bonescro
Member
By a miracle, my Kenevo SL arrived at the LBS ten days early. I was in shock when I received the phone call. When I picked it up I was thinking that, if it rode as nicely as it looked, I'd be in for a great time. So, yesterday, I took it out for its inaugural ride. My point of reference was my previous bike, a 2021 Pivot Mach 5.5 Pro XT/XTR.
I started out by going down and up a hill just off the trailhead. On the way up I hit Turbo Mode. While I thought that was cool, I did not like it much. So, I went to Trail Mode and that was fine. The first main loop is a quick one-mile easy ride. Great warmup. After that loop I lowered the assistance from 60% to 40%. I kept it there for the remainder of the ride.
It handles a lot like the Pivot, which pleases me. It is PLANTED, yet remains nimble. The climbs were great and felt very natural. I have traction for days, which is saying a lot, because the Pivot was quite sticky. I still have to get used to the 29s, but that will come quickly. As I gain more confidence it will get better. As it was, I was chucking the bike into turns and features. Sand, a big part of Florida trails, was zero issue.
I rode 14.4 miles (vs. around 10 miles analog) and am feeling it. My legs are tired and sore, and I know I got a great workout. Today I plan to do 15 or so at a different trail system, which is admittedly easier. And, I have already made plans to do two post-work rides this week, which was nearly impossible with my 'on my feet for eight hours' job, but now is doable with my new machine. The main thing is the fatigue that I normally have from Rheumatoid Arthritis was not much of a factor. My knees didn't bother me, and my ankle is fine. I received full support from my riding buddies. They're all excited for me.
This bike is everything I'd hoped it would be, and more.
I promised to give myself until July 1st before I decided what to do with my Pivot. It's worth too much just to keep hanging around my house, and I do not want it to collect dust. If I had to decide right now, I would never look back.
I started out by going down and up a hill just off the trailhead. On the way up I hit Turbo Mode. While I thought that was cool, I did not like it much. So, I went to Trail Mode and that was fine. The first main loop is a quick one-mile easy ride. Great warmup. After that loop I lowered the assistance from 60% to 40%. I kept it there for the remainder of the ride.
It handles a lot like the Pivot, which pleases me. It is PLANTED, yet remains nimble. The climbs were great and felt very natural. I have traction for days, which is saying a lot, because the Pivot was quite sticky. I still have to get used to the 29s, but that will come quickly. As I gain more confidence it will get better. As it was, I was chucking the bike into turns and features. Sand, a big part of Florida trails, was zero issue.
I rode 14.4 miles (vs. around 10 miles analog) and am feeling it. My legs are tired and sore, and I know I got a great workout. Today I plan to do 15 or so at a different trail system, which is admittedly easier. And, I have already made plans to do two post-work rides this week, which was nearly impossible with my 'on my feet for eight hours' job, but now is doable with my new machine. The main thing is the fatigue that I normally have from Rheumatoid Arthritis was not much of a factor. My knees didn't bother me, and my ankle is fine. I received full support from my riding buddies. They're all excited for me.
This bike is everything I'd hoped it would be, and more.
I promised to give myself until July 1st before I decided what to do with my Pivot. It's worth too much just to keep hanging around my house, and I do not want it to collect dust. If I had to decide right now, I would never look back.
