Care to guess which is the most affordable new car you can buy in the U.S. for the 2020 model year? The cheapest choice at the time of writing is the Chevrolet Spark, which starts at $13,220 for the LS Manual trim level. Curiously enough, a high-end electric bicycle will set you back more than that.
Enter the S-Works Turbo Creo SL from Specialized, retailing at $13,500 for the Gloss Supernova Chameleon and Raw Carbon finish. “Our pinnacle build” according to the Californian company, the e-bike is centered around the FACT 11r ultra-lightweight chassis and Future Shock 2.0 hydraulically damped suspension system. Care to guess how much it weighs?
Specialized claims 27 pounds (12.2 kilograms) or so, which is seriously impressive for an e-bike with up to 240 watts of electric assistance. The midship motor is cased in magnesium for durability and lightness, powered by a 320-Wh battery that promises 80 miles (129 kilometers) of range. You can fit a second battery with a capacity of 160 Wh into the seat tube bottle cage to increase the range by up to 40 miles (64 kilometers) as per the manufacturer.
The question is, how does the S-Works Turbo Creo SL stack up against non-electric bicycles if you take out the e-motor and batteries out of the picture? To put it simply, it’s up there with the best endurance road bikes available today. Carbon fiber is used for many components, including the saddle rail, clincher wheels, handlebar, seatpost, and the 46-tooth crankset from Praxis.
As far as the geometry is concerned, Specialized developed the top-of-the-line Creo as a dual-purpose machine. The front end is set up for sharp and effortless steering, but this e-bike also handles its own on gravel.
Though it’s heavier than a carbon-clad race bike that costs in the $10,000s, the Creo is an incredible package for the segment. And like all trailblazing two-wheel designs, the high pricing reflects the Creo’s specs. If your budget is a little lower than that, Specialized also offers the Expert with the same frame, motor, and battery at around $9,000.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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