The key figures of the Specialized Turbo Kenevo Comp look like those of a true bike park bike. But don’t let that fool you! Read on to find out how you can go on long rides with 180mm travel and why it’s high time we stop categorising bikes based on travel length.
For an overview about the test field click here: The best budget eMTB of 2019 – 8 models head to head
Integration is the keyword with the € 4,599 Specialized Turbo Kenevo Comp. The 460 Wh battery feeding the Specialized 1.2 motor – based on the Brose Drive T – is beautifully integrated into the down tube of the aluminium frame. There are LEDs on the side that indicate the support mode you’re in and the battery level. This allows the Kenevo to forego a display and opt only for a minimalistic handlebar remote to switch between support modes and the push-assist function. Although the battery “only” has a 460 Wh capacity, we were able to achieve similar ranges during testing as with the Shimano powered bikes with a 500 Wh battery, thanks to the efficiency of the motor. This is because the 1.2E motor has less torque and less peak power compared to the 1.3 motor in the Kenevo Expert. However, the 1.2E motor has been purposely designed for more efficiency and range. The speed sensor is so neatly integrated into the brake rotor of the Specialized Kenevo, you’ll have a hard time spotting it. The FOX VAN RC coil shock is less inconspicuous, which, together with the RockShox Yari RC fork, provide a whopping 180 mm front and rear travel. With the exception of the SLX shifter, which is combined with a high-quality XT derailleur, and the puncture-prone Specialized Butcher tire on the rear, there is not much to criticise in terms of the componentry. On the contrary, we preferred the X-Fusion Manic dropper post compared to the Wu-Post Specialized spec on their flagship models. Unfortunately, you’ll have to make do without a chainstay protector on the stock build. We recommend fitting your own chainstay guard before riding the bike if you want to keep the drivetrain quiet and protect the bike’s paintwork.
The versatility the Specialized Kenevo is impressive! Relaxed rides or rough descents – with this bike you can do almost anything.
The seated riding position on the Specialized Kenevo is comfortable and upright. Thanks to the ultra-sensitive suspension and the voluminous tires, the Kenevo is a very comfortable bike to ride long distances, contrary to all expectations. This is underlined by the 1.2E motor, which delivered the most natural ride feel of any motor in the test field. Thus, the Kenevo is ideal for long distances despite its 180 mm travel. The only thing you’ll miss is a display with all the important information, but there is a solution for that: you can connect your Kenevo with a Garmin via ANT+ for example, or buy the optional Specialized Turbo Connect display (€ 92.90).
The Specialized Turbo Kenevo Comp in detail
Fork RockShox Yari RC 180 mm
Rear shock FOX VAN RC Coil 180 mm
Motor/Batterie Specialized 1.2E 460 Wh
Drivetrain Shimano XT 11 speed
Brakes SRAM Guide RE 200/200 mm
Seat post X-Fusion Manic 150 mm
Stem Specialized Trail 45 mm
Handlebar Specialized 6061 Alloy 800 mm
Wheels Specialized Alloy 27.5″
Tires Specialized Butcher 2.6″
The Specialized 1.2E motor is based on the Brose Drive T and delivers the most natural ride feel of any motor in the test field, but it also has less maximum power.
The 2.6″ wide Specialized Butcher provides plenty of traction – but only if the bike is standing straight up or you’re leaning it far into a corner. The point of transition between riding upright and leant over provides insufficient grip.
Specialised deliberately didn’t put a battery lock on the Kenevo. By doing so, you can remove the battery on the trail with an Allen key, in case of an emergency.
Specialized combine the Shimano XT rear derailleur with the low-end SLX shifter. Experience has shown that the reverse combination feels significantly better when shifting gears. Unfortunately, it feels rather spongy the way Specialized have specced it.
The rear end of the Kenevo offers the best of both worlds. With the help of the FOX VAN RC Coil shock, it absorbs even the tiniest bumps and still provides plenty of mid-stroke support for active riding manoeuvres.
All the mud flung up from the rear tire collects above the main pivot point of the rear linkage.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 566 mm | 597 mm | 626 mm | 655 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm |
| Head angle | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° |
| Seat angle | 75.2° | 74.8° | 74.6° | 74.3° |
| Chainstay | 443 mm | 443 mm | 443 mm | 443 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,177 mm | 1,205 mm | 1,233 mm | 1,261 mm |
| Reach | 407 mm | 431 mm | 455 mm | 478 mm |
| Stack | 601 mm | 610 mm | 619 mm | 629 mm |
The Specialized Turbo Kenevo Comp in review
Hitting the trails, the Specialized Kenevo climbs like no other bike in the test field. The suspension and the tires offer all the grip you might need, making spinning rear wheels nothing but a blurry memory from the distant past. The Kenevo’s Brose motor makes a relatively loud whirring noise when you’re in the highest support mode whilst using an easy gear, but in most other cases it is really quiet. All in all, the Specialized Kenevo allows you to climb steep and very technical climbs with precision and ease despite less motor torque than the other bikes in this group test. You’ll only have to be careful not to knock your pedals or the motor when tackling larger obstacles.
Plush and sensitive: the 180 mm rear travel of the Specialized Kenevo Comp offers the most traction and composure in the test field by far. Compared to the other super plush bikes in the test field, like the RADON or the Haibike, it still offers plenty of support and feedback from the trail. It’s almost more agile than the COMMENCAL. The Kenevo can easily be launched into the air at high speeds. Whether you’ve got a landing for the jump or not is almost irrelevant. The 180 mm travel suspension absorbs even the hardest impacts in a controlled and predictable manner, all without excessively sagging, despite running a coil shock. Thumbs up! Only when cornering does the Specialized Kenevo require an experienced rider. Thanks to its balanced weight distribution and lots of freedom of movement, this is much less due to the geometry of the bike than to the design of the 2.6″ Butcher tire, which lacks traction at the point of transition between riding upright and leaning into a turn.
Specialized combine the incompatible: the Kenevo’s suspension is extremely sensitive while still offering plenty of feedback from the trail.
Conclusion
Travel is no longer relevant in bike categorisation! Despite its 180 mm travel, the Specialized Turbo Kenevo Comp was one of the clear favourites of our test crew when it comes to extended rides and comfort. The ride feel of the motor and the confidence-inspiring handling are brilliant, making the bike suitable for beginners and experts alike. And oh, if you like it rough, the Kenevo will be happy hitting the toughest downhill tracks, and it will easily climb back up to the top for another run. You’re guaranteed to have a good time. Well deserved Best in Test!
Tops
- tidy cockpit/remote
- super versatile despite the long travel
- very natural ride feel
- Mission Control App and integration
Flops
- dirt collects above the main pivot of the rear triangle
- undefined feeling shifter (SLX)
- tires are puncture-prone and lack transition-knobs
Riding Characteristics
4Agility
- sluggish
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- stable
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Riding fun
- boring
- lively
Motor feeling
- digital
- natural
Motor power
- weak
- strong
Value for money
- poor
- top
For more information head to specialized.com
The Test field
For an overview about the test field click here: The best budget eMTB of 2019 – 8 models head to head
All bikes in test: Canyon Spectral:ON 7.0 | COMMENCAL META POWER 27 RIDE | CONWAY eWME 629 | FLYER Uproc7 4.10 | Haibike XDURO AllMtn 3.0 | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 800 | RADON SWOOP HYBRID 9.0
"The mountain hut is the destination, not the trails" – rides mainly on gravel paths and flowy singletrack, comfort plays a crucial role.↩
The focus is on riding fun. Riding skills: from beginner to experienced – the range extends from flowy singletracks to demanding technical trails.↩
A rider with very good bike control – rides on demanding and challenging technical trails, uphill as well as downhill.↩
The rating used for riding characteristics refers to the bikes in the group test and the current state of development of eMTBs. The best bikes managed to blend supposedly opposite riding characteristics, feeling both lively and stable at the same time. The handling describes the balance of the bike on downhill sections. The information regarding motor-power refers to the ride-feeling in the overall context of the bike and not exclusively to the motor – that’s why the same motor can present different values.↩
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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer, Valentin Rühl
