Kenevo Gen1 Official 2020 Kenevo Owners Thread

[Henrik]

In my opinion you still can’t beat the Kenevo.

True

 

[Churchill]

Just wondering, You guys ever ride dirt bikes? They have a completely different feel through tech trails, there are a couple reasons. Aside from the power ,One is the extra weight, the other is the wheels and tires. I just put together some 27.5 plus wheels and tires, after a couple rides, I think you guys might want to try it. 2.8 Michelins on 40 mm iw rims fit fine. Sub 20 psi and some liners and the bike is unstoppable up and down.

I think I agree with this post more than any other in this thread.

I ride motorcross bikes off-road through the Rocky Mountains, and yes, they are rocky! My motorcross bike has full Factory Connection suspension and it is absolutely unbelievable. I could probably hit a fire hydrant at 35 MPH and hardly notice. I have been searching for this same level of suspension performance, handling, and traction with my 22 Kenevo since I bought it.

For me the solution was the Boxxer 38mm fork with Avalanche dual hybrid coil spring and 27.5 X 2.8 plus tires. This fork smashes through everything with 0 arm pump or hand fatigue and the tires have infinite traction and maintain contact with the trail even when the bike is smashing sideways through rocks and wet tree roots on high speed, off-camber turns. The low tire pressure, wide contact patch, and large side wall conform to the trail and loose rocks perfectly. The high-speed stability is 100%. The cornering, handling and traction are 100%. Just mind blowing. This bike now surfs down the trail auto correcting every mistake and absorbing tree stumps, rocks, and unattended pets without missing a beat.

I have never been even more than 50% satisfied with MTB suspension until now!

Now, I admit, I have 0 experience with 29" wheels / tires. My mind just can't fathom that those skinny little 29er tires will work well on rocks and roots under high cornering loads. I can see that they would climb better and roll better, but no way will I risk changing the perfect configuration that I have now to see what I think about the larger wheels. Great forks and great big tires change everything.

 

[Churchill]

Bonus!

A.I. wrote a song about my Kenevo:

Electric Ride

 

[Kenevo_Cal]

is there a way to ride the kenevo with the battery pack out?
probably need some type of cover to replace the bottom bracket cover?

 

[mustclime]

Just buy an extra battery cover.

 

[#lazy]

LEVO G2 BATTERY TRANSPORT / PARK COVER WITH MAGNET

LEVO G2 BATTERY TRANSPORT / PARK COVER WITH MAGNET

webshop.bestbike.de

 

[mustclime]

Specialized Levo FSR Battery RockGuard Kit (Black)

Specialized Levo FSR Battery Rock Guard Kit Compatible with the following bikes: 2019+ Levo 2020+ Kenevo S194200005

www.performancebike.com

They are on sale

 

[mustclime]

I though this was a very interesting video


May have to take the plunge.

 

[sp00n]

I though this was a very interesting video


May have to take the plunge.

I've seen that video as well, but cannot find the shock itself anywhere here in Europe (in the correct size). It's even not showing up on the Suntour page itself anymore.

Besides that, has anyone had problems with air shocks breaking due to the Kenevo's long yoke / strut length?
I've been looking for a new affordable shock since my current DVO Topaz T3 Air gen2 has broken multiple times now, it seems to last for 6-12 months before the damper shaft begins to wear down and lose air during riding.
This is the first defect, with very obvious wear:

And the second one just now. Not as noticeable, but enough to lose ~15 PSI during a ride:

There are a couple of shock recommendations for the Levo in this forum, but the good ones also seem to be the most expensive ones (800 Euros and up).

I don't even need a coil shock, an air shock would be just fine. It just shouldn't break after a couple of months of hard riding.

 

[#lazy]

When the 1st 2020’s came out the coils were breaking so the comp got a dpx2 and the expert got a super deluxe air shocks , I’ve used both and settled with the super deluxe . Not a lot in it but the s deluxe feels more robust .

 

[sp00n]

I have the DPX2 as well from the 2021 Comp model, which I then swapped for the DVO Topaz. The Topaz is far better performance-wise, but the DPX2 has a 12.7mm steel shaft, so that's probably why they used it.

(Also, the DPX2 has pretty quickly sucked air into the oil, which seems to be a common issue for this shock and an additional reason why I don't just want to revert to it)

I'm currently considering the 2024 Super Deluxe Ultimate Air with Hydrolic Bottom Out. Plus the spherical bearings from DHSign.

 

[mustclime]

I am on a float x and it’s pretty dam
Good, I would like to try a coil though.

 

[Henrik]

I am runnig the new RS Vivid with 230x62.5 and it does not hit the sidearm while single trail riding, bottom outs or bigger jumps. I know a guy, where this happens. My Kenevo is a S4 from 2023 as you can see in the post #1411
The Super Deluxe that came with the bike worked well too. It has the LC compression tune.
The aftermarket SD with the L1 compression tune, linear rebound and HBO works really well in my Levo Gen3 and I think it would be a great choice for the Kenevo too.

 

[cozzy]

I just got my ttx22 coil back from tftuned after a service.
I usually get it done yearly but never got around to it last year so it's been 2 years.
It needed a new steel shaft due to scoring. The scores were so fine I wouldn't have even noticed them myself. Certainly nothing like the picture posted above. It's a cheap part though.
I just don't like airshocks. Too much going on in too small a space. Plus I've ended up in hospital for a week when one failed on me, so that additionally taints my view on them.
I really think a spherical bearing would help but tftuned claim a reliable one isn't available.

I was surprised how big the hole is in the centre of the steel shaft.

 

[cozzy]

Ive just tested the fairly basic fox float x that came with my kenevo sl comp on my full power.
Mainly as i was pretty impressed with the sl's suspension performance.
Yes i know the sl has a more sophisticated linkage and that's probably the difference i can feel.

It felt pretty damn good. I doubt in a blind test i would even notice the difference between this and my ohlins coil.
Ive had issues with previous x2 and dpx but im certainly in no rush to refit the coil.

Now if the sl came with the full power motor and swappable batteries, that would be the dream bike.

 

[mustclime]

Ive just tested the fairly basic fox float x that came with my kenevo sl comp on my full power.
Mainly as i was pretty impressed with the sl's suspension performance.
Yes i know the sl has a more sophisticated linkage and that's probably the difference i can feel.

It felt pretty damn good. I doubt in a blind test i would even notice the difference between this and my ohlins coil.
Ive had issues with previous x2 and dpx but im certainly in no rush to refit the coil.

View attachment 144476

Now the sl with the full power motor and swappable batteries, that would be the dream bike.

The float x is a great shock, I had one for 6 months on my Kenevo. I am now on a fox dhx coil. I think the Kenevo rides better with a coil and this is the shock that came on the 2024 Kenevo comp.

 

[cozzy]

The float x is a great shock, I had one for 6 months on my Kenevo. I am now on a fox dhx coil. I think the Kenevo rides better with a coil and this is the shock that came on the 2024 Kenevo comp.

See so many posts of the dhx leaking oil on facebook groups. You only ever read about the problems though.
It seems like the ideal budget kenevo shock to me with the steel shaft.

 

[mustclime]

I got my dh x for $230 from bikes on line on sale. Every coil shock I have had weeps a little, there is a reason most of the coils out there have dark colored shafts… to hide this. The SR Suntour coil is supposed to be good …

 

[Henrik]

Did a Video on my 2023 Mullet Kenevo. It started as a „Review“ but its more a „I am in love with it“ vid. There are some riderclips in it too.

 

[mustclime]

I tried this and it seems to work.

 

[GeordieKenevo]

I tried this and it seems to work.

I watched that and part of his behind the scenes version and not convinced myself but I'm only 2 rides into using my 180mm Fox 38 on my Kenevo 2020 using the same settings as when I put it on my 2019 Kenevo so not actually tried it yet but the following are my settings at about 100kg all kitted up running at 103psi

HSC - 2 from fully open
LSC - 3 from fully open
HSR - 2 from fully closed
LSR - 7 from fully closed

 

[Drewf]

Just bought this 2021 Kenevo Expert last weekend! Guess you can call it new old stock. Bike shop owner had it parked in his garage for years and never rode it. It had 3 miles and 1 charge cycle on it and I was able to register it as new with Specialized with full warranty. Was riding an Giant Trance Elite "SL" bike that weighed ~46 lbs, and I dont mind the extra weight of the full fat Kenevo at all...this bike rides and feels amazing and I love the plush suspension travel at the bike park. So glad I was able to find this bike since they quit making them.

View attachment IMG_2253.JPG

 

[Nikolaos Tsivis]

This build ended up better than my previous one!

On my second Kenevo:

Brgds/Nikolaos Tsivis

 

[OrangePower]

I have a question about changing the chain on my 2023 Kenevo. I did 2200 km and noticed that the original chain needed to be changed. This was checked with Topeak Chain Hook. I made checks periodically. I replaced chain with an XX1 chain (gol one - 00.2518.024.020), which skips on the rear cassette XG-1275 10-52T. It looks like the casete is worn. There were no problems with the old chain before. Do I have to change cassette already? Or did I buy wrong chain? During replacement I noticed that links of old chain are maybe a little longer then on new chain.

 

[mustclime]

Just bought this 2021 Kenevo Expert last weekend! Guess you can call it new old stock. Bike shop owner had it parked in his garage for years and never rode it. It had 3 miles and 1 charge cycle on it and I was able to register it as new with Specialized with full warranty. Was riding an Giant Trance Elite "SL" bike that weighed ~46 lbs, and I dont mind the extra weight of the full fat Kenevo at all...this bike rides and feels amazing and I love the plush suspension travel at the bike park. So glad I was able to find this bike since they quit making them.

View attachment 147168

May I recommend your first mod be a 200 mm air shaft for the boxer.

 

[mustclime]

I have a question about changing the chain on the Kenevot. I did 2200 km and noticed that the original chain needed to be changed. This was checked with Topeak Chain Hook. I made checks periodically. I replaced chain with an XX1 chain (gol one - 00.2518.024.020), which skips on the rear cassette XG-1275 10-52T. It looks like the casete is worn. There were no problems with the old chain before. Do I have to change cassette already? Or did I buy wrong chain? During replacement I noticed that links of old chain are maybe a little longer then on new chain.

View attachment 149074 View attachment 149075

I have had to change my chain every 500 miles to protect my cassette and chain ring. I think you went to long.

 

[Drewf]

May I recommend your first mod be a 200 mm air shaft for the boxer.

Does going from 180mm to 200mm change the Boxxer axle to crown length and raise the front of the bike 20mm? If, so I guess that would helps with pedal strikes and rake the bike more?

 

[cozzy]

Does going from 180mm to 200mm change the Boxxer axle to crown length and raise the front of the bike 20mm? If, so I guess that would helps with pedal strikes and rake the bike more?

Yes and no.
The kenevo comes from the shop with the 180 a2c at about 570mm, i guess to match the single crown fork of the comp.
The actual a2c from rockshox is 560mm. The 200mm boxxer has a 580mm a2c.
Of course you can set a2c what you want within reason.

 

[OrangePower]

I checked both chains one near the other and I see that I need to replace my topeak tool. Both chains have 119 links and old one is longer for one link. In just 25 links there is aprox 3-4mm difference in length. I think that I have to consider going to Shimano... At the moment I need front sprocet and rear cassette.

 

[mustclime]

I checked both chains one near the other and I see that I need to replace my topeak tool. Both chains have 119 links and old one is longer for one link. In just 25 links there is aprox 3-4mm difference in length. I think that I have to consider going to Shimano... At the moment I need front sprocet and rear cassette.

View attachment 149090 View attachment 149091 View attachment 149092

May I suggest staying away from alloy anything. I converted my rear wheels to hg drivers so I can run nx cassettes. Gx and the XO cassettes have 2-3 alloy cogs, great for weight reduction, bad for parts lifespans. The front cog is a steal 32 tooth 104 bcd ring. Please avoid trying an alloy chain ring , I have a buddy with a Levo that destroyed one in a couple months.