Other Broken / Snapped shaft coil shock on Kenevo

[Arron M]

So I went back to coil shock on my 2022 Kenevo recently, and yesterday the shock shaft snapped. Now I do see a lot of info on coils failing and not being approved for the Levo but is the same true for the Kenevo? The suspension design is offset like the Levo so I have always wondered if the same issue potentially exists for the Kenevo.

I mean this was the shock that the bike was supplied with from factory so I assume it’s approved. It’s the Rockshox super deluxe plus coil and I have been running air recently so I’d guess there’d only be around 300-400ks on the coil.

Do I repair/replace the RS? Was I just unlucky? Or is this going to happen again?

 

[mustclime]

OK , bikes with yokes on the shocks are tough on shocks. The yokes adds leverage on the shock. I have a 2023 Kenevo, I have tried a Rockshox super deluxe select, fox float x ,a fox dhx, a Ohlins ttx1 air and a suntour voro on my Kenevo. The suntour voro is the best so far with a progressive spring. If you want to run a coil on the Kenevo, you need a steel shock shaft, both the dhx and the voro have 14mm steel shafts. FYI, avalanche racing suspension custom tunes dhx’s for the Kenevo. Ohlins ttx1 coil shocks are pretty much made for Kenevos but i don’t have a grand burning a hole in my pocket….. proof I have tried the shocks….

 

[Arron M]

Thanks [mention]mustclime [/mention]
I have a Push 11-6 that I have put on, it’s in desperate need of a service and I don’t have the perfect spring for my weight.,but I was hoping it would get me out of trouble for a bit…
However I have just noticed a crack in the frame so this question may be redundant

 

[Nomadic Dad]

I bought a Ohlins ttx coil shock second hand from a user on here for my 2021 Kenevo as like the poster above says they were pretty much made for the Kenevo and approved by Öhlins.

It's been great so far with a Sprindex coil on and seems much more robust than the 24/25 Fox X2 air shock I've taken off.

Sorry to hear about the crack on your frame - stick some pics up as It's rare to hear Kenevo frames failing and set up as a mullet I'm still very happy with mine.

 

[RustyMTB]

Pal of mine had this on a Stump jumper. Once disassembled, it became clear the shaft had snapped & like the guy above, we found it was a non standard design made for the bike which meant my suspension guy had to order it in from Spesh USA. His view was the yoke design can place heavy sideloading on shocks & as this was a drop to flat that killed the shock, it seemed plausible.

 

[cozzy]

Where has it snapped? The end cracks on the original rs superdelux and im sure it would have eventually fell off completely if i hadn't noticed. Difficult to spot unless you are looking for it.
I have had excellent reliability with ohlins ttx22 and more recently an e-storia with a steel 14mm shaft on the kenevo.
Where has your frame cracked, got a pic?

 

[Arron M]

 

[Arron M]

So now spesh have denied warranty and also crash replacement, my only option is repair. Btw I am fully aware of the pitfalls of repairing a heat treated alloy frame.
But now my question is:
I sent my broken shock to sram for repair/assessment and they have been good enough to offer me a new vivid ultimate coil for less than 50%rrp. But is that just going to fail as well?? ( assuming my frame repair doesn’t fail first )

 

[cozzy]

Oh right yeah thats not hard to miss. Has it got a steel shaft now? Probably take it & sell it if they are worth anything on the used market & you can make a profit.
I'll be selling an s4 frameset early next year if its any use.

 

[Arron M]

Oh right yeah thats not hard to miss. Has it got a steel shaft now? Probably take it & sell it if they are worth anything on the used market & you can make a profit.
I'll be selling an s4 frameset early next year if its any use.

I could be interested, I assume you’d sell with motor/battery etc? Might not be worth shipping to aus though. Feel free to reach out when the time comes

I don’t think the Vivid coil has a steel shaft. The Push that’s in it now (in photos) has a steel shaft, I think I’ll spend some money on that getting it back up running properly.

 

[Jukka4130]

Kenevo and Levo frames can be really hard on shocks. The only coil shock that I would consider with either of these frames would be the EXT E-Storia. 14mm steel chrome-plated shaft coupled with a beefy eyelet design prove their value in applications like this.

 

[Bad Mechanic]

So now spesh have denied warranty and also crash replacement, my only option is repair. Btw I am fully aware of the pitfalls of repairing a heat treated alloy frame.
But now my question is:
I sent my broken shock to sram for repair/assessment and they have been good enough to offer me a new vivid ultimate coil for less than 50%rrp. But is that just going to fail as well?? ( assuming my frame repair doesn’t fail first )

Why did they deny the warranty or a crash replacement?

 

[Bad Mechanic]

Kenevo and Levo frames can be really hard on shocks. The only coil shock that I would consider with either of these frames would be the EXT E-Storia. 14mm steel chrome-plated shaft coupled with a beefy eyelet design prove their value in applications like this.

Another option is sending a Marzocchi Bomber CR to Avalanche and having them install a chrome steel shaft on it.

 

[losgatosgtr]

I’ve got the avalanche, Woody coil rear shock custom tuned by Craig at avalanche. Works great along with the hybrid damper set up for the boxer upfront.

 

[Arron M]

Why did they deny the warranty or a crash replacement?

I wasn’t really expecting warranty as I am the second owner, however the dealer said to put in a claim any way as you never know. They didn’t provide a reason, or at least the dealer didn’t have one for me. Just said they’ll give you 20% off a new Levo but I have to forfeit my Kenevo. Perhaps that was the crash replacement deal as there are no Kenevo’s left, but it’s a pretty ordinary deal, new Levi’s will be 20% off in couple of months anyway.


Anyway, I welded it up, added a gusset towards the rear and sent it, jumps, drops a few bottom outs and it hung in there, hopefully I’ll get a few rides out of it.

 

[Jukka4130]

Another option is sending a Marzocchi Bomber CR to Avalanche and having them install a chrome steel shaft on it.

Even after that the eyelet might give up. Keep a close eye on it on a regular basis.

 

[Nikolaos Tsivis]

My EXT e-Storia was knocking last sunday and the week before did not have good damping.

It prooved to be a loosened eyelet. Now it is at the workshop for repairs/service etc. Hoping for no major damage.

I should have serviced it on October 2025 as the last service was on October 2024. Don't skip your annual service guys.

This time, I will overstroke the shock/bike at 65mm!

Thanks/Nikolaos Tsivis

 

[Lew_kenevo]

Hi all so I’m looking for some advice I have a 2024 kenevo gen 2 it has a fox dhx performance
Coil shock the shock failed in September last year I spoke to fox dropped it off and the fixed it till today when it started to fail again it’s now clicking and the shaft looks like it leaking it’s only got around 12 hours on it as was off the bike for 4 months due to an operation I don’t ride crazy jumps any more as I can’t afford the injury s so now I have to ring fox again to get them to sort it out or replace it with a better shock as this has now happened twice and the bike isn’t even two years old and advice would be much appreciated thanks

 

[Bad Mechanic]

Welcome to Specialized suspension!

They insist on using a long clevis mount which puts a LOT of side load on the shock. Breaking coil shafts and wearing out air shocks is a very common issue. It's something they've FINALLY addressed with the latest Kenevo.

Basically, this will keep happening to you. Either buy a shock with a larger diameter shaft, buy a shock with a steel shaft, or buy an air shock. Those options will prevent the shock from snapping it half, but the shock will still wear at an accelerated rate and require frequent service and parts replacement.

 

[Lew_kenevo]

Welcome to Specialized suspension!

They insist on using a long clevis mount which puts a LOT of side load on the shock. Breaking coil shafts and wearing out air shocks is a very common issue. It's something they've FINALLY addressed with the latest Kenevo.

Basically, this will keep happening to you. Either buy a shock with a larger diameter shaft, buy a shock with a steel shaft, or buy an air shock. Those options will prevent the shock from snapping it half, but the shock will still wear at an accelerated rate and require frequent service and parts replacement.

I know I don’t mind getting my bits serviced but when it had hardly any ride time do you think if they were to swap it for a dhx2 that would work as I’ve seen a lot about the air shocks blowing quick as well

 

[Lew_kenevo]

I know I don’t mind getting my bits serviced but when it had hardly any ride time do you think if they were to swap it for a dhx2 that would work as I’ve seen a lot about the air shocks blowing quick as well

Do you have any recommendations for a coil shock that wouldn’t break as quick

 

[Bad Mechanic]

Do you have any recommendations for a coil shock that wouldn’t break as quick

If you don't mind spending a bit of money, buy. Marzocchi Bomber CR and send it to Avalanche to replace the stock shaft with a chromed steel shaft. You'll still need to service the shock regularly, but the shaft won't break.

 

[Lew_kenevo]

So I’ve spoken to Fox today. They’re going to repair the DHX shock on warranty but they’ve offered me an X2 ridiculous deal. I’ve checked with Specialized and it should fit the frame fine and Fox said they’ve had a lot of shocks come back that were coil and being Knievel’s with the same problem so they recommended an air shock what everyone’s thoughts on that

 

[Nomadic Dad]

Take the X2 and try to sell it brand new if it's a free swap as they will lose air at some point / go squishy between services. If it's not probably better selling your repaired DHX.

Get a ÖHLINS TTX 22 M.2 coil shock instead as they are perfect for the Kenevo and never heard of one suffering issues.

The above is what I have done and very happy although can't sell my old shape 24/25 X2 as they have such a bad reputation in MTB circles if you have been bitten by them before.

 

[mustclime]

Take the X2 and try to sell it brand new if it's a free swap as they will lose air at some point / go squishy between services. If it's not probably better selling your repaired DHX.

Get a ÖHLINS TTX 22 M.2 coil shock instead as they are perfect for the Kenevo and never heard of one suffering issues.

The above is what I have done and very happy although can't sell my old shape 24/25 X2 as they have such a bad reputation in MTB circles if you have been bitten by them before.

This is good advice, I have a 2023 Kenevo and I have tried a ton of shocks on it. I have run a super deluxe select, fox float x, Ohlins ttx2.1 air , a fox dhx coil

and the suntour voro coil. I prefer the voro, it was designed by DVO and has a 14mm steel shaft. Here are some photos

 

[Arron M]

Since my failure I’ve been using my Push 11-6 coil and it’s been solid. Be careful of the X2 as it fouls on my S5 frame.

 

[Lew_kenevo]

Mine doesn’t touch the frame loads of room thanks

 

[Lew_kenevo]

 

[Lew_kenevo]

View attachment 182983

So this is my kenevo 2023 had the first ride today with the Fox X2 shock and I’m really impressed with it clear the frame perfectly got the compression dialled rebound dialled and it was a mega session at Swinley Forest so hopefully this shock will last a lot longer than my coil ones that I keep breaking the spec of my bike is Shimano Saint brakes DMR defy stem Berg tech 80 mm rise bars hope 155 crank arms stamp pedals Fabio edition Halo gravitas wheels

 

[Nomadic Dad]

So this is my kenevo 2023 had the first ride today with the Fox X2 shock and I’m really impressed with it clear the frame perfectly got the compression dialled rebound dialled and it was a mega session at Swinley Forest so hopefully this shock will last a lot longer than my coil ones that I keep breaking the spec of my bike is Shimano Saint brakes DMR defy stem Berg tech 80 mm rise bars hope 155 crank arms stamp pedals Fabio edition Halo gravitas wheels

I give you 9 months before it's losing air of cavitating but they work nice whilst they are ok