Kenevo Gen1 2021 Kenevo Turbo Expert - drawbacks?

biota

New Member
Feb 10, 2025
70
23
The peat bog
Hi all

I've got myself all excited about this on sale, only then to notice it's like 4 years old now....

Should I let that put me off? How much did the later model move on?


Seems a good deal. I'm not too concerned about weight as I come from moto trials.

I'm currently on an acoustic - Trek Slash, so nothing really to compare to.

Love the bikepark, but with a 13kg bike I feel very twitchy in the air!

I've also considered the Levo SL but would like more travel.

Cheers
D
 

Zed.

Active member
Apr 26, 2023
287
417
Deepest Bandit country (Wales)
Only possible problem with the ‘full-fat’ Kenevo is that it’s 27.5” wheel only although you can change the fork lowers to allow fitting 29” front wheel and running as a mullet (currently fashionable 😜) but that’s extra cost….

Also as it’s an older design it’s older geometry but still a capable bike 👍

Plenty of deals out there and also on Lev
Levo’s😎


Then there’s the kenevo & levo sl if you want a slightly lighter bike (but lower powered)
Rich.
 

biota

New Member
Feb 10, 2025
70
23
The peat bog
Only possible problem with the ‘full-fat’ Kenevo is that it’s 27.5” wheel only although you can change the fork lowers to allow fitting 29” front wheel and running as a mullet (currently fashionable 😜) but that’s extra cost….

Also as it’s an older design it’s older geometry but still a capable bike 👍

Plenty of deals out there and also on Lev
Levo’s😎


Then there’s the kenevo & levo sl if you want a slightly lighter bike (but lower powered)
Rich.
I know 29ers are supposed to roll better and all that but I can't see if being a problem on a monster truck.

I did have a 27.5 before the Slash...
 

biota

New Member
Feb 10, 2025
70
23
The peat bog
Only possible problem with the ‘full-fat’ Kenevo is that it’s 27.5” wheel only although you can change the fork lowers to allow fitting 29” front wheel and running as a mullet (currently fashionable 😜) but that’s extra cost….

Also as it’s an older design it’s older geometry but still a capable bike 👍

Plenty of deals out there and also on Lev
Levo’s😎


Then there’s the kenevo & levo sl if you want a slightly lighter bike (but lower powered)
Rich.
Also had been thinking if it's a problem I could change the setup like you say.

Even if it raises the front end, you could drop it back by sliding the fork stanchions through the yolks, which you couldn't do on normal forks.
 

kungdog

Member
Feb 27, 2019
33
13
uk
Only possible problem with the ‘full-fat’ Kenevo is that it’s 27.5” wheel only although you can change the fork lowers to allow fitting 29” front wheel and running as a mullet (currently fashionable 😜) but that’s extra cost….

Also as it’s an older design it’s older geometry but still a capable bike 👍

Plenty of deals out there and also on Lev
Levo’s😎


Then there’s the kenevo & levo sl if you want a slightly lighter bike (but lower powered)
Rich.
Can fit a 29" on the rear too
 

biota

New Member
Feb 10, 2025
70
23
The peat bog
Just back from the afternoon at farmer John's bike park on my new Kenevo 😍😍😍

Absolutely love the beast. Suspension needs a bit of dialling in, but my confidence on it is double already.

Coming from a motorbike I've really struggled with feeling twitchy in the air with no weight underneath me. It definitely helps a lot with that.

But just to put a dampener on it (pun intended), a one in a million chance stone has got jammed behind the fork chassis and scratched one of the stanchions top to bottom 😭😭😭

Will post a link when I post asking for suggestions here in a minute.
 

Coburn

Member
Aug 18, 2019
83
48
Somerset
I have also spotted a 23 Kenevo Expert and am thinking of snapping it up, I had a 20 version with the 4 year warranty and sold 2.5 years in and got on a levo. I have missed the Kenevo ever since really liked the 27.5 wheels and ride quality of the Kenevo.

Had issues with the electrics but spec always came good.
I have been looking around at other bikes maybe a Gen3 Levo or the new Whyte Kado but the Kenevo was hands down best bike i have ever had to ride.
Am i just remembering with rose tinted glasses or is the Kenevo good enough to buy again?
Why did specialized stop making them presume must be sales numbers but cant see them releasing another one as its been years and Levo Gen4 must be due first.
 

#lazy

E*POWAH BOSS
Oct 1, 2019
1,445
1,584
Surrey
It is odd that they’ve stopped making the kenevo, pretty much all the other manufactures are building the equivalent bikes.
I’ve also got the 2020 version full 29nd it and upgraded all the parts over the years and am always thinking what my next bike will be. There is nothing out there that matches what I have for less than double of what I payed (£4250) so will purchase a new motor when needed and get another 2year warranty and have a rethink in ………… 202?
Ps shout out to spesh for making a cracking bike 🤙
 

biota

New Member
Feb 10, 2025
70
23
The peat bog
I have also spotted a 23 Kenevo Expert and am thinking of snapping it up, I had a 20 version with the 4 year warranty and sold 2.5 years in and got on a levo. I have missed the Kenevo ever since really liked the 27.5 wheels and ride quality of the Kenevo.

Had issues with the electrics but spec always came good.
I have been looking around at other bikes maybe a Gen3 Levo or the new Whyte Kado but the Kenevo was hands down best bike i have ever had to ride.
Am i just remembering with rose tinted glasses or is the Kenevo good enough to buy again?
Why did specialized stop making them presume must be sales numbers but cant see them releasing another one as its been years and Levo Gen4 must be due first.
I've only been out on it once so far, but it felt absolutely amazing compared to my trek slash.
Only thing I feel like I need to change is the sram codes. Has them on the trek and didn't like them very much.
Just waiting for hayes dominions arriving
 
Last edited:

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