Specialized’s Kenevo SL retains its familiar silhouette and remains mostly unchanged other than a gaining a motor with more punch.
The new Specialized Kenevo SL 2 gains the Specialized SL 1.2 motor that first powered the new Levo SL to gain a claimed 43% more torque and 33% more power. The 170mm 6-bar platform remains.
Specialized have given their Kenevo SL a new beating heart, whilst retaining the geometry and kinematics of the original. You still get 170mm travel via their 6-bar linkage, rolling on 29″ wheels, 320Wh battery with optional 160Wh range extender, with a full FACT 11mm carbon fibre frame.
The big change for the new bike is the motor. Like the Levo SL Pete reviewed earlier in the year, the Kenevo SL 2 gains the Specialized SL 1.2 motor. The 1.2 SL motor offers more power and torque than before. Peak power is 250 Watts with torque increasing from 35Nm of the outgoing models, to 50Nm on the current bike. A two-piece motor housing and a honeycomb construction aims to reduce motor noise. All of the power and mode customisation is available in both the Mastermind TCU and the Mission Control App.
Three models will be available initially, the Kenevo SL 2 Comp Carbon kicking things off at ยฃ6,500, and unsurprisingly, the S-Works Kenevo SL 2 tops the range at a princely ยฃ12,500.
Geometry
The Kenevo SL 2 is available in S2, S3, S4 and S5 sizes.
Reach on the S3 is 460mm with a seat tube of 420mm. Head angle is 63.5 degrees with a seat tube angle of 76 degrees. Chainstays are 447mm across the sizes with a wheelbase on the S3 of 1258mm.
Specialized Kenevo SL 2 models
Specialized Kenevo SL 2 Comp Carbon
Key features:
- Fox 38 Rhythm 170mm fork
- Fox Float X Performance shock
- SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drive
- Specialized SL 1.2 motor
- Specialized 320Wh battery
- SRAM Code R brakes
- Specialized alloy wheels
- X-Fusion Manic dropper
- ยฃ6,500.00 RRP
Specialized Kenevo SL 2 Expert
Key features:
- Fox 38 Performance Elite 170mm fork
- Fox Float X2 Performance Elite shock
- SRAM GX AXS Eagle T-type 12-speed drive
- Specialized SL 1.2 motor
- Specialized 320Wh battery
- Roval Traverse 29 wheels
- OneUp V2 dropper
- ยฃ8,500.00 RRP
S-Works Specialized Kenevo SL 2
Key features:
- Fox 38 Factory 170mm fork
- Fox Float X2 Factory shock
- SRAM XX AXS Eagle T-type 12-speed drive
- Specialized SL 1.2 motor
- Specialized 320Wh battery
- SRAM Code Stealth Ultimate brakes
- Roval Traverse SL 29 wheels
- RockShox Reverb AXS dropper
- ยฃ12,500.00 RRP
