place to post the same question though, to get some input.