Kenevo SL Is the Specialized "Lifetime Warranty" actually worth anything? (Kenevo SL frame failure)

Hey everyone, I need to vent and warn others about how Specialized treats its so-called "premium" customers when a frame fails.

I’ve been a loyal customer for years. I currently ride an S-Works Tarmac SL8 on the road, and my wife rides a Levo SL2. We invest heavily in this brand, expecting the legendary support they advertise. Unfortunately, it turns out their "Lifetime Warranty" is absolutely worthless when you actually need it.

I was riding my Kenevo SL – totally normal trail riding, nothing crazy, no massive drops or crashes. The shock was perfectly set up for my weight (correct SAG), and the bike is in its 100% stock configuration. I didn't even realize anything happened on the trail. It wasn't until I was packing up and put the bike on my car rack that I noticed the massive cracks.

The carbon is completely crushed/cracked around the seat tube where the shock mounts. My local authorized mechanic looked at it and said it looked like a clear-cut warranty case (structural failure/delamination).

After making me wait for two weeks, Specialized Rider Care came back with a rejection. Their "Global Engineering" team stated that they believe this was caused by a "heavy landing or bottoming out." No proof, no analysis of the shock (which is perfectly fine and holds air), just a blatant assumption to get out of replacing the frame.

To add insult to injury, they offered me a 25% "Assisted Purchase" discount on a new frame.

Has anyone else successfully fought back against this kind of BS from Spec?

Ooh, that's ugly.

So a heavy landing/bottoming out is now considered a crash - that's Specialized's view?

from my own experience (very similar) Spesh frame warranty isn't worth a penny.

thanks. The LBS pushed back, made some additional photos and the UK HQs is analyzing. I am now 3 weeks without the bike in the peak season and had to cancel my trip to the Austrian Alps God knows how long it will take. The next step is legal action with a law firm. No way I will let them get away with that.

Cameyo said:

thanks. The LBS pushed back, made some additional photos and the UK HQs is analyzing. I am now 3 weeks without the bike in the peak season and had to cancel my trip to the Austrian Alps God knows how long it will take. The next step is legal action with a law firm. No way I will let them get away with that.

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GL with your bike (whatever the solution you might find, i hope it will end well).

On my side, i work hard to help spesh losing a lot of sales (driving people on avinox systems, or other brands - whatever the motor).
And i still continue, since it's a real pleasure to see the counter growing.
Based on 1000 bucks lost per sale i drived away from spesh, i can say they lost much much much more than the money stey stole from me for a frame.

fingers crossed for you and your bike / warranty.

TonTonUB said:

from my own experience (very similar) Spesh frame warranty isn't worth a penny.

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Same experience with me.

I have ditched them as a brand - to give you an idea of my bike buying habits I own a Specialized Allez, tarmac SL6, 2019 Stumpjumper, Gen 3 levo, 22 Enduro, 24 Demo.

Ill not spend another penny with them.

Moved onto Trek, thankfully not had to try them out yet (Motor replacement aside).

Currently eying up some other bikes - hardtails and a DH bike, neither are Specialized.

Cameyo said:

thanks. The LBS pushed back, made some additional photos and the UK HQs is analyzing. I am now 3 weeks without the bike in the peak season and had to cancel my trip to the Austrian Alps God knows how long it will take. The next step is legal action with a law firm. No way I will let them get away with that.

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You know you can always rent a bike if yours fail… for example in Sölden you get one day of rental for free with the summer card…

Sure I do, but 90-100EUR /day i.e. 600-700EUR is not something you want to add to your holiday budget when you have a well mantained 10k eur bike from a reputable manufacturer.

thanks for the tip regarding the sommer card.