Introducing the $16,500 Tech-Packed Carbon E-bike

By Paul Joseph

The e-bike revolution has been relatively slow to take off, but with advancements in technology speeding up - - particularly relating to batteries - we could soon be close to more regularly seeing them on our streets.

Among the most recent additions to the higher end of the e-bike market is the S-Works Turbo Creo SL Founders Edition.

Created by US e-bike makers Specialized, the bike is billed as being light, fast, and with an impressively long-range.

Although it weighs 26.2 lb, making it heavier than a typical road bike, it’s much lighter than usual e-bikes with batteries packed into them. The full carbon frame of the bike has a specially designed 380-Wh battery inside the down tube, allowing for 80 miles of assisted pedalling.

The range can be extended by another 40 miles with the help of the 160-Wh range extenders, a pair of which come as a part of the Turbo Creo SL Founders Edition package.

Powering the S-Works Turbo Creo SL is Specialized’s own, in-house SL 1.1 motor, which produces an output of up to 240 watts and offer pedal assist up to 28mph.  Specialized claims that the motor creates zero drag when riding without assistance.

The bike comes fitted with hydraulic disc brakes, an 11-speed Shimano Dura-Ace groupset and a Custom Roval CLX 50 wheelset dressed in 28-mm tires. The top tube features the battery indicator and the power button. Users can choose from Eco, Sport and Turbo assist modes with the help of the Mission Control smartphone app.

The Founders Edition is the top model of Specialized’s new Creo family of e-bikes and is priced at $16,500.  The most affordable model carries a price-tag of $9,000.

The company will make only 250 examples of the Founders Edition, which will come adorned with gold foil logos, highlights, and gold ceramic pulley wheels.

Expand
By Paul Joseph