eBIKE REVIEW - SPECIALIZED CREO SL Expert
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- čas přidán 21. 05. 2021
- My real-life experience of owning and riding the Specialized Creo Road eBike. This focuses less on the specification (which anyone can Google), and more on what it's been like to ride one - solo, and in group-riding.
MAY 2021
As a 51 year old above knee amputee I got into electric mountain bikes a few years ago and it turned every aspect of life around for me. I'm now looking to buy an e road bike and this is currently top of the list - there's some mean coastal climbs in Cornwall!. Thanks for the video
Blimey Paul, that's some hurdle you've overcome. Kudos. As for acquiring an eBike, there's loads to choose from now, but I can safely say that I've had no regrets in buying the Creo.
Coming in late to the discussion... thank you so much for speaking up for us older guys on ebikes. The younger group that I ride with seems to think that I'm riding a scooter. It's not a scooter. Here in the us, once you're over 20 mph you are on your own. And I'm riding with people who are half my age, at least 40 lb lighter than I am, and riding bikes that are half the weight of my e-bike. The mere fact that I am able to keep up with them at all should earn me a medal. Instead, I often get resentment from some in the group and sarcasm, because I'm on an e-bike. It's not a scooter, dude. I'm putting in work, here.
I think it's brilliant that we can ride with the younger members of the crew. I find that once people can see that, on the flat, I can sometimes fall behind everyone (remember, in the UK, the upper limit is 15.5 mph), they recognise that it still provides a workout and is far from being a scooter. Keep enjoying your rides!
I've had the same experience. Sarcasm and snootiness. I ride it on eco tuned to 15% or turned off in the group so I am working hard. I'm a fairly strong and lean rider in my late 50s with a long history of riding and racing but I love what this bike can do and how it makes me ride. To hell with them I say. being out and riding is what counts.
You still gotta pedal. People need to zip it.
Excellent video and I'm now 61 and have just purchased one of these for exactly the same reasons. I can confirm with a dodgy knee I still manage 50+ miles easily to include some pretty nasty steep hills. They are a game changer and as an E-MTB rider who had the pi$$ taken out of me by my mates some years ago, it's interesting they now ALL have E-MTBs without fail!
Excellent! I find that, as long as you don't gloat when climbing on an eBike, your cycling mates are forgiving when you fall behind on the flats.
Great review - you got to the important parts. Bought the Creo Evo back at the start of the pandemic. 59 back then. USA so the cut off is 28 mph which is like having no cut off at all (you spin out on the gears on downhills around 31 mph as you said). I've got 3000 miles on it since then. There are Facebook groups for the Creo that are a great source of knowledge and have helped immeasurably. The Crew has been very reliable - the main mod is replacing the Praxis front ring with a Wolftooth one to avoid chain drops.
I bought one this year. I have similar issues with both of my knees and when it comes to steep hills it gives me a little extra confidence as it takes the pressure off just a little. Fantastic bike. I love it. If it gets you off the sofa and out on the bike a bit more, then it can only be a good thing I think. Better to do some exercise than not at all.
Absolutely!
Great review David. I am considering this model and appreciate your review! Happy riding to you!
Thanks for this in depth look. You keep it easy for guys like me that need it simple . Bikes are art , and an extension of you. I still get the feeling of being 10 on my bike, riding nowhere with my mates.
Very good video - made me consider a few issues (pros and cons) that I hadn't previously. Useful and clear!
Hi David, well here we are at the end of March 21 and I have my Creo fully sorted and I am loving it! best ride today is 45 miles in a couple of hours, so I am smitten! Thanks again David1
David, this one of the best down to earth review on an e-bike. We are about the same age and have the same road bike history. I love riding my road bikes, but just recently been diagnose with a heart issue. So, I've been window shopping lately. I'm seriously thinking about this Creo SL Expert now. Looking forward to your other videos.
Thanks Tony. Good luck with your health. Meanwhile, if your budget can stretch to one like this (and my local Speech shop has been discounting some models, so it's worth doing some digging), I'd heartedly recommend the Creo. I must say though that my expectation that I'd ride more during the winter has turned-out to be right. The same challenge of getting off the sofa still applies!
I've done a couple of the other videos that, at least in part, have been about my own eBike experience. You might be interested - this one is the latest: czcams.com/video/MMWJYo_EMO8/video.html
All the best.
I lost an ACL in 84 in MX. Did MTB XC racing from 90. Also road ride and Trail Centres. Now it has really caught up with me after 8 Knee Ops and bad Arthritis. I am having a replacement Knee soon and this looks like a good option to maintain my Cycling years.
Thanks for the great review, nice to see a “Real World Review”🤔👏👍👍
Terrific genuine review. I was on the fence about the whole e-bike thing. I’m 58 and miss long road rides. You have inspired me to get this bike.
Thank you. Good luck in your purchase of the bike. It really is great fun. After a year or two (or even earlier) it becomes simply your regular steed. All it takes to rekindle the thrill is a spin out on your regular bike!
That Creo is a glorious dream machine. Di2/Future shock/12kg…wow.
I can totally see how it’d encourage one to do more miles or take on long distance/regular commutes without fear of excess fatigue.
Absolutely wonderful review. thank you. my experience maps 100% to yours. I've had my bike for about 2 years now. It increased my fitness in ways I wouldn't have guessed. +1 on it NOT being scooter. It takes effort.
Thank you!
Just bought this bike (partially based on your review). One week in and I think it's brilliant...no regrets. It's heavy but rolls very smoothly on the road and the hills are no longer an issue for me. The 15.5mph motor cut-off is a bit of a pain but the transition is almost undetectable. It really needs to be about 18-19mph on a road bike. Noise level is very low too...people riding with me can barely hear it. Been surprised at how well the battery lasts when you put the effort in yourself and save the motor for the climbs. 35 mile cycle left me with 75% battery left.
So thumbs up from me for your review.
Good for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
I took it out yesterday with the range extender and on full turbo. I only did 35 miles, but the degrading of the combined batteries was next to nothing. Awesome potential.
I also had a little help with the app, adjusting the wheel size (in the app), and that's given me an extra mile of so help before it cuts out. I know what you mean about the 18-19mph issue, but I think that kind of help might be a just a bit greedy!
I bought the same bike but here in the USA the speed is limited at around 25mph. I am 73 years old and am loving this bike. I am mostly in the lowest setting.
No doubt great fun!
You Americans are soooo lucky.😢
That's a beautiful bike, e or not. I'm looking at Specialized as well, and it's good to hear from someone who actually owns one and has been riding it for a length of time. Thank you.
Thanks. I've recently done a video on getting back on my regular bike and talk quite a bit about my experience of the Creo one year on. Still great, but a friend of mine has acquired a Trek e-road bike (not quite sure which model) and that appears to be a winner as well.
I turn 50 in two months and just picked up an S-Works Turbo Creo SL EVO. Looking forward to extending my riding days with better performance.
All the reasons you made are all the same check boxes for me, bad knee, not lean and lots of hills in the vicinity. 64 in 2 months and the new Creo 2 will be my birthday present to myself.
Good luck with it. I still love mine.
Great review, just ordered one and whilst mid 30s this will help me to sustain energy being a Diabetic and hopefully allow me to improve fitness and go that little bit further.
Good luck with it. I hope you really enjoy it. I struggle now getting back on my 'regular' Tarmac, but absolutely love the Creo.
@@davidatkinson-lifematters4826
Took it out for a first ride today and managed 37miles. Ride was smooth, handling great and assistance only really kicked in on the hills as managed to stay above 15mph most of time. However this assistance helped me when needed and love the whole package of the bike.
@@tigerv88 Sounds great. The longer I have it, the more impressed I am. It's been a great buy for me, and I'm really enjoying the rides with friends, when I used to dread what sort of beating I was going to take every time we went out!
Thanks. Great review
Aged 67. Got Parkinson's Disease. No brainer of a decision to get Creo. Great and agree with everything said in this video.
Well done Andrew. It's great to see us oldies still determined to turn those legs. Keep going.
Thanks for the excellent review
excellent review David. Bought my Creo Pro gravel end of January 2020. the first sold in our State of South Australia, and the dealer threw in an extender battery as well. Brilliant bike and your summary is right on the money. Retro bought a chain guard bracket, (standard on the 2022 model) (easy to fit) as my chain was jumping off to the inside and jaming when changing down to bottom gear while going up hill. Done 13,000klms almost, still the greatest thing for us older persons. I am 74. Bought my wife a step through Vado SL A5, thats a great bike as well. Her confidence has increased so much since getting it, now done 2000klms...Specialised are not cheap and the prices have gone up a lot since, ( eg your expert here is now 14k AUD!). BUT they were the first to introduce the all enclosed concept to the mass market, and stole a big march on the others...Second best imo is the Orbea, lappiere and Focus...
Thanks! Good to hear you're enjoying it and riding a lot. I just love hearing about us oldies still getting out on the road!
I really appreciate these kind of enthusiast videos. But they often really don't cover the bikes in the title much at all, the're instead very much a testament of the benefits of ebiking (or a lament of not being able to bike as in the old days, which is where I come in). For me the value is that it's laid out by a former non-ebike cyclists and not from a sponsored group of 30-year old elite racers. But I'm actually not more certain if I should buy this or another ebike after watching this is my point. But I watched it all, and kudos to Mr. Atkinson for making it!
Thanks Daniel. I tried to just explain my experience of my new ride, and I didn't arm myself with lots of technical detail. Other people do that sort of thing so much better. It's over a year now, and although I'm not riding as much as I'd anticipated, the bike is still amazing. I'm not getting rid of my regular bikes just yet, however!
In order to cover everything as well as possible, I decided on the Creo SL comp carbon evo and after 6000km I can say I have no regrets! In addition to pure road driving, I also have a 2020 roubaix expert.
Funny thing, I have same bikes, same opinion
Do you find that 35Nm is enough for steep hills?
@@AreWeDust yes, absolutely!
David great review
Thank you!
Great review. Thanks.
Great review! thanks
Nicely done! I am considering purchasing a Creo for similar reasons. Unfortunately I’ve developed an arrhythmia at age 65 which has made road cycling more difficult, but I’m not ready to give up riding just yet. Hopefully an e-bike will allow me to continue to join my friends on long group rides.
Good luck with your decision Tom. It's worth adding that just because a rider can outstrip a friend on a climb, doesn't mean they have to. Owning an eBike doesn't require a rider to be an anti-social moron. After all, it's all about the smiles.
Hi Tom, I too developed AF many years ago. After 5 unsuccessful ablations they fitted a pacemaker ……. Best thing ever! Now no more AF but down side is max pulse rate they allowed me is 145 hence the need for an eBike. I bought the Creo Evo and feel like I did when I was 18 👍👍
Hi Tom I've just turned 70 ,love my cycling ,unfortunately diagnosed with AFib December 2022 hoping to buy a Creo to keep me on the road
I'm in my 40s so a lot younger than you but I'm unfit. I think there's value in an ebike to enable people to get out more often and improve their fitness
Definitely!
Tremendous, thanks.
Nice review from a fellow Geordie. I bought a Turbo Vado SL following neck surgery at 66. Same motor system. Perhaps some description of the ‘Mission Control’ app might have been useful especially when you were talking about running out of gas.
Thanks very much. I didn't mention the 'Mission Control' app as I don't usually ride in a way the app would be useful. Most of my rides are loop rides, and I like to explore spontaneously. It's why I ride on 'feel'. It does come with a bit of 'range anxiety though, as I discovered whilst exploring old Northumbrian haunts a few weeks ago!
The app would be great for point-to-point rides on pre-determined routes, and where battery power can be rationed to ensure help across the whole distance. I (sadly) do that type of ride only occasionally.
Im 59 and bought the vado sl also, it is a great bike , love to ride it on gravel and trails and the road
Hi David = Great video ☺ I recently put an order in for the carbon comp model of the Creo SL.All my bikes are Specialized so I didn't even consider another brand. I'm a very fit and strong woman of 58 years - I ride mostly with my husband who is 61 and very strong, lean and fit and go on group rides with my bike club again with mostly very fit men. I was struggling to keep up and just killing myself on every ride and it was becoming a grind. It took me a while to let go of my big heavy ego and just get this bike. One guy in the club has one and is so happy with it says he rides much more often and for a lot longer. I can't wait to get it although with these supply chain issues I may have a bit of a wait. Thank you for your honest review - much appreciated.
just about to replace my front chain ring. interested in WolfTooth, as my chain does come off regular, or did until I got the 2023 guard adaptor (easy to fit dont take the whole crank off). now it only has come off twice, but not behind and jam like it used to...
Just install a planet 3 module. That’s what I’ve done and it’s undetectable so doesn’t invalidate your warranty. The lads in my local spesh bike store told me to do it
I work in an LBS and we’ve seen a few of these now. They do indeed work, the only issue is if you’re running a lot in turbo mode you will not only drain the battery quick, you run the real risk of burning the motor out. Use wisely and you’re fine.
In the USA the bike comes set up with battery assist that doesn't quit til you hit 28 mph. No overheating or battery issues just more fun
@@jimbo4203 yes. 28 mph that’s great. 16 is too low.
Cool 😊
Great video which I can definitely relate to. I would heartily endorse your list of reasons for getting an e-bike. Not being in a financial postion to purchase something of this standard, and wishing to retain my road bike, I invested instead in an e-bike conversion kit. I finally, after a long period of vacillation, treated myself to this for my recent 90th birthday. It is a light system, the all up weight - bike and kit - coming in at 13.5 kg and this has enbled me to extend my rides again, and to encompass once more the hills I have more and more been avoiding. While obviously less refined/efficient than the e-road bike, it ticks the necesary boxes, and your descrption of it's virtues mirrors my perceptions exactly. Thanks for the video and keep up the good work.
That's fantastic Vince. Brilliant to hear you're still riding. I just hope I can emulate you. Keep enjoying it.
Great review thank you David. I am considering one myself for health reasons, one question if I may. Could I switch the the wheels easily to my deep section for calmer days? I presume you could if I had the right rear cassette?
I find these wheels deep enough. I used to have a Venge with Roval 64s and, although they were fast on calm days, they were a bit boy a pain on non-ideal circumstances. I'm sure you could switch wheels easy enough.
Great review David I haven’t been on a road bike for years I’m 62 next January and looking at buying the creo I’m also looking at the bianche road e can’t make my mind up would you recommend this bike it does look like a great option
Thank you
Chris
Good luck with your choice Chris. Like I said at the summing-up point in the video, this one is the only road eBike I've tried, and I love it. So much so, that it's been tougher getting back on a regular bike than I expected!
All great points made in favor of ebikes.
no need for road(yet) but when they wake up and put mounts on the creo, i will buy that.
I feel that the most important thing to get over to other folk is that there more of a “just enough” not an ebike you just buy and expect electrifying performance. 30nm of torque does not compare to an ebike. As you say it’s the future if people realise the difference. Ps what glasses are you using and nice/honest review
Thanks Martin. The glasses are cheapos. 🤷🏻♂️😎
maravilloso vieo yo quiero una
Mod the limiter. You’ll love the dream. No motor limit. Guy in the UK sells a regulator defeat. No strain on the motor
Rest assured, I've been tempted! But, honestly, I've two major concern about doing so - (1) I worry about the reduction in the range, and (2) I actually want the bike to ride as close possible to an ordinary road bike.
It does not affect the range other than letting you go under power more often. Sport is good for about 60 miles. It is much more linear, otherwise it’s like hitting a wall at 28mph
Do you need a alloy key to remove the rear wheel if you get a puncture or is it quick release? My dad has arthritis in his hands
So far I've avoided a puncture(!), and have only removed the front wheel. They're through-axle, not quick release, but they're very easy to remove - just unscrew by hand. No more difficult than quick-release.
Bought the same bike and love ❤ it. How’s it going for you?
It's going great, thanks. I had though about doing a 'long-term' review, but I'm not sure I could anything to this original video. I have enquired about whether a larger battery option was in the works but, sadly, I was assured it isn't. The only thing I miss from riding one of my regular bikes is being able to go out from dawn to dusk with only my fitness to worry about. With the Creo, it soon loses its fun element when the battery runs down! I've stretched it to 65 miles, but would love to go further.
@@davidatkinson-lifematters4826 what about the extended battery? Surly so more than that? Also you could always buy another extended battery
@@NetMillionaire Mixed blessing. The range extender weighs quite a bit, so much so that it noticeably slows you down on the flats (therefore the motor cuts in), and even though you do get extra miles it hardly seems worth it. I think the trick with these bikes is to ride as much as you can above the level where the motor kicks-in. In other words, use the pedal assist only when you need it. Sure, you still get the assist when starting off, but it soon cuts out when momentum takes over. The heavier bikes (with the range extender) means you use the motor more than you otherwise would. Like I said, a mixed blessing.
The perfect solution is to have a couple range extenders that you give to a friend, who hands one to you after 60+ miles, and then another 20+ miles later!
The US version I bought today tops out at 28mph. That’s a neat helmet, can you share the model?
Steve, It's just a regular cheapo Specialized one.
Thank you David for your excellent review. I recently purchased a used Allez and have enjoyed riding it every time I go out, however the hills here in N.I can be a bit demanding on me as I approach the wrong side of 70, I have now built up my energy level to 25 miles in 1hr 45 min, its not the speed although that is fun, its getting back to into a fitness level of what I once had. I went out this week in 20 mph winds and pushed (maybe a bit to hard) and my knee was a bit sore and swollen that evening , so the old bod is saying take it easy! For me you have answered SO many questions that I had I don't wish to get an injury doing what I enjoy, so, now its a matter of finding the right Creo to fit my budget :>). What model did you demonstrate in the vid?
I am kinda in the same position. Hope you continue riding forever.
Roger, It's the SL Expert. Good to hear that you're determined to get out despite the 'challenging' weather in our part of the globe! I have a friend who is quite deep into his 70s and he's still going strong. His life is given over to cycling though, and I can't match his dedication. In the end, it's about keeping the legs turning and smile as wide as possible. Leave the performance stats to the younger set.
instead of averaging 20\21 I can now substain 23kmh...I am 74
I would like one, but only if I can have assistance for those 28mph like in the USA. cutting the assistance off above 25km/h is a no-go for me. yeah, I know ofr hills 25km/h is plenty but I would love to be available to keep 40km/h on flat.
I KNOW it would be fun to have pedal-assist up to 28 mph, but it wouldn't be at all like riding a regular bike, which is what I was looking for. 😁
@@davidatkinson-lifematters4826 it is exactly like riding a regular bike. I bought a creo, mounted a special device and now I can keep 40kph speeds with effort but it is quite nice. and it feels just like riding a bike just faster. it is not something I will do regularly, but from time to time the adrenaline involved is awesome. because frankly I don't care about speed or times but I like the adrenaline the high speed gives you.
is it cheating ? (saying this jokingly), well sure if you consider the rules to be fixed gear, no free spin hubs, etc etc...for me it means "I enjoy it while getting cardio" ....I have already lost weight...and still doing so.... One thing interesting is that I noticed It easy to go longer distances than my "analog" Bicycle. Therefore it impacts one of my knees since I am doing more spinning and repetitive motion for longer distances.... So I have to back off on being the mileage master..Still love it love it love it..thanks for the review...
I still get out occasionally on my regular bike, or one of my single-speeders, but man, it's hard work! I think I've concluded that any riding is good riding. The more the better.
Gonna get one of these and chip it to 28mph. Only thing is it getting knicked!!😢
Indeed! Getting a bike like this one nicked would be terrible. A CRIME!
As for having it chipped, I've been tempted a couple of times (especially when I see other eBikes going a lot faster than me), but I do like to ride it as if it's close to being a regular road bike.
Watching this video makes me a bit sad. I think of the possibilities. Is Europe really that different than America? Apparently so. I'm 67 and a retired mechanical engineer. I've been a road cyclist for decades. Specialized is an American company. That same bike in America has a top speed of 28mph and not 15.5 mph which is a 'travesty'. Lunacy. I wouldn't pay all that money for a 15mph top speed e-bicycle. Yes, you can pedal through that speed but not the point. I know a 73 y.o. women who can ride a flatbar upright bike with no motor that can average 16 mph for 40 miles. So this playing field seems 'off'. As to me. I have a performance background. I was a competitive cyclist and still ride fast for 67. I can drop most college kids on a roadbike. I know 70 year olds that can ride 20 mph for 35 miles without a draft. I have a 78 year old friend that can hold my draft at 22mph. I built a 1700 watt ebike from a Specialized roadbike. I can drop Peter Sagan on it. It just goes to show how different two people can be. I can't stand riding 15mph. That is the speed most elderly woman ride in America who ride like Mary Poppins on a Dutch style bike that weighs almost as much as your Creo ebike with a motor with a basket and their toy poodle.
But lets talk about about a parallel universe for a moment. I know two custom ebike builders in the UK who have 3-5000w ebikes that will do over 50 mph. Something is wrong with the legislation in the UK if people actually stick to the 15mph top speed rule. I may fall asleep if the top speed assisted on my ebike were 15 mph. On my ebike that will do 45mph top speed, my lowest power setting is 16mph. I routinely ride it 22-24 mph. This all seems so needless. What is wrong with the government in Europe to have such a limitation? Where is the outcry? Do the men all wear girdles that make such draconian rules? Europeans aren't pussies. I've been there.
And sir, if I were you, I would get my knee repaired, remove the fat in your diet, get to the gym and stop letting your young age of 61 be an impediment to riding fast. Good luck to you.
P.S. You should have bought the gravel version with wide tires with the road quality you mentioned. A slightly wider tire makes a big difference on rough roads and the motor is plenty strong enough to compensate for the increase in rolling resistance and aero drag of the wider tires.
Thanks for your comment, Luke. I get, with you having a performance background, that assist limited to c.15mph might put you off. I normally ride c.19-20 mph, so most of my riding on the Creo is without pedal assist, and I wouldn't want help beyond that. The benefit for me, of course, is in climbing and rolling from a standing start. All this means I can ride in an enthusiasts group without standing-out too much. That's the way I like it.
As for the knee, that's a risk/benefit calculation that I've taken much advice on.
Feel bad for you Europeans not allowed to get assist up to 28mph. 🥲😆
😀 Don't worry, it's fine!