Kenevo SL Next Gen Kenevo / Kenevo SL

[RSG]

Hey guys,

Noticed that Spesh have taken the Kenevo / Kenevo SL off their website now, and dealers around the UK are starting to sell out with some big discounts.

Turbo Kenevo - Specialized

www.specialized.com

Turbo Kenevo - Specialized

www.specialized.com

Next Gen Brose motor has been revealed recently - more power and smaller size - will surely play a part in the next Kenevo design - hopefully lower standover and better insertion for long travel droppers - has there been any developments on the lighter motor too?

What else can we expect to see? Previous Kenevo was full 27.5, this will be mullet surely? or perhaps an interchangable 27.5/29 rear wheel option with flip chip?

Couldn't find a thread on here for next Kenevo/KSL rumours, only the Levo.

 

[mustclime]

My lbs owner is telling me the Kenevo is done. He says there will be a Levo and a Levo long travel. They will both use the same front triangle but different rear ends, shocks and forks. As for the enduro, a new bike is next year with a mid powered one after that…. It will be named some thing like the slash bikes. According to the shop owner, the Kenevo was always a joke name. It was Levo and Evil Knevel… or Kenevo. Again, this just what the shop owner is telling me but he has been selling specialized for 20 years and gets invites to most of the events so I have no idea if it’s true or BS.

 

[TonTonUB]

I definetely support the thread initiative !
I definetely DONT support the NO_NEXT_GEN_KENEVO option

...and KENEVO_FOR_ALL

 

[Smithster]

I just really want to know if there's a new kenevo or a 180mm levo coming out. I can get my hands on a current gen kenevo, but I'm not ready to but a new bike right now. But if i wait, and then find out it's discontinued, I'll be very sad.

 

[cdavies102]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but ahead of the release of the Gen4 Levo, do we have any updates on a new longer travel full power bike from Spesh? Being 150 travel isn’t exciting me away from my current Bullit, and seems mad that Specialized wouldn’t have any longer travel options anymore…

 

[DylanJM]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but ahead of the release of the Gen4 Levo, do we have any updates on a new longer travel full power bike from Spesh? Being 150 travel isn’t exciting me away from my current Bullit, and seems mad that Specialized wouldn’t have any longer travel options anymore…

Initially there was a rumor of the new Levo having ST and LT versions however that seems to no longer be the case. So I think it will just be the 150mm bike, at least initally. The new Levo also come rated for up to 180mm for so I think they are trying to cover all bases with that frame just giving people the option to run a longer fork. Maybe Cascade will make a LT link for it.

 

[Doomanic]

A KSL with the DJI motor and battery would be bang tidy!

 

[CarolinaCrawler]

It looks to me like they are fixing to drop something in the lightweight/mid power category on the 8th...

Made for riders, by riders. | Specialized.com

From seasoned pros and weekend warriors to kids and commuters, if you ride, we’re here for you. We believe that bikes have the power to change lives, and this simple truth drives us to be and do better.

www.specialized.com

 

[DylanJM]

It looks to me like they are fixing to drop something in the lightweight/mid power category on the 8th...

Made for riders, by riders. | Specialized.com

From seasoned pros and weekend warriors to kids and commuters, if you ride, we’re here for you. We believe that bikes have the power to change lives, and this simple truth drives us to be and do better.

www.specialized.com

It's the new Levo on the 8th

 

[rydeezie]

any news?

 

[TonTonUB]

A KSL with the DJI motor and battery would be bang tidy!

Amen ! KSL frame / geo + avinox (or mahle / Maxon or whatever) = insta-buy !

 

[TonTonUB]

I really wonder if an an avinox and the battery could fit inside KDL2 frame ?

 

[rydeezie]

I was at my dealer in the States today and they indicated there's already a new KSL in EU (really?), making it's way to the States with no known timeframe, but sounds like something will be coming.

I also saw that the KSL may be discontinued and replaced with a longer wheelbase Levo. Too me this seems more realistic. Lighter batteries and better life/range is also anticipated. On a side note, I haven't touched my e-Bike all summer in favor of my mechanical Yeti that just feels and rides sooooo good except I now avoid 30% grades.

I’ll take either a Kenevo or Kenevo SL. Just want to replace all my old gen bikes. Already have the Gen 4 Levo and love it

 

[Deleted member 19064]

I’ll take either a Kenevo or Kenevo SL. Just want to replace all my old gen bikes. Already have the Gen 4 Levo and love it

I used my KSL since it came out in 21 for several seasons, then outa nowhere, I decided I liked the feel of my Yeti 130 so much that I haven't touched my KSL all summer. I'm glad I kept my mechanical around. At 30lbs, it feels like a feather to load up in comparison.

I have not kept up on bikes, so not sure what the Gen 4 Levo is all about. One thing about my KSL....on the downhill, it's insanely good on the descent.

 

[mustclime]

Cascade Components is offering a long shock kit that will up the travel to 170mm and it fixes the suspension progression ratio problem…… turn your Levo into a Kenevo.

 

[rydeezie]

Cascade Components is offering a long shock kit that will up the travel to 170mm and it fixes the suspension progression ratio problem…… turn your Levo into a Kenevo.

already is

 

[DylanJM]

Already is

I think they were referring to the new linkage coming soon for the gen 4.

 

[rydeezie]

I think they were referring to the new linkage coming soon for the gen 4.

Ah, i will keep that one stock.

But may purchase a frame only gen 4 and move all the parts from my gen 3. Then i would add the cascade…..

It also depends if there will be a newer generation Kenevo or KSL

 

[rydeezie]

Staff member of one of the top Specialized retailers locally mentioned an EVO Kenevo will be coming out soon.....

 

[Deleted member 19064]

Staff member of one of the top Specialized retailers locally mentioned an EVO Kenevo will be coming out soon.....

Seems by all accounts the KSL is done. It's looking like a heavy EVO Kenevo wil be what we get. So much for the SL movement.

 

[DylanJM]

Seems by all accounts the KSL is done. It's looking like a heavy EVO Kenevo wil be what we get. So much for the SL movement.

I imagine this year is the final year of the Enduro/KSL. We'll likely see a new Enduro in 2026. Whether or not they do an emtb based on like they did with the Kenevo SL remains to be seen. I don't think Specialized are done with SL bikes however I think they likey have a 3rd gen Levo SL in the works.

I think the most likley path will be have standard Levo and Levo SL offerings and then offer EVO versions of those with longer travel via a modified linkage/longer stroke shock. I think this why they rated the Levo 4 for a 180mm fork.

 

[PeterHenric]

Picked up a Levo 4 Pro back in July and fell back in love with mountain biking. Now I’m in the market for a longer travel all mountain bike and am hoping Specialized will release a new Kenevo sometime soon. Something in the 180+ travel range would be awesome. Not looking for an SL version because the weight never bothered me. Bring on the climbs so we can get the descents!

 

[mustclime]

Picked up a Levo 4 Pro back in July and fell back in love with mountain biking. Now I’m in the market for a longer travel all mountain bike and am hoping Specialized will release a new Kenevo sometime soon. Something in the 180+ travel range would be awesome. Not looking for an SL version because the weight never bothered me. Bring on the climbs so we can get the descents!

Get the long shock kit from cascade components for the Levo 4. Jumps the rear travel to 170mm with a 230x65 rear shock. If my Kenevo dies, that what I will get.

 

[PeterHenric]

Get the long shock kit from cascade components for the Levo 4. Jumps the rear travel to 170mm with a 230x65 rear shock. If my Kenevo dies, that what I will get.

yeah. I was looking into that. I have a good price on a Fox DHX Factory shock that I might get. Also looking into a longer travel front end via a different air shaft for the Fox Fork.
Do you know if I went longer up front (170 or 180?) and then the 170 rear from Cascade, how much is that going to change my ride height or riding position?

 

[mustclime]

yeah. I was looking into that. I have a good price on a Fox DHX Factory shock that I might get. Also looking into a longer travel front end via a different air shaft for the Fox Fork.
Do you know if I went longer up front (170 or 180?) and then the 170 rear from Cascade, how much is that going to change my ride height or riding position?

The Levo 4 is certified for a 180mm fork, the dhx is a ok trail shock but it is harsh unless you have it tuned. Avalanche tuning is a great option. Otherwise I would recommend the suntour voro or anything from Ohlins and ext. Yoke suspensions are tough on shocks. Alloy shock shafts are not a great option. My current favorite rear shock on the Kenevo is the suntour voro, picked it up for $400 . The voro is a DVO design with a 14mm steel shaft. Pretty simple but the damping is spot on for the Kenevo.

 

[PeterHenric]

@mustclime its funny you mention that yoke suspensions being tough on shocks. A buddy of mine just educated me on that. I previously had no idea about it. He suggested the Ohlins TTX2 coil as he thinks everything from Fox is garbage. I’ll look into that or possible the TTX Air shock from Ohlins as well. I wonder how hard you really have to ride the bike to cause a failure on a coil shock as opposed to just it being a matter of time? Like it’s inevitable?

 

[Deleted member 19064]

@mustclime its funny you mention that yoke suspensions being tough on shocks. A buddy of mine just educated me on that. I previously had no idea about it. He suggested the Ohlins TTX2 coil as he thinks everything from Fox is garbage. I’ll look into that or possible the TTX Air shock from Ohlins as well. I wonder how hard you really have to ride the bike to cause a failure on a coil shock as opposed to just it being a matter of time? Like it’s inevitable?

I bought into the hype of Ohlins for a dirt bike years ago. Turns out, there's nothing about Ohlins tht made me want to come back for more of it.

I ride Fox and find them to work great, but like any bike, getting it tuned to your liking is key. I tend to start off with OEM recommended settings, and they are usually pretty close, if not ideal so it doesn't take long to setup, at least in my experience. These days, I just want to get on and go. For someone to suggest that Fox is garbage suggests they may not know what they are doing or have a hidden agenda. This stuff is heavily tested and again, in my own experience, I'm very happy with it. I'd go so far as to say that I'm amazed at how well my bikes feel and work with Fox components.

 

[PeterHenric]

@KSL I’m no suspension guru so it’s funny to hear conflicting info from different people about different brands. Fox vs Öhlins, Ford vs Chevy, etc. I just have to take them at their word. I don’t know enough to know better. I do know I’ve like Fox better than Rockshocks but those were on different bikes so the bike could have had a fair bit to do with it.

 

[mustclime]

I bought into the hype of Ohlins for a dirt bike years ago. Turns out, there's nothing about Ohlins tht made me want to come back for more of it.

I ride Fox and find them to work great, but like any bike, getting it tuned to your liking is key. I tend to start off with OEM recommended settings, and they are usually pretty close, if not ideal so it doesn't take long to setup, at least in my experience. These days, I just want to get on and go. For someone to suggest that Fox is garbage suggests they may not know what they are doing or have a hidden agenda. This stuff is heavily tested and again, in my own experience, I'm very happy with it. I'd go so far as to say that I'm amazed at how well my bikes feel and work with Fox components.

Well as someone that has been on a bunch of shocks, I think I can speak from some experiences. The only shock company with an alloy shock shaft that supports 230mm long shocks on yoke suspension is EXT. I have run a fox float x, a Rockshox super deluxe select air , fox dhx, suntour voro and an Ohlins ttx1 air shocks on my 2023 Kenevo. The stock rockshox was crap, the dhx has a great peddle platform but it is NOT PLUSH. The float x is much better than than the rockshox but not as good as the steel spring dhx. The Ohlins ttx1 is the more progressive version of their air shocks, the Kenevo needs this as its suspension only has progressive rate of around 21%. The suntour voro with a progressive spring is the best shock I have put on the Kenevo so far. The voro has a 14mm steel shaft and built like a dirt bike shock.

As for fox rear shocks ,the dhx2 will not survive on a long yoke bike. Also remember the old dhx2 and dhx 2 float were twin tube shocks, fox couldn’t keep them from blowing seals. The new dhx2 and dhx2 float are single tube shocks like just like the float x and dhx. The “2” was originally for the twin tube design, now it just means more adjustment knobs and they do less as single tube shocks have less of an adjustable range. IMO fox makes some nice forks but their rear shocks are kinda junk. The Ohlins ttx1 air is way better than the float x and dhx, it’s just not as plush and well damped as the progressive string voro.

 

[PeterHenric]

@mustclime so when you say, the shock will not survive, does that depend on the type of riding that is being done? Is it only if I’m doing larger stuff or is it just a matter of time regardless of the nature of the riding?