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Specialized Turbo Creo SL Review

robb dorr
By
Robb Dorr,
Co-founder
Images from manufacturer's website

RANGE

28 mph

TOP SPEED

3 hrs

CHARGE TIME

27 lbs

WEIGHT

Mid-drive

MOTOR TYPE

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Specialized Turbo Creo SL Review: Takeaway

There are four main features that have inspired the Turbo Creo SL’s cult following: its weight, power, range, and connectivity. Specialized has successfully managed to create a superior e-bike that offers immense power and impressive range without the heavy and bulky frame many have come to expect.

Tech lovers will enjoy the model’s Turbo Connect Unit, which gives you control over your ride at all times. It connects with Specialized’s unique Mission Control app to seamlessly and intuitively manage your battery use, tune your power delivery, and track your key stats.

If you’re a serious cyclist looking for the lightest, yet mightiest of electric bikes (and aren’t afraid to pay top dollar), look no further.

 

Ideal for...

Comfort
Lightweight Riding
Endurance Style Riding
Road Biking
Professional Cyclists

E-Bike Overview

The most-talked-about feature of the Turbo Creo SL is its 240-watt Specialized SL 1.1 lightweight motor, which has been built to operate both smoothly and quietly. The motor has a dynamic torque curve to deliver power exactly in sync with your typical riding tempo. This also means there’s no resistance or drag when riding independently.

Additionally, the e-bike has four assist modes that are managed by the control unit positioned on the top of the tube: Off, Eco, Sport, and Turbo. Each of these modes can be further tailored using the brand’s Mission Control app.

Another noteworthy feature is the addition of Specialized S-Works Turbo RapidAir 2BR tires. These reduce rolling resistance by one watt per tire, improve grip, and extend a tire’s lifespan by about 1,000 kilometers when compared to the original S-Works Turbo RapidAir tires.

Reasons to Buy

The Creo SL is pounds lighter than competing models, making it the lightest e-bike in its class. While its lightweight frame presents obvious advantages for maneuverability and handling, it also lessens the total system weight and leads to increased range.

Many e-bikes average up to 45 miles on a single charge, but not the Turbo Creo SL. With up to 80 miles of range from the internal battery and up to 40 additional miles with the optional range extender, this e-bike is built for long days hitting the trails.

As you would expect from a premium e-bike, the Turbo Creo SL has also been designed for maximum comfort. It provides a seamless riding experience where the bike simply feels like an extension of your body. Its transitions are smooth and subtle, yet there’s no denying its unparalleled power to help you conquer your toughest of rides.

Things to Consider

The most obvious downside to the Specialized Turbo Creo SL is its hefty price tag, with the top-of-the-range S-Works Turbo Creo SL EVO costing $14,750. As serious e-bike riders understand, however, you get what you pay for. Although more expensive than the average electric bike, you can still pick up a model from this range for as low as $6,000 for the Turbo Creo SL Comp E5.

Specs & Components

Colors
Gloss Dusty Blue Pearl, Satin Dusty Blue Pearl, Satin Carbon, Black Tint - Spectraflair, Satin Black, Chrome
Motor
240-watt Specialized SL 1.1 lightweight motor
Battery
Specialized SL1-320, fully integrated, 320Wh
Charging
Custom charger, 48V System with SL system charger plug
Frame
FACT 11r carbon featuring Open Road Geometry, front/rear thru-axles, fully integrated down tube battery, and internal cable routing
Load capacity
240–275 lbs, depending on specific model
Tires
S-Works Turbo 700x30 Rapid Air 2BR
Brakes
Shimano Dura-Ace
Display
Specialized TCU, 10-LED State of charge, 3-LED Ride Mode display, ANT+/Bluetooth®
Accessories/Extras
Fender/rack mounts, seat-tube bottle cage

The specs above come from the manufacturer and may vary from what you’ve experienced. Notice something that needs correcting? Let us know.

Ratings

Power
5/5
5

Thanks to an industry-leading power-to-weight ratio, the Specialized Turbo Creo SL receives top marks again. At just 26.8 lbs, it’s several pounds lighter than its nearest competitors yet delivers more than enough power to take away all fear of hills — or large mountain climbs, for that matter. Fear not Alpe d’Huez or even the Tourmelet on the Tour de France circuit!

The standard Specialized S-Works Turbo RapidAir 2BR tires increase efficiency by 1-Watt per mile, significantly improving efficiency and speed, meaning less power is lost as friction with the road.

 

Range
5/5
5

With an extremely low weight, the Specialized Turbo Creo SL eclipses anything else on the road today when it comes to range. Its 480Wh battery is ample for most riding, and you can add a range extender to go even further — up to a mind-boggling 120 miles.

Much of this range depends on you riding it at speeds above that which the motor will offer power. If you do dip into power support a lot, then the battery won’t forgive you. But of course, you won’t likely buy it unless you’re a serious road rider in the first place.

 

Comfort
5/5
5

Built as a best-in-class road racing bike, the Specialized Turbo Creo SL offers a fairly tight, aerodynamic posture that isn’t great as a commuter machine — but you wouldn’t buy this for that purpose.

The forks lack suspension but are designed to absorb road bumps and so forth. Over the many miles you’ll find yourself riding it, you won’t suffer at all from the riding position.

 

Durability
5/5
5

One owner of the Specialized Turbo Creo SL has already done more than 11,000 miles on it and has no plans to replace it. They went through the consumable parts such as chain, cassette, and brake pads as anyone will doing those miles, but the motor, frame, and other parts are still going strong. While this is an extreme use of the bike, it does show that you get what you pay for here.

 

Style
5/5
5

Unarguably a beautiful machine to look at, this is a quality electric bike from end to end. A gravel bike that looks and feels right, the downtube that contains the battery doesn’t look overly bulky, and from first glance, it could well be an analog gravel bike. While you have a few colors to choose from, they’re all subtle and classy, too.

 

Our Research Methodology

We personally research and test every e-bike featured in our reviews and guides to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations. Learn how we review.

About Our Editorial Team

robb dorr
Written by Robb Dorr
Co-founder
Robb is a massive cycling enthusiast who has more than 20 years of non-motorized cycling experience. He started eBikes.org to lower the barrier of entry to cycling and reduce the intimidation people can experience when getting into the cycling world.

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