Kenevo SL Official 2022 Kenevo SL (KSL) Megathread!

[Nerds On Dirt MTB]

What is the Kenevo SL like as a mullet?
Is the BB too low?
(I’m assuming it K SL is designed only be a full 29’r?)

I loved my KS in mullet mode, it took some doing to get it there (longer fork, shorter cranks) but it was a blast to ride, miss that bike already lol

 

[Dax]

What is the Kenevo SL like as a mullet?
Is the BB too low?
(I’m assuming it K SL is designed only be a full 29’r?)

It’s designed with adjustable geometry to enable mulleting. IIRC spec recommend high bb and steep head angle to counter the lower back end. I’m very happy with mine as a mullet, maybe slightly slower overall, but it’s a lot of fun and just gets it done down basically any trail. No issue with it getting hung up, mine is used more or less exclusively for rocky/rooty tech.

 

[Doomanic]

What he said.

 

[Doomanic]

When I demo'd the KSL I knew it was good, but not perfect; too tall on steep tech for my liking, especially with the restrictive seat tube. As I had a good mullet wheel set I changed mine over from day 1 and it's awesome. Flip chip in high and head angle in steep is all I've done to mine, no longer forks or shorter cranks here.

 

[Geniusbiker]

When I demo'd the KSL I knew it was good, but not perfect; too tall on steep tech for my liking, especially with the restrictive seat tube. As I had a good mullet wheel set I changed mine over from day 1 and it's awesome. Flip chip in high and head angle in steep is all I've done to mine, no longer forks or shorter cranks here.

And especially this restrictive seat tube (and it´s angle) is one of the things that could be improved on the next generation KSL.

 

[Doomanic]

How do you propose they improve the seat tube while retaining the low shock position?

 

[Dave_B]

Invent a telescopic seat post.

 

[Doomanic]

I was leaning towards a twin shock design using shocks from a C90 Cub...

 

[Geniusbiker]

How do you propose they improve the seat tube while retaining the low shock position?

It´s not my job to make this proposal ;-) Maybe they decide to develope a completely new suspension system? Look at the Levo SL Gen 2: no sidearm design anymore. And I think it´s not too far away to say that the new Stumpjumper EVO will look the same.

 

[Doomanic]

It´s not my job to make this proposal

How did I know this would be your response?

 

[DomV]

anybody try 230*65 shox on the kenevo sl ?

 

[Nerds On Dirt MTB]

When I demo'd the KSL I knew it was good, but not perfect; too tall on steep tech for my liking, especially with the restrictive seat tube. As I had a good mullet wheel set I changed mine over from day 1 and it's awesome. Flip chip in high and head angle in steep is all I've done to mine, no longer forks or shorter cranks here.

Was smashing the 170 cranks on every rock, maybe different terrain or my poor line choice

 

[CjP]

I´m pretty sure that Specialized will find something that makes the frame of the next Enduro/Kenevo SL even better!

This is the thing. They don’t need to for any other reason apart from sucking more people into buying something they already have.
The bike is amazing but then again so were the last 4 ebikes I had. Pretty much any decent brand ebike frame you can buy nowadays is good enough for what 99% of the people here ride.
Motor/battery tech is the only real worthwhile upgrade.
When they can get FF power/range is an SL frame then we have reached emtb Nirvana.
Anything else is just commercialism.

 

[Geniusbiker]

This is the thing. They don’t need to for any other reason apart from sucking more people into buying something they already have.
The bike is amazing but then again so were the last 4 ebikes I had. Pretty much any decent brand ebike frame you can buy nowadays is good enough for what 99% of the people here ride.
Motor/battery tech is the only real worthwhile upgrade.
When they can get FF power/range is an SL frame then we have reached emtb Nirvana.
Anything else is just commercialism.

Hm... so what should they do? Stop developing new bikes? Don´t understand me wrong: I won´t have any problem if models would last for more than 3 years on average.

 

[DaveG01]

I'm wondering why bike died at 9% left on a ride. Display working but no output. Turned it on and off a few times. So pedalled it home

Looks like there is an issue for some that needs a software update

 

[CjP]

Hm... so what should they do? Stop developing new bikes? Don´t understand me wrong: I won´t have any problem if models would last for more than 3 years on average.

Of course not, I love innovation. Key word innovation. Like my Iphone , I upgrade every 2/3 years as there is little difference in new models.
Good example would be the new Gen 2 Levo, massive upgrade in frame design and how it rides. Motor not so much but at least its quiet.
I considered buying it for the extra power but then realised after riding it that it was just smoke and mirrors and decided to keep my more powerful KSL.

 

[Hitorogoshi]

anybody try 230*65 shox on the kenevo sl ?

yes lol

 

[Dave_B]

Of course not, I love innovation. Key word innovation. Like my Iphone , I upgrade every 2/3 years as there is little difference in new models.
Good example would be the new Gen 2 Levo, massive upgrade in frame design and how it rides. Motor not so much but at least its quiet.
I considered buying it for the extra power but then realised after riding it that it was just smoke and mirrors and decided to keep my more powerful KSL.

you KSL is more powerful than a Gen.2 Levo SL?

 

[CjP]

By 1v yes it was. I tested two different Gen 2 LSL. The first one was worse at 49V but that apparently wasn’t updated to the current software. The second one was and registered 51v max where as my KSL hits over 52v

 

[CjP]

Also both bikes (ksl and Lsl) pulled just over 6 amps

 

[Dax]

By 1v yes it was. I tested two different Gen 2 LSL. The first one was worse at 49V but that apparently wasn’t updated to the current software. The second one was and registered 51v max where as my KSL hits over 52v

Voltage is not a unit of power.

 

[CjP]

While I do not fully understand voltage/amps v power/torque, I logged all three bikes and my Kenevo SL pulled both more amps and more volts than both Gen 2 LSL’s.
I then rode both bikes side by side with my brother swapping between each other on various trails and my KSL has slightly more punch initially and then tapered where as the LSL had a more linear delivery but did not pull away from the KSL. Like I said the KSL felt slightly more alive. This of course was only tested in Turbo.
So unless I had two lemons the bike does not have anywhere near 50nm.

 

[DomV]

yes lol

and with this 65mm instead of 60mm you ve got 180mm travel instead of 170?

 

[CjP]

and with this 65mm instead of 60mm you ve got 180mm travel instead of 170?

Correct, I’ve ran this set up with a 180 fork up front, chain stay low, headset cup neutral and it works a treat.

 

[cañonaco]

While I do not fully understand voltage/amps v power/torque, I logged all three bikes and my Kenevo SL pulled both more amps and more volts than both Gen 2 LSL’s.
I then rode both bikes side by side with my brother swapping between each other on various trails and my KSL has slightly more punch initially and then tapered where as the LSL had a more linear delivery but did not pull away from the KSL. Like I said the KSL felt slightly more alive. This of course was only tested in Turbo.
So unless I had two lemons the bike does not have anywhere near 50nm.

Your opinion about the old engine and the new one seems incredible to me, we have already said that in Turbo the differences are very small.

However in Eco and Trail the SL2 is much more powerful.
After two years of intense use of a KSL Expert the SL2 PRO feels like a rocket. Much more powerful and much quieter. A drastic improvement!

These bicycles work very little time in Turbo, because the 320 battery does not allow it.

The extra power in Eco and Trail is really enjoyed 90% of the time!

 

[CjP]

Your opinion about the old engine and the new one seems incredible to me, we have already said that in Turbo the differences are very small.

However in Eco and Trail the SL2 is much more powerful.
After two years of intense use of a KSL Expert the SL2 PRO feels like a rocket. Much more powerful and much quieter. A drastic improvement!

These bicycles work very little time in Turbo, because the 320 battery does not allow it.

The extra power in Eco and Trail is really enjoyed 90% of the time!

I wanted more torque in turbo to reduce the gap between a FF ebike and an SL. My findings have shown there to be slightly less in the Gen 2 (Barely noticeable) but the output readings don’t lie.
What ever the reason they can’t produce 50nm in turbo is, it’s un acceptable when they advertise the bike as more power.
It simply is not.

 

[diniwiti]

I own both ksl and gen 2 lsl. Gen 2 is noticeably more powerful climbing throughout power range. So much talking shit with irrelevant numbers.

 

[Geniusbiker]

I´m so glad that I don´t need more power!

 

[Mcharza]

Maybe SL2 has more power and the engine is quieter, but KSL has the best rear suspension what Spesh has ever made

 

[CjP]

I own both ksl and gen 2 lsl. Gen 2 is noticeably more powerful climbing throughout power range. So much talking shit with irrelevant numbers.

No shit talking at all mate. I tested two bikes and was very disappointed. I logged the power readings which is actual data and tested them extensively and found it to be a let down. I had an sworks frame set ready to buy and decided the KSL was still a better bike.
But by all means post some results off the mission control app and prove me wrong. I am still hoping the two bikes I rode where lemons.