Kenevo Gen1 29er Front and Rear Kenevo

[PBR1]

I'm looking for some help with a potential conversion on my 2022 Kenevo Expert:

I really miss the rolling speed of my Levo full 29er and after watching @Rob Rides EMTB video about 10 times it got me seriously considering a full 29 conversion on my bike.

Here is my plan:
Boxxer 29 lower legs
New 29 wheel set

Keep it simple stupid!

2 questions for the group:
1. Has anyone done the conversion like this and how do they like it? I'm most worried about f'n up the geo (and the cost)
2. Am I better off spending that money on a different bike and not messing up the geo?

Any insight is much appreciated

 

[peterpeterson]

I'm looking for some help with a potential conversion on my 2022 Kenevo Expert:

I really miss the rolling speed of my Levo full 29er and after watching @Rob Rides EMTB video about 10 times it got me seriously considering a full 29 conversion on my bike.

Here is my plan:
Boxxer 29 lower legs
New 29 wheel set

Keep it simple stupid!

2 questions for the group:
1. Has anyone done the conversion like this and how do they like it? I'm most worried about f'n up the geo (and the cost)
2. Am I better off spending that money on a different bike and not messing up the geo?

Any insight is much appreciated

I did conversion to 29/29 few months back, and it was the best decision ever. Bike is amazing.
Sometimes I miss 2.5 or 2.6 tyre on the back, as 2.4 is a reliable max. From time to time I use 27.5, just to be sure that mullet is pointless (for me). Time goes by and still there is no other bike that will offer such balanced geometry, travel and weight.
I overstroked damper to 65 and my bike is 180/187, HA about 63 on high setting ... i love everything about it! Use 700 and 500 battery.
I would put all my money on the conversion - I myself purchased this bike just in order to make this conversion

 

[peterpeterson]

... and regarding geometry, there is a great tool mentioned at page 1

bike-stats - everything about bike geometry

Use this app to compare bike geometries of different manufacturers with each other, in order to determine the most suitable bike for your personal requirements.

www.bike-stats.de

 

[PBR1]

... and regarding geometry, there is a great tool mentioned at page 1

bike-stats - everything about bike geometry

Use this app to compare bike geometries of different manufacturers with each other, in order to determine the most suitable bike for your personal requirements.

www.bike-stats.de

@peterpeterson I saw this and tried using it but have one question. How would I calculate the new fork length? I adding the 29 lowers how much longer would my fork length get?

 

[peterpeterson]

Honestly - do not know how to calculate, but
I would simply use data for similar fork.

 

[PBR1]

Using the Boxxer Ultimate 180mm travel this is what it came up with

 

[peterpeterson]

Using the Boxxer Ultimate 180mm travel this is what it came up with

View attachment 151771

For me quite promising output...
I am 182 cm and ride on S3.
As i recall, data are for high setup at damper bushing.
High riser bar (50) and ca. 35 mm of spacers under the stem, as Kenevo has rather low stack (for me)

 

[PBR1]

Full 29er conversion done.

Lower Boxxer 29 fork legs
Flip chip on "high"
Stans Flow EXC wheels
Conti Kryptotol DH casing tires

 

[Nomadic Dad]

Full 29er conversion done.

Lower Boxxer 29 fork legs
Flip chip on "high"
Stans Flow EXC wheels
Conti Kryptotol DH casing tires

View attachment 155377

What width are the tyres? Did you have it as mullet before or standard 27.5" ?

 

[PBR1]

What width are the tyres? Did you have it as mullet before or standard 27.5" ?

2.4 tires

Bike was all stock before doing the conversion 27.5 f&r

 

[Nomadic Dad]

I mulleted min and riding 2.6 front and back but curious to head your thoughts on how it rides full 29"

 

[PBR1]

I mulleted min and riding 2.6 front and back but curious to head your thoughts on how it rides full 29"

Only have 1 ride on it since the conversion, but initial impressions are good. Rolling speed is definitely faster. It rides much taller, but I think that's a good thing because I'm over the constant pedal strikes. It also seems like the head angle is better and doesn't want to push as much as it did before.

 

[TronixX]

I wanted to convert my Kenevo Expert to Mullet, but I can't get the headset tight.
I installed a Fox 38 instead of the RockShox Boxxer. If I tighten the ahead cap, I can either no longer move the fork properly or the headset is loose.
Do I need a new headset for the conversion? Or do you have any ideas why this might be?

 

[Geas]

I wanted to convert my Kenevo Expert to Mullet, but I can't get the headset tight.
I installed a Fox 38 instead of the RockShox Boxxer. If I tighten the ahead cap, I can either no longer move the fork properly or the headset is loose.
Do I need a new headset for the conversion? Or do you have any ideas why this might be?

Which crown race have you used? This one should fit.

 

[TronixX]

Which crown race have you used? This one should fit.

That one: PRO Gabelkonus 1.5" | schwarz

Shouldn't make a difference to the Cane Creek in my opionion?

 

[ady]

29er Kenevo 180/180, did it ages ago and it's an incredible bike, absolute weapon
I reckon it was always designed as a 29er (check where the rear wheel sits with a 27.5 wtf) but they held a great bike back,
If you want a super fast steep tech bike find an old Kenevo and build it up. Get rid of the crap paint while you're doing it too...
Anyone know if there will ever be another Kenevo? The new Levo is pretty lame at 150mm mullet

 

[StefanBatros]

29er Kenevo 180/180, did it ages ago and it's an incredible bike, absolute weapon
I reckon it was always designed as a 29er (check where the rear wheel sits with a 27.5 wtf) but they held a great bike back,
If you want a super fast steep tech bike find an old Kenevo and build it up. Get rid of the crap paint while you're doing it too...
Anyone know if there will ever be another Kenevo? The new Levo is pretty lame at 150mm mullet

View attachment 157911View attachment 157912

Nice!
Did you use sandpaper to remove the old paint?

 

[ady]

Nice!
Did you use sandpaper to remove the old paint?

Paint stripper, scraping and polishing pads on an airline mainly - the ally is too soft for sandpaper. Had to do multiple layers of stripper too, could have been worse tbh and well worth it,

Then use Mothers Mag on a rag and it comes up like a mirror

 

[Nomadic Dad]

Hey all.

Has anyone got any pointers what I can change on a stock 2020 Kenevo Comp with a 700 battery, 29" Fox 38 180mm travel, 230 x 62.5mm Fox X2 suspension that's set up as mullet but still weighing 25kg - so 2kg more than Rob's on full 29

I'm guessing my HUNT E_All Mountain Mullet Wheelset at 2168g could be 500g less in carbon or similar but can't make out what @Rob Rides EMTB wheels are and he seems to still have alloy bars which was my other thinking to shed some grams so welcome any weight saving

 

[Mtb247]

I have a black S2 Kenevo Frame. I'm wondering if anyone is looking for one to buy. Its in good shape, a few scratches here and there. Not overly used, I've always had 2 bikes to take out .

 

[ady]

I have a black S2 Kenevo Frame. I'm wondering if anyone is looking for one to buy. Its in good shape, a few scratches here and there. Not overly used, I've always had 2 bikes to take out .

Aah shame, I'm after an S4, any condition! Hope someone can use yours

 

[cozzy]

Aah shame, I'm after an S4, any condition! Hope someone can use yours

Have a 2020 s4 frameset I'll be selling early next year.

 

[ady]

Have a 2020 s4 frameset I'll be selling early next year.
View attachment 172766

Cool, drop us a note when you do. Looks like the triple clamps have had a good go at the invisiframe!

 

[Ryawesome]

29er Kenevo 180/180, did it ages ago and it's an incredible bike, absolute weapon
I reckon it was always designed as a 29er (check where the rear wheel sits with a 27.5 wtf) but they held a great bike back,
If you want a super fast steep tech bike find an old Kenevo and build it up. Get rid of the crap paint while you're doing it too...
Anyone know if there will ever be another Kenevo? The new Levo is pretty lame at 150mm mullet

View attachment 157911View attachment 157912

Hey I absolutely love your bike. I have a 2023 Comp which is green and I've never liked the colour. Now out of warranty so thinking I either strip it off like you did or try to paint with plastic-dip or similar. In regards to stripping it, did you take everything off of frame including cables, etc? The chain guard protector as well, how did you deal with that? And finally, did you clear coat the frame after polishing so it wouldn't oxidize or rub off gray if you touch it?

 

[Deleted member 37410]

Mine oxidizes, but its always dirty so I have no way of noticing it, and I want it to be a tool first and foremost (a cool tool ) and not some souvenir. Highly recommend stripping it, I love my bike 2x after doing it. Shout out to all the stripped levos and kenevos on this forum for the inspiration

 

[Ryawesome]

Mine oxidizes, but its always dirty so I have no way of noticing it, and I want it to be a tool first and foremost (a cool tool ) and not some souvenir. Highly recommend stripping it, I love my bike 2x after doing it. Shout out to all the stripped levos and kenevos on this forum for the inspiration

Ok cool, thanks for the feedback on that. My bikes get ridden hard so I don't care about some marks/scuffs. Just didn't know if it looked bad after oxidizing or took a lot of maintenance. I guess a really quick buff with a rag and mag wheel type polish would clean it right up again. I'm really tempted to go down this road and hopefully will post some pics in the months ahead while it's parked for the winter (snow on the ground in Canada).

 

[Deleted member 37410]

Ok cool, thanks for the feedback on that. My bikes get ridden hard so I don't care about some marks/scuffs. Just didn't know if it looked bad after oxidizing or took a lot of maintenance. I guess a really quick buff with a rag and mag wheel type polish would clean it right up again. I'm really tempted to go down this road and hopefully will post some pics in the months ahead while it's parked for the winter (snow on the ground in Canada).

Mine is not polished I have a more sandpapered/gritty look so hopefully someone else can tell you more about maintaining polish

It will be a badass looking bike either way!

 

[Ryawesome]

Mine is not polished I have a more sandpapered/gritty look so hopefully someone else can tell you more about maintaining polish

It will be a badass looking bike either way!

From what I've seen I'd probably go with the look you have. Polished is cool but I don't think I have the time or patience to spend that much time then the upkeep. I like a rougher finish anyways.

 

[ady]

Hey I absolutely love your bike. I have a 2023 Comp which is green and I've never liked the colour. Now out of warranty so thinking I either strip it off like you did or try to paint with plastic-dip or similar. In regards to stripping it, did you take everything off of frame including cables, etc? The chain guard protector as well, how did you deal with that? And finally, did you clear coat the frame after polishing so it wouldn't oxidize or rub off gray if you touch it?

Cheers! I was doing a full strip and rebuild anyway (had snapped the mounts off the motor somehow - props to Spesh for replacing under goodwill out of warranty ) so it was completely bare, had also bent the back end so actually stripped back a brand new replacement wishbone. The chain protector just popped off, maybe there's a tiny screw to keep it in place. Paint stripper is pretty messy stuff so you would need to completely break down the whole bike - good time to replace all bearings etc. Don't use sandpaper the ally is soft as cheese: paint stripper, plastic scraper, pointy thing to pick out of the welds, polishing pads with polishing compound on an airline sander, aaaaand repeat...... There may be a pro way with dipping or something but that's what I did.

No clear coat or anything, the pic is after 18 months of not cleaning it apart from a quick hose off after rides, I'm pretty lazy.... I did test a patch - a proper clean and some mothers Mag makes it all shiny again

 

[Ryawesome]

Cheers! I was doing a full strip and rebuild anyway (had snapped the mounts off the motor somehow - props to Spesh for replacing under goodwill out of warranty ) so it was completely bare, had also bent the back end so actually stripped back a brand new replacement wishbone. The chain protector just popped off, maybe there's a tiny screw to keep it in place. Paint stripper is pretty messy stuff so you would need to completely break down the whole bike - good time to replace all bearings etc. Don't use sandpaper the ally is soft as cheese: paint stripper, plastic scraper, pointy thing to pick out of the welds, polishing pads with polishing compound on an airline sander, aaaaand repeat...... There may be a pro way with dipping or something but that's what I did.

No clear coat or anything, the pic is after 18 months of not cleaning it apart from a quick hose off after rides, I'm pretty lazy.... I did test a patch - a proper clean and some mothers Mag makes it all shiny again

View attachment 172856

Awesome, thanks for the info. Mine is in progress right now. Just had all new bearings installed. Paint stripper worked great. I'll post some pics when it's a little further along, right now it's a bunch of pieces in a box.