Update
Well the maiden voyage didn’t go 100% to plan. Llandegla has its own eco climate so it was considerably colder, icier and more sketchy than anywhere else local to it!
That didn’t stop me though and I was determined to test the new setup to see if has made a material change and if I should keep it.
Obviously I couldn’t push it as at the bottom of each compression or just before / after a jump there was hard packed slick ice where the puddles had frozen over. I tried though!
First impressions
Are good! The Öhlins calculator is down so I had to go blind on the initial setup so used the DH38 settings as a guide. I should have taken the shock pump as I felt I needed a little more ramp up. I also added a bit more rebound and low speed compression to support me better. High speed was fully open.
I can’t believe how different a few kilos make to the dynamics of the Kenevo. It’s turned from a plougher to a lively and agile rig. It’s almost wasp like.
On my DH38s (and even the Fox38s) I had to use more of my body weight to tip the rig into a berm or corner. The new setup results in you tilting your hips and whipping it where you need it.
There are pros and cons of each setup of course. On fast downhill sections it feels more lively and you need to be on your toes more. Where the 38s are solid and you can just let them do their work.
What I have realised is how much more FUN the Kenevo is in its lighter form. Poppy and playful with a savage turn in with the BB set high.
In terms of speed, I can’t compare yet as it was too sketchy to push on my segments. But it definitely feels quicker to spin up and accelerate.
I couldn’t tell much difference in stiffness either, but again I didn’t push it hard. I did a few rocky drops and they soaked them up easily. Very plush.
I will take my shock pump out next time and play with ramp up to get more progression.
On another note. I’m not impressed with thr Rockshocks Super Deluxe Plus shock. But I may be spoiled coming from the TTX22M2. Set the sag but I was bottoming out and it didn’t have much pop. If I were to keep it I’d have to play with the vol spacers.
Not long now until the new Öhlins TTX Air shock arrives so will swap out and try and dial in.
Overall very happy.