Kenevo SL 2024

The Specialized Kenevo SL 2024 is the American brand's lightweight long-travel platform: a carbon FSR chassis with 170 mm of travel front and rear, the in-house Specialized SL 1.2 motor delivering 50 Nm of torque and a 320 W peak, and a non-removable 320 Wh SL1-320 battery. At a claimed 19.27 kg with a 63.5 degree head angle and 447 mm chainstays, the Kenevo SL is positioned as a lightweight bike-park-capable alternative to the full-power Levo. At £6,500 base price it sits in upper-mid premium territory. With a 510 mm reach at S5, the geometry is genuinely long.

Drive system and range. The Specialized SL 1.2 is an in-house motor: 50 Nm of torque, 320 W peak, 1.95 kg unit weight. This is firmly lightweight-class power — meaningfully less than even the Bosch SX (55–60 Nm/600 W peak) at the same weight tier. @jcmonty calibrates the feel by comparing a Forbidden LitE de-tuned to 60 Nm/400 W as "feeling close to Specialized Kenevo SL power." The 320 Wh battery is small, integrated and non-removable. @Neeko DeVinchi notes this creates complications for international travel and range-extender battery management. Specialized's optional 160 Wh range extender extends practical range. The mismatch between long-travel chassis and lightweight motor is the central character of this bike.

Geometry and handling. A 63.5 degree head angle is firmly modern long-travel enduro — slacker than most rivals at this weight. Reach is generous: 435 mm (S2), 460 mm (S3), 485 mm (S4), 510 mm (S5). The 447 mm chainstay is held constant across sizes — moderate for a 170 mm bike. Wheelbase grows 1,228 mm to 1,316 mm. The geometry suggests a serious descender that happens to weigh under 20 kg — a unique proposition in 2024 and one of the bike's strongest selling points.

Build and value. Only the £6,500 base trim is gold-listed. @Utah Rider notes US dealer pricing has been aggressive on unsold 2023 stock ($3,800 USD at one Utah LBS). At £6,500 against modern full-power alternatives like the Cube One77 SLX (£4,499) or Ghost E-Riot CF (£5,499), the Kenevo SL is paying a meaningful premium for its lightweight character and Specialized brand cachet.

Community-verified strengths. The combination of long-travel chassis and sub-20 kg weight is genuinely distinctive. @p3eps defends the lightweight philosophy directly: "Those who are saying the Kenevo SL and Levo SL are underpowered are clearly missing the point of these bikes. They are manufactured for a specific type of rider — someone who wants a low powered eMTB that gives them a little bit of help on the climbs and lets them ride further." The 63.5 degree HA, 510 mm reach at S5 and 170 mm travel make this one of the most aggressive lightweight platforms on sale.

Caveats and known gripes. Pedal kickback is the most-cited frame issue. @alleeex reports the Kenevo SL "suffers from significant pedal kickback on large cases and hard drops to flat, severe enough to cause ankle injury risk" and notes O-Chain compatibility is not available for this motor. @1234 notes the SL motor is locked to 35 Nm in some modes (vs the upgradeable TQ on the Trek Slash+). The non-removable 320 Wh battery is the platform's most significant practical limitation. @Bullit reports the related TQ engine reduces performance when constantly driven in turbo mode — a thermal characteristic to be aware of on long sustained climbs. @Utah Rider notes 2023 stock remained unsold a year later, signalling that demand has been below Specialized's expectations. @tabbibus notes child-seat compatibility issues (Mac Ride) due to short stem geometry and TCU location. The motor's 50 Nm torque feels light on steep technical climbs.

Verdict. The Specialized Kenevo SL is a deliberate, polarising design: a 170 mm long-travel bike-park-capable platform at sub-20 kg, with deliberately lightweight motor power. It will suit riders who fully buy the SL philosophy (more rider-input, more like an analogue bike with assistance) and prioritise descending capability and weight over outright torque. Riders who want full-power assistance for long sustained climbs, a removable battery, or a more current Specialized platform should look at the Levo Gen 4 (full-power, 111 Nm), Levo SL Gen 2 (lighter, 240 Wh / 320 Wh battery options) or Cube One77 SLX. Production status: current.