Kenevo max chainring
- Thread starter Goodey
- Start date
I’ve just put a 36t on my levo and it’s the max you can go really. The chain guide still works perfectly. A tip when you do upgrade don’t remove the chain guide completely just loosen enough to get the chain ring over the spider. It’s made a big difference I’m not out pedalling as much on fast down hill sections I’m glad I swapped over
Hope this helps
I don't know if there is a dedicated thread or if anybody is still watching this but I would like to up-size my chain ring to a 36T and I have 3 questions.
1. Did you need to put extra links in the chain or will the original fit?
2. What options are out there?
3. If a new chain is not needed, are you still able to use the lowest gears?
1. Did you need to put extra links in the chain or will the original fit?
2. What options are out there?
3. If a new chain is not needed, are you still able to use the lowest gears?
Note I don't have a Kenevo and so haven't tried changing the chainring on one!
But if you're going from a 32T to a 36T (4 tooth increase) then the chain goes around half the chainring (so half that is a 2 tooth increase) so if you want to keep the chain & derailleur tension the same you should need to add 2 extra links (which is the minimum change you can make to a chain).
But it may work with the existing chain still … try fitting the new chainring and then test it by hand if the chain will fit around the new chainring and the largest rear cog. You might find it just won't fit or the rear derailleur is too stretched out.
But if you're going from a 32T to a 36T (4 tooth increase) then the chain goes around half the chainring (so half that is a 2 tooth increase) so if you want to keep the chain & derailleur tension the same you should need to add 2 extra links (which is the minimum change you can make to a chain).
But it may work with the existing chain still … try fitting the new chainring and then test it by hand if the chain will fit around the new chainring and the largest rear cog. You might find it just won't fit or the rear derailleur is too stretched out.
I put a new 36T ring on my Levo a couple weeks ago, no new chain and didn't even have to take the cranks off and pull the spider. Can use all gears, still out peddling but way better. Had to use new nuts and bolts which were a bit tricky tightening them as limited space behind the ring.
Levorunner
New Member
Yep, same as me!?
Awesome, thanks for the replies. I had a look at specifications and couldn't find the measurement between the bolts i.e. what size 36T to buy. Which ones did you guys fit?
Sparkydave
Member
Not fitted one yet, but I think it's a 104mm pcd iirc from what I've read
This is the one I brought
Praxis Works MTB 1x 104BCD Wave Tech Chainring
· Size: 36T, Colour: Black doesn't come with bolts though brought them elsewhere after I brought the ring and then found out you also need single chainring bolts. I put masking tape behind to hold the nuts in place while screwing in the bolts then used a big allen key to hold in place while tightening up.
Praxis Works MTB 1x 104BCD Wave Tech Chainring
· Size: 36T, Colour: Black doesn't come with bolts though brought them elsewhere after I brought the ring and then found out you also need single chainring bolts. I put masking tape behind to hold the nuts in place while screwing in the bolts then used a big allen key to hold in place while tightening up.
Awesome thanks for the help! This will make my commute a whole lot quicker....
I have looked everywhere and cannot find the Praxis Works chain ring in tock. I'm guessing any 104mm 36T chain ring will fit? SRAM Eagle or Renthal for instance?
I have gone ahead and ordered the Renthal one so I'll let you know how it goes.
VaseLEVO
New Member
Installed this one and bike so much better.
Wolf Tooth 36T Chainring suddenly I am using a lot of the gear range and bike is gets up to reasonable speed at my comfortable cadence. It will never be a road bike though, but thats not the point. It is a lot more usable on paved flat trails on your way to the fun stuff.
Wolf Tooth 36T Chainring suddenly I am using a lot of the gear range and bike is gets up to reasonable speed at my comfortable cadence. It will never be a road bike though, but thats not the point. It is a lot more usable on paved flat trails on your way to the fun stuff.
Yann smith
Member
Has anyone managed to fit a 36T chainring to a Kenevo? I’m after changing my stock 32T but that’s already fairly close to chainstays.
UKPHOTO
New Member
Allysnell
New Member
Does adding a 36 to the kenevo cause too much more strain on the motor? Does Specialized recognise this as a reasonable upgrade?
a 36t ring won't cause any more stress unless you decide to climb properly steep stuff in 36/11. using a far smaller chain ring would create higher torque though but that's a whole other discussion.
TL
R it'll be fine
TL
R it'll be fineVaseLEVO
New Member
a 36t ring won't cause any more stress unless you decide to climb properly steep stuff in 36/11. using a far smaller chain ring would create higher torque though but that's a whole other discussion.
TL
No free lunch. Its a trade off. A little more speed and a little less torque. Did I notice or miss the torque? Not really and I doubt I will. Did I notice the speed? Yes. If you are climbing steep technical terrain maybe you'll notice the lost torque, but this bike climbs even super steep hills almost like they don't exist. I figured maybe I am now required to really compensate with my legs for what I lost. Nothing a healthy rider can't do. I ran up a hill in eco mode at ( 35% assist/ 100% Peak Power ) that other cyclists on normal bikes were being forced to dismount. I suppose putting it in trail or Turbo would have gotten me up the hill with lower and no effort at all, so thats one comparison you can use. I did have to shift into the lowest cog to get up to the top, but hope that gives you an idea of how much torque we are talking about here.
Yann smith
Member
Thanks for the photos. A 36T is getting ordered today. Always spinning out on the road riding to local trails. Cheers.
Yann smith
Member
Did you use standard chainring bolts?
I believe the stock ring is threaded.
I believe the stock ring is threaded.
Absolutely no idea.
I don't know you, how fit/strong/light/heavy you are or the hill you're talking about or the other cyclists you PWNd.
But cool story all the same.
silly normal bike riders, eh? What were they thinking 
Ps. Good quality 104BCD NW rings are available for around a fiver on Ebay/AliExpress (if you're not in a huge hurry for it to be delivered).
Hi. Installed a Hope 36T 104 Retainer Ring on an ‘ 18 medium Kenevo today. No clearance at all without sag on suspension. So close that it’s probably down to manufacturing variation/ tolerances between brands of chainring and differences in bike bearings. I carefully filed about 0.5mm off each tooth to get a bit of clearance with no sag. Fine with sag on bike. Presume my Mcgyver approach won’t effect the chain retention much.
I also had to file the chain ring retaining nut a bit to shorten to get it to hold the ring. The steel 32T ring is threaded but replacement was not.
Used tape to sick the nut on the back of the ring as others have described. Had the proper tool to lock into the back of the nut in the tight space which helped.
I also had to file the chain ring retaining nut a bit to shorten to get it to hold the ring. The steel 32T ring is threaded but replacement was not.
Used tape to sick the nut on the back of the ring as others have described. Had the proper tool to lock into the back of the nut in the tight space which helped.
VaseLEVO
New Member
Not very fit sad to say. And 210 lbs naked is a bit heavy also. The hill was plenty steep. Enough the riders in their spandex bike shorts had to dismount. I can't hardly comfortably get into those shorts even the XXL variety. That paint a picture for you?Absolutely no idea.
I don't know you, how fit/strong/light/heavy you are or the hill you're talking about or the other cyclists you PWNd.
But cool story all the same.
Ps. Good quality 104BCD NW rings are available for around a fiver on Ebay/AliExpress (if you're not in a huge hurry for it to be delivered).
Nothing silly about normal biker riders at least they can dismount and walk and get back and still fly on there where I might just about died after tackling one of those hills. I sorta needed the motor and there is nothing wrong with using a little help.
VaseLEVO
New Member
Holly cow thats close! The Wolf Tooth 36T has a comfortable fit on the 2018 Levo, the limiting factor being mainly the chain guide is now at almost its absolute maximum height where you can't go any larger.
I fitted a Renthal 36T to my Large Kenevo and it's snug but fits. Maybe this could be down to the bike size rather than the chain rings? I'm not sure if they would differ that much for every manufacturer.
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Surprising there is so much difference there in clearance
