The power systems in our e-MTB, the Turbo Levo, have converted many mountain bikers to e-bikes. Adding this proven technology to our road bike line was a no-brainer. By combining this technology with our history of making race-winning bikes, we’ve made the best e-bike on the market - the Specialized Creo SL. In this article, we go under the hood, if you’ll pardon the automotive term, and take a look at what makes this col-killin’, mountain-slaying monster tick.
Engineered To Perfection.
FACT 11 R is the carbon fibre on our high-end racing bikes. FACT stands for Functional Advanced Composite Technology, which is our advanced engineering process used to optimise the material’s performance at every possible datapoint. The frame is made from a monocoque structure that allows the carbon fibres to run continuously through the bike and all this helps the Specialized Creo SL frame weigh an almost unbelievable 1,100g.
The Specialized Creo SL is a modern e-bike and its geometry reflects that. We’ve given it a longer wheelbase, slacker head angle and lower bottom bracket. This lowers the overall centre of gravity and gives you more stability and confidence when descending. The Creo SL is also made to go anywhere; mountainous climbs, off-road descents and gravel road adventures. The Creo SL’s geometry makes all this possible.
We’ve done away with the old methods of designing bikes for different genders. There simply wasn’t enough evidence to support making two different bikes. This allowed us to spend time nailing the fit, no matter who you are o how long your arms and legs. The Specialized Creo SL is ideal for male and female riders with sizes ranging from small to extra-extra-large.
The Creo SL is the e-bike that you can take anywhere. We’ve designed the frame with enough tyre clearance to allow you to wander off the asphalt when the temptation gets too strong. You get 42mm of tyre clearance with a set of 700c rims, but if you want to run something more agile, you’ll get 47mm of clearance with 650bs.
Futureshock 2.0 allows the Creo SL to be ridden across some pretty rough terrain. Not familiar with Futureshock? Well, it’s a 20mm suspension system built into the stem of the e-bike, a tech first pioneered on our endurance road bikes like the S-Works Roubaix. The 2.0 versions adds a knob that adjusts the compression of the stem and we can proudly say that on the fully open setting it smooths out trail chatter beautifully, while the stiff setting returns the bike to super-stiff, optimal efficiency.
What’s Powering The Creo SL?
The SL 1.1 Technology Motor is designed to assist your riding, rather than control it. It delivers speed assistance, up to 25km/h, smoothly and seamlessly. The SL technology builds on the previous Turbo platform, with the major improvements achieved by decoupling the capacitor, the addition of magnesium housing and a reduction of the overall weight of the motor. This helps the Specialized S-Works Creo SL to weigh just 12.2kgs.
Motors are obviously a great help when climbing, but we’ve made ours brilliant for descending too. The motor sits low in the frame, near the bottom bracket. This lowers the bike’s centre of gravity and makes it solid, and fun when charging downhill and ripping around corners.
Powering all this is the SL1-320 battery. 130km of assistance is delivered in eco mode by the 320-watt-hour battery. If you need more, an additional external, range extender battery can be used. This battery adds an extra 160-watt-hour to the e-bike, increasing its range by 50%.
The SL1-320 battery is discreetly stored inside the downtube of the e-bike. This maintains the streamlined designed and aerodynamic engineering of the Specialized Creo SL and preserves that confident, planted ride feel.
The Mission Control App adds another level to your riding. Each ride is automatically monitored and uploaded for your own further analysis via partner ride tracking platforms. It keeps track of your output as well as the output of the motor. Giving you detailed insights into how you’re using the e-bike. There’s a built-in power meter that works with any ANT+ head unit and the Mission Control App will even recognise when you set off on a ride and automatically start tracking you. No more forgetting to record your ride!
The assistance modes can also be fully adjusted within the app. You can adjust your peak power and support levels, allowing you to custom fit your e-bike to your route.
The Creo SL Family
The Specialized Creo SL comes in four different models. Each comes in their own unique and show-stopping colourway.
The Specialized Turbo Creo SL Expert Evo is here to help you on your next gravel adventure. With a Specialized Adventure Gear Hover handlebar and an X-Fusion Manic Dropper Seat Post with 50mm of travel the Expert Evo is ready to go whenever you are.
The Creo SL Expert has some high-end touches that separate it from its competition. Shimano Ultegra brakes, S-Works FACT carbon seatpost and Body Geometry Power Expert saddle are just some of the things that you’ll fall in love with on this e-bike.
The Creo SL comes with all the bells and whistles that you’ve come to expect with a top of the line Specialized bike. We’ve finished this e-bike with S-Works Carbon Hover bars, a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 shifter, an XTR rear derailleur and S-Works Turbo tyres.
Only 250 lucky people will be able to own the Turbo Creo SL Founder’s Edition. This extremely rare bike has been designed with the best bike parts in the world. No area of this bike has been overlooked. It even comes with its own Specialized SL Kit.
The Specialized Creo SL is the new generation of e-bikes. With customisable, high-end performance both on and off-road, you’ll wonder why you ever rode anything else.
