With the brand new SL 1.2 motor, the 170mm journey Specialised Turbo Kenevo SL delivers 33% extra energy and 43% extra torque than earlier than. All from the identical glossy carbon body.
When the Kenevo SL launched again in 2021, it just about had the long-travel, light-weight e-bike class all to itself. It was definitely a pioneering bike, however with its comparatively low 35Nm torque it didn’t take lengthy for different light-weight e-bikes to surpass its power-to-weight ratio. Bikes just like the Trek Gas EXe and extra just lately the Fazua geared up Pivot Shuttle SL to call however two.
So for 2024, Specialised has rolled out an up to date model with the SL 1.2 motor that was first launched on the Specialised Turbo Levo SL 2 earlier this yr. With 320 watts peak energy and 50Nm torque the brand new motor immediately places the Kenevo SL again within the combine with the finest light-weight e-bikes available on the market.
With 170mm journey and large outdated 29in wheels, the Specialised Turbo Kenevo SL 2 is prepared for rowdy driving
Must know
- Identical FACT 11 carbon fibre body with 170mm journey
- New Turbo SL 1.2 motor delivers 320 watts peak energy and 50Nm torque
- Personalise you trip with 6-way adjustable geometry: three head angles, two BB heights/chainstay lengths
- Identical 320Wh inner battery and aftermarket 160Wh vary extender
- 29in wheels entrance and rear
- Prime two fashions get SRAM AXS T-type drivetrains
- Three fashions: Comp £6,500, Skilled £8,500 and S-Works £12,500
- 4 sizes: S2 to S5 , with shorter 40mm stems on sizes S2 to S4
Extra energy. Extra torque. Identical high quality carbon body
So what else is new?
Briefly, not rather a lot. The body stays unchanged, so it’s nonetheless a full 29er with 170mm journey entrance and rear and, frustratingly, restricted seatpost insertion on the smaller frames. A lot to our disappointment it doesn’t use the suspension structure that we anticipated from Specialised’s latest patent utility. Possibly subsequent yr…
Powering the brand new SL 1.2 motor is similar 320Wh inner battery. And with extra energy and torque, the vary clearly gained’t be nearly as good as earlier than. So that you’re going to want the 160Wh vary extender, which is bought individually for £340.
The MasterMind TCU offers you all the stats you want in a single built-in, straightforward to learn, show
Can I match the brand new SL 1.2 motor to my outdated Kenevo SL?
Technically you in all probability may, on condition that the body, motor cradle and 320Wh inner battery are similar. However Specialised at present isn’t making the brand new SL 1.2 motor backwards appropriate for current Kenevo SL homeowners. And the mechanics of the motor are completely different, so it’s not so simple as only a software program replace. After all, this leaves current homeowners out within the chilly, however hopefully that may change going ahead. You’ll be able to learn our full overview of the unique S-Works Kenevo SL right here.
Identical body, new motor. It’s not backwards appropriate although, so you possibly can’t improve the outdated Kenevo SL
What geometry adjustment does the Kenevo SL 2 have?
The inventory head angle on the Kenevo SL is 63.5º, within the low BB peak and center head angle setting. With the uneven higher headset cup equipped with the bike you possibly can independently tweak the pinnacle angle by +/- 0.7º in a matter of minutes. Flip chips within the chainstay pivots additionally can help you increase or decrease the BB peak by 7mm whereas concurrently altering the chainstay size by 5mm. The 2 choices are Excessive/Brief or Low/Lengthy. The chainstay flip chips additionally change the pinnacle angle by 0.4º to present a complete head angle vary of 64.7º to 62.5º.
Flip chips within the chainstay pivots supply two BB heights and two chainstay lengths
What’s this 6-bar suspension all about?
“Six bars, six pivots, one objective”… In all probability to confuse the hell out of individuals? Specialised’s 6-bar suspension design is solely an FSR 4-bar with two stress hyperlinks that drive the shock to ship 170mm journey. Specialised additionally states that its FSR design “decouples braking forces”, which is clearly not the case. Once more, the advertising and marketing division is in overdrive right here. The bikes merely have comparatively low anti-rise, so the suspension doesn’t squat as a lot underneath braking, and stays extra energetic. The S-Works and Skilled fashions each get Fox Float X2 shocks whereas the Comp makes use of a Float X. All three fashions include Fox 38 chassis forks, additionally with 170mm journey.
Specialised Turbo Kenevo SL 2 has six suspension hyperlinks, however it’s nonetheless a 4-bar design
Meet the 2024 Specialised Turbo Kenevo SL 2 vary
The Specialised S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL is the flagship mannequin, with pricing to match
Specialised S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL £12,500
If you’d like a dream construct then the S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL delivers. It has a full SRAM XX Eagle transmission with a carbon chainset and low profile SRAM Code Stealth Final brakes. The place a 220/200mm rotor combo presents most stopping energy. Kashima coated Fox Manufacturing unit suspension and Roval Traverse SL 29in carbon wheels each including to the bling issue. All that’s lacking actually, is the vary extender that got here free with the outdated bike. Claimed weight for measurement S4 is nineteen.06kg (42lb 3 oz).
The riders’ selection? The Kenevo SL Skilled Carbon has the whole lot you want. Bar a spread extender.
Specialised Turbo Kenevo SL Skilled Carbon £8,500
The spotlight of the vary has obtained to be the Kenevo SL Skilled. It will get the identical carbon body, Fox Float X shock and Fox 38 fork chassis because the S-Works bike, however the Efficiency Elite equipment strips again the Kashima coating to save cash with out compromising efficiency or adjustability. The wi-fi AXS SRAM GX T-Sort transmission has quickly turn out to be the brand new benchmark in shifting and with a lighter set of wheels the Kenevo SL Skilled Carbon would simply weigh in lower than the S-Works bike. Claimed weight for measurement S4 is nineteen.5kg (42lb 15.8 oz).
The workhorse of the vary is the Turbo Kenevo SL Comp Carbon and it solely weighs 19.27kg
Specialised Turbo Kenevo SL Comp Carbon £6,500
With no alloy choices, the SL Comp Carbon is the entry level to the Kenevo SL vary. Once more, it shares the identical body, motor, battery and 170mm journey because the S-Work constructed, simply with a extra reasonably priced specification. Suspension duties are taken care of by a Float X Efficiency shock and 38 Rhythm fork. The SRAM GX Eagle transmission isn’t T-Sort or wi-fi, however that’s okay, and the SRAM Code R brakes are on the cash too. Better of all, it’s really lighter than the Kenevo SL Skilled Carbon. Claimed weight for measurement S4 is nineteen.27kg (42 lb 7.7 oz).
