Turbo Kenevo SL 2022

The 2022 Turbo Kenevo SL is the original lightweight Kenevo, launched in May 2021 as a 2022 model. It takes a FACT 11m full-carbon chassis with 170 mm of travel front and rear, using the six-bar suspension layout carried over from the Enduro, on 29in wheels, and pairs it with the Specialized SL 1.1 motor, a deliberately modest 35 Nm / 240 W unit weighing 1.95 kg, fed by a fully integrated 320 Wh SL1-320 battery with an optional 160 Wh Range Extender for the bottle cage. The result is an e-enduro several kilograms lighter than full-power rivals, aimed at riders who want Enduro handling with assistance rather than maximum shove.

The bike launched with two builds, the Expert at 8,750 GBP (11,000 USD) and the flagship S-Works at 12,500 GBP (15,000 USD), with the Comp joining the range by autumn 2021 at 7,000 GBP (9,000 USD). The Comp runs a FOX 36 Rhythm fork, Float X Performance shock, SRAM GX/NX Eagle and Code R brakes on Specialized alloy wheels. The Expert steps up to a FOX 38 Performance Elite Grip2 fork, Float X2 Performance shock, SRAM X01 Eagle and Code RS brakes on Roval Traverse alloy wheels. The S-Works gets a FOX 38 Factory Grip2 fork and Float X2 Factory shock in Kashima, wireless SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS, Code RSC brakes, Roval Traverse SL carbon wheels and a RockShox Reverb AXS post. All three run 220 mm front / 200 mm rear rotors and a mixed tyre setup, with the Expert and S-Works specced with a Butcher T9 up front and an Eliminator T7 29x2.6in out back at launch.

Geometry is aggressive for its era: a 63.5 degree nominal head angle, 76 degree seat angle, 350 mm BB height and 435-510 mm reach across the S2-S5 S-Sizing run. A swappable upper headset cup and a chainstay flip chip give six geometry settings spanning a 62.5 to 64.5 degree head angle, so it can be set up anywhere from trail-sharp to DH-slack. Specialized publishes no claimed weights for the builds.

This Gen 1 Kenevo SL carried over into the 2023 catalogue with a revised spec and higher UK prices before being superseded by the second-generation Turbo Kenevo SL 2 with the stronger SL 1.2 motor. As a used buy, the 2022 bikes are identified by the launch prices and spec above, the SL 1.1 motor and the 320 Wh battery, and the usual caveat applies: the low-power motor rewards fit riders and punishes anyone expecting full-power eMTB climbing pace.