Specialized Turbo Creo SL EVO
Sigma Sports Staff Bikes
Graeme Langhorne is an experienced and passionate Sigma Sports staff member, having been in our Bike Sales team at our Hampton Wick store for almost four years. We caught up with Graeme to find out about his do it all, commuting, gravel adventure steed, the Specialized Turbo Creo SL EVO Electric Gravel Bike.
What was the reasoning behind choosing the Specialized Turbo Creo SL EVO?
I bought this electric gravel bike primarily for my commute to Sigma Sports' Hampton Wick store which is 27 kilometres each way. I was only commuting a few days each week on my non-electric bike as I needed to save my energy and legs for weekend training rides.
The Creo SL EVO allows me to commute pretty much every weekday without getting to the end of the week feeling fatigued and lacking the motivation to push myself during my weekend rides. The versatility of having the assistance also means I can let the bike do most of the work on my commute if I'm tired, or if it's following a heavy block of training. Alternatively, I can throw in a few efforts during a ride when required by switching to a low-assisted mode or simply turning the motor off. Therefore, it can be both a very good training tool or a recovery ride bike.
Can you talk us through your choice of the spec?
My bike is the gravel version of the Turbo Creo SL, the EVO. It is a 2021 model, in a small size. It has the lightweight SL 1.1 motor and the 320Wh battery. It weighs around 13.5kg with the Roval C 38 Disc wheelset and I run 40mm Pirelli Cinturato tyres with SKS Bluemel mudguards during the winter months. Keeping things comfy, I have opted for a Bontrager Aeolus Elite saddle in a 143mm width.
I've upgraded the levers to Shimano GRX Di2 and swapped them to a wider set of gravel handlebars with the Road Remote buttons which switch the assistance modes positioned near the levers. This allows me to switch modes without moving hand positions. Correct gearing off-road is incredibly important, so I opted for a 46T single chainring and 11-42T cassette to enable me to cover a wide range of terrain. As this bike is used a lot for commuting a good set of bike lights for me is a must, so I have an Exposure Lights Toro MK12 front light and a Bontrager Flare RT rear light to help keep me seen on the road and trails.
When did you decide to purchase this particular bike?
Following lockdown when the traffic levels started to increase, the rush hour trains began to get busy again, and also after I experienced a couple of back-to-back shocking commutes I decided an electric bike was the way to go. The Creo SL EVO was always the one I wanted. It is perfect for the 10km off-road section of my commute through Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park.
Whether, like Graeme, you are looking to make those commutes that little bit easier or you are looking to go further afield on a weekend, an electric bike is a perfect tool. Explore our range of electric bikes and add a boost to your rides.