Kenevo Gen1 Official 2020 Kenevo Owners Thread

[Redleg]

Bought my 2021 Kenevo expert last December at WatzUp.bike in Oberhausen Germany and they still had some new ones in stock. I bought a green S5 and they still had some 2021 black models in stock.
I believe they still have a lot of different brands EMTB bikes in stock.
Mine came with a Rock Shox Deluxe air shock that I replaced with a Fox X2 air shock.
Tomorrow it will also sport a Fox 49 so I have a mullet set up.
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Got my bike back yesterday with the new Fox 49 installed. Now waiting for my 29er frontwheel. I have it made at a bike wheel specialist.

Tried my fork for the first time and it works great. I went from 180 travel to 203. Some say it is better to lower the travel in the fork to 180 so I keep more or less the same geometry, but I have to say it performs much better now. Also the bottom bracket is a little higher now and it keeps my pedals from hitting the ground. Get's even better when I put the 29er in. Can't wait to get the 29er front wheel...

 

[richysgc]

new bike day! Cant wait get it out for a spin!

 

[KnollyBro]

After riding a mullet Levo SL around for a couple of months, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on which fork to try on the Kenevo for a mullet setup? I have an Ohlins RXF-36 M.2 TTX18(170mm, rake 44) I could try but I was wondering if a Fox 38 Performance Elite Grip 2 (170mm, rake 44) would be a better fit for the Kenevo's weight as it would be stiffer with the thicker stanchions. Would 170mm be enough travel for a Kenevo mullet or do I need to go bigger (180 or 190) and try a Zeb Ultimate?

 

[Kiwiman]

After riding a mullet Levo SL around for a couple of months, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on which fork to try on the Kenevo for a mullet setup? I have an Ohlins RXF-36 M.2 TTX18(170mm, rake 44) I could try but I was wondering if a Fox 38 Performance Elite Grip 2 (170mm, rake 44) would be a better fit for the Kenevo's weight as it would be stiffer with the thicker stanchions. Would 170mm be enough travel for a Kenevo mullet or do I need to go bigger (180 or 190) and try a Zeb Ultimate?

I I put in the zeb ultimate in 180 and 27.5 and like it way better then the boxxer. Also swiped the coil to an 21 x2. For me the perfect machine now

 

[AdmChr]

I I put in the zeb ultimate in 180 and 27.5 and like it way better then the boxxer. Also swiped the coil to an 21 x2. For me the perfect machine now

@Kiwiman I believe someone asked this question before but no response (unless I missed it). Are there any clearance issues with the Zeb fork crown and the Downtube? It would be nice to see a photo of the fork turned 90 degrees to see how much clearance there is between the adjuster knob and the frame.

 

[CA320]

I I put in the zeb ultimate in 180 and 27.5 and like it way better then the boxxer. Also swiped the coil to an 21 x2. For me the perfect machine now

What difference did the X2 make to the bike?

Curious as i'm thinking of ordering one.

 

[Kiwiman]

What difference did the X2 make to the bike?

Curious as i'm thinking of ordering one.

Way smoother in my humble opinion. Didn’t like the coil at all. The 2021 x2 is smooth as butter.

 

[Kiwiman]

@Kiwiman I believe someone asked this question before but no response (unless I missed it). Are there any clearance issues with the Zeb fork crown and the Downtube? It would be nice to see a photo of the fork turned 90 degrees to see how much clearance there is between the adjuster knob and the frame.

Not at all mate. Coming from the boxxer it’s a difference like day and night on tight switchbacks

 

[Salespunk]

After riding a mullet Levo SL around for a couple of months, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on which fork to try on the Kenevo for a mullet setup? I have an Ohlins RXF-36 M.2 TTX18(170mm, rake 44) I could try but I was wondering if a Fox 38 Performance Elite Grip 2 (170mm, rake 44) would be a better fit for the Kenevo's weight as it would be stiffer with the thicker stanchions. Would 170mm be enough travel for a Kenevo mullet or do I need to go bigger (180 or 190) and try a Zeb Ultimate?

I am running a Lyrik 29/170/44 up front and love it. I do run a 29 rear wheel with this setup as well though.

 

[FlowDough]

The frame design is clearly the problem. This is why the enduro has a totally new frame design like the Demo. Spesh bikes have never been that coil friendly.

I heard the design of the suspension on the Kenevo puts alot of stress on the rear shock and the coil shocks can't handle it as well as air shocks. This is confirmed by the feeling you get riding the Kenevo on a blown coil shock, in the short amount of time I rode it like that. It feels awful and violent with a blown shock, and the pivots sound like they are going through hell. Every other bike I've blown a shock on previously just felt like the damping control was gone and would top out, but without all the extreme clanking. I miss the plush feeling of the coil, but the reliability makes the air shock worth it for me and it still works good.

 

[KnollyBro]

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
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Went riding with the mullet crew
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I am planning on making the switch to a mullet setup on my 2020 Kenevo with the same fork you have used. Will I need to change the steer tube bearings when switching from a Boxxer triple crown to a Fox 38 which I assume has a tapered steer tube?

 

[rydeezie]

I am planning on making the switch to a mullet setup on my 2020 Kenevo with the same fork you have used. Will I need to change the steer tube bearings when switching from a Boxxer triple crown to a Fox 38 which I assume has a tapered steer tube?

it's a good set up
you will just need the correct crown race for the 38. same crown race used on levo, enduro, etc.
you can use the same headset as the one used for the dual crown fork

 

[KnollyBro]

it's a good set up
you will just need the correct crown race for the 38. same crown race used on levo, enduro, etc.
you can use the same headset as the one used for the dual crown fork

Thanks for your help! I don't suppose if you happen to know the part number for the crown race as I went to my LBS and they started asking me if my Boxxer (2020 Kenevo Expert) had a 1 1/8" or 1.5" tapered steer tube and if the lower bearing has a 36 or 45 degree angle. I personally don't mind supporting my LBS for things I can't or don't want to do (rebuilt forks and shocks) but if all I need to do is swap out a bearing, I can do that. According to the LBS, the Specialized Service manual is a little vague on which bearing is actually in the headset and they would have to take a look at it as there are at least two possibilities. Am I wrong for not wanting to spend $50-100 for them to re and re and bearing and "install" a fork and swap over the bars?

 

[rydeezie]

Thanks for your help! I don't suppose if you happen to know the part number for the crown race as I went to my LBS and they started asking me if my Boxxer (2020 Kenevo Expert) had a 1 1/8" or 1.5" tapered steer tube and if the lower bearing has a 36 or 45 degree angle. I personally don't mind supporting my LBS for things I can't or don't want to do (rebuilt forks and shocks) but if all I need to do is swap out a bearing, I can do that. According to the LBS, the Specialized Service manual is a little vague on which bearing is actually in the headset and they would have to take a look at it as there are at least two possibilities. Am I wrong for not wanting to spend $50-100 for them to re and re and bearing and "install" a fork and swap over the bars?

I don’t know the part number. I just had an extra taken from a levo SL
You just need a 1.5” crown race for the lower bearing mentioned below

it was a split ring crown race

Headset Uses a 1-1/8" (41.8mm x 30.5 x 8mm, 45x45°) Campagnolo Standard compatible upper bearing and a 1.5" (52mm x 40 x 7mm, 45x45°) lower bearing

Basically you need the 1.5” version of what you have on the boxxer fork now. 45°

a specialized dealer should have them. It’s used in several models with the fsa headset

 

[CjP]

Do yourself a favour and buy one of these. Much better than stock split crown races.

 

[Mcharza]

After riding a mullet Levo SL around for a couple of months, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on which fork to try on the Kenevo for a mullet setup? I have an Ohlins RXF-36 M.2 TTX18(170mm, rake 44) I could try but I was wondering if a Fox 38 Performance Elite Grip 2 (170mm, rake 44) would be a better fit for the Kenevo's weight as it would be stiffer with the thicker stanchions. Would 170mm be enough travel for a Kenevo mullet or do I need to go bigger (180 or 190) and try a Zeb Ultimate?

I'm running mullet mode with Fox Factory fork and shock. 36/170/44 and shock DPX2 216x65
Didn't go to normal 180 because 29" is much higher. Axle to crown Marzocchi Z1 27,5" 180: 562 and Fox 36 29" 170: 577
Moved some spacer under the stem to the top of the stem. Flipchip high

Haven't tried 29" on the rear yet, but will try next summer. My LBS said that it can fit Specialized 2.6 tire, but I prefer more Maxxis 2.5 or Schwalbe

 

[KnollyBro]

I have ridden the Kenevo S3 for almost a year now with the obligatory month off while I had the motor replaced. The original Boxxer fork was upgraded with an Avalanche damper cartridge which made it very nice. I rode my wife's Levo SL as a mullet for awhile and liked it but I am not sure if it was because of the geometry or the weight for the mostly steep and techy trails in my area. The Mullet setup is complete for now. I hope it rides as well as it did with a little better performance on the steep woodwork and rocky chutes.
Upgrades:
Fox 38 Factory 180mm
Rockshox Super Delux Coil 500 lb with Vorsprung damper
RaceFace SixC bars
ODI Rogue grips
OneUp 35mm stem
Code RSC levers
Ergon saddle
Shimano Ice-Tech 200mm front
Shimano Ice-Tech 180mm front
Maxxis Assegai 3C DD front tire
Maxxis DHF 3C rear tire with custom HD insert

 

[Salespunk]

The frame design is clearly the problem. This is why the enduro has a totally new frame design like the Demo. Spesh bikes have never been that coil friendly.

Actually the new SJ Evo leverage ratio works really well with a coil and it has a layout similar to the Kenevo. There is something about the longer travel and packaging that causes some challenges, but that is specifically around the axle path and not the leverage ratio.

The shock being stressed as part of the four bar setup is a different conversation though.

 

[morgs010]

I’m new to this thread and am reading the discussion regarding the problems with coils on the Kenevo.
I am on my second Kenevo (2018 and 2020) and absolutely love the bike. The main reason I like it more than other ebikes I have ridden is the coil. Simply coils work better on ebikes than they do on none ebikes and all the negative aspects of coils are negated on an ebike.
There does seem to be problems that manufacturers are having with coils and ebikes though. Back in 2018 I thought that every brand would jump on the band wagon and produce 180mm coil shocked ebikes. They haven’t though! Whyte did I for a year, but have now gone air as have Specialized with new Kenevos. Also there are a new generation of bike travel bikes (Canyon Torque On etc) that have resisted the coil.
In my opinion it must be due to the added stress and weight that ebikes put on them.
By the way both my bikes have had no issues with the coil so far.

 

[KnollyBro]

Beautiful BC in the winter. 8 degrees with a touch of moisture today. The Fox 38 is running well and the Assegai on the front is gripping the wet roots and rocks like its supposed to.

 

[rydeezie]

Went from 170mm to 180mm up front while waiting for my 203mm fox 40 I ordered back in October. Sounds like it’s sitting in a shipping container with all the port delays ?
Fox float x2 arrives this week?

 

[rydeezie]

Kenevos in the wild

 

[#lazy]

I’ve only ever seen one , you’re so lucky to see a breading pair as for reasons unknown they’ve become quite reclusive over the last year !

 

[rydeezie]

I’ve only ever seen one , you’re so lucky to see a breading pair as for reasons unknown they’ve become quite reclusive over the last year !

Yup super rare. The black one was my first Kenevo then i sold it to my friend. I’ve seen less than 5 out in the trails since they first came out over a year ago.

 

[#lazy]

As you all might already know I’ve just had a replacement motor and tcu on my 2020 kenevo and because it’s been so wet and cold lately I’ve not been out on it much but I have an issue turning the power on ...... I get a quick beep and nothing . It will do this several times then after about 15 secs it turns on and works as normal !
All updates are done so could this been the cold weather ? Ps bike is stored ( locked ) in a shed !

 

[Mcharza]

I'm running mullet mode with Fox Factory fork and shock. 36/170/44 and shock DPX2 216x65
Didn't go to normal 180 because 29" is much higher. Axle to crown Marzocchi Z1 27,5" 180: 562 and Fox 36 29" 170: 577
Moved some spacer under the stem to the top of the stem. Flipchip high

Haven't tried 29" on the rear yet, but will try next summer. My LBS said that it can fit Specialized 2.6 tire, but I prefer more Maxxis 2.5 or Schwalbe

And here's the picture

 

[KnollyBro]

Has anyone else had their dropper post pack it in? Mine has been having problems (wouldn't go up, wouldn't stay up) for months now and when I took it back to the LBS, they just kept pumping it up. They had it pumped up to 60 PSI last time! This time, it wouldn't even hold air over night and you could hear a ratcheting sound when I physically pushed or pulled on it. It has been sent out for warranty but I was told NOT to hold my breath for a return date. I was give a loaner that works with a little futzing around (push lever to go up or down but I have to pull back on the lever to keep it up). Why does Specialized have to be so special.

 

[Puks]

Hi all...new to this forum but I’ve run into an issue with my Kenevo Expert. I bought it last year in Australia.....so still under manufacturers warranty. On a ride yesterday, I landed a jump and heard a huge crack, steering locked up and I managed to hold on and not eat bush. My mate thought it was a gunshot it was so loud. Moving on....it looks as thought the factory crown case and lower bearings blew out. This has caused the frame to have suffered some damage that the shop is telling me....will not be covered under warranty!! I’m confused as to how this is not covered. The bike is less than a year old, had regular services with the shop where I bought it and has had no modifications to the front shocks.

Photos don’t really show the amount of movement but what are your thoughts on this?
Thanks.??

 

[Mcharza]

If no changes have been made to the original, should be a warranty issue. Just call to Specialized.
When they released Kenovo, they advertised on video how to ride it in a bike park.

 

[tacoma22]

Hi all...new to this forum but I’ve run into an issue with my Kenevo Expert. I bought it last year in Australia.....so still under manufacturers warranty. On a ride yesterday, I landed a jump and heard a huge crack, steering locked up and I managed to hold on and not eat bush. My mate thought it was a gunshot it was so loud. Moving on....it looks as thought the factory crown case and lower bearings blew out. This has caused the frame to have suffered some damage that the shop is telling me....will not be covered under warranty!! I’m confused as to how this is not covered. The bike is less than a year old, had regular services with the shop where I bought it and has had no modifications to the front shocks.

Photos don’t really show the amount of movement but what are your thoughts on this?
Thanks.??

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Frame should be under a 2 year warranty for second owner from date if purchase. Per Global Warranty | Specialized.com