Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Expert | Electric Mountain Bike of the Year contender

Specialized’s Turbo Kenevo SL 2 is a big-hitting, long-travel lightweight eMTB, boasting 170mm of front and rear-wheel travel and 29in hoops.

This second-generation model gets the updated 1.2 SL motor, now putting out peak 50Nm and 320W torque and power figures, while the 320Wh battery’s range remains the same.

Decked out with Fox’s 38 Performance Elite fork and Float X2 shock, the frame’s updated Universal Derailleur Hanger rear dropout is fitted with SRAM’s GX Eagle AXS Transmission. All-in, the stock bike weighs 19.56kg (S4 without pedals), befitting of its SL moniker.

Extensive geometry adjustment – using headset cups and chainstay flip chips – spans head tube angles from 62.5 to 64.7 degrees. The four-size S-sizing range has reach figures starting at 435mm and rising to 510mm.

On the trails, the 1.2 SL motor lacks the punch and power of other lightweight electric bike motors, making the climbs feel like sweat-inducing slogs rather than speedy interludes between descents.

A slack-feeling seat tube angle and long top tube downgrade control on technical climbs, limiting your body’s range of movement and ability to keep the bike tamed.

However, on the downhills the long travel, low weight and progressive geometry combine for a smooth, absorbent and control-rich ride, no matter how technical the terrain.

Rider skill is the only thing limiting the Kenevo; it responds dutifully to inputs on even the wildest descents and works hard to keep you out of trouble. It’s best ridden hard and aggressively though.

Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Expert frame, suspension and motor

Recently updated with SRAM’s UDH, the Kenevo SL 2’s FACT 11M carbon fibre frame is refined and well-built.

There’s chain slap and down tube protection aplenty and cables are routed internally via ports on the head tube.

There are bosses within the front triangle, used for water bottles or the range extender. An in-built mud flap sits across the seatstay brace, protecting the shock from debris.

The 170mm-travel Horst-link suspension uses a six-link design but functions in the same way as a four-bar layout; the additional bars don’t influence anti-squat, axle path or anti-rise like a true six-bar design.

The 1.2 SL motor has 50Nm of torque and 320W of peak power, compared to the previous model’s 35Nm and 250w, which can be adjusted in a smartphone app.

Along with three standard ride modes, assistance levels can be adjusted on the fly in 10 per cent increments.

The 320Wh internal battery’s power can be increased with a 160Wh range extender.

Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Expert geometry

Thanks to offset angle-adjusting headset cups and a chainstay flip chip, the Kenevo SL 2’s geometry is impressively adjustable.

The head angle can be set between 62.5 and 64.7 degrees, and bottom bracket heights range from 348mm to 358mm.

Elsewhere, the four-size range’s reach figures start at 435mm and lift to 510mm, jumping in length from the S2 to S3 by 25mm, then 15mm for the S3 to S4 and finally by 25mm from the S4 to S5.

These large gaps might make it tricky for some riders to find the right size.

Seat tube insertion depths might put up more barriers for some; the S2’s is 188mm, while the S5’s is 255mm.

The 180mm-travel OneUp V2 Dropper that’s fitted to the S4 won’t fit fully in the Kenevo SL 2’s seat tube, with 38mm of post exposed above the seat collar with it fully slammed.

Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Expert specifications

Decked out in high-performing kit, the Expert model’s £8,500 price looks like good value.

Fox’s 170mm-travel 38 Performance Elite fork is matched with a Performance Elite Float X2 shock. SRAM’s GX AXS Transmission is fitted, as are the brand’s Code Silver Stealth brakes.

Specialized’s Roval Traverse 29 Alloy wheels, built with DT Swiss 370 hub internals, are wrapped in Specialized GRID Trail casing Butcher and Eliminator tyres.

The S4 test bike’s OneUp V2 Dropper has 180mm of travel and is bolted to a Specialized Bridge Comp saddle.

The S4 test bike weighs 19.56kg without pedals.

Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Expert ride impressions

I tested the Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL on the world-class enduro trails in Scotland’s Tweed Valley.

From the Golfie’s super-technical ascents and descents through to the flow trails of Glentress, the Kenevo got a thorough workout.

Setup

Getting the Kenevo SL set up was trickier than I expected, but not because of the impressively adjustable geometry. Dialling in my preferred figures, which meant setting the bike to its long, low and slack settings, was easy using the supplied headset cups and chainstay flip chips.

The suspension proved trickier to dial in. Specialized recommends 18mm of shaft sag for the shock, equating to roughly 29 per cent. Starting with 95psi and 235psi in the fork and shock respectively, I struggled with balance; the bike tended to encourage a less than ideal over-the-back position.

Decreasing pressures incrementally, I ended up with 85psi in the fork and 215psi in the shock with all damper adjustments fully open, bar the fork’s low-speed compression, which was set to plus three clicks from open.

After puncturing the stock GRID Trail casing rear tyre on one of my first testing sessions, Specialized upgraded it to a GRID Gravity version.

Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Expert climbing performance

Given the travel figures and gravity-focused intentions, the Kenevo SL 2 should have a relaxed, sit-up-and-beg position on the climbs.

While this is true when you’re cruising up a fireroad – the Kenevo’s hand-to-sit-bone weight balance is relatively neutral – it’s less even when tackling steep, technical singletrack climbs.

A slack-feeling seat tube angle – exacerbated by a limited seatpost insertion depth – and long 640mm (size-large) top tube, plus a 50mm stem, give the bike a stretched seated feel.

Despite the long 447mm chainstays, most of my weight was frequently perched over the rear axle rather than over the bike’s centre.

With your shoulders lower than usual and a high backside, it creates an elongated body position, causing you to hunch your back.

Your ability to move dynamically between the bar and saddle is limited; much of your body’s articulation is used up compensating for the bike’s geometry.

Tackle a technical section where you need to shift your weight over the bar or further rearward, and there’s little scope for extra movement.

Despite my best efforts to ride proactively, I felt very passive on the Kenevo; the front wheel would bump up and over roots and rocks on steeper gradients, lifting into the air frequently.

A chunk of this squandered control can be regained with some setup choices; pushing the saddle forward in the clamp and angling it nose-down helps, as does dropping the seat’s height when you get to a technical section of uphill trail. But these are just sticking plasters rather than solutions.

Motor performance and battery life

The second part to the Kenevo SL’s puzzle is the motor. While 50Nm and 320W isn’t to be sniffed at, it doesn’t feel particularly punchy when gradients steepen.

Whether you’re grinding or spinning, the power on tap doesn’t equate to a free dinner; you must work hard for your descents.

Whether you want to ascend at pace or ride with a group of pals on full-power eMTBs, you’ll either be coughing up a lung or left bobbing about in their wake.

Even set to maximum assistance, it’s not as punchy-feeling as your legs wish it would be.

I struggled to crest super-steep obstacles easily and confidently; my legs had to work overtime to get up and over anything remotely challenging.

This would be fine if all your body’s resources were put into powering the bike forwards, but a load of your oomph is locked up compensating for that geometry.

On a full charge, using exclusively 100 per cent assistance, I managed to scrape 1,000m of ascent over 30km of riding out of the 320Wh battery.

If you’re looking for more battery power, an optional 160Wh extender can be fitted, lifting overall watt-hours to 480.

Fortunately, when you run out of juice, the 32t chainring means you can continue to spin rather than grind up ascents, and the suspension is bob-free unless your pedalling rhythm is particularly erratic.

Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Expert descending performance

Almost everything is forgiven when the Kenevo SL points downhill.

The rear suspension steals the show, absorbing every type of bump you encounter.

Small imperfections, roots and rocks are almost completely neutralised; the back end tracks the ground with carbon-copy like perfection.

Increase the bump size and it’s the same story. Launch into chunky chunder, braking bumps or giant square edges and the Kenevo is keen to enter its mid-stroke, maintaining grip and control.

But the suspension isn’t greedy; it doesn’t dive towards its bump stop at every opportunity. Instead, progression builds steadily and smoothly to soft-touch full travel.

There’s plenty of support too; pushing, pumping and driving the bike into the terrain doesn’t feel sluggish and unresponsive. The amount of effort you put in is equal to increases in speed.

It tracks lines across cambers without wincing; you point, it shoots. But if your aim is skewed and you end up off-line, it goes above and beyond to salvage mistakes; the suspension, geometry and overall feel combine to create immense capability.

The descent-focused geometry has a reasonably well-balanced hand-to-feet relationship; your body – for the most part – is central on the bike, and weighting the front and rear wheels can be done at a whim.

However, it rides best when you’re actively seeking performance. Get your weight forwards and low, aggressively pump the terrain, and ride as though you’re racing and there’s seemingly no limit to the speed or terrain types it can handle.

Turn the dial back from 11 and it’s comfortable and calm, but weighting the front wheel when you’re just cruising can be tricky because of the long front-centre (851mm) and slack head angle.

If that’s a regular issue for you, consider installing the zero or minus one-degree headset cups.

The Mahle motor is quiet when freewheeling – unlike the Bosch Performance Line CX and Shimano EP8 – as is the SRAM Transmission GX drivetrain.

How does the Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Expert compare to the Santa Cruz Heckler SL?

When most brands build a lightweight electric mountain bike, they trim travel figures along with overall weight, but that’s not the case with the Kenevo SL. In that respect, it cleans up in the long-travel SL eMTB Bike of the Year category, with almost no competitors.

Lined up against the 150mm Hecker SL, both share a relaxed-feeling seat tube angle, hindering ascending prowess.

But the Fazua-powered Santa Cruz feels way punchier with more torque and power. Putting the wind in your sails, it climbs tricky or long ascents at higher speeds; you aren’t left working and wheezing to generate forward motion.

Battery life is better too, even when the Fazua is in its maximum-power mode.

It’s chalk and cheese on the descents, too. The Hecker SL has a taut feel, with its suspension and geometry offering no get-out-of-jail-free cards, unlike the Kenevo that can be ploughed brazenly into most terrain.

Both are best when ridden hard and aggressively; but which suits you best will depend on how gnarly the terrain you ride is, rather than your ability.

I preferred the higher-powered and longer-lasting Fazua motor to Mahle's, but as a descent-focused rider there’s little the Kenevo SL does wrong when working with gravity.

Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Expert bottom line

It’s a shame the Kenevo SL 2 lacks grunt on the climbs; as a long-travel, low-weight ebike, it stands out from the crowd with a unique gravity-focused bias. A little more torque and a few extra watts would boost ascending performance considerably.

Just as crucial are the slack-feeling seat angle and long top tube. No amount of adjustments can fix those issues, so before you buy one, take a long look at the geometry chart to see if it meets your needs.

On the downhills, it shines, but what else would you expect from a long-travel, slack-and-long geometry monster? If this sort of riding is your bag, it’s hard to argue against the Kenevo SL 2, even with its faults when shuttling to the trailhead.