Specialized Turbo Creo SL

100/100
BikeRide Score
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Facts

Gender
Release Year
Brand
Charge Time
2.5 Hours
Maximum Range
80.78 Miles
Top Speed
28 mph
Watts
240 W
Torque
35 Nm
Volts and Amp Hours
48 V 6.7 Ah
Class
Drive
Wheel Size
Number of Gears
Gearing Type
Weight
26.50, 26.90, 27.12, 28.04, 28.80, 29.00, 30.00 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Specialized Turbo Creo SL. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

19 reasons to buy

  • Riders say the Creo SL is maneuverable, “inspiring” and confident on descents.
  • SL stands for ‘superlight’. Reviewers can confirm.
  • The Creo’s range is ample. One tester rode 62 mi, expecting another 12.4 mi.
  • With no motor drag, the Creo SL is easy to ride unassisted and beyond maximum assisted speed.
  • Experts laud assistance that’s delivered gradually, naturally and in a “linear” manner.
  • Reviewers say the bike’s carbon frame is stiff, compliant, “fantastically light” and “beautiful”.
  • Experts remark on the “exceptional” quality grade across all componentry.
  • Testers describe the Creo SL as “one of the most bike-like” e-bikes they’ve ridden.
  • Reviewers say shifting is “precise and instantaneous”, while gear range is ample, with both Shimano GRX and SRAM Rival eTap drivetrains.
  • Testers speak of “extremely powerful” Shimano GRX 810 hydraulic disc brakes on Comp Carbon & Carbon EVO builds.
  • Owners say the Creo SL remains comfortable on long rides.
  • Reviewers praise the Creo SL’s stability and low center of gravity.
  • Experts say Specialized’s 20mm Future Shock 2.0 mutes road chatter, while featuring easy-to-tweak damping.
  • EVO models feature a 50mm-travel X-Fusion Manic dropper seatpost.
  • Test-riders say the Creo SL accelerates rapidly.
  • As far as looks go, one reviewer deems the Creo SL to be, “A feast for the eyes!”.
  • Testers are comfortable riding the Creo in both upright and tucked-in, aero positions.
  • Testers say Pathfinder Pro tires are comfortable and stable.
  • Specialized’s Mission Control app allows Creo SL riders to plan routes and calculate battery use.

4 reasons not to buy

  • Turbo Creo SL price-points range from expensive to ‘outrageous’.
  • Three testers mentioned that the Creo SL’s motor is noisy at speed.
  • Bikepackers said they would feel more secure if the battery was easily removable.
  • One reviewer is concerned over the durability and availability of the Creo SL’s proprietary parts.

Bottom line

A potent, comfortable and light road/gravel e-bike providing natural assistance and a confident ride-feel. All five Turbo Creo SL models are built for tarmac. With 38c mixed-tread tires, flared handlebars and a dropper seatpost, the four Creo SL EVO builds are bound for gravel. All use a carbon fiber frame, except for the aluminum E5. Testers and owners feel that these bikes ride more like a pedal road bike (in terms of handling, build, and weight), than most other e-bikes they’ve used. A Future Shock 2.0 stem provides 20 mm of damping. And to attain all this, you will be required to sacrifice your grandchildren’s inheritance.

Expert Reviews

91/100 based on 7 rated expert reviews
94
?
This review has been given a score. Read more here

The Specialized Turbo Creo SL Is a Nearly Perfect Electric Road Bike

I was left with one lasting impression: Everything is nicer on this thing. Imagine someone picked out every single tiny flaw with a regular bike and corrected it. I had the pace and endurance of a Tour de France rider whenever I left the house.

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81
?
This review has been given a score. Read more here
durianrider

Specialized Turbo Creo SL HONEST Review

It rides very nicely. It’s lightweight, very comfortable, super stable, descends very confidently. Inspiring. Future Shock feels good but, proprietary issues down the track, potentially? Shifting is exceptional. For the money, I would expect a bit more power. The average person who’s going to buy this bike is maybe getting into fitness and this is going to be a great bike for that.

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100
The Gear Loop

Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon Evo Review:
An Electric Gravel Bike on Steroids

Holy smokes, this bike is fun. The Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon Evo does a fantastic impression of a premium gravel bike with the added bonus of electric assistance. It’s not a thing to be treated with kid gloves, it’s a thing to piledrive through the mud.

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93
?
This review has been given a score. Read more here
Cycle Volta

Specialized Turbo Creo SL Expert Review

The wisdom that comes with age is small consolation for the loss of athletic prowess that accompanies getting older. Enter the Specialized Turbo Creo SL Expert. With its quick acceleration, light weight, and speedy aesthetic, it’s a fountain of youth on two wheels for older roadies who want to conquer hills and be young, risky, and fast again. Pure joy.

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80
Move Electric

Specialized Creo SL Comp Carbon E-Bike Review

The Creo SL Comp Carbon is an excellent electric road bike. The Specialized SL 1.1 motor is quite possibly the best I’ve tried on an electric road bike due to the natural feeling of the assist. It doesn’t take over the ride, and you don’t feel like your legs are merely spinning for the sake of the notion. Lightweight and a joy to ride.

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Review: Specialized Turbo Creo SL, Rides Fine, Even Without Assistance [Dutch]

…the Specialized Turbo Creo SL rolls on without resistance. This ensures a very gradual and natural drive. It doesn’t stutter and you can still work up a sweat.

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95
?
This review has been given a score. Read more here
Con un Par de Ruedas

Test & Review I 6 Months With… Specialized Turbo Creo SL [Spanish]

A perfect e-bike for those who want to follow the ‘grupetta’ at high speeds. In addition, it shows extraordinary poise, probably thanks to the position of the motor and battery, which leave the center of gravity very low… The full carbon frame also adds comfort, allowing you to spend hours and hours riding gravel tracks or rocky roads…

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GC Performance

2021 Specialized S-Works Creo SL (E-Bike) Best Electric Bike Out?
*120 Miles One Charge!*

The bike is absolutely amazing and it should be warranting that [high] dollar price tag.

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Brian Rouse

2021 Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp E5 Review

So It’s a pretty sweet bike for sure. This is the aluminum frame version. The carbon frame version is a thousand dollars more than this but I don’t really know what a carbon frame would gain out here, on one of these, for me.

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David Atkinson - LIFE MATTERS

E-Bike Review – Specialized Creo SL Expert

A lot of fun really, so yeah, I would really recommend it if you could afford it.

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Dave Dirks

Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon 4000 Mile Review

I wanted to still ride a road bike… I was 75 years old and my average times were 11-12 mph. On my rides I was only riding 10-15 mph. Now I’m riding 25 and 30 mph and my average speeds are between 16-18 mph so I’m back there, really enjoying cycling and if I hadn’t bought this bike I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be cycling anymore.

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Bliven The Good Life

🚴🏻 Electric Bike Worth the Money?! | Specialized E-bike Review 2022

A lot of nice components but goddamn, the price tag on this thing is pretty steep. It was a 37 mile ride plus the winds were like 25-30 mph and it still lasted me about 28-30 miles. I had it on ‘high’ pretty much the whole time, going up the hills in the wind and even coming down the hills in the wind. I highly recommend getting one of these if you’re not a professional athlete or nothing, it’s recreational. Well worth it.

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EBIKE FLORIDA RAIL TRAILS

E-Bike Specialized Turbo Creo SL Expert Evo Carbon

You can see that the the management system is awesome for longer rides and that’s what you get with a bike like this.

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CleanTechnica

Best E-Bikes You Can Buy In 2023: Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo SL (Road Bike)

The Turbo Creo SL Comp E5 I have ridden, however, is a rocket ship at about a third the price. I can’t imagine a better machine, and yet: the S-Works Comp exists.

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Gear Patrol

The 12 Best E-Bikes You Can Buy Today:
Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon

Rides like a real bike, but better.

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Sergio Borroni

Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Tested: The Perfect Companion for Fun Off-Road Adventures?! [Italian]

A truly impressive e-bike. Simone, in Eco, after 180 Km, had 22% charge remaining, all without using an additional battery.

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Review • Specialized Turbo Creo SL [Portuguese]

The extra weight compared to an acoustic bike (approximately 12kg), is easily compensated by the engine on the climbs and even helps small athletes, like me, downhill.

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루나틱Cycling

Specialized Electric Bicycle Creo SL Riding Distance Test
| Specialized Turbo Creo SL Riding Test [Korean]

At this time, the distance was about 117 km. It was when the battery had about 6% to 7% left. It was harder than I thought, but compared to a regular road bike, I came very comfortably. There was no break in between. With this, the distance test is complete.

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꽁타냥ContaNyang

Why We Recommend Electric Bikes | Specialized Creo SL [Korean]

It wasn’t difficult for me to do some hills with an electric motor, since I originally rode a minivelo. It’s really comfortable to ride.

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ROAD RACING

Specialized Creo SL E-Gravel Test Summary [Polish]

Electric Gravel is a tool for exploring the area. Thanks to the modern motor, the range of this gravel bike reaches a maximum of 120 km. It’s really quite a distance.

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ProFanBikers

Specialized Turbo Creo SL || #TEST #BIKE [Spanish]

Less is more with this type of bicycle.

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Gol Plus - Vehicle Protection

Gravel Bike Review Specialized Creo SL [Spanish]

Assistance cuts out at 45 kph, so it’s different from other bikes that cut out at 25 or 32 kph. It goes that speed, so you are fast all the time… it makes a difference from other assisted bikes.

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Wielrenblad

Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon [Dutch]

A powerful, extremely light and energy-efficient e-bike that does its job silently and perfectly. I myself usually cycle faster than the maximum supported speed and therefore do not use this Turbo Creo SL as it may have been intended. Still, I’m thoroughly impressed with the bike.

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Velomotion

Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Tested: The Perfect Companion for Fun Off-Road Adventures?! [German]

With an in-house drive, the Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp can stand out from the crowd and, in addition to a low weight, add natural riding characteristics and e-support. The well-coordinated geometry and pleasant comfort elements not only ensure a more relaxed ride, but also offer a lot of fun riding and appealing handling.

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Test Ride: Specialized Creo SL Comp Carbon Evo [Greek]

A frame that performs superbly on tarmac and dirt, plus impressive battery capacity, compose an electric bike with which you can go literally anywhere and enjoy to your heart’s content.

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Impressions of Riding 3,000 km With a Super-Lightweight E-Bike, Specialized Creo SL Carbon [Japanese]

At first, my wife and daughter were astonished, saying, “Aren’t you stupid for paying [that much] yen for a bicycle?”. From an ordinary person’s point of view, spending around 1 million yen on a bicycle is insane (laughs). But for me, I think it was a very good purchase. The Specialized Turbo Creo SL is unique, in that it fits right in amongst ordinary road bikes.

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特選街web

Mount Fuji Hill Climb on a Specialized E-Bike! Which Is Faster Than a Road Bike <2 Round Trips a Day> Crazy Review [Japanese]

The assist power in Turbo mode can be summed up in one word, “amazing”. I was able to ride without feeling the hard slope. On the other hand, the Sports mode and Eco mode provide natural and gentle assistance, so you can fully enjoy the feeling of pedaling your own bicycle.

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User Ratings

99/100 based on 18 ratings
  • 5 star
    94%
  • 4 star
    6%
  • 3 star
    0%
  • 2 star
    0%
  • 1 star
    0%

Bike Comparison

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Specialized Turbo Creo SL
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