Kenevo Gen1 Official 2018/2019 Kenevo thread

STK

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Apr 23, 2019
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2019 Kenevo expert wouldn’t change modes (eco trail turbo) following wet ride and wash. Shop changed the power cable but when I picked it up the problem returned before I left the parking lot. LBS did firmware update and battery test which shows cells are ok and at 87% with almost 200 charge cycles. The battery boots up and shows 1 green light and no error codes. Seems like it’s either the thumb switch or TCU? It’s been a month so I need to investigate before riding the acoustic kills me? The shop doesn’t have that generation spare battery to rule out the thumb switch. Any ideas on what to suggest? Thanks
Well She’s finally home and I missed her. I forgot how hard it is out there? Much longer and I’d get in shape IF it didn’t kill me!
LBS Black Mt Bikes sent video of start up and sent diagnostics to Specialized. 200 charge cycles and 87% health so despite being a few months out of warranty Specialized sent a new battery and LBS did firmware update and full charge and on my first ride yesterday it worked flawlessly and I smiled all the way. Of course BLEVO will need to be updated for new Bluetooth but the Specialized app recognized it. During the ride, this dialogue kept going through my head for my Strava post for everyone who thought I’d been jilted:
“Kenevo, is that you? Oh Baby I missed you. I forgot how hard it is out there without you. Please come home. What? Have I been riding other bikes? Now don’t be like that. You are Special. Let me look deep into your Special Eyes.
At Least she’s home! But only if I promise no more abuse and keep her dry and warm.
New battery with TCU seems to have solved the problem and thanks Specialized for the new battery even though I am out of the warranty period.”
 

Zimmerframe

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Poor old unloved thread ..

Forgot my bidon/water bottle today .. The standard Kenevo cage is a bit tight with the shock, but found a 500ml Perrier Bottle was designed purely for this application !

Perrier.jpg
 

Doomanic

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What? You mean you can't get a baguette or a bottle of red in there?

Next you'll be telling me you don't wear a beret and a striped top...
 

MJR

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May 12, 2020
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Finally got mine finished to plan, 2019 Kenevo Expert with Zee brakes, 12 speed XT/XTR and a 34T chainring, Arc40 rims on Hope pro4 hubs, Boxxer Ultimate w. MRP ramp control, some custom ohlins yellow decals from Slik for the wheels and fork, a comfy gel saddle and some XT pedals that I love until they hit me in the shins....
Finished1.jpg

Finished3.jpg
 

Zimmerframe

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I know I know, it's like the antiques road show ..

Mine (amongst several other issues) has always had a really really creaky motor area ..

Removing and lubing the plastic covers helps... Time finally took it's toll. A bit like a 2022 Levo Battery Door ..

The drive side cover has finally split - which makes it even noisier ..

It's interesting seeing the amount of play in the BB area when you put down the power.


 
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brizi2003

Active member
Nov 20, 2018
235
144
Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne
I know I know, it's like the antiques road show ..

Mine (amongst several other issues) has always had a really really creaky motor area ..

Removing and lubing the plastic covers helps... Time finally took it's toll. A bit like a 2022 Levo Battery Door ..

The drive side cover has finally split - which makes it even noisier ..

It's interesting seeing the amount of play in the BB area when you put down the power.


View attachment 93995
@Zimmerframe I'm having difficulty seeing play from your video clip! And I've got my glasses on! You could buy a new cover. They aren't that expensive! Just serviced the forks on mine, man it's a great bike!
 

Dax

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May 25, 2018
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It's not a good shot ! But the crack opens up several mm with each pedal motion and yes, I'll buy new covers.

Not got enough data to watch the video, but this seems really wierd, there shouldn’t be any load or movement on the motor covers.
 

Zimmerframe

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Not got enough data to watch the video, but this seems really wierd, there shouldn’t be any load or movement on the motor covers.

As you apply force through the crank, you can see the motor cover actually open up along it's newly formed crack line ...

1659685441482.png

1659685477552.png


I need to strip it all down and have a look a guess. It's always creaked and groaned, this is the first time a cover has actually cracked though.
 
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Zimmerframe

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This implies the motor or axle is moving
If you try to force it, move it, jiggle it, vibrate it - it's solid. Cranks turn super smooth (original motor 😲 and presently spinning easier than it ever has in it's life - it's even going through one of it's rare decent range phases)

If you use your feet to apply lateral force through the cranks, you can see that the whole frame has a degree of flex as you'd expect, but the cover only seems to open when you apply significant downward force (pedalling steep/fast uphill).
 

Zimmerframe

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Just for reference .. the part numbers for these :

Right side/drive side motor cover :

S186800004

1660309032034.png


Left Side motor cover :

S186800002

1660309123213.png


Left upper motor cover :

S186800003

1660309167655.png


Those are all the "V2" versions which all look different to mine, so presumably the design has been improved.

They also fit :

  • 2021 LEVO HT 29
  • 2021 LEVO HT 29 NB
  • 2021 LEVO HT COMP 29
  • 2021 LEVO HT COMP 29 NB
  • 2019 KENEVO FSR COMP 6FATTIE
  • 2019 KENEVO FSR COMP 6FATTIE NB
  • 2019 KENEVO FSR EXPERT 6FATTIE
  • 2019 KENEVO FSR EXPERT 6FATTIE NB
  • 2018 KENEVO FSR EXPERT 6FATTIE
  • 2018 KENEVO FSR EXPERT 6FATTIE NB
  • 2018 KENEVO FSR EXPERT TLD 6FATTIE
  • 2018 KENEVO FSR EXPERT TLD 6FATTIE NB
  • 2018 LEVO FSR MEN 6FATTIE
  • 2018 LEVO FSR MEN 6FATTIE NB
  • 2018 LEVO FSR MEN COMP 6FATTIE
  • 2018 LEVO FSR MEN COMP 6FATTIE NB
  • 2018 LEVO FSR MEN ST 29
  • 2018 LEVO FSR MEN ST 29 NB
  • 2018 LEVO FSR MEN ST COMP 29
  • 2018 LEVO FSR MEN ST COMP 29 NB
  • 2018 LEVO FSR WMN COMP 6FATTIE
  • 2018 LEVO FSR WMN COMP 6FATTIE NB
  • 2018 LEVO FSR WMN ST 6FATTIE
  • 2018 LEVO FSR WMN ST 6FATTIE NB
  • 2018 LEVO HT MEN 29
  • 2018 LEVO HT MEN 29 NB
  • 2018 LEVO HT MEN COMP 6FATTIE
  • 2018 LEVO HT MEN COMP 6FATTIE NB
  • 2018 LEVO HT WMN 29
  • 2018 LEVO HT WMN 29 NB
  • 2018 LEVO HT WMN COMP 6FATTIE
  • 2018 LEVO HT WMN COMP 6FATTIE NB
  • 2017 LEVO FSR 6FATTIE
  • 2017 LEVO FSR 6FATTIE NB
  • 2017 LEVO FSR COMP 6FATTIE
  • 2017 LEVO FSR COMP 6FATTIE NB
  • 2017 LEVO FSR EXPERT 6FATTIE
  • 2017 LEVO FSR EXPERT 6FATTIE NB
  • 2017 LEVO FSR EXPERT TLD 6FATTIE
  • 2017 LEVO FSR ST 29
  • 2017 LEVO FSR ST 29 NB
  • 2017 LEVO FSR ST COMP 29
  • 2017 LEVO FSR ST COMP 29 NB
  • 2017 LEVO FSR SW 6FATTIE
  • 2017 LEVO FSR SW 6FATTIE NB
  • 2017 LEVO FSR WMN COMP 6FATTIE
  • 2017 LEVO FSR WMN COMP 6FATTIE NB
  • 2017 LEVO FSR WMN ST 6FATTIE
  • 2017 LEVO FSR WMN ST 6FATTIE NB
  • 2017 LEVO HT 29
  • 2017 LEVO HT 29 NB
  • 2017 LEVO HT COMP 6FATTIE
  • 2017 LEVO HT COMP 6FATTIE NB
  • 2017 LEVO HT FAT COMP FAT
  • 2017 LEVO HT FAT COMP FAT NB
  • 2017 LEVO HT WMN 29
  • 2017 LEVO HT WMN 29 NB
  • 2017 LEVO HT WMN COMP 6FATTIE
  • 2017 LEVO HT WMN COMP 6FATTIE NB
  • 2016 LEVO FSR 6FATTIE
  • 2016 LEVO FSR COMP 6FATTIE
  • 2016 LEVO FSR EXPERT 6FATTIE
  • 2016 LEVO FSR SW 6FATTIE
  • 2016 LEVO FSR WMN COMP 6FATTIE
  • 2016 LEVO HT 29
  • 2016 LEVO HT COMP 6FATTIE
  • 2016 LEVO HT FAT COMP FAT
  • 2016 LEVO HT WMN 29
  • 2016 LEVO HT WMN COMP 6FATTIE
Any early carbon levo owners who end up here, yours are different ...
 
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Zimmerframe

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Yes .. this thread should probably have a palaeontology warning ....

Found some time to do cover swaps .. it's alarmingly clean in there ! So the secret, if you submerse your bike - DRY IT ! lots !

1661793976067.png


2019 Kenevo. Original motor ! after years of absolutely awful performance (random range/power) , it's worn/fixed itself and now is pretty acceptable.

Incredibly, it's still faster than my other bikes on DH trails even though it feels slower.

I still consistently fall off it 10* more than other bikes ... ?!?! 29/27.5 ?
 

Mcharza

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Aug 10, 2018
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Yes .. this thread should probably have a palaeontology warning ....

Found some time to do cover swaps .. it's alarmingly clean in there ! So the secret, if you submerse your bike - DRY IT ! lots !

View attachment 96001

2019 Kenevo. Original motor ! after years of absolutely awful performance (random range/power) , it's worn/fixed itself and now is pretty acceptable.

Incredibly, it's still faster than my other bikes on DH trails even though it feels slower.

I still consistently fall off it 10* more than other bikes ... ?!?! 29/27.5 ?
I wonder if the feeling of slowness is because you have to start all over again after a crash? ;)
 

brizi2003

Active member
Nov 20, 2018
235
144
Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne
Yes .. this thread should probably have a palaeontology warning ....

Found some time to do cover swaps .. it's alarmingly clean in there ! So the secret, if you submerse your bike - DRY IT ! lots !

View attachment 96001

2019 Kenevo. Original motor ! after years of absolutely awful performance (random range/power) , it's worn/fixed itself and now is pretty acceptable.

Incredibly, it's still faster than my other bikes on DH trails even though it feels slower.

I still consistently fall off it 10* more than other bikes ... ?!?! 29/27.5 ?
What sort of mudguard you got there? It's probably helping a lot. I fitted a homemade thingy to keep water out the main pivot and bearings have been good ever since.
 

Zimmerframe

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What sort of mudguard you got there? It's probably helping a lot. I fitted a homemade thingy to keep water out the main pivot and bearings have been good ever since.
Totally agree. I tried various things. If it's really crap I stick a mudhugger on the back aswell, but without this section you still funnel crap in.

This stays on all year and keeps the whole area clean - more by luck than judgement ..

Crap pictures - sorry.

It's actually one of those flimsy little plastic guards which clip onto the back of your saddle - cut down :)

1661800778676.png


I bent it slightly so it catches "flick" slightly better . (after much experimentation)

1661800840932.png


It's just zip tied on .

1661800875993.png


Should in theory work quite well on any none fixed rear triangle bike (also has a linkage at the cassette end) where you can't double fix something to the chain stay/seat stay because the dimensions will vary.
 

CjP

PRIME TIME
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Jan 1, 2019
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Yes .. this thread should probably have a palaeontology warning ....

Found some time to do cover swaps .. it's alarmingly clean in there ! So the secret, if you submerse your bike - DRY IT ! lots !

View attachment 96001

2019 Kenevo. Original motor ! after years of absolutely awful performance (random range/power) , it's worn/fixed itself and now is pretty acceptable.

Incredibly, it's still faster than my other bikes on DH trails even though it feels slower.

I still consistently fall off it 10* more than other bikes ... ?!?! 29/27.5 ?
They just made it right this bike!
My old one is still going strong and he has not looked after it at all.
I pull the best wheelies on it too!
 

Zimmerframe

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On the drive side, you can see where the cover's been rubbing against the motor ..

1661941736582.png


Likewise, the gear cable :

1661941756860.png


And the reason for the rubbing, the reason the cover eventually cracked and probably the reason it's always creaked like a pig since new - but I'd been too dumb to look at the motor bolts because it always seemed slightly better if you tightened the covers more :D🤪 :ROFLMAO: ! ..

1661941893209.png


There was a Rob video a few years ago with Berkshire Cycles where they explained what they did with these before giving them to customers. Basically, completely stripping them down and re-building them and running the gear cable a different route at the same time. I guess there's a lot to be said for stripping down your new bike and making sure it's been assembled correctly.
 

brizi2003

Active member
Nov 20, 2018
235
144
Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne
On the drive side, you can see where the cover's been rubbing against the motor ..

View attachment 96130

Likewise, the gear cable :

View attachment 96131

And the reason for the rubbing, the reason the cover eventually cracked and probably the reason it's always creaked like a pig since new - but I'd been too dumb to look at the motor bolts because it always seemed slightly better if you tightened the covers more :D🤪 :ROFLMAO: ! ..

View attachment 96133

There was a Rob video a few years ago with Berkshire Cycles where they explained what they did with these before giving them to customers. Basically, completely stripping them down and re-building them and running the gear cable a different route at the same time. I guess there's a lot to be said for stripping down your new bike and making sure it's been assembled correctly.
I watched that vid and tried routing the gear cable differently but it created more friction in the cable itself due to the s-bend it has to take over the motor. Using the original route is just a bit more faf when putting on the cover but makes for sweeter gear changes. No doubt it's easier for mechanics to work on your bike and save themselves time.
 

Zimmerframe

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I watched that vid and tried routing the gear cable differently but it created more friction in the cable itself due to the s-bend it has to take over the motor. Using the original route is just a bit more faf when putting on the cover but makes for sweeter gear changes. No doubt it's easier for mechanics to work on your bike and save themselves time.
I just looked at doing the same and going over the motor but as you say, it would be a tighter bend so it's gone back in the motor housing. It's a bit fiddly to make sure it sits in it's track but once you seem to apply some force on the cable (towards the back of the bike) from in the downtube it seems to stay in the cover track and pops on quite smoothly.
 

Dfriz

Well-known member
Mar 16, 2018
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USA
I just looked at doing the same and going over the motor but as you say, it would be a tighter bend so it's gone back in the motor housing. It's a bit fiddly to make sure it sits in it's track but once you seem to apply some force on the cable (towards the back of the bike) from in the downtube it seems to stay in the cover track and pops on quite smoothly.

Just go Sram AXS problem solved (y)
 

Zimmerframe

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Just go Sram AXS problem solved (y)
It's been on XT for a long long time now. Too be completely fair to it, I've not had to adjust it once in the last year and it still shifts perfectly (11sp XT). Unlike the Focus which needs adjusting every ride (12 speed XT - but something is constantly changing cable tension).

Just going to see if the creaks have all gone and it's the perfect bike ..... We're in the middle of a thunderstorm, so it won't be a pleasant ride .. but curiosity and all that ..

EDIT : It's creak free and all nice and tight ! What a knob - 3 years finding all sorts of other little creaks ... but the motor bolt was the main one ! :D
 
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Oct 5, 2021
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Hi does anyone know the latest kenevo comp/expert 2019 1.3 motor firmware? Is it 7.1.1? I recently put a new 1.3 motor through Specialized in a kenevo comp (to replace a 1.2e motor with 3000km’s on it) with a new 504wh battery also (A.21.b firmware), and seem to have the issue where according to blevo the max current output is 15a rather than 20amps, and specialized dealer / authorized shop doesnt seem to know how to force a motor firmware update? @Specialized Rider Care
 

Zimmerframe

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Hi does anyone know the latest kenevo comp/expert 2019 1.3 motor firmware? Is it 7.1.1? I recently put a new 1.3 motor through Specialized in a kenevo comp (to replace a 1.2e motor with 3000km’s on it) with a new 504wh battery also (A.21.b firmware), and seem to have the issue where according to blevo the max current output is 15a rather than 20amps, and specialized dealer / authorized shop doesnt seem to know how to force a motor firmware update? @Specialized Rider Care
From 5.0.4 you should have 20 amps.

It sounds like it's down loading the 1.2e motor firmware (which has less power) rather than the 1.3 motor firmware.

All the firmwares jumped to 7's to bring them all in line with each other.
 

Oct 5, 2021
14
40
Malaysia
Thanks! its currently 7.1.1 but the shop said they didn’t do the motor update as the turbo studio app said it didn’t need one, thus i think it might be on the stock brose FW (also 7.1.1…). The 1.2E motor didn’t get the update to 7.1.1 i dont believe from what I’ve found on the forums. (Last FW i had on the 1.2E was 5.4 something). Will see if the LBS can reflash a motor update As i should be getting 20a with a C972 motor.
 

vladko33

New Member
Nov 8, 2022
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Europe
Hi, I have 2018 Kenevo Expert , Brose 1.3 motor with 5.0.0 firmware. I'm using Egenesis and my bike is "unlocked" to 50km/h , but due to the old firmware (i think so?) the peak power is just 15 amps. If I upgrade to newest firmware witch allows me to reach 20amps , can i still use eGenesis and the speed unlock function ? Thanks !
 
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