What size 2020 Kenevo

[Eebs]

Hey all, I've decided to purchase a 2020 Kenevo Comp. I am 5ft10" I've been riding a 19 levo in medium. I am leaning towards an S3 but undecided. I ride a mixture of trails and gravity, however, I prefer the gravity stuff. What size would be best for me for those of you that have tested or own a kenevo and are a similar height.

Cheers.

 

[CjP]

S4 if you like it fast and rough!

 

[Eebs]

S4 if you like it fast and rough!

Discussed it with my LBS, coming from a Medium levo, we looked at measurements and other bikes in the shop which were similar in reach and wheelbase. The S3 is longer than the levo I had and for the trails I like to ride around here we felt the S3 was probably a happy medium. There is also a bigger wait for the S4.

Cheers for the input mate.

 

[Stompweaver]

I would wait and go for the S4 given your height and preference for going downhill.
I’m 6’2” and bought an S5. I was going to buy an S4 but test rode one and it felt small! The new Kenevo seems massive on paper but in real life it’s a different matter. The S5 looks like it should be huge but it actually feels only a little bit larger than my old first gen Kenevo in XL.
Find a shop with an S4 and go and have a sit on one. I think you’ll be surprised, they feel smaller than they should do.
You might have to wait longer for an S4 but from my experience you’ll be happy you did. All good things come to those who wait!

 

[CjP]

My brother has an S3 and I tried it out. Sizing is great for jumps and general trail riding but I wanted high speed/DH stability so an S4 was perfect!

 

[Eebs]

My brother has an S3 and I tried it out. Sizing is great for jumps and general trail riding but I wanted high speed/DH stability so an S4 was perfect!

I prefer the gravity stuff but those parks a few and far between where I live. So it is not all the time I get to do it. Majority of the riding is trails with the odd jump line, I just like to smash the down hill sections and ride hard and have a playful bike that will eat everything. Unfortunately shops around here don't have any on the floor. Specialized have them at their factory and are not releasing them to shops until they rectify an issue with the rear shock.

 

[Stompweaver]

@Eebs from what you’ve just said an S4 would be perfect then. Smashing downhills and riding hard would be better on the slightly larger S4. My riding sounds very similar to yours and I’m so glad I went for the S5 over the S4. It feels so confident, stable and fast yet still very flickable and manoeuvrable in the tight stuff. It’s so much fun and jumps and turns with ease.
Don’t let the geometry numbers on the spec sheet lead you into thinking that it’ll be too big.
@Rob Hancill is about the same height and build as me. He was going to get an S4 but sat on it and found exactly the same thing as me. It felt small, he went for a S5 too and absolutely loves it.

 

[Stompweaver]

@Eebs this video of Robs is really worth watching as he goes on to talk about geometry and how the bike feels.

Rob’s thoughts on the new 2020 Kenevo

 

[Eebs]

@Eebs this video of Robs is really worth watching as he goes on to talk about geometry and how the bike feels.

Rob’s thoughts on the new 2020 Kenevo

I'll change to the S4 haha you have convinced me!

 

[Stompweaver]

@Eebs you won’t regret it mate. It really does make a noticeable difference to have a bike that fits properly. This is the first time I’ve ever had a bike that is actually the right size for me and I’ve been riding mountain bikes over 30 years! I see so many people riding bikes that are too small for them and think what they’re missing out on because everyone is used to traditional geometry that really came from road bikes a very long time ago. The new school geo is amazing even for an old duffer like me. Longer, lower, slacker = faster, more fun, more control/safer. All good things!

 

[CjP]

Yeah spot on, I rode a medium for a year and a. It and thought it was the best thing ever. Then I got the S4 and realised how much better it felt.
I’ve ridden it around all sorts of trails and I can assure you there’s no lack of agility. If anything it’s better as I have more control over the bike due to the position of my body being more on the centre/rear.

 

[Stompweaver]

I was worried that the S5 would be too big after having an XL first generation Kenevo which felt perfect. The S5 is a big step on from it. I feel like I’m centred and “in” the bike rather than being perched on top of it. The extra room to position my body correctly gives so much more control and the bike feels faster and easier to manoeuvre because of this. Control around tight bends is better as you say @Christian as you can put your body in the right place and it’s more stable on faster stuff because of the length and slacker head angle/lower bottom bracket. Yet is still poppy and flickable too. It climbs better on steep trails as well because it’s not trying to lift the front wheel all the time like the old one. Overall a fantastic upgrade from the original Kenevo and even better in the right size.