Kenevo SL Official 2022 Kenevo SL (KSL) Megathread!

HarzEnduro

Member
Jan 23, 2022
73
102
Germany
I took my bike into my LBS and they were surprised at how much side to side play there was in the BB/cranks. The LBS put a warrenty claim in with Specialized Canada but they are out of stock on the SL motors and say it will be at least 3 weeks to get one in. I have started the clock as last time if was over 6 weeks to get a new motor installed. 🐌 Oh Specialized Canada, so big, yet so small.
I wonder what I did, to what has seemily been a robust motor, to make it crap out.
Mine had a little play from the start that was said to be normal. It has more play now but still rides fine. It rattles like a Bosh motor though on the downhill. As I can still ride it, I'm not gonna be bothered by it for at least half a year. I'll take it to the LBS then to have it checked out, hoping that the new motor has been released yet and it being compatible with the old KSL.
 

KnollyBro

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Dec 3, 2020
1,003
2,346
Vancouver
Mine had a little play from the start that was said to be normal. It has more play now but still rides fine. It rattles like a Bosh motor though on the downhill. As I can still ride it, I'm not gonna be bothered by it for at least half a year. I'll take it to the LBS then to have it checked out, hoping that the new motor has been released yet and it being compatible with the old KSL.
My only comparison is to our 2 Levo Sls which have no play at all. My concern, and the Service Manager at the LBS was that if crank shaft moves over too much and catches on something inside the motor and locks up the crank, it could be a bad day, especially if I was landing off a big drop or jump and the pedal ended up at the 6 O'clock position. I have the Levo SL to ride so I am not going to risk it as it seemed to happen quite quickly, in the last few weeks for me. I am just glad to hear that not many others are experiencing the same issue.
 

ebikerider

Active member
Oct 1, 2019
706
484
Australia
My play hasn’t developed that quickly as it had been there from the start. The rattling is what annoys me.
If you rotate the cranks backwards does it still freewheel or does it now move the drivetrain? My motor was replaced because of this and now the second motor is doing the same. This second motor makes lots of rattles too.
 

HarzEnduro

Member
Jan 23, 2022
73
102
Germany
If you rotate the cranks backwards does it still freewheel or does it now move the drivetrain? My motor was replaced because of this and now the second motor is doing the same. This second motor makes lots of rattles too.
Nope. It freewheels but it makes a noise that sounds like a dry seal rubbing.
 

Endurafrika

Member
Jul 7, 2022
27
12
Cape Town
I took my bike into my LBS and they were surprised at how much side to side play there was in the BB/cranks. The LBS put a warrenty claim in with Specialized Canada but they are out of stock on the SL motors and say it will be at least 3 weeks to get one in. I have started the clock as last time if was over 6 weeks to get a new motor installed. 🐌 Oh Specialized Canada, so big, yet so small.
I wonder what I did, to what has seemily been a robust motor, to make it crap out.
Specialised confirmed today that I will be getting a new motor. Glad they have one locally in stock.
 

KnollyBro

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Dec 3, 2020
1,003
2,346
Vancouver
If you rotate the cranks backwards does it still freewheel or does it now move the drivetrain? My motor was replaced because of this and now the second motor is doing the same. This second motor makes lots of rattles too.
If I understand you correctly, with rear wheel held up in the air, you should be able to pedal backwards without the wheel turning? If that is what you are saying, both our Levo SLs do that. I don't have my KSL here to confirm its status.
Has anyone found an exploded view of the SL motor? I would like to see what is inside of it as I have one LSL that is passed the warranty. I know I could take it apart. I don't know if I could put it back together.
 

LeeG

Member
Aug 31, 2022
18
15
Scotland
Hi all, 3 rides and charge cycles in on my Kenevo SL.

I gave the bike a wash today and got it ready for a ride tomorrow. I switched the power button on on the TCU and didn't get a beep. It just displayed 100% battery symbol (like when it's charging / charged) and I couldn't toggle through any screens. It would change modes though. Pedaled under power but didn't try it for long.

Initially there was an error code 4 on the diagnostics which doesn't say much. This error was 2 days ago, I have ridden since and only noticed the fault today. However this doesn't show on the diagnostics any more.

Anyone else had this issue / know how to resolve it?

Thanks

Resolved. The bike had somehow went in to 'stealth mode'. Deselected stealth mode in mission control and it's back to normal.
 

ebikerider

Active member
Oct 1, 2019
706
484
Australia
If I understand you correctly, with rear wheel held up in the air, you should be able to pedal backwards without the wheel turning? If that is what you are saying, both our Levo SLs do that. I don't have my KSL here to confirm its status.
Has anyone found an exploded view of the SL motor? I would like to see what is inside of it as I have one LSL that is passed the warranty. I know I could take it apart. I don't know if I could put it back together.
If you pedal backwards (wheel on or off the ground) the drivetrain should not rotate, only the cranks should rotate. Mine starts turning the cassette backwards then eventually releases and becomes free.
 

Andres_Mora

Member
Oct 28, 2021
20
28
US
Gents, I just pulled the trigger on KSL Expert and waiting on delivery. What are the options for shorter cranks?
Congrats! I searched everywhere a few months back and the shortest I could find was praxis 160mm. If you end up finding anything shorter let me know!
 

Doomanic

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Patreon
Founding Member
Jan 21, 2018
8,718
10,383
UK
I emailed Hope about SL cranks last week, apparently it's something they are looking into.
 
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Dax

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 25, 2018
1,719
2,099
FoD
I emailed Hope about SL cranks last week, apparently it's something they are looking into.

Did you say “Hello, me and all my sad, lonely friends what to make our depressing lives better by spending a ridiculous amount of money on a part that will get scratched to fuck in no time. Please make more shiny. “?

(Which is what @Doomanic suggested I emailed to hope about making SL cranks)
 

BikingBad

Member
Sep 6, 2022
81
35
USA
Those that changed to mullet setup, any issues or things to watch out for? Is there an option in TCU to set rear wheel size to 27.5 so max speed limit isn’t impacted?
 

Dax

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 25, 2018
1,719
2,099
FoD
Those that changed to mullet setup, any issues or things to watch out for? Is there an option in TCU to set rear wheel size to 27.5 so max speed limit isn’t impacted?

First impression was good, felt different for about half a minute, then just faded away and the bike rode really nicely. Was getting noticibly more pedal strikes, but was off my game and I’ve not ridden for a while.
 

MetroNeck

Member
Aug 13, 2020
35
19
North Van
Did you say “Hello, me and all my sad, lonely friends what to make our depressing lives better by spending a ridiculous amount of money on a part that will get scratched to fuck in no time. Please make more shiny. “?

(Which is what @Doomanic suggested I emailed to hope about making SL cranks)

Um, ‘scratches’ on aluminum or titanium are called patina, and increase the value!

at least that’s how I justify spending dumb amounts of money on such things…
 

jcmonty

Well-known member
Sep 5, 2018
472
406
California
Bit of an update as I haven't been on here in a while :

I recently swapped to my old Mezzer Pro setup (vs.stock Fox 38), and I immediately noticed a difference. Front feels more "lively", less damped, which I prefer. Fox38 is great, but it's definitely been a ground hugger to me. It never felt like it had a lot of pop when I had it setup with correct sag while attempting to not leave too much of the travel unused. Mezzer is obviously a lighter fork, and it has the IRT which makes things more linear. I can definitely feel that.

I will probably keep this fork on for a while and dial it in a bit more. Stiffness feels on par as well. F38 is still a great fork, but for me not smashing DH level laps every time I ride, the Mezzer might be a better option (at least for now) . F38 with a secus or RUNT could be the ticket as well.
 

Andres_Mora

Member
Oct 28, 2021
20
28
US
Bit of an update as I haven't been on here in a while :

I recently swapped to my old Mezzer Pro setup (vs.stock Fox 38), and I immediately noticed a difference. Front feels more "lively", less damped, which I prefer. Fox38 is great, but it's definitely been a ground hugger to me. It never felt like it had a lot of pop when I had it setup with correct sag while attempting to not leave too much of the travel unused. Mezzer is obviously a lighter fork, and it has the IRT which makes things more linear. I can definitely feel that.

I will probably keep this fork on for a while and dial it in a bit more. Stiffness feels on par as well. F38 is still a great fork, but for me not smashing DH level laps every time I ride, the Mezzer might be a better option (at least for now) . F38 with a secus or RUNT could be the ticket as well.

Haha it's interesting to hear other people opinions on things. I took off my 38 because to get level of support needed I had to increase pressures to the point that it was too poppy and borderline harsh.

Mezzer gives a lot more support w/ the damper plus has IRT which gives spring a lot of midstroke support as well. I'm able to set it up a lot more damped/dead/controlled in the rough stuff which is how I like it.
 

jcmonty

Well-known member
Sep 5, 2018
472
406
California
Haha it's interesting to hear other people opinions on things. I took off my 38 because to get level of support needed I had to increase pressures to the point that it was too poppy and borderline harsh.

Mezzer gives a lot more support w/ the damper plus has IRT which gives spring a lot of midstroke support as well. I'm able to set it up a lot more damped/dead/controlled in the rough stuff which is how I like it.
I am actually running pretty light damping on my Mezzer due to how I liked it on my other bikes. When on the KSL, I actually cranked up HSC, LSC and some rebound. Probably because I was used to the F38, but also because I tend to run my IRT on the lower side. Probably why I will end up tuning this more, but it's so much more supportive as you had mentioned.
 

Doomanic

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Patreon
Founding Member
Jan 21, 2018
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10,383
UK
Are they worth 400 bucks though? Aesthetically, I don't find them pleasing.
 

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