Kenevo SL Official 2022 Kenevo SL (KSL) Megathread!

[jcmonty]

I think you will. Did you order the SWORKS? It looks even better in person! The riding and visual appeal of the bike feels like an SL that has matured to the next level.

No - only the Expert was in stock. Plus, the $4k premium over the Expert didn't seem like I got much out of it (already have parts to swap on anyways).

 

[rod9301]

I disagree. When a bike is long and slack, you have to learn to ride it differently. Not by turning the handlebar, but by tilting the bike.

Exactly, i get sick of people saying that a long travel e bike does not turn fast enough.

 

[AlexEMTB]

Exactly, i get sick of people saying that a long travel e bike does not turn fast enough.

This one certainly does!

 

[jcmonty]

This one certainly does! View attachment 62118

Any feedback comparing to your levo sl? Looks so good

 

[Steyoner]

it has an amazing looks. lets hope it rides the same as the looks of it.

 

[AlexEMTB]

Any feedback comparing to your levo sl? Looks so good

Thank you! It's like the SL has grown up and matured to the next level. Super stable, plush and composed. Can't imagine having any other bike in the stable.

 

[jcmonty]

Thank you! It's like the SL has grown up and matured to the next level. Super stable, plush and composed. Can't imagine having any other bike in the stable.

Kudos for calling this out way back when in august 2020 (Skypark - been dreaming of this bike since then!!)

 

[AlexEMTB]

Kudos for calling this out way back when in august 2020 (Skypark - been dreaming of this bike since then!!)

A little bird told me it may happen and it did! Thankfully it was well worth the wait. Yes it's expensive but not for a moment do I question the purchase.

 

[jwrx]

@Christian haha good! We agree on some things I thought you had a Keveno?

I just hate the amount of elitist fitness bs in MTB. The funny thing is that moto people are so much nicer and you would not expect that looking at the two industries. Everyone that rides moto just wants to get everyone else into it no matter what they are going to ride or how.

And yeah 35nm doesn't seem like enough. I pretty much just use trail mode on the FF. 90 is more than I need unless I was commuting on the street. That said I haven't ridden one yet. I just assume that trail would be somewhere closer to 60nm.

I find that the 8lbs of battery in front of the levo really makes the front drop like a rock over jumps and drops. I really wanted the lighter front end just with a little more power. I also am concerned that the motor doesn't kick in until higher rpms (from what I have heard). Is it possible to crank up the shuttle settings on the SL?

I swapped out my previous Levo battery with the smaller one, the weight savings is significant and you def feel the diffrence going off drops. But in the end, even 3kg total savings off a FF levo.....cant come close to a SL

if you are used to and need the power of a levo...the SL is not for you, even on trail mode, a FF has lot more oomph vs a SL on turbo. A FF can climb anything in almost any gear due to the torque. A Sl needs to be ridden like normal bike...if you arnt in the right gear...the motor will not help you at all

i dont think the ppl who are saying the SL power is just nice are gatekeeping or elitist. The SL was built for specific niche of riding

 

[Kinger]

KSL Expert ordered.

For the British Columbia / Pacific Northwest, this KSL is made to order. Yes, FF is warranted on many climbs but as many here have said, Turbo mode often goes unused. Especially on tight switchbacks up the mountain. Range extender will be very handy though. Necessity for big days.

Question:

I’ve tried to tease the Praxis crank length out for the S3. I know the S4 is 170mm but is the S3 165mm?
Anyone know?

 

[Pdoz]

Exactly, i get sick of people saying that a long travel e bike does not turn fast enough.

That's not what I asked - I was wondering if the rear suspension was nudging the bike forward when it was hitting bumps on entry into corners, because that's what it looked like in the video

So I looked around a little and apparently specialized designed it to do this - transmit vertical forces into forward .

This bike really appeals to me, but test riding one in a small rural australian town is essentially impossible, so my question remains - does that feel as scary as it looks?

 

[chris.raffard]

KSL Expert ordered.

For the British Columbia / Pacific Northwest, this KSL is made to order. Yes, FF is warranted on many climbs but as many here have said, Turbo mode often goes unused. Especially on tight switchbacks up the mountain. Range extender will be very handy though. Necessity for big days.

Question:

I’ve tried to tease the Praxis crank length out for the S3. I know the S4 is 170mm but is the S3 165mm?
Anyone know?

I’ll let you know on Sunday when I pick mine up.
It’s an S3 KSL
Where in bc are you ?

 

[michaeldorian]

Any vids about where someone actually rides this bike like it’s been stolen ?

Check out the end riding clips. Bike looks light on its feet. Absolutely shredding it.

 

[CjP]

.

Question:

I’ve tried to tease the Praxis crank length out for the S3. I know the S4 is 170mm but is the S3 165mm?
Anyone know?

Yes they are

 

[CjP]

That's not what I asked - I was wondering if the rear suspension was nudging the bike forward when it was hitting bumps on entry into corners, because that's what it looked like in the video

So I looked around a little and apparently specialized designed it to do this - transmit vertical forces into forward .

This bike really appeals to me, but test riding one in a small rural australian town is essentially impossible, so my question remains - does that feel as scary as it looks?

I know it’s a trip for you, but if you come to the city you can have a go at mine. I’d be willing to meet at Buxton.

 

[Pdoz]

I know it’s a trip for you, but if you come to the city you can have a go at mine. I’d be willing to meet at Buxton.

Thanks for the offer, I'll get back to you in a few weeks once I have a spare weekend. Have you kept the levo sl?

 

[CjP]

Thanks for the offer, I'll get back to you in a few weeks once I have a spare weekend. Have you kept the levo sl?

Still have it atm but it’s going as soon as I swap over all the parts to the new bike.

 

[Kinger]

I’ll let you know on Sunday when I pick mine up.
It’s an S3 KSL
Where in bc are you ?

Thanks Chris,
I’m in Vancouver.
Enjoy!

 

[Mybrainaches]

This bike with an EP8 rs would be spot on I think

 

[jcmonty]

That's not what I asked - I was wondering if the rear suspension was nudging the bike forward when it was hitting bumps on entry into corners, because that's what it looked like in the video

So I looked around a little and apparently specialized designed it to do this - transmit vertical forces into forward .

This bike really appeals to me, but test riding one in a small rural australian town is essentially impossible, so my question remains - does that feel as scary as it looks?

It’s the slightly rearward axle path in the initial part of the travel that I believe you are referencing. It’s designed to get less “hung up” on square edges and other bumps. That essential would mean less of a rearward acceleration. High pivots are gaining popularity for this reason these days (this bike doesn’t go that far in the extreme however)

I think that this will translate to less feedback on repeated hits, but we will see

 

[Loamranger]

Some entertaining comments here.

My thoughts on SL vs FF. If you enjoy technical climbing as much as DH then the SL is not the best choice. DH it’s a different story for the SL. If you can afford it have both ?

I would really like to see a review of the KSL vs Rotwild E375. Anybody tried both?

 

[Killswitch73]

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[Blownoutrides]

Daily rip on my Enduro is ~2,500’ in about 2hrs.

Anyone know if I’d be able to double that with the KSL in the same timeframe(?).

The downs are why I do this but the fitness component of riding is key for me. Not looking to shorten the ride but rather pack in twice the laps for the same exertion & timeframe.

Oh... I’m 230lbs ?

 

[oettam20]

That's not what I asked - I was wondering if the rear suspension was nudging the bike forward when it was hitting bumps on entry into corners, because that's what it looked like in the video

So I looked around a little and apparently specialized designed it to do this - transmit vertical forces into forward .

This bike really appeals to me, but test riding one in a small rural australian town is essentially impossible, so my question remains - does that feel as scary as it looks?

The Kenevo SL should have a very similar kinematic to the 2020/21 Enduro.
I own the Enduro and also the FF Kenevo and I can say that characteristic is very notable and is the reason why I purchased this bike. It is by far the best/fastest rear suspension ever tried. It accelerates on bumps instead of getting hooked as the Regular Kenevo does.

 

[#lazy]

Does anyone know if when and how much a alu model will be coming out ?

 

[Doomanic]

Is there much point, given the carbon bike is over 19KG?

 

[#lazy]

Is there much point, given the carbon bike is over 19KG?

Cost plus a comp model

 

[Squamish Sucks]

Does anyone know if when and how much a alu model will be coming out ?

In the pinkbike q+a with specialized on KSL release day they said no alloy, as it was too heavy to make sense for that frame/motor design.

 

[chris.raffard]

Thanks Chris,
I’m in Vancouver.
Enjoy!

Crank arm length is in this photo

 

[Steyoner]

they should have made it shorter perhaps.