Kenevo SL Official 2022 Kenevo SL (KSL) Megathread!

Ernes58

New Member
Jun 3, 2024
2
1
Spain
Hi guys. Newbie in this forum from Spain.
I have a LSL gen1 and thinking to buy a KSL. Last months I only use the bike for enduro, and thinking to take start on a enduro races next autumn. Bether for races KSL or Levo full power?
 

Nerds On Dirt MTB

Active member
Feb 20, 2023
94
122
The PNW
Hi guys. Newbie in this forum from Spain.
I have a LSL gen1 and thinking to buy a KSL. Last months I only use the bike for enduro, and thinking to take start on a enduro races next autumn. Bether for races KSL or Levo full power?
I took my KSL to one race and If your races are like mine the e-enduro class is a full power requirement, the extra power you get is worth the weight. You'd be surprised how much you will be in turbo coming out of corners or short punchy climbs mid stage. I did the rest of the season on my "Full Gas" Levo and did way better.
 

sethimus

Member
Dec 31, 2023
127
114
Switzerland
Has anybody been running a coil shock?

I am riding the Float X2 with about 260Psi and was wondering if anyone switched to coil and what spring are they running.

I do not have any problems with the air shock currently (except for some air leaking) but I would go for the coil just for the lower service interval. Any thoughts?
stock super deluxe coil rc2t in 230x65 with a 540-610 sprindex spring at 93kg naked
 

ah1

Member
Jul 11, 2020
107
47
Santa Cruz CA
Has anybody been running a coil shock?

I am riding the Float X2 with about 260Psi and was wondering if anyone switched to coil and what spring are they running.

I do not have any problems with the air shock currently (except for some air leaking) but I would go for the coil just for the lower service interval. Any thoughts?
Ohlins TTX22m.2 been running it on my KSL, loads better than the Float X2. Ohlins recommends service once a year but some folks just don't service them and they're running fine. I'm selling mine (sold my KSL with the X2 and buyer didn't want to pay extra for coil). DM me and I can send you photos and we can transact.
 

panther-ra

New Member
Apr 21, 2024
5
8
Oslo
Hello! I'm planing to buy KSL gen 1 2022 Comp. Brand new with official warranty.
  • What potential problems I need to expect with motor / power system?
  • I will use it mostly in a rainy climate (Scandinavian countries).
  • Do I need to make a water resistant upgrade? (If it possible).
  • What is the average mileage of motor? How often do I need to do maintenance? (If it acceptable option).
 

Loamranger

Member
Dec 10, 2019
205
100
U.K.
Just be careful with the hose pipe when cleaning or don’t use one at all, just brush and sponge around motor.

If you have problems outside warranty there is a company in the UK that can fix Mahle motors most of the time. They are e- Bike Motors.
 

SonOfBovril

New Member
Jun 14, 2024
4
1
South Africa
Hi guys new member here.

Haven't read through the entirety of this massive thread, but just got a 1.1 KSL frame and connected to the new SPEZ app and it seems that it doesn't provide as much adjustability as the mission control app used to provide, or am I missing the secret settings somewhere? Also is there somewhere in the new app to check the firmware version of the bike?
 

davem85

Member
Feb 1, 2021
47
16
Germany
After doing a little research, I was able to answer my own question, which I am sure was already answered else where. The cranks that fit the Gen 2 (1.2) motor do not fit the Gen 1 (1.1) motor. I guess I should be some what thankful as the cranks I was able to source out, which are available locally, are not as expensive as the Kenevo/Levo type! I will continue to work on my delusion that 165mm is not THAT much of a difference from 160mm when it comes to cranks and be glad than I am NOT reaching for my credit card to buy these, as cool as they are! I am sure I will forget all about the desire to want shorter cranks once I am back riding again.

Kenevo and Levo: Titanium Specialized eCrank

View attachment 133290

Kenevo SL Gen 2: SRAM DUB Mount eCranks for SRAM / Brose and Gen 2 Specialized SL

View attachment 133291
So, if 1.2 motor ist DUB, I'm still not able to take any DUB crankset, am I? Since the axle basically ist the motor and we'll need this kind of removal nut in the middle, which for example a XX1 carbon crankset does not have.

sram-xx1-eagle-dub-kurbel-1x12-x-sync-2-sl-direct-mount-kettenblatt-34-zaehne-boost-schwarz-17...jpg

On the other hand SRAM E-Bike cranks are ISIS, referring to r2-bike.com for example.

I don't quite understand that. Can anyone provide some compatible 160 or 165mm cranks or examples for the 1.2 motor? Ideally Carbon or light and under 300€ shipped. Cheers!!
 
Apr 14, 2020
132
36
Surrey, UK
Hi,

Maybe contact specialized in Germany as they will have the Sram Carbon Dub ones.

I know in the UK they keep some stock, it just appears the official ones that come on the bikes are not listed for sale anywhere.

Cheers,

Andrew
 

MatCret

New Member
Jan 21, 2024
44
23
France, FarWest France
So, if 1.2 motor ist DUB, I'm still not able to take any DUB crankset, am I? Since the axle basically ist the motor and we'll need this kind of removal nut in the middle, which for example a XX1 carbon crankset does not have.

View attachment 142343

On the other hand SRAM E-Bike cranks are ISIS, referring to r2-bike.com for example.

I don't quite understand that. Can anyone provide some compatible 160 or 165mm cranks or examples for the 1.2 motor? Ideally Carbon or light and under 300€ shipped. Cheers!!
Hi, you check this add:

 

cozzy

E*POWAH Elite
Subscriber
Aug 11, 2019
935
1,044
Hampshire UK
In the market for an s4 frameset.
Ive read through most of the 99 pages..
What do i need to check for? Ive read a lot of posts about side to side play in the motor spindle and loose cranks.
Any areas of the frame prone to cracking?
Cheers.
 

cozzy

E*POWAH Elite
Subscriber
Aug 11, 2019
935
1,044
Hampshire UK
Impatience got the better of me so i purchased an s4 comp at a reasonable price and swapped my 40's and mullet wheels over.
Its only ever going to be an uplift park bike to take the sting out of any uphill bits.
Ive got my ff kenevo with 2x 700wh batteries as my primary bike.

IMG_20240702_210738.jpg


Quick bolt check, drive side main pivot was loose, i read about others not noticing this as you have to to take the chainring off to check it.

X fusion 170mm dropper is a bit long, anyone else mentioned this 🤣.
Its 40mm higher than the oneup 210mm on my ff kenevo when dropped. I have the old 160mm command post from my other bike, ill see if that goes a bit lower. If not a oneup.

I need to order a rear saint brake to match the front and some handlebars to make it easier to swap parts between bikes.
Also will try the ohlins coil at some point.
Not sure whether to change to 10 speed linkglide yet, might not have enough gears with the lower power motor.
Some nice hunt ebike wheels, fox36 and odds and ends to sell to recoup some money.

First ride today at rogate to see if ive made a mistake, then off to the Alps next week if the weather is looking better.
 

GeordieKenevo

Active member
May 12, 2023
127
101
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Will be interesting to see what you make of the SL compared to your full fat as I was thinking of getting one when they were going for £3800 new or whatever it was at Specialised stores but took one out for a few hours test and didn't feel any of the alleged benefits and hated the noisier motor and shortened power & range 👍
 

cozzy

E*POWAH Elite
Subscriber
Aug 11, 2019
935
1,044
Hampshire UK
Ride complete. I think ill keep it :).
Loads quieter & more refined downhill than my ff kenevo which bangs and crashes over everything.
Loads louder uphill, motor is whiny.
Its obviously low powered, but not terrible. I certainly could feel the short ride to the top of the bikepark. But better than pushing an analogue for sure.
The tiny battery lasts ages when you dont have much power, in fact I still had 45% left after a ton of rogate laps.
sram 12 speed gears suck, ive never liked sram stuff. Going to try 10 speed linkglide 11/48 from the ff before I buy, as I did use the 52 quite a bit. Mainly to retain compatibility with the ff.
Its got a delimiter on it from a popular berkshire cycle retailer, I dont think this is needed so will probably remove it. It seems to 1/2 the speed & mileage values.
Basic fox shock felt fine, no rush to swap that out. In fact i would like to try it on the ff.
Smashed my nads a lot on the high seat, thats gotta go.
Great bike, its not going to replace the ff though, more to complement it.

Just ordered a rear saint brake to replace the code (do sram make anything thats any good?), £139 @ biketart, good deal. No doubt i'll have to drop the motor to get that routed.

Edit the old spesh 160 command post from my og kenevo is the one, 80mm top of seat tube to saddle rails on an s4 frame, loads better.
IMG_20240703_115259~2.jpg


and fullfat for comparison.
IMG_20240426_101945 (1).jpg
 
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Dax

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 25, 2018
1,726
2,112
FoD
Loads louder uphill, motor is whiny.

Is that a KSL1 or KSL2? Motor noise on the 1st gen is my biggest complaint.

How do you get on with the 40s on it?

Just ordered a rear saint brake to replace the code (do sram make anything thats any good?), £139 @ biketart, good deal.

Define good 😂 saints are very on/off, great in the alps but I find them lacking modulation for uk winter grease. SRAMs have a lot more modulation, ultimately less power apart from maybe the maven.
 

venturavin

New Member
May 10, 2024
7
18
CA
I too was so pleasantly surprised by the Performance shock that came on the comp build! Hadn't ridden such a low spec build in a while, but a great deal popped up locally so I bought it expecting to swap the shock and wheels out immediately. The wheels are certainly a huge benefit to upgrade, but the shock actually works pretty perfectly and I'm thinking it's almost impossible to justify swapping it out. Maybe out of sheer boredom some day.

Just wanted to share/reiterate that for any other people shopping. I'd been riding Fox Factory suspension only for a long time and just assumed that the Performance level stuff was terrible based on the last time I rode cheap suspension like 8 years ago.

As for the noise, it's absolutely as loud as everyone says, but I've never understood the issue with that. Are you guys trying to ride under the radar in areas that don't allow ebikes or something? It's loud compared to a normal bike, but still plenty quiet to enjoy the sounds of nature, talk to riding buddies, etc.
 

cozzy

E*POWAH Elite
Subscriber
Aug 11, 2019
935
1,044
Hampshire UK
Is that a KSL1 or KSL2? Motor noise on the 1st gen is my biggest complaint.

How do you get on with the 40s on it?



Define good 😂 saints are very on/off, great in the alps but I find them lacking modulation for uk winter grease. SRAMs have a lot more modulation, ultimately less power apart from maybe the maven.
Ksl1. The ksl2 is a lot more money. For my use case, ie uplift bikeparks, the lower power is fine, although less noise would be good, im only ever really going to be riding it short distances back to the uplift bus.
40 is awesome. I dislike single crown forks intensely, just a csu creak waiting to happen in my opinion. Great if you want to do barspins though.

I dont ride in the slop. You can buy my codes then if you like them so much 🤣

I too was so pleasantly surprised by the Performance shock that came on the comp build! Hadn't ridden such a low spec build in a while, but a great deal popped up locally so I bought it expecting to swap the shock and wheels out immediately. The wheels are certainly a huge benefit to upgrade, but the shock actually works pretty perfectly and I'm thinking it's almost impossible to justify swapping it out. Maybe out of sheer boredom some day.

Just wanted to share/reiterate that for any other people shopping. I'd been riding Fox Factory suspension only for a long time and just assumed that the Performance level stuff was terrible based on the last time I rode cheap suspension like 8 years ago.

As for the noise, it's absolutely as loud as everyone says, but I've never understood the issue with that. Are you guys trying to ride under the radar in areas that don't allow ebikes or something? It's loud compared to a normal bike, but still plenty quiet to enjoy the sounds of nature, talk to riding buddies, etc.
Mine appears to have the blue lsc knob fitted, dunno i that makes a perceivable difference, but yes, no complaints at all. Although i will try the ohlins coil from the full fat at some point. Ive never actually been especially impressed with the ohlins on the ff apart from how durable it is, will be interesting to see if its better on the sl, plus trying the fox in the ff.

Coming from the ff kenevo which is virtually silent, the noise is frankly embarrassing to be honest. I was turning it off riding past people on the flat at the bottom of the bikepark.

Rear saint fitted yesterday, not too difficult with the motor out plus ive transferred the 10 speed linkglide over to test. If it works ill buy another deore mech and shifter for £65.
I dont mind swapping the fork, front brake and wheels when i want to use this bike, but im not swapping transmission each time.
I sold the gx eagle stuff last night so will hopefully get on with having less gears.
 
Last edited:

Dax

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 25, 2018
1,726
2,112
FoD
I too was so pleasantly surprised by the Performance shock that came on the comp build!

Same. Haven’t felt the need to upgrade. I fitted the blue lsc knob to mine, but haven’t felt the need to turn it yet. Looks nice thou.

I dont ride in the slop. You can buy my codes then if you like them so much 🤣

Hah I’ll pass thanks 😂 ‘like’ is a strong word, but after 6 years riding them on my ff Kenevo and KSL, I appreciate the modulation. Codes definitely aren’t suitable for the alps…but for FoD they work pretty well.


As for the noise, it's absolutely as loud as everyone says, but I've never understood the issue with that. Are you guys trying to ride under the radar in areas that don't allow ebikes or something? It's loud compared to a normal bike, but still plenty quiet to enjoy the sounds of nature, talk to riding buddies, etc.

Not trying to ride under the radar, just find it horrible. It’s ok if I’m riding with mates having a chat, but by myself I put AirPods in for long climbs, which I’ve never felt the need to do before. Like @cozzy said, it’s embarrassing.
 

p3eps

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Subscriber
Dec 14, 2019
1,982
2,398
Scotland
Not trying to ride under the radar, just find it horrible. It’s ok if I’m riding with mates having a chat, but by myself I put AirPods in for long climbs, which I’ve never felt the need to do before. Like @cozzy said, it’s embarrassing.

When I first swapped, the noise between the 1.1 and 1.2 motors was huge. I ride with airpods in all of the time, but usually in the transparency mode so I can hear what's going on too.
I'm not sure if my 1.2 motor is getting louder, or whether my tolerance is becoming less. I think I might take it to the shop sometime soon for a FW upgrade (still on release FW) and ask them if it's louder.

I'm often in the same boat... climbing a hill slowly behind an analogue biker, and turn the motor off to go past them. I almost feel like people expect you to go whizzing past on an eMTB... and to crawl past them with that noise is embarrassing! They also don't realise I'm only using 15-20% ontop of my legs.
Once I'm passed and out of earshot, I switch the motor back on!
 

George_KSL

Active member
Sep 11, 2021
255
292
Slovak Republic
I think it's personality thing, I don't get terribly embarrassed about it, but people give me very ugly looks sometimes :- ). The noise distracts from the serene feeling people go to forest for. Instead of listening to birds singing, they look around for asshole with DJI drone and it's even worse.. an e-biker! :- )
There is also this whole confusion often in their eyes (particularly roadies) why said e-biker is all sweaty and rather slow.
 

venturavin

New Member
May 10, 2024
7
18
CA
Genuine question, because ya personally I just don't find it embarrassing. Is the embarrassment because the loud noise is outing you for being on an ebike, or is it because you feel the noise level is ruining other peoples' experience on the trail?

I'm certainly a fan of everyone being considerate and aware of respecting other peoples' experiences in nature, I just have not had many instances where I found my KSL to be THAT loud. Especially considering you are only passing people momentarily. If anything I find it to be a perfect volume level to help hikers be aware of my presence and not startled by me.
 

Dax

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 25, 2018
1,726
2,112
FoD
because you feel the noise level is ruining other peoples' experience on the trail?

This one. It’s ruining my experience of quiet in the woods, so I assume it also offends people around me.

Reading this thread, older riders seem to be less offended by the noise than younger riders, presumably due to the frequency
 

cozzy

E*POWAH Elite
Subscriber
Aug 11, 2019
935
1,044
Hampshire UK
Mine at morgins bikepark yesterday. Can't hear the whining motor here fortunately 🙂
IMG_20240709_135016.jpg

Does sound a bit clanky though, maybe the gears in the motor clunking? Didn't notice it at rogate as it's so smooth in comparison. Ive still got 6 months warranty so will get Berkshire bikes to check it on my return.
Suspension is so much more refined than the ff kenevo.
I did start to take it apart to try the ohlins coil but bottled it, the original shock seems very tight in the back linkage. A job for at home rather than a french carpark.

The carpark at morgins used to be free. It was shut last year for a new lift.
They have fitted some parking meters, i nor anyone else appeared to notice them.
The fuzz turned up around 2pm and stuck a 40franc fine on everyone's windscreen.
Fortunately i was at my van and said i would go and pay.
Machine took swiss francs only, no-one had these obviously having all come from morzine.
It didn't take a debit card.
It did take some bullshit payment app, that you couldn't download due to the poor internet there.
Massive money making scam!
I nipped up the road a few hundred meters and found a free carpark, so the ebike came in super handy to get back up the hill at the end of the day.
Loads of worldcup riders there, all their team vans got ticketed.
Best bikepark in the PDS region in my opinion.
 
Last edited:
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sethimus

Member
Dec 31, 2023
127
114
Switzerland
Mine at morgins bikepark yesterday. Can't hear the whining motor here fortunately 🙂
View attachment 143690
Does sound a bit clanky though, maybe the gears in the motor clunking? Didn't notice it at rogate as it's so smooth in comparison. Ive still got 6 months warranty so will get Berkshire bikes to check it on my return.
Suspension is so much more refined than the ff kenevo.
I did start to take it apart to try the ohlins coil but bottled it, the original shock seems very tight in the back linkage. A job for at home rather than a french carpark.

The carpark at morgins used to be free. It was shut last year for a new lift.
They have fitted some parking meters, i nor anyone else appeared to notice them.
The fuzz turned up around 2pm and stuck a 40franc fine on everyone's windscreen.
Fortunately i was at my van and said i would go and pay.
Machine took swiss francs only, no-one had these obviously having all come from morzine.
It didn't take a debit card.
It did take some bullshit payment app, that you couldn't download due to the poor internet there.
Massive money making scam!
I nipped up the road a few hundred meters and found a free carpark, so the ebike came in super handy to get back up the hill at the end of the day.
Loads of worldcup riders there, all their team vans got ticketed.
Best bikepark in the PDS region in my opinion.
read the signs before you park? here in switzerland you can pay everything electronically. just because our standard of living is higher doesn’t mean the parking fees are expensive, only the fees for not paying them are higher. absolutely your faults
 
Apr 14, 2020
132
36
Surrey, UK
Mine at morgins bikepark yesterday. Can't hear the whining motor here fortunately 🙂
View attachment 143690
Does sound a bit clanky though, maybe the gears in the motor clunking? Didn't notice it at rogate as it's so smooth in comparison. Ive still got 6 months warranty so will get Berkshire bikes to check it on my return.
Suspension is so much more refined than the ff kenevo.
I did start to take it apart to try the ohlins coil but bottled it, the original shock seems very tight in the back linkage. A job for at home rather than a french carpark.

The carpark at morgins used to be free. It was shut last year for a new lift.
They have fitted some parking meters, i nor anyone else appeared to notice them.
The fuzz turned up around 2pm and stuck a 40franc fine on everyone's windscreen.
Fortunately i was at my van and said i would go and pay.
Machine took swiss francs only, no-one had these obviously having all come from morzine.
It didn't take a debit card.
It did take some bullshit payment app, that you couldn't download due to the poor internet there.
Massive money making scam!
I nipped up the road a few hundred meters and found a free carpark, so the ebike came in super handy to get back up the hill at the end of the day.
Loads of worldcup riders there, all their team vans got ticketed.
Best bikepark in the PDS region in my opinion.
I found it much easier to change the shock by separating the links when you remove the old shock, one will swing forward making it much easier to get the shock lower eyelet in between the spacers ( without the bolt ) , then push back so it lines up with the other link, then bolt goes through.
Would love to be out in those mountains (y)
 

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