Kenevo SL Official 2022 Kenevo SL (KSL) Megathread!

[whitymon]

Not the same weight, geo nor power delivered I guess so this is the difference.

Still which do you prefer past the novelty?

 

[Cameyo]

I assume the weight is pretty much the same since Trek was on stock spec but Spec was on DH tires, tire insert + extender. I would assume Trek would do 200-300m climbs more.

In terms of decents, Trek is more poppy and very easy to jump. Maybe it is a characteristic of Float X shock vs .X2 which I have in my Spec. Generally I think Kenevo is more composed and planted but I would need to ride Slash+ a bit longer, taking the lift and change the wheels since stock tires are from paper and with less aggressive tread than Conti Kryptotal.

Overal, I like the Spec package more, especially with a new 1.2 motor.

 

[whitymon]

Not sure this is related to the shock, both are pretty good (when they work cf X2).

Anyway this is a pretty interesting final/intermediate words, slash+ is damn expensive and the KSL 1.2 is way more affordable on some website!

 

[George_KSL]

Very interesting comparison, esp. the heating up even though it's just barely above 15C in forests right now in central Europe. But it does square up with some reports of the engine doing that, delivering less actual output over the whole ride than it does in initial climbs (i.e the reviewers always mentioned it being stronger when doing back-to-back tests, but then eventually finding you have to work for it after bigger ride).

I think the poppy-nes might be combination of shock and kinematics, but mostly the shock.
Over the past few months I realized how much I enjoy the weight of my KSL, even though it currently tops almost 20KG (with 1300gram tyres on both sides though and including pedals) and perhaps wish to bring it closer to 19KG even. All the newer SL bikes would be 21-21.5kg in solid enduro build, of course, with bigger battery too. But it's the "light" weight that made the bike so enjoyable (enjoyable as a "bike", not as "e-bike", where both range and power is what it is).
Still don't really see much alternative for me. I really would be happy if it had perhaps 400-480W internal battery and that would be it, so something like the E-Capra from YT. The Slash-E as amazing as it must ride, is already bit too heavy for the weaker engine.

It's been 3 very happy years for me with KSL and I might never sell it even if I ever get something else in future. The looks, the ride quality (DH machine), it all still do it for me even when the discussion is now once again purely about power (thanks to DJI) and range. Can't lie, it's nice fantasy about buying DJI as well, though I am pretty sure my fat ass needs the exercise that SL gives me.

 

[Cameyo]

I don't need anything more powerful than Spec 1.1SL motor since it delivers ~290W or 1.2SL ~320W of continous power.
What would nice is 400Wh battery (same size, weight due to better cells 18500 vs 21700) + removable battery for bikeparks + maybe a bit faster charging. Other than that KSL is still a killer on the market.

 

[Dax]

I enjoy the weight of my KSL, even though it currently tops almost 20KG (with 1300gram tyres on both sides though and including pedals) and perhaps wish to bring it closer to 19KG even.

That seems heavy, my S5 is somewhere around 19 without pedals, despite Zebs and heavy wheels/tyres

Interesting commentary on the TQ, that ties with some reviews from middle of last year. That despite being lower powered on paper, the spec 1.1 held its own.

Still love how it rides, my only complaint is the noise.

 

[George_KSL]

That seems heavy, my S5 is somewhere around 19 without pedals, despite Zebs and heavy wheels/tyres

Interesting commentary on the TQ, that ties with some reviews from middle of last year. That despite being lower powered on paper, the spec 1.1 held its own.

Still love how it rides, my only complaint is the noise.

That's just 500-600 grams apart then, would be probably my GX Casette, Aenomaly Switchgrade, etc.. I might splurge on some E13 cassette and carbon wheelset to get it closer to 19kg.

Noise is indeed my only complaint as well, although we have lots of brown bears on loose lately so it's almost helpful to have such loud bike :- )

 

[whitymon]

KSL is a pretty good compromise, discount are quite interesting too but if a new revision is coming soon buying one now might be dumb.

 

[Cameyo]

if a new revision is coming soon

That's THE question. I have been wondering if I should go for KSL2 from KSL1. I think they will introduce the revision in 2026 since the current package is still a killer.

 

[whitymon]

Possible yes, I will see how long I can wait

 

[Doomanic]

If it's not a good seller there's no guarantee there will be a KSL3 at all.

 

[whitymon]

Well the previous version was really not a huge breakthrough tons of review call it not a v2 but a v1++.

So it would be faire to me that they would go for something someday. Still I have no clue if they sell a lot of kenevo these days, if that the case there is no rush definitely for them.

Market is market, usually new stuff make more sell but as Specialized have pretty huge price maybe they sell more discounted ones that full price

 

[Dax]

That's THE question. I have been wondering if I should go for KSL2 from KSL1. I think they will introduce the revision in 2026 since the current package is still a killer.

Cheapest option is to buy the Levo sl kids bike and swap the electrics

 

[Doomanic]

Other than a bigger battery I can't see the point in a new KSL. There's no way to fix the lack of seatpost insertion while retaining the design language that makes the bike such a looker.

 

[Dax]

Other than a bigger battery I can't see the point in a new KSL. There's no way to fix the lack of seatpost insertion while retaining the design language that makes the bike such a looker.

/ ride so well

 

[Doomanic]

/ ride so well

Yeah, that too.

 

[DylanJM]

Other than a bigger battery I can't see the point in a new KSL. There's no way to fix the lack of seatpost insertion while retaining the design language that makes the bike such a looker.

The next one will likely be a completely new design based on whatever the next gen enduro looks like.

 

[whitymon]

Unfortunately the major drawback of the KSL is its battery, it is pretty low and outdated cells.

There is definitely some improvement/refinement they can do on the battery, motor Idk, to cover more people needs.

Eg: out of park, I have unbearable but small elevation 50-80m but very fast DH 5min tops. So something like 22 laps max which is not very good. On Slash+ I would be right away on 35 runs (I do not include extender, make no sense for comparison).