Updated Kenevo eMTB gets brand’s latest motor and subtle geometry tweak
Specialized has revealed its new Turbo Kenevo SL 2 featuring the brand’s latest SL 1.2 motor, which is said to be 33 per cent more powerful than the previous motor.
The new electric mountain bike has been the subject of some minor geometry changes, with the standover height increasing.
It has 170mm of rear-suspension travel, which takes inspiration from Specialized’s Enduro model, alongside a 170mm fork.
The Kenevo SL 2 will be available in three build models, with prices starting at £6,500 for the Comp, rising to £8,500 for the Expert, and the top-of-the-range S-Works model at £12,500.
Greater power and efficiency
The new Kenevo SL 2 uses Specialized’s latest SL 1.2 motor, which is said to increase power from 240W to 320W.
Specialized also says the new motor produces 43 per cent more torque, up from 35Nm to 50Nm.
Brose makes Specialized’s electric bike motor and it also produces SRAM’s new Eagle Powertrain electric motor.
The Kenevo continues to use the same SL1-320 320Wh battery as the previous-generation Kenevo SL.
Specialized says the battery gives the bike a maximum run time of up to five hours in Eco mode.
At the time of publishing, Specialized hadn’t provided details on the run time for other modes.
Total battery size can be increased to 480Wh by using a 160Wh range extender, which mounts where the water bottle would otherwise go.
Specialized’s latest MasterMind Turbo Control Unit features on the top tube, displaying ride information such as distance covered and battery percentage.
The unit also enables over-the-air updates to be made to the bike using the Specialized cycling app.
Specialized Kenevo SL 2 frame details
The Specialized Kenevo SL 2 uses the same FACT 11m carbon composite for its frame as the previous Kenevo SL.
Specialized claims its S-Works model tips the scales at 19.06kg for an S4-sized bike, which is roughly equivalent to a size large.
The electric bike features internal cable routing that enters the frame through the sides of the head tube.
It has protection around the motor to fend off rock strikes.
A six-bar Horst-link suspension system is used, which takes inspiration from the non-assisted Specialized Enduro and provides 170mm of rear-wheel travel.
This is said to give the bike good big-hit bump force management while retaining optimised pedalling characteristics.
A mudguard is mounted to the rear seatstays to keep water and debris away from the rear shock.
Specialized’s integrated SWATT CC multi-tool sits in the fork steerer and includes a chain tool and spare link should you get caught out on the trail.
The bike continues to roll on 29in wheels.
Adjustable geometry
The new Kenevo SL’s geometry remains largely unchanged from the previous model.
It has a 63.5-degree head angle and a 76-degree seat tube angle.
The reach measurement stays at 485mm for an S4-size frame in the neutral geometry position.
The standover height has increased by 13mm to 792mm on the smallest S2-sized bike.
The bike still features adjustable geometry in the form of angled headset cups and flip chips located in the Horst-link pivot.
This enables the head angle to be set at 62.5, 63.5 and 64.5 degrees, and the bottom bracket height to be increased or decreased by 6 degrees.
| S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stack (mm) | 618 | 626 | 635 | 644 |
| Reach (mm) | 435 | 460 | 485 | 510 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 105 | 115 | 125 | 135 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 63.5 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 63.5 |
| BB height (mm) | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 |
| BB drop (mm) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Trail (mm) | 136 | 136 | 136 | 136 |
| Fork length (mm) | 579 | 579 | 579 | 579 |
| Fork offset (mm) | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 |
| Front center (mm) | 782 | 812 | 841 | 871 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 447 | 447.3 | 447 | 447 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,228 | 1,258 | 1,287 | 1,316 |
| Bike standover height (mm) | 792 | 802 | 779 | 779 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 400 | 420 | 440 | 465 |
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 76 | 76 | 76 | 76 |
| Max seatpost insertion (mm) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Min seatpost insertion (mm) | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Crank length (mm) | 165 | 165 | 170 | 170 |
| Handlebar width (mm) | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| Stem length (mm) | 40 | 40 | 40 | 50 |
| Saddle width (mm) | 155 | 143 | 143 | 143 |
| Seatpost length (mm) | 150 | 180 | 180 | 210 |
Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 spec and price information
Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Comp
- Fork: Fox 38 Rhythm, 170mm
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance
- Motor: Specialized 1.2 SL
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle
- Brakes: SRAM Code R
- Wheels: Specialized 29 Alloy
- Tyres: Specialized Butcher GRID TRAIL T7 (front), Specialized Eliminator GRID TRAIL T7 (rear)
- Price: £6,500
Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Expert
- Fork: Fox 38 Performance Elite, 170mm
- Shock: Fox Float X2 Performance Elite
- Motor: Specialized 1.2 SL
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Code Silver Stealth
- Wheels: Roval Traverse 29
- Tyres: Specialized Butcher GRID TRAIL T9 (front), Specialized Eliminator GRID TRAIL T7 (rear)
- Price: £8,500
Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 S-Works
- Fork: Fox Factory 38, 170mm
- Shock: Fox Float X2 Factory
- Motor: Specialized 1.2 SL
- Drivetrain: SRAM XX Eagle Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Code Stealth Ultimate
- Wheels: Roval Traverse SL 29
- Tyres: Specialized Butcher GRID TRAIL T9 (front), Specialized Eliminator GRID TRAIL T7 (rear)
- Price: £12,500