Specialized Kenevo SL Review | 2024 eMTB Lite Group Review

It’s been quite a long time since we’ve reviewed a @specializedbicycles Kenevo SL. Since Specialized updated the Kenevo SL 2 to utilize their Turbo SL 1.2 drive unit last year, we’ve been wanting to throw a leg over one. Like the Levo SL we had in last year’s SL eMTB Shootout, the updated Kenevo SL 2 features the 1.2 drive unit, which has increased power and claims of reduced noise compared to the original. Retaining the same frame, which is essentially a modified Specialized Enduro, the Kenevo SL 2 was a machine we were excited to push hard all over Oregon this summer.

We’d like to offer a huge thank you to our sponsors: Outdoor Research, Schwalbe Tires, Ride Concepts and the Running Y Resort. Without their gracious support, these types of content series would not be possible. Give them a thanks down below!

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[chumpmtb]

I'm loving all of these SL reviews, but one thing you guys aren't mentioning (esp concerning the lower powered motors like the TQ and Speshy) is the appeal to the "fit guy" e-biker. People, generally, aren't buying SL e-bikes to ride in Turbo all day. I have a full powered Levo for "park laps" with my buddies, but my daily driver is the Trek eXe. I rarely take it out of Eco. I still get a crazy good workout, it lasts 3-4 hours, and I can add an extra 2-3 laps compared to my meat powered bike. I could be wrong, but I feel like it's a huge reason the SL category exists

[bfranco]

I own one and love it! Corners unbelievable well. I added 160mm cranks, coil front and rear, Magura brakes. Rips. Range is fine unless you ride in Turbo with full powered ebikes. I ride it in trail mostly and easily get 3 hour rides in. I’m tired after that so.

[ChupacabraOffroad]

I have this bike, the best bike I've ever ridden on flat slippery sweeping turns. I'd def like more power and battery but I came from a Levo and this bike is a lot more fun to ride, it's basically a dh bike. I'm waiting for some more sub 44lb 170-180mm ebikes to come to market, I think we are all looking for this bike with more battery and power

[mitchtolhurst]

Thanks for including!! Hardly any reviews benchmarking against others in the market!

[br]

I've the Gen 1 version, run it slack & low and it's rocky/rooty here in Scotland so have swapped out the cranks for 160's (less than £100 and done by the dealer when they swapped out the motor during warranty claim).
Done nearly 4k miles on mine in 2.5 years.
Agree the review, feels 'safe' at speed on the 'chunks'.

[stephenbarnes]

Best looking sl, down hill weapon.Another great sl round up this year lads keep them coming.Check out Sam's Bikes kenevo sl dream build park emtb if your interested in this bike

[kodj]

Got my first gen for 8k (20% discount) early 2023 and I LOVE IT ! 35Nm feels enough coming from a muscular bike. Must try if you can ;)

[Rideoak]

Love my Kenevo SL 2 S- Works.
After Kenevo SL Comp and SL 2 Expert.

[themuellers]

It's LW grouptest time again. My favorite time of the year 😎♥️.

Can you tell which tire inflator you use that is shown in the outro (11:10)?

[khendricksson]

Holy smokes, over 10k with Maven Bronze brakes. That's nuts.

[chrisbilsborrow]

Got to admit I still love my 1.1 KSL it’s probably too much for normal trails and slightly harder than others to climb. But worth it for the downs and now only need one bike as it’s more than capable enough for Morzine.

[sergimarquez]

I got the SL cause I love a workout, but im not really that fit lol. So the turbo con those really steep ones helps, but other than that min assist and a good bike for going on descents.

[razorree]

it's an amazing bike ! but with such small battery... it's just for people that rides with mates on analog bikes... (and even then you have to be on eco/trail mode, cuz turbo lasts for ~900m elev.)

[rezenclowd]

I still see plenty people climbing Dead Cow to Suicide with these bikes, now that's techy chunk climb....I don't have the skills even with an e-bike to climb much of that.

[erichbachman]

I have the enduro, and its the best "do it all bike" I had. But cmon, spesh, make a new one, this platform is from 2020/2021. The're milking it so hard and they're saying "If it works why make a new?" I think its kind of lack in terms of innovation. We've seen the new stumpy and the new sl ebike, so hopefully a new enduro is due soon... Would probably buy it too.

[Vicente-gqnq]

Estaria bien la review de la bh ilynx+ sl con shimano ep801 y batería de 630

[mountaincruiser]

GD this stopword “LIKE” is making these reviews downright unlistenable! It's spreading like wildfire across other channels to.

[drew]

One thing to consider: talking about the size/fit of the bike is pretty much useless without reference to rider height.

[jasonthomas]

50 Nm of torque and 320 watts peak power. that's scary fast power.NOT

[porroco]

The only reason i dont like that bike, is because it only came as SL. Enduro should be focused as full power ebike.