Kenevo Gen1 Official 2020 Kenevo Owners Thread

[danrodcr]

2020’s Kenevo Comp vs Levo Comp.
I’ve been riding Levo Comp mullet, 160mm Lyrik Ultimate and coil shock. Love it!! Trail, bike park. Anything. I am considering the Kenevo Comp 2020. Anyone has Ridden and compared back to back Levo vs Kenevo Comp? I am considering shifting to a Kenevo but no sure how sluggish would be on rolling/technical trail riding where I ride most of time. Thanks.

 

[Spagnol]

Hey All,
Just wanted to intro myself as I’m new to the forum . I purchased a Kenevo expert after riding a Levo and absolutely enjoying the ride . Didn’t like the stock expert ride so decided to do a few mods .
2021 Fox 38 pistachio 180mm
220mm sram front rotor
50mm Lyne stem
800mm cSixx carbon End bars
Cane Creek lower race mod
160mm Lyne dropper post
Hope Pro4 hubs 28hole
South Carbon enduro 30mm rims 28 hole
Maxxis 2.5 Assagai DH casing tire front
Maxxis 2.4 Dissector DH casing tire rear
cSixx extra thick Foamo insert rear
2021 Fox Float X2 230mm x 65mm

still waiting for bits
Sram AXS Eagle upgrade kit
10-50 cassette
Ride Wrap tailored frame and fork wrap

The mods so far have transformed the bike into an absolute freeride beast , no more pedal strikes in rock gardens and it rolls through just about everything I care to put it through .
I have found myself using eco mode with 5% assist on most climbs and turbo mode on the decents for getting out corners quicker .
I am riding more now then I did when I was racing full time in my 30’s.

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I had sent you a PM , but maybe is interesting for others . I had try to mount an X2 2021 and in full compression the main reservoir slightly touch on the side of the frame ( where all the cables go trough ) ... I have a 230x65 as yours . Let see if you had experience this problem and how did you solved it

 

[beutelfuchs]

During yesterday's ride going into the final DH I suddenly had a hammering kind of sound from the fork which is the stock Bomber Z1. Looking closely I noticed down its left leg the rebound adjusting part (the whole black thing which is covered by that cap, not only the red adjuster knob) had started to partly unscrew itself and the leg had lost some oil which I saw spread on the rim. No clue how much oil it lost, though. I screwed the part back in with my fingers as tight as possible and could then finish the ride w/o any issues. At home then I could finally torque it using a wrench.
Did that ever happen to someone else?
Do you think its worth bringing the fork in for service to check its oil level or would you not bother as long as all works normal?

 

[Kenebeau]

My 2020 Kenevo mid transformation. Size S4 with 200mm front and rear.
Going to run a XO1 DH drive train.
Waiting for the rear wheel to be built kind hub with crank brothers synthesis carbon DH rim.
Waiting on axs dropper.
I just wanted to get it rolling to check for clearance, HA and BB Heights.

 

[RocratRacing]

2020’s Kenevo Comp vs Levo Comp.
I’ve been riding Levo Comp mullet, 160mm Lyrik Ultimate and coil shock. Love it!! Trail, bike park. Anything. I am considering the Kenevo Comp 2020. Anyone has Ridden and compared back to back Levo vs Kenevo Comp? I am considering shifting to a Kenevo but no sure how sluggish would be on rolling/technical trail riding where I ride most of time. Thanks.

I had sent you a PM , but maybe is interesting for others . I had try to mount an X2 2021 and in full compression the main reservoir slightly touch on the side of the frame ( where all the cables go trough ) ... I have a 230x65 as yours . Let see if you had experience this problem and how did you solved it

Hi Spangol , yes you will get the air can touching , you need to remove around 2-3mm of the edge of the side stay where the can touches with a file , it is very little metal being removed over a 10mm area , you are basically rounding off the edge , then the X2 fits perfect .

 

[RocratRacing]

2020’s Kenevo Comp vs Levo Comp.
I’ve been riding Levo Comp mullet, 160mm Lyrik Ultimate and coil shock. Love it!! Trail, bike park. Anything. I am considering the Kenevo Comp 2020. Anyone has Ridden and compared back to back Levo vs Kenevo Comp? I am considering shifting to a Kenevo but no sure how sluggish would be on rolling/technical trail riding where I ride most of time. Thanks.

Danrodcr , I ride both bikes , in a previous post you will see the mods I did to my kenevo , I did put 29” wheels on it , so it rolls very much like the Levo , it does have a longer wheelbase so if you’re not to good a tech rider you will feel the difference on tight tech trails , but in general I prefer riding the kenevo as it just soaks up anything and rides well on all terrain . The stock kenevo is very low and with a very linear rear end and a coil spring , it peddle strikes everywhere which the Levo doesn’t do much , the Fox 38 and X2 air shock and 29” wheels transformed my Kenevo into a bike Specialized should have produced imho

 

[RocratRacing]

View attachment 41041
My 2020 Kenevo mid transformation. Size S4 with 200mm front and rear.
Going to run a XO1 DH drive train.
Waiting for the rear wheel to be built kind hub with crank brothers synthesis carbon DH rim.
Waiting on axs dropper.
I just wanted to get it rolling to check for clearance, HA and BB Heights.

That ride is a beast , you are going to enjoy it a bunch . No more pedal striking either . You may find the coil shock will run a little deep in its travel because of a very linear kinematic on the rear suspension, I went to a 2021 X2 air shock and it transformed the bike into a much better balanced bike . I don’t like a bike that doesn’t have a good front to rear balance because it lays out the front to much on big hit landings which makes for a floppy front steering .
Just my two cents .
Enjoy the ride

 

[Kenebeau]

That ride is a beast , you are going to enjoy it a bunch . No more pedal striking either . You may find the coil shock will run a little deep in its travel because of a very linear kinematic on the rear suspension, I went to a 2021 X2 air shock and it transformed the bike into a much better balanced bike . I don’t like a bike that doesn’t have a good front to rear balance because it lays out the front to much on big hit landings which makes for a floppy front steering .
Just my two cents .
Enjoy the ride

Thanks man, yea I have ran it with the 2021 x2. It go alot of stiction with it and the air can hits the cables/frame. Definitely pedal better though.
Im also running a cane creek progressive coil and it feels completely bottomless.

 

[Dave11]

To the guys that have put a 29 fork and wheel on the front I have been considering doing it but from all my calculations and measurements it seems that it will make the BB drop very small. I'm wondering if it can be done with a single crown fork or does it only work with DH forks where you can adjust the axle to crown length accordingly?

 

[Mcharza]

I'm using original Marz Z1 Bomber 27,5 fork with 29 " 2.4 Maxxis DHR II OR Michelin Wild Enduro.
Not much tire clearance.

And removed one 1 cm spacer under the stem.

 

[whiterabbit]

Hi,
Anybody know the max length of the seatpost insert possible for an S4 Kenevo?
The 150mm that came with the bike is quite short and in order to fit me, the insert is about 90mm out of the top tube.
so looking to get a longer one.
looking at One Up 180mm or best 210mm if it would fit all the way down the tube ..?

I have an S4 and fit a 210 dropper easily.

I had the same issue as you. I didn’t measure it, I just rolled with it at first. Then, when I pulled the seatpost out to install the 210 I found I was a couple mm away from the min-insert line!

210 is definitely optimized for me, its almost fully inserted. And excessive drop for sure.

 

[Tim Jewitt]

I don’t suppose anyone here has any experience getting the current expert (with dual crown fork) in the boot of a saloon, ideally without removing the stem / bars, have they?

 

[whiterabbit]

no sir, but I did put my comp in the back of a benz A45. Both wheels had to come off and then it went. The seats obviously had to fold down. s4.

 

[Velociraptor]

I am in the market for a Kenevo Expert in the USA and there are none available. Hope they come out with the new model soon.

 

[tranqui_yanqui]

Do you guys think they will change any of the parts spec on the comp or expert when the 2021's show up? It would be great if they offered a single crown version with 700 battery

 

[panaphonic]

Do you guys think they will change any of the parts spec on the comp or expert when the 2021's show up? It would be great if they offered a single crown version with 700 battery

2021s are already in shops with no changes at all. Yes a 38 Grip 2 with the 700WH would be awesome.

EDIT the only change being a price increase.

 

[whiterabbit]

I also heard the 2021’s are the same.

they hiked the price on the 700 wh battery too. My local shop is selling them for $1299. I thought they were going for $1099.

 

[rydeezie]

My friend bought the fox 49 off of my Santa Cruz v10 29er and now his Kenevo rides like a dream. I just ordered the 2021 fox 40 29er to mullet my Kenevo until i move the for to the v10 next bike park season

 

[Velociraptor]

Bad time to want a Kenevo in the USA at least. None to be found. My local bike dealer contacted the Specialized rep and looks like the new ones will be available April 2021.......yeah.....April 2021. So for now I will stick with my Heckler mullet build. Planning on keeping the Heckler even when I get the Kenevo as they are so different. Plan to put a 29 front on the Kenevo too.

 

[tranqui_yanqui]

Bad time to want a Kenevo in the USA at least. None to be found. My local bike dealer contacted the Specialized rep and looks like the new ones will be available April 2021.......yeah.....April 2021. So for now I will stick with my Heckler mullet build. Planning on keeping the Heckler even when I get the Kenevo as they are so different. Plan to put a 29 front on the Kenevo too.

Fudge. My buddy is a SC and Spesh dealer and sold me a Heckler for a killer deal at the beginning of Covid. He was worried that nobody would buy them. I sold my Heckler in July because I was worried that the new shimano motor would make it outdated; plus I wanted a bigger battery. Luckily I have a Santa Cruz Bronson, but I'm getting bored with my local trails and the heat in SoCal makes the pedal brutal. i might just settle for a Levo comp, if those ever arrive.

 

[Velociraptor]

Fudge. My buddy is a SC and Spesh dealer and sold me a Heckler for a killer deal at the beginning of Covid. He was worried that nobody would buy them. I sold my Heckler in July because I was worried that the new shimano motor would make it outdated; plus I wanted a bigger battery. Luckily I have a Santa Cruz Bronson, but I'm getting bored with my local trails and the heat in SoCal makes the pedal brutal. i might just settle for a Levo comp, if those ever arrive.

Yeah a Levo is tempting, but I have an extra battery for the Heckler so at least have a similar range to the Levo. Now the new Shimano motor is delayed a bit due to the housing cracking. So for now I will wait for the Kenevo.

 

[whiterabbit]

They told me I would have to wait until February 2021 for a kenevo. Then I went into the shop for a different reason a couple weeks later and (as always) wistfully told the folks how I was looking forward to buying a Kenevo, and they told me they so happened to have two coming in in a couple weeks, did I want to put a deposit down on one?

Shut up and take my money!

I thought the entire 2020 production was sold out? On the other hand, I didn't want to ask too many questions. That was about 2 months ago.

 

[Velociraptor]

They told me I would have to wait until February 2021 for a kenevo. Then I went into the shop for a different reason a couple weeks later and (as always) wistfully told the folks how I was looking forward to buying a Kenevo, and they told me they so happened to have two coming in in a couple weeks, did I want to put a deposit down on one?

Shut up and take my money!

I thought the entire 2020 production was sold out? On the other hand, I didn't want to ask too many questions. That was about 2 months ago.

Lucky you! The rep did want to know the size I wanted (S5) which made me think there were some other sizes still around. What size was yours?

 

[whiterabbit]

s4.

I am probably an s5, frankly. I am 6'3" which is technically within the s5 size by a wee margin, just enough to where I cannot sya I am between sizes.

BUT

I'm also operating on the information that the whole point of the "s" sizing was that people could size up or down based on their riding preference or style. The truth is that I am coming off a 20 year old bike, so I'm quite used to rather short wheelbases, small wheels, steep head angles, and narrow handlebars. So an s4, for me, while already a very very drastic change, is "less" a drastic change than an s5 would be. Also, the s5 is a BIG bump up from the s4, where s2, 3, 4 are a bit closer in spec.

Combine that with the good probability of s5's really being unavailable till mid '21, and I made my choice. I do not feel cramped on my s4. My only issue is the seat, when climbing, is WAY higher than the bars, and I'm looking at putting on a 40 degree shorty stem (but still will never bee as short as a 0 degree stem) and some high riser bars. To get the stack a bit higher, and hopefully take some "weight" off the front wheel, I'd like that to feel lighter too. But an s5 would be worse in these areas anyways.

Also, I weigh 150 lb, which makes me a bean pole. as it is, I had to swap out the spring in the rear shock, and the fork isn't really geared for riders of my weight with an air spring, but I have to believe specialized is really expecting heavier riders on that s5 based on setup.

So, I think I made the right choice. For someone coming off a 2018 geometry bike and 6'3", maybe the s5 is a prerequisite, I dunno.

Have to admit, weight is a bit of a thought too, after putting in the 700 wH battery, smashpot spring in the fork, 220mm disc in front, and wagonwheel cassette in the back, the darn bike weighs 57.6 pounds. That's terrible, but an s5 would make it worse.


SUUUUUUUPPPPEEEERRRR fun bike to ride, I must say.

 

[Velociraptor]

s4.

I am probably an s5, frankly. I am 6'3" which is technically within the s5 size by a wee margin, just enough to where I cannot sya I am between sizes.

BUT

I'm also operating on the information that the whole point of the "s" sizing was that people could size up or down based on their riding preference or style. The truth is that I am coming off a 20 year old bike, so I'm quite used to rather short wheelbases, small wheels, steep head angles, and narrow handlebars. So an s4, for me, while already a very very drastic change, is "less" a drastic change than an s5 would be. Also, the s5 is a BIG bump up from the s4, where s2, 3, 4 are a bit closer in spec.

Combine that with the good probability of s5's really being unavailable till mid '21, and I made my choice. I do not feel cramped on my s4. My only issue is the seat, when climbing, is WAY higher than the bars, and I'm looking at putting on a 40 degree shorty stem (but still will never bee as short as a 0 degree stem) and some high riser bars. To get the stack a bit higher, and hopefully take some "weight" off the front wheel, I'd like that to feel lighter too. But an s5 would be worse in these areas anyways.

So, I think I made the right choice. For someone coming off a 2018 geometry bike and 6'3", maybe the s5 is a prerequisite, I dunno.

Have to admit, weight is a bit of a thought too, after putting in the 700 wH battery, smashpot spring in the fork, 220mm disc in front, and wagonwheel cassette in the back, the darn bike weighs 57.6 pounds. That's terrible, but an s5 would make it worse.

Well I am 6'2" so thinking maybe an S4 would be better if it works for you. I fit just fine on a large size Heckler.

 

[whiterabbit]

I don't know about better, but it's acceptable for me. Maybe I would like an s5 even better still.

But I also like the idea of riding a new bike for the next 11 months, if it fits, which for me it does. Which means I get to ride while others are waiting for the equal-part-spec 2021's

Be aware, I haven't "taken it off any sweet jumps" yet, only sour ones (ie small). But I can float over chunk like I'm riding on marshmellows, so I'm hoping jumps and drops are just as much a dream. Another couple months and I'll have the jumps and drops trails under my belt too. I just don't get as much ride time as I could wish for when I have a new bike

Of course, I would expect an s4 to jump and drop better than an s5, all else equal? I sure don't need the stability of the long wheelbase of the s5, what I have already rides like a Cadillac.

 

[rydeezie]

Still getting used the mullet set up
steering feels way different with this fork and 29er wheels
It was more sensitive turning. It had oversteer at first and I found i had to lean the bike more to correct
going to switch to a longer stem and drop the bars a little
As far as suspension goes the 38 feels so much better than the boxxer select it came with. Add 29” wheels to the mix and rolling over chunk at speed is a breeze
I’m going to play around with this set up and keep it this way. I think I could get it to be more agile
Then I’ll get a matching front wheel and return the enve to my SL

Went riding with the mullet crew

 

[Mcharza]

Still getting used the mullet set up
steering feels way different with this fork and 29er wheels
It was more sensitive turning. It had oversteer at first and I found i had to lean the bike more to correct
going to switch to a longer stem and drop the bars a little
As far as suspension goes the 38 feels so much better than the boxxer select it came with. Add 29” wheels to the mix and rolling over chunk at speed is a breeze
I’m going to play around with this set up and keep it this way. I think I could get it to be more agile
Then I’ll get a matching front wheel and return the enve to my SL
View attachment 42263
Went riding with the mullet crew
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Did you measure the axle to crown between the old and the new? And yes, move some spacers under the stem, it might help. At least it helped for me.

 

[Dave11]

Still getting used the mullet set up
steering feels way different with this fork and 29er wheels
It was more sensitive turning. It had oversteer at first and I found i had to lean the bike more to correct
going to switch to a longer stem and drop the bars a little
As far as suspension goes the 38 feels so much better than the boxxer select it came with. Add 29” wheels to the mix and rolling over chunk at speed is a breeze
I’m going to play around with this set up and keep it this way. I think I could get it to be more agile
Then I’ll get a matching front wheel and return the enve to my SL
View attachment 42263
Went riding with the mullet crew
View attachment 42264
View attachment 42265
View attachment 42266

Did you measure the bottom bracket drop on the new set up at all? I'm looking at doing the same but concerned the longer 29er fork with make the bb drop too small.

 

[rydeezie]

Did you measure the axle to crown between the old and the new? And yes, move some spacers under the stem, it might help. At least it helped for me.

i did not measure but i did place the forks side by side
the 38 axle to crown is just a little bit higher. it's less than 10mm difference
i flipped the rear to the high position and see how it rides with the changes