Using the Specialized Mission Control app allows each of these modes to be customized. There are four assist settings-off, Eco, Sport and Turbo-that are controlled with a top-tube-mounted control unit. The internal battery can be removed for airline travel or to lower the bike’s overall weight. There is a 320-Wh internal battery that puts the range at 80 miles, with an optional 160-Wh external bottle-cage-mounted battery that can add another 40 miles of range (again, depending on conditions like rider weight, wind and topography). The new motor, while much less powerful than the other motors at 240 watts and 35 N/m, is extremely efficient. It is worth noting, however, that unlike the Specialized, you can swap out the rear wheel of a bike with a rear-hub motor (e.g., Bianchi Aria E-Road, Pinarello Dyodo, Orbea Gain, among others) and automatically lose a majority of the added weight and be left with a close-to-traditional pedal bike.Īfter relying on a partnership with Swiss motor maker Brose for their previous efforts, Specialized told us they felt restricted by the design constraints of their partners on their previous Turbo bikes, so this is an all-new motor platform (with a new partner) that they have been working on for a while now. We’ve ridden a few e-road bikes with rear-hub motors that are about the same weight, but none offer the promise of 80 miles of range on a single charge (depending on conditions) as the Creo SL does. One of the most impressive numbers mentioned was the bike’s weight, hitting the scales at just under 27 pounds for the 54cm complete build. The 1x-specific drivetrain uses a Praxis crank, and all the current builds use Shimano shifters, brakes and gearing. This means finding wheels other than those Specialized offers is currently nearly impossible. New to Specialized is the use of what they call “boost road hub spacing” with a 110x12mm front and 148x12mm rear thru-axle. The other three models will be road-oriented, but since they all share the same frameset, you could modify the setup to your liking if you have any cash left, which will be a challenge for most of us.Īll the bikes use the front Future Shock 2.0 fork (with 20mm of travel) that was recently launched on the new Roubaix. The Creo SL is available in four models, one of which is gravel-ready with a dropper post and 38mm tires. The overall geometry is very similar to the Diverge with a low bottom bracket and room to fit up to a 42mm tire. The new Fact 11r carbon Creo SL frame combines much of the knowledge that Specialized acquired from their non-assist road and gravel bikes when it comes to construction and geometry. The Turbo Creo SL EVO is built for gravel and multi-surface riding with 38mm tires stock and a dropper seatpost. When the invite for the launch of their all-new Turbo Creo SL arrived, we jumped at the chance to head out to Santa Cruz, California, for a preview of both their road and gravel versions. Specialized promises their new offering provides all the joys of riding a traditional bike with the added benefits of a little extra power. While we have sister zine Electric Bike Action magazine to do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to motor-assisted bikes, the chance to try the new Specialized Creo e-road bike was too enticing to pass up. Whether you like it or hate it, road e-bikes have arrived.
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