2020 Kenevo + EXT Storia?

[Kenebeau]

I have heard whispers of a few kenevo owners putting the EXT Storia shock in their 2020 Kenevos. Has anyoneon this forum done it and have any pics they could share and thoughts? Cheers.

 

[losgatosgtr]

I have one on my 2019 Levo and love it.

 

[losgatosgtr]

I have seen a few Kenevo threads mentioning the Storia but not much info on ride impressions or tuning tips. Hope people will chime in.

 

[Geas]

I am running the E-Storia 230x62,5 in the Kenevo. Absolutely loving it! I was a little concerned putting a coil in a rather linear rear end. But with the HBO it works perfectly in the Kenevo.

 

[losgatosgtr]

Thanks so much. If you don't mind I have a couple more questions when you have time.

What is your weight, and height with riding gear and what size Kenevo are you running?

Is the 500 lb spring on your storia providing the correct sag percent and what is that percent please?

What is your preferred cockpit set up with stem length, rise and bar things like that?

Thanks again,

 

[Geas]

Thanks so much. If you don't mind I have a couple more questions when you have time.

What is your weight, and height with riding gear and what size Kenevo are you running?

Is the 500 lb spring on your storia providing the correct sag percent and what is that percent please?

What is your preferred cockpit set up with stem length, rise and bar things like that?

Thanks again,

I am 5'10 and around 195lbs geared up. Running an S3. With the 500lbs spring sag is around 28-30%. A second spring (550lb) came for free with the shock. So when riding with a heavy backpack I still have the option to switch to the harder spring (although never used it so far).

Cockpit setup is extremely important for me and I am always testing a lot when on a new bike until I find the position that's best for me. I am using two 0,8mm spacers under the stem. Stem is a Raceface Turbine R 40mm. The short stem makes steering extremely precise on this bike. Handlebar is a Renthal Fatbar Carbon 35mm with 30mm rise.

 

[losgatosgtr]

I am 5'10 and around 195lbs geared up. Running an S3. With the 500lbs spring sag is around 28-30%. A second spring (550lb) came for free with the shock. So when riding with a heavy backpack I still have the option to switch to the harder spring (although never used it so far).

Cockpit setup is extremely important for me and I am always testing a lot when on a new bike until I find the position that's best for me. I am using two 0,8mm spacers under the stem. Stem is a Raceface Turbine R 40mm. The short stem makes steering extremely precise on this bike. Handlebar is a Renthal Fatbar Carbon 35mm with 30mm rise.

Thanks I appreciate the detailed response. I am about 5'11" and I weigh about 195 all geared up. I'll report back once I get a basic 29er set up on my Kenevo.

 

[CjP]

Fyi I’m 5/10 85kg kitted and on my brothers S3 29 Kenevo with estoria suits me perfectly with either the 500 or 550 spring.
Pretty good set up to be honest. One bike that would comfortably do it all.

 

[Dpickin1]

I have been running the EXT E-storia for 4 months now and it is nothing short of AMAZING. I am interested to hear the spring rates for guys that weigh less than 200 lbs. I am 5'10 and weigh an easy 270 lbs or more (S3) geared up and am running a 550 spring which has been 100% perfect after adding a few clicks of low speed.

The dealer where I bought the shock from set up the internals to support my weight and therefore ended up with a lower spring rate. I was actually concerned in the beginning as I was running a 650 spring on the Rockshox and was looking to buy a 725 or 750 spring before I was shown that my Rockshox had cracked and was a ride or 2 away from a full blown failure.

I am curios to know if you had the same experience or did you receive the shock as is from a supplier? Long story short the shock is beyond amazing and is actually a tremendous improvement for climbing techy rock laden trails as well as the crazy stability downhill and off drops. With my Rockshox, I internally cringed and puckerd my ass before every drop more than 5 feet waiting for the bang of a bottom out, now, I dont think twice.

 

[cozzy]

I have been running the EXT E-storia for 4 months now and it is nothing short of AMAZING. I am interested to hear the spring rates for guys that weigh less than 200 lbs. I am 5'10 and weigh an easy 270 lbs or more (S3) geared up and am running a 550 spring which has been 100% perfect after adding a few clicks of low speed.

The dealer where I bought the shock from set up the internals to support my weight and therefore ended up with a lower spring rate. I was actually concerned in the beginning as I was running a 650 spring on the Rockshox and was looking to buy a 725 or 750 spring before I was shown that my Rockshox had cracked and was a ride or 2 away from a full blown failure.

I am curios to know if you had the same experience or did you receive the shock as is from a supplier? Long story short the shock is beyond amazing and is actually a tremendous improvement for climbing techy rock laden trails as well as the crazy stability downhill and off drops. With my Rockshox, I internally cringed and puckerd my ass before every drop more than 5 feet waiting for the bang of a bottom out, now, I dont think twice.

What percentage sag do you get with that spring weight?

 

[Dpickin1]

What percentage sag do you get with that spring weight?

Around 32%, which can only be possible with internal valving work I assume. First few rides I was getting more pedal strikes than I like, after adding 2 clicks of low speed it is now in a sweet spot where I have no desire to fiddle with it anymore.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Interested in giving one of these a go.

 

[Dpickin1]

Interested in giving one of these a go.

Worth every penny in my opinion, I cant imagine riding a stock set up on a future bike but it is not cheap........

 

[ebikerider]

Around 32%, which can only be possible with internal valving work I assume. First few rides I was getting more pedal strikes than I like, after adding 2 clicks of low speed it is now in a sweet spot where I have no desire to fiddle with it anymore.

How do you measure sag (seated or standing)?

 

[Dpickin1]

How do you measure sag (seated or standing)?

Seated if I remember correctly.

 

[losgatosgtr]

How do you measure sag (seated or standing)?

I typically measure sag when in my neutral riding position, which is basically standing with my knees and arms bent, with my weight centered between front and rear of bike. Have a friend or a wall nearby to hold the bike steady or lean against. Important to have full riding kit on and water etc. when doing this. Do it the same way each time you measure sag or you will get different measurements. Key is consistency.

 

[nB2000]

Interested in giving one of these a go.

Hi Rob. Why not contact the Geometron / Mojo Rising guys about a test, Chris Porter et al. Chris has done a lot of work on EXT with Franco there. As I am coming from a Geometron G1 where the Storia shock beat the X2 by a mile, I’ll be putting one on my KSL when I can. Better climbing, better traction, grip, rough ground smoothing ‘;~}

 

[Alexbn921]

I almost bought an ext , but settled on a custom avalanche woodie 232x66mm with a 17mm bumper. This gives 190mm of travel and I use the low setting. I'm 195 geared up on an s5 with 600lb spring. I have a spring travel indicator and use 63-64mm on most rides. Sag is 15mm or 25% of 180mm wheel travel. It rides high but uses all the travel so I don't think I could drop down in rate unless I run more compression damped.

 

[Singletrackmind]

Just came into possession (Xmas gift from wifey) of a FF 2022 Specialized Kenevo Expert with 27.5 wheels f/r. Only have a few rides in and wanting to install a coil shock (upgraded RockShox Boxxer Select RC fork with the Charger Kit). Read about issues riders have had when going to a coil because of the stress the sidearm frame design puts on the rear shock. Notice Spesh doesn't have a coil option anymore on the 2 models they sale. Have Push 11/6's on my YT Decoy and Yeti-160E and the coil transcended the bikes performance.



Can anyone provide any insight on running a coil on a FF (not SL Model) Kenevo? Guys at Push won't spec on for issues mentioned. Seems like team at EXT designed a more robust shock that can take the increased load.



Any insight from riders using the EXT Storia E would be much appreciated!

 

[Singletrackmind]



I am running the E-Storia 230x62,5 in the Kenevo. Absolutely loving it! I was a little concerned putting a coil in a rather linear rear end. But with the HBO it works perfectly in the Kenevo.Can you explain what "adding HBO refers to?

 

[Alexbn921]

The kenevo has a relatively linear ratio so you need some kind of bottom out protection or a stiffer spring. Bottoming out is what is breaking the shocks. Then next is side loading from slop in the rear. Keep an eye on bearings, the stock ones are only good for about a 1000 miles before they developed slop. The upper link is the main problem. The rear is doubled up and the lower is bigger. I replaced all mine with NSK. I have done it on 3 kenevos now and the upper link is always the worst.

EXT has a high damping and this helps on linear bikes, but also makes it less plush.

I'm running an Avalanche Woodie, long stroked to 66mm for 190mm of travel.
Mid level compression damping and a 600lb spring. 25% same and I'm 195lb on an S5. Tried the 550 spring but was bottoming out too much.

I would trade sag by using a stiffer spring for less compression damping and ramp at the end.

 

[nB2000]

It’s not what you asked but Chris at Mojo Rising / Geometron bikes fixed me up with a v3 Storia for my KSL. (Custom shorter piggyback, spherical bearing one end. Those help lots with side loads) It’s fab. Better pedalling. Better grip. Smoother ride on the chunder.
Go for it. If you’re in the UK, Mojo Rising / Geometron bikes are the EXT experts.