Article 2020 SPECIALIZED KENEVO
- Thread starter Rob Rides EMTB
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #93
Also I like the seat stack on the 2020 Kenevo. Look how much lower it is compared to the XL Levo (vs S5 Kenevo):
Can you ask them to put a second set of cage nuts higher up on the mkII version, then there would be space for a water bottle AND a tool tub. This has to be a winning design point on the 2020, most bikes struggle for space for a water bottle, look at the decoy for instance.
- Thread starter
- #95
The tool hanger is under the water bottle.
JasonNZ
Member
Picking mine up in a couple of hours, I’m 6’2”, went for the S4 so hopefully sizing is ok.........
Yup, and a great tool it is too .. I love mine. But imagine if you had a (not sure what you call it) a second cage for your tool keg/tool tub - the thing for stuffing your tubes/tools/levers etc in .. There's space
Yup, and a great tool it is too .. I love mine. But imagine if you had a (not sure what you call it) a second cage for your tool keg/tool tub - the thing for stuffing your tubes/tools/levers etc in .. There's space
Plenty of room to fit some sort of holder here (i think), it's not got to be anything big just enough for few bit's pieces yep it's going to get covered in crap, and may be a issue if your really giving it the beans. but we all normally know where we're going to ride..
JasonNZ
Member
Congratz!!! How was the sizing for you? I’m 6 feet 1 inches (185cm) and went for the S4. I’m a bit stressed that I should have gone for the S5...
JasonNZ
Member
Thanks. I had the same concerns so was an interesting first ride.
Early days of course.....but changed bars before I rode it and put my correctly sized seat on and slid it back to the limit line ( like I did on my Levo) and that’s about it (....other than ODI Grips and my Turbo Connect Unit lol!).
Now I’m coming off a 2018 Levo Expert so can’t compare to a 2019/2020 Levo but......
Initial observations....2.1 Motor is noisier than the 1.3 (well known so no surprises there), the power doesn’t feel as much as the 1.3 - but I think that’s because it’s smoother and has a more natural feeling....?
It feels surprisingly even more nimble than my Levo (considering it’s about 80mm longer in the wheelbase for the same S4 / L size).
Size wise, it feels good (I think I could have gone either way S4 / S5).
Due to the new geometry it adapts significantly as the dropper changes height - so it brings you more forward at full extension for normal pedaling / climbing, and stretches you out as it drops to a far more comfy stretched out position for descending - this in my opinion is what will make this bike a winner for it’s all around capabilities.
And the 160mm of drop is awesome!!
So far (and it is only early days) I think it will be way more capable than a lot of people are expecting.
And, in the flesh with a bit of dirt on her it looks even better!
So far so good, looking forward to putting some miles on it and seeing what’s she’s capable of
Last edited:
dochabanero
Well-known member
I’d love to hear how well sized the bike is for you. I’m 185 cm myself.
Eduardoramundo
Well-known member
I am 6’1” (186cm) also and have sat on the S4 and it was on the smallish size bit not too small. I’m going to have a sit on the S5 next week.
Wernher
Active member
Not a single issue on motors. We've had two Giants where the first generation controls failed but that was fixed and no more issues since. We also had a freewheel hub fail on one Giant and then Giant replaced all three the other freewheel hubs with a new stronger hub. The Shimanos had no failures both are Meridas.
Here is an alternative which works for me. I use mine for water but nothing stopping you use one side for water and one for a tool container.Yup, and a great tool it is too .. I love mine. But imagine if you had a (not sure what you call it) a second cage for your tool keg/tool tub - the thing for stuffing your tubes/tools/levers etc in .. There's space
Swissrider
Well-known member
I’m curious about Specialized decision to go for narrower tyres, they don’t seem to justify this in their extensive press release. There have been lots of posts and comments about how much changing tyres on the Kenevo can change the handling and feeling of the bike, even if only in the front tyre. Maybe this accounts for reports of the new Kenevo feeling more “lively” than the old one, despite geometry which suggests going for stability. It’s hard to believe that longer wheelbase and slacker steering angle can make a bike more lively. If so, it throws all conventional thinking on geometry out of the window. It wouldn’t really make sense for Specialized either to make a Kenevo which was as “lively” as the Levo, otherwise why would anyone buy a Levo if you could have a Kenevo which climbs as well, is as manoeuvrable and descends better. The reality is that every MTB, electric or not is a compromise. The Levo does a great job of doing everything pretty well but it’s not going to be as good as Kenevo (old or new) at descending or as lively as say a La Pierre eZesty. Good on Specialized for moving the Kenevo away from the Levo (as they did in 2018) but folk should be careful with the hype and only choose a Kenevo over a Levo if it really suits their riding style or where they ride.
What I can’t get my head around is the change to much narrower rims from 38mm to 28mm unless this is a typo error on their website???
- Thread starter
- #110
Yeah I agree regarding geo - id expected it to feel quite slow and porky to move. I’m no geometry expert, curious to see what @Gary thinks about the 2020’s geo and how that contributes to it feeing more nimble than the last.
Im thinking wheels now are 28mm, tyres down to a 2.6 so prob a bit lighter. Triple crown fork is super stiff. Frame stiffened. Weight distribution lower. Steeper seat tube for better climbing - all contributing to it feeling quite different to the 2019.
- Thread starter
- #111
That’s very interesting Rob. As you know, most people are on the ‘wider is better’ band wagon
- Thread starter
- #113
That’s very interesting Rob. As you know, most people are on the ‘wider is better’ band wagon
I think that most DH rims are narrower? And a narrower rime must create a more rounded tread profile leading to better side knob grip? Not too sure of all the facts behind rim width, many folks are going 35mm - 40mm. I've been happy with the DT Swiss at 30mm on the Levo and am surely not skilled enough to notice a difference between the 2mm difference between the 30mm Levo and 28mm Kenevo wheels!
This is pretty much just re-saying what you guys are saying (but I like the sound of my own keyboard), but I guess with a wider rim, the sidewalls start further apart, so the whole tyre tread profile is flatter. With the thinner rim, the sidewalls are pulled in making the tread profile rounder/sharper rather than flatter, so not only more potential bite on your side knobs, but the bike will be far more eager to roll/turn - hence making it feel livelier ?
The downside is an overall smaller volume of air in the tyre, but then with 180mm and potentially the average riders (of this bike) faster speeds over "obstacles", does that counteract the advantages of the times when more air volume gives more grip/stability ?
Honesty haven't payed all that much attention to the new Kenevos Rob. The old geometry was pretty nice TBH.
Looking at the chart above I'd definitely only be interested in the S1 (small?) frame size.
Chainstay are IMO bang on for playfulness/stability (which is always a compromise)
BB decent (but could definitely be lower) - lower BB height does not make a bike more playful but fies make a bike corner well. (Better if you're used to it and don't need children's cranks or a dummy to cope
) I'm not convinced the added reach of each size is a good thing for a bike this heavy and already naturally stable due to the weight distribution. So christ knows how a genuinely small rider will get on with 445mm being the shortest available reach.
Seat angle is on trend. But doesn't really need to be super steep as its clearly a which n plummet (shuttle run) DH orientated bike.
Head angle is also sorted.
Part of me would like a shot of one. Part of me is a bit meh.. Mainly down to the weight and the fact my own bike still has better geometry and sizing (for me). They're close though. And as I run a 50mm stem the S1 could fit just the same (with a 40mm fitted)
What you felt is not all down to geometry changes Rob. eg. Bar height/roll/position also contributes to playfulness. As will the tyres/wheels (haven't even read what these are yet)
I don't really see anything here Spesh have got wrong with the bike at all.
Who are you and what have you done with the real Gary?
2020 Kenevos now come with a 'Gary Approved' sticker
We don't want to believe it, but if you read through some older threads .. the previous Kenevo came with a "Gary Approved" sticker....
Going to have to swing a leg over one of the comps, tempted to build up the dove grey one with 700wh battery, Red lyric Ultimates, and a Super Deluxe Ultimate with the red spring for pimping points.
As much as I love a DH fork, I think overkill and probably a pita for my local trails.
As much as I love a DH fork, I think overkill and probably a pita for my local trails.
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