Extra energy, extra torque, progressive geometry, and a great deal of journey make the brand new Specialised Kenevo SL 2 seem like a fairly enjoyable eMTB. It nonetheless lives within the ‘SL’ class of eMTBs however Specialised has boosted its capabilities and accomplished some critical tuning to the body and suspension.
The up to date Turbo SL 1.2 motor produces 43% extra torque and 33% extra energy than the earlier mannequin. Specialised says it presents natural-feeling energy supply, and the bikes present an unbeatable weight-to-range ratio. There are three builds of the brand new Kenevo SL 2, with costs beginning within the five-figure vary…
Kenevo SL 2 Body Options and Key Specs:
The Kenevo SL 2 is just obtainable with a monocoque FACT 11m carbon fiber body. Specialised’s Journey Dynamics built-in design strategy takes the bike’s chassis, kinematics, suspension tune, body geometry, motor, battery, and controller under consideration and ensures all of them work seamlessly and effectively collectively. The body’s entrance finish, rear finish, and hyperlink had been tuned to work as a single unit.
Specialised additionally strove to attenuate lateral and torsional deflection within the Kenevo SL 2 body. The carbon layup is optimized for dealing with and lightweight weight, and the motor is centralized within the body to maintain its weight balanced.
The Kenevo SL 2 presents an opulent 170mm rear journey and all fashions include 170mm forks. The bike rolls on 29” wheels, and Specialised makes no point out of mullet compatibility. Body particulars embody full inner cable routing, 148mm Increase rear axle spacing, and sealed cartridge bearings. Full builds are available at very affordable weights, which don’t range a lot throughout the three fashions. A measurement S4 S-works weighs 42lbs 3oz, and the Comp mannequin is just barely heavier at to 42lbs 8oz.
Suspension:
The Kenevo SL 2’s 170mms of journey is managed by Specialised’s six-bar linkage. The linkage goals to stability management, huge hit absorption, pedalling effectivity, and sturdiness. The six-bar linkage is an evolution of the model’s well-established FSR platform and permits designers to optimize axle path to deal with impacts, anti-rise for highly effective pedaling, and anti-squat to maintain the suspension lively whereas braking.
Moreover, the strain hyperlinks that drive the shock enable leverage charges and axle path to be tuned individually. Lastly, the six-bar design helps retains weight low within the body for a secure, responsive, and energetic journey.
Specialised gave the Kenevo SL 2 a barely rearward axle path so it could eat up square-edge hits, however this design additionally produces ideally suited anti-squat properties early within the bike’s journey to reinforce pedaling effectivity.
The Kenevo SL 2’s leverage fee is tuned to supply preliminary small-bump sensitivity, mid-stroke assist, and a ‘compliant however managed’ finish stroke. Specialised developed customized valving and spring curves for this bike particularly, so it ought to journey very properly proper out of the field.
Electronics:
The brand new Turbo SL 1.2 motor produces 320W and 50Nm of torque. It’s sufficiently small to just about conceal within the body, and Specialised says it runs very quietly. Offering energy is a 320Wh battery which is protected against rocks and knocks by the down tube guard.
With energy-saving options like MicroTune, Specialised says the battery can final for as much as 5 hours of journey time. If that’s not sufficient, you’ll be able to add a Vary Extender water bottle battery for an additional 160Wh and a couple of.5 extra hours of driving.
The Kenevo SL 2’s electronics are managed by the top-tube built-in MasterMind Turbo Management Unit. The unit shows journey metrics, permits you to tune help energy ranges, and permits for over-the-air updates to maintain your bike acting at its finest. The management unit integrates with the Specialised App which opens up superior tuning choices, on-trail diagnostics, a system lockout function to discourage bike theft, and extra.
Geometry:
The Kenevo SL 2’s geometry was impressed by the ever-popular Enduro’s angles and measurements. Briefly, it incorporates a lengthy entrance finish, steep seat tube, slack head angle, and prolonged wheelbases – The shortest body measurement is 1228mm.
The brand new Kenevo SL 2 gives six-way adjustability – Between the pinnacle angle and BB top changes, there are six completely different attainable settings. The body’s head tube angle is adjustable, and the Horst Hyperlink pivot acts because the BB top adjustment. BB top might be adjusted up or down by 6mm, and your very slack choices for head tube angles are 62.5°, 63.5°, or 64.5°.
Mannequin Lineup:
Try the Specialised web site for full construct specs on every mannequin, however right here’s a peek at every. Please observe the S-Works construct is offered in Specialised’s S3, S4, and S5 body sizes. The opposite fashions are supplied in S2, S3, S4 and S5 sizes.
S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL 2 – $18,999 (Be aware – Pricing is in CAD. USD pricing was not supplied and I can’t redirect to the USA web site from Canada)
Shade choices are Gloss Black Liquid Steel/Brushed Liquid Steel/Black Brushed Chrome or Gloss Rusted Pink/Redwood/White Mountains.
Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Skilled – $13,999
Body colour choices are Gloss Obsidian/Metallic Obsidian/Taupe or Satin Harvest Gold/Obsidian.
Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Comp – $10,999
Body colour choices are Gloss Dove Gray/Smoke or Satin Mystic Blue/Mystic Blue Metallic.
The Kenevo SL 2 will likely be obtainable in early 2024.
