Levo vs Kenevo

[Kiwi in Wales]

Depending on shock, I might need as much as 700!

Also, I have a Trunion mount rear shock, so I'm not sure if I can even get a better shock of either type.

I think it is a matter of changing the shock mount kit to a Trunnion fitting on either an Air or Coil shock.

I saw this on a Trek analogue frame so I presume it might be the same on your Powerfly?

 

[Kiwi in Wales]

Now to just find a good deal...it looks like $600 w/o coil is the going rate on an ohlins.

I know what you mean, big bucks..... I was lucky enough to have a DB Coil that came off a previous analogue bike but you might be able to find a second hand one on Pinkbike or Ebay and get it customised like I did for less than $600?

 

[comtn]

I know what you mean, big bucks..... I was lucky enough to have a DB Coil that came off a previous analogue bike but you might be able to find a second hand one on Pinkbike or Ebay and get it customised like I did for less than $600?

Do you find you get less "pop" from the coil shock? Only coiled bike I've ridden is my demo 8 which has zero pop in the rear but of course will bulldoze whatever you point it at.

 

[Dfriz]

I test rode both-- Bought the Kenevo always nice to have that extra Travel

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Specialized UK are loaning me a Kenevo for 2 weeks to compare to the Levo. I’ve told them it’s for the website and YouTube channel and they are happy (I guess it’s free PR!).

I’m going to try and take them both to Bike Park Wales for comparison, as well as regular trail rides etc. Hopefully I can get a decent comparison over the 2 weeks

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

I test rode both-- Bought the Kenevo always nice to have that extra Travel

Nice! What kind of terrain and trails do you ride? Did you just prefer the extra travel for comfort?

 

[Doomanic]

If you fancy hooking up at the FoD you can do a comparison with the Trek if you like.

 

[Dfriz]

Nice! What kind of terrain and trails do you ride? Did you just prefer the extra travel for comfort?

Mostly all mountain!!

 

[comtn]

Curious to see if they go carbon on the Kenevo next year. I wonder if a 160mm or 170 front and back with an air shock would give it more pop and make it not feel so much like a bulldozer. It seems the Kenevo is past what an enduro is and is somewhere between an enduro and demo. I could be way off.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Curious to see if they go carbon on the Kenevo next year. I wonder if a 160mm or 170 front and back with an air shock would give it more pop and make it not feel so much like a bulldozer. It seems the Kenevo is past what an enduro is and is somewhere between an enduro and demo. I could be way off.

I’m sure that they will go carbon, can’t see any reason not to at all.

 

[comtn]

What are your initial impressions of the kenevo?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

What are your initial impressions of the kenevo?

Comfortable and confidence inspiring. I need to ride it way more to get a better overview though! Love the look and colour. I want to get out on a couple of all day rides to properly compare it to the Levo.

 

[Kernow]

wow they are much bigger.
thank you so much..
i would think they would roll over stuff much better and more rubber on floor to in crease grip i supose..
i think a set of those can be put on a e levo maybe worth thinking about
dont know how this would effect gearing ect i presume i could change the size in mission control app
thanks once again for the picture they speak a thousand words...

29 makes a fair difference in gearing , I had to drop from a 34 to a 30 to get a similar ist gear on my 29er compared to a 27.5 with same rear cassette . I think actual difference is equivalent to 3 teeth in the front . So if you use your lowest gear in anger it’s worth considering s smaller front ring .

 

[Dfriz]

I wish Ohlins made a 180 for the front, the Lyrik works good !!!

 

[comtn]

Just ordered up a 160 lyrik for the levo. Revelation is good but not great on initial comfort in the stroke.

 

[levity]

Just ordered up a 160 lyrik for the levo. Revelation is good but not great on initial comfort in the stroke.

The Charger damper in the Lyrik fork is supposed to perform better than the Revelation Motion Control damper, but you can play with High Speed Compression behavior by changing the damper oil. The Lyrik Charger uses 3W suspension oil, whereas the Revelation comes stock with 5w (155ml; 100-106mm oil height). It's easy to replace the oil in the Revelation, just pour out the old, pour in the new. I use Redline Extra Light 2.5W (8 CSt at 40°), and Mrs levity prefers Redline "Like Water" (5 CSt at 40°). Big improvement, much more supple initial stroke, more controlled for our weights and riding styles. (The Revelation can also be adjusted to 160mm if needed.)

 

[comtn]

The Charger damper in the Lyrik fork is supposed to perform better than the Revelation Motion Control damper, but you can play with High Speed Compression behavior by changing the damper oil. The Lyrik Charger uses 3W suspension oil, whereas the Revelation comes stock with 5w (155ml; 100-106mm oil height). It's easy to replace the oil in the Revelation, just pour out the old, pour in the new. I use Redline Extra Light 2.5W (8 CSt at 40°), and Mrs levity prefers Redline "Like Water" (5 CSt at 40°). Big improvement, much more supple initial stroke, more controlled for our weights and riding styles. (The Revelation can also be adjusted to 160mm if needed.)

Thanks for the information. Wife is getting a levo comp (if the local dealer can ever get one) so I may experiment with this to get her some comfort.

 

[njn]

Just ordered up a 160 lyrik for the levo. Revelation is good but not great on initial comfort in the stroke.

I like the specs on the new red lyrik rc2. A few key upgrades (damper and spring) over the 2018 lyrik rct3 that came with my bike. I may buy the new style air spring in 170mm.

 

[comtn]

I like the specs on the new red lyrik rc2. A few key upgrades (damper and spring) over the 2018 lyrik rct3 that came with my bike. I may buy the new style air spring in 170mm.

It's not a huge cost to upgrade if I remember correctly. $50?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Anyone else ridden both Levo & Kenevo recently?

I’d like to have both! The Levo definitely feels more lively, it is slightly lighter. But having 180mm front and rear gives an insane amount of confidence for the big stuff.

 

[Kernow]

Anyone else ridden both Levo & Kenevo recently?

I’d like to have both! The Levo definitely feels more lively, it is slightly lighter. But having 180mm front and rear gives an insane amount of confidence for the big stuff.

2 bikes or more is a must Rob , I thought one ebike would do it all but I can see how it doesn’t even with ebikes . Maybe theres a need for sorcialised to make a bike between the Levo and kenevo They could call it likenevo ?

 

[StuR]

Anyone else ridden both Levo & Kenevo recently?

I’d like to have both! The Levo definitely feels more lively, it is slightly lighter. But having 180mm front and rear gives an insane amount of confidence for the big stuff.

Ive got both - 2017 levo expert and 2018 Kenevo
Both are awesome and performance overlaps a fair bit but they also both excell in certain areas
Ive set them up the same to try and directly compare . Same assist settings , same butcher 2.8 tyres , same trails and weather conditions.
Levo is more nimble , a little lighter , climbs and traversing are quicker .
Less assistance req which gives about 20 - 25 % more range - ( it really does )
Descends like a boss
It would be my choice for 80 % of my riding
Slight negatives - motor is not as powerful - really noticeable in boost mode - but i believe it's the 1.2 2017 version
Harsher ride - i guess , due to less travel
Im a little less confident when the terrain gets gnarly. Having said that , ive seen riders online absolutely hauling on them .
So it's probably got a lot to do with me mincing when i should be rinsin .

The Kenevo looks and rides like an utter beast . It bulldozess everything and gives gob loads of confidence and is super stable in the rough.
Despite lagging in the climb and traversing dept , its no slouch and can easily do the climbs
I can only think the geometry and extra travel and high front makes it harder to climb
Point it downwards and those qualities make it excell.
The jury is still out on the WU seatpost

Difficult to say which i prefer -
For trail riding - probably the Levo
For grin inducing hooliganism - definitely the Kenevo.

I think a 160mm version of both would be ideal for me
Come on Spesh sort it out !!!
Actually perhaps not , i may find myself homeless

 

[comtn]

Ive got both - 2017 levo expert and 2018 Kenevo
Both are awesome and performance overlaps a fair bit but they also both excell in certain areas
Ive set them up the same to try and directly compare . Same assist settings , same butcher 2.8 tyres , same trails and weather conditions.
Levo is more nimble , a little lighter , climbs and traversing are quicker .
Less assistance req which gives about 20 - 25 % more range - ( it really does )
Descends like a boss
It would be my choice for 80 % of my riding
Slight negatives - motor is not as powerful - really noticeable in boost mode - but i believe it's the 1.2 2017 version
Harsher ride - i guess , due to less travel
Im a little less confident when the terrain gets gnarly. Having said that , ive seen riders online absolutely hauling on them .
So it's probably got a lot to do with me mincing when i should be rinsin .

The Kenevo looks and rides like an utter beast . It bulldozess everything and gives gob loads of confidence and is super stable in the rough.
Despite lagging in the climb and traversing dept , its no slouch and can easily do the climbs
I can only think the geometry and extra travel and high front makes it harder to climb
Point it downwards and those qualities make it excell.
The jury is still out on the WU seatpost

Difficult to say which i prefer -
For trail riding - probably the Levo
For grin inducing hooliganism - definitely the Kenevo.

I think a 160mm version of both would be ideal for me
Come on Spesh sort it out !!!
Actually perhaps not , i may find myself homeless

Agreed a carbon 160mm version is the ticket. Or how about this. Put a lyrik dual position on the current kenevo. I have the dual on my levo which slacks it out and helps a lot on downhills but when I switch it to the lower position it goes down 30mm and it climbs better than stock. It's pretty incredible what you can climb on theses bikes!

 

[StuR]

Agreed a carbon 160mm version is the ticket. Or how about this. Put a lyrik dual position on the current kenevo. I have the dual on my levo which slacks it out and helps a lot on downhills but when I switch it to the lower position it goes down 30mm and it climbs better than stock. It's pretty incredible what you can climb on theses bikes!

Mmmmm !!!! Got me thinking now

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

@comtn how about the rear shock? Still at 135mm?

 

[comtn]

@comtn how about the rear shock? Still at 135mm?

Yes still the stock 135, I've upgraded to a fox factory take off from a stumpjumper. I didn't get along with the monarch all that well. The 30 mill the dual position makes is significant on climbs. The front goes from wandering and light to weighted with good traction.

 

[idahoskiguy]

When first looking for an eMtn bike last year the Levo was a definite contender, however, ended up with a purchasing a BULLS ESTREAM EVO 3 27.5 PLUS as the 54cm frame fit better, 650W battery, and the 2x11 gear train offered a wider range. Over the course of the year, a few things were realized: 1. A more slack head angle would be great, the BULLs is 68 degrees 2.Better brakes would be nice 3. At 95kg I could use some more suspension.

The Kenevo looked to address all the above: 1. Head angle 65 degrees 2. Much better brakes 3. 180mm suspension with an Olins rear shock. The local Specialized shop did not have a Kenevo to demo so with a leap of faith ordered a Kenevo without ever riding one. Two months into the Kenveo and no regrets! The Kenevo geometry and the long wheelbase fit me and my riding style perfectly. The suspension is so good and responds wells to even small adjustments.

The Levo is a fantastic bike. The Kenevo is the heavy duty version of the Levo in my opinion.

 

[Kiwi in Wales]

Hi All, been off line for quite some time enjoying my brand new motored 2017 Levo.

If you want 160mm travel on the rear of your Levo then talk to TF Tuned.

I had a 200mm eye to eye Cane Creek Double Barrel Coil lying about and they changed the shock body and managed to squeeze 159mm of travel out of it ?

My upgraded Levo is not far from a Kenevo

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

@Kiwi in Wales that looks fricking awesome. Are you 160 front and rear now? How’s the handling?

 

[Kiwi in Wales]

TF Tuned Pushed Fox 36 180mm forks, Cane Creek DB coil 159mm rear. The handling is super plush both front and rear. The suspension gives you so much confidence it’s sometimes quite scary.

I would highly recommend the upgrade.