SPECIALIZED KENEVO SL - Shake Down Ride

[@thim8009]

Your question on wheels- when it comes to parts, I ask myself if they will make things more fun or improve my abilities. Carbon wheels just didn't check the box. Upgraded suspension does, tires do.

[@SamsBikes]

Totally agree mate! I’m tires brakes suspension the rest doesn’t mean much! Wheels you don’t want them to break

[@chrisjones6699]

Fair play Sam, I think this video shows why you’re one of the best bike KZbinrs out there. When you got the bike out, my thoughts were, “great, an S-works bike. This video doesn’t apply to 99% of people who want to buy a specialized bike”. What impressed me was the fact that you didn’t talk about components or the spec. You literally talked about how the bike rode, who it’s for and what you would put on it….that’s it. Seriously impressed and loved the video!

[@SamsBikes]

Chris mateeeeee thanks 🙏 very nice words, I’m getting soooo bored of same reviews so I’m trying to bring the riders along with me who cares if it have fox this or bling that how does it feel and does it make you ride! And to be fair I always record my first ride it’s scary I don’t know the bike at all trying to ride and record but it’s when I’m really subjective and picking up on all the small differences after 3 rides we just adapt and it feels normal. Thanks again mate it really means a lot !

[@chrisjones6699]

@@SamsBikes and taking the time to reply to your comments! A class act mate. Thank you! Couldn’t agree more with you. Components are personal preference at the end of the day and we all swap out most of the stuff regardless to what’s on the bike so the bike should be the main focus.

[@BK42Cycles]

I love the colors of this video :) awesome bike and beautiful RV

[@johnverbeeck2526]

If KZbin had a NSFW section, your Kenevo and Commencal Meta Power SX would be on the wall of honor. Those are two mighty fine looking gems

[@thomassobelman8350]

Hey Sam. I’m glad you finally got the Kenevo! 2 things. I know that you just got it but I think you ought to try it as a mullet right away. Put a 100kms on it and then try it with a 27.5 rear. Second, how can you not run carbon wheels? That’s crazy, especially considering the level of the bikes you’re riding. Ring I9 up and get some carbon wheels. You will learn to enjoy the stiffer, more rigid, wheel. They make big hits safer and more predictable. I’ve yet to damage a Roval Traverse carbon wheel. I’m sure I9 will send something even better. I have a lot of time on the current Specialized Enduro and if the Kenevo feels anything like it but with more weight down low it’s got to be an absolute shredder! It’s very hard to find a limit when you point it downwards.

[@SamsBikes]

Hey mate thanks for the ideas! I have so much testing to do the mullet will need to weight I’ve just tested the levo sl with mullet and I don’t think it was better climbed worse and have less braking traction. But I’m loving the Kenevo so far ! Full thoughts next weeks on the kenevo and also with the carbon wheels for now I’ve gone back to i9 I just feel safer I know it’s in my head but your right I’ll get some sweet new carbon I9 wheels and try them out!

[@KrisDelaPena]

I was confused why it looked like i already viewed the video, but it was the red boarder in the preview photo. Congratulations, awesome dream bike!

[@SamsBikes]

Sorry mate that’s my branding !

[@Alex-qo2nk]

Wow bike looks amazing. Van is super cool too. Much deserved for all your hard work 👍👍👍

[@Extremegaz25]

Hi sam although people appreciate individual changes in parts, but to be honest if you we looking at buying that particular product you would want to know how it goes stock, because at the end of the day its expensive!

[@SamsBikes]

I totally agree with you but I’m testing the kenevo SL not the s works I want to tell you all I can find out to do that I rather ride my own tires, wheels and brakes for safety and get to know them bike faster and also I’m sponsored by these brand which offset the cost of all these reviews! I hope that makes sense

[@antcramp]

Great looking bike mate, enjoy.

[@SamsBikes]

Thanks

[@jakethesnakeou812]

Congrats on the new setup. Can’t wait for the travel vids to come. 170mm on 29s it’s a total beast. You’re always the best channel for LT EMTB’s.

[@paulmaag6958]

Super cool van! We don't have those in USA. That van is so compact...but has everything. That bike from S-works is amazing! Go back in time 4 or 5 years and show that bike to an e-biker of that time....It would pop their eyes out! How about testing carbon wheels. I'd like to see how they hold up.

[@86309]

I bet the extender changes the feel quite a bit.

[@SamsBikes]

Actually no it doesn’t only adds 1kg

[@86309]

@@SamsBikes great to hear Sam!

[@ribinrobin8925]

The levo SL is my fave bike I’ve ever rode, I keep looking at this bike but just not sure it’s for me. The levo can do everything, but I really like how this looks. 😆 first world problems

[@mrdog3920]

Nice work. I love this bike but as much as I want it I know it’s not the best way to spend my money. I need the trail/light enduro more than the enduro/light DH. The test I would really love to see is the lightweight shoot-out including the Orbea Rise ;-)

[@SamsBikes]

You and me both mate send Orbea a email 📧 because they don’t reply to mine! Kevevo Levo back to back next week

[@micaelpereira953]

No doubt its a very nice bike but its absolutely a robery to pay €14.000 for an e-bike!! The world is crazy! That almost half the price of your camper!

[@-kaster--kaster-6090]

Dude definitely you can buy a brand new motorcycle for 5-7 thousand dollars . How can a bike with a lot less components cost more ?Its ridiculous !

[@jhyoo110]

Back to back comparisons with the levo SL!

[@SamsBikes]

Next week mate going to be massive

[@bilalkorukcu6842]

Kusacagiz artik kenevo, levo’dan...

[@quadalexfpv5269]

What a Beauty! But the only thing which needs to be changed are the breakes If you put the mt7 or mt trail on it it would ne nuts

[@robbiekerr463]

Another great video, I felt the same about the new kenevo, I wasn’t really sure who it was for, so it was interesting to hear your thoughts

[@MTBs]

Ooooh, that was a nice bike! Like the van too, how many bikes fit in the garage?

[@SamsBikes]

I had the leve and kenevo with front wheels and pedals off and I’m sure I can get one more and 4 with all wheels off!

[@chickenclips]

I knew which bike it was as soon as I saw your thumbnail mate. I sold my SL this weekend because of the KSL. But now am quivering at the price. Ordered one... but shaking in me boots... Coming off a large SL you reckon the S4 will be ok? From what I've read so far the S3 would be a better for the both of us being around the same height

[@iguanabartola]

Comparison with Levo Gen3 please!

[@mabizu]

How does the downhill compare to the Levo Gen 3? Is the Gen 3 way worse, since it feels to heavy?

[@joelkatz8654]

Have an Levo SL with lyrik 160 front, DVO jade X coil rear with cascade components linkage, code (sorry Sam) brakes, and maxxis minion/assegai tires. Thinking of selling it and getting a KSL. How different is the KSL from an “enduro” Levo SL? Your videos are great and you review some great bikes. Thanks!

[@chickenclips]

just sold my SL and ordered the KSL. Still not sure if it was the right move

[@SamsBikes]

Guys next week I’m doing the epic test, kenevo SL at bike park, local trail center abs jump park and just see if the kenevo is too much bike for most of the things we do ! I’m excited to get the testing going! Next sunday

[@kelvynbettridge]

I want to see you ride an S3 with the reach you normally ride with the stem you normally ride. I just heard 10min of what every bloke describes in a bike that’s too big… Super Stable. I suspect Specialized have … their S sizing and riders will pay the price and by that I mean the replacement price. Love the gloss finish a bit of a rarity these days

[@SamsBikes]

Hey I did have a good look at the sizing and I wanted a s4 and I changed to a 32mm stem and I’m loving it now.

[@DanTheMan_75]

Hey Sam I wanna see a big chainring SB logo in matching reddish/orange on the side of your awesome motor home!!! 👍🔥👊

[@SamsBikes]

You know it! But then it would say please come still my kenevo S works haha

[@marcfloucault8629]

Waw beautiful ebike !!

[@woodpecker6452]

Hey I have a wahoo blue tooth heart rate monitor that won’t display on mastermind despite it showing as paired on the specialized app , any thoughts , the same wahoo displays on my other e Buke and on my garmin !

[@SamsBikes]

Strange I got my garmin to work straight away super easy but it won’t show up in mission control ride results which I don’t like but I’ve been told they are working on that

[@woodpecker6452]

@@SamsBikes yes it works perfectly on my garmin and on my Bosch e bike display Hopefully mission control will sort this especially with you encouragement

[@Eurreco]

More music being mixed in your vids I noticed... GOOD! Who’s choice Bea’s or yours? 😄

[@rirrid5662]

Good vid but horrible annoying music.

[@danielrobinson2688]

You're bloody joking! Best rig ever!

[@SamsBikes]

Hahaha thanks mate

[@earlofcockwood1988]

Hey Sam! Where are you riding there?

[@jessieaguilar795]

Nice job on commentating and downhill at same time !

[@mrjapanimeniac]

I am a bit disappointed with the motor choice and no triple crown front forks but the rims are a letdown (carbon are the only choice for this heavy bike). The tires are really good, massive improvement from the old versions, if only they could add a bit more of power and battery i would go for it, hoping for a nice upgrade on this model

[@seantaylormtb7170]

The Kenevo SL looks awesome but that price is just too steep for most surely (and I ride a Levo with endless upgrades, so not afraid of spending a bit). Then we spend £12k and need to change stuff too - tyres, stem, pedals, seat probably, grips certainly. I'm just not sure Spesh have this right, especially with some big challenges from the likes of Orbea, YT (still) etc. Appreciate not many 170/170 out there but with the right geometry you can overcome a lot of that. Great looking kit, will never consider buying it.

[@SamsBikes]

Hey mate yep not cheap but pretty bloody amazing 🤩 rides sweet stock only changing parts because of my sponsors

[@davidbnd]

Let’s see how it jumps 😜

[@SamsBikes]

Next week mate

[@tylervickers9087]

Compare stock wheels, carbon wheels, and high quality aluminum wheels. Speed to climb and descend, price, feel. Several runs each.

[@tylervickers9087]

With a power meter to show effort on each rim type.

[@gingerb36]

Yes you are a lucky guy Sam 👍

[@mxracer78]

Hey Sam I have a 35mm stem I’ll swap you for your 50mm if you’re keen on swapping

[@SamsBikes]

Hahah I can’t mate not my bikes

[@kdubvzla]

moralzalzar?

[@SamsBikes]

Yes mate

[@thim8009]

What are you racing on e ews

[@SamsBikes]

Maybe the kenevo on one and levo on the other haha let’s see

[@derekharper6031]

Would be interested in a segment that covers what should be considered a real long term review. 1500km etc is not long term and a concern is that testing new bike after new bike is all well and good but wont show up any of the gremlins that lurk in the parts that make an ebike an ebike... "motor and battery".....a lot of us may want to keep a bike as they would an analog bike of the past. How many ebikes with kms and age closer to the bikes we used to own are now suffering from motor failures or battery degradation where the once claimed range is no longer possible. Something that we are all forgetting here is that an ebike without a battery or motor is basically a spare parts bucket of other components as it can no longer be ridden..What are the availability of replacement motors or batteries for superseded models, some only 2 years old???

[@SamsBikes]

Hey mate I normally do my long long term review which are over 1000km which is almost unheard of in the industry because we test so many bikes. Maybe check my long term levo sl review

[@derekharper6031]

@@SamsBikes mate wasn't being critical if that's how it came across I really mean that long term for ebikes hasn't really occurred but will soon for many of the early bikes sold and I think there will soon be a lot of bikes minus motors or batteries that havnt made it to what we are all led to believe... taking away the early warranty fails, I am talking about those growing number out of warrranty and wondering how long these two vital components will actually last real world... let's face it an ebike without the E won't be a fun bike to be riding....

[@SamsBikes]

Totally get you mate but I haven’t had any problems yet on any of my bikes maybe I don’t keep them long enough but all been zero problems

[@chevistar87]

You went s4 , why not S3 ? How big are you ? I am 1m78cm and my levo sl is Large and i will go S3 i guess on the kenevo sl

[@SamsBikes]

I just felt the kenevo sl s3 was a little small for me and s4 feels perfect 👍 I’m 183cm

[@chevistar87]

@@SamsBikes thanks mate

[@KRLE2582]

Wauw .)) awesome Bike dude i have a levo turbo comp 2020,would like to change mine for a 2021 comp.) Cheers,Have fun

[@HeathenRides]

FSR 2019mod but I ruined first the motor and then the battery,so i have 2020 motor and battery,.i would like to switch it in 2021 kenevo , actually tried to order kenevo but the store ordered the wrong bike so they just sold it to me six thousand nok cheaper than what's on the website of specialized.. the suspension setups on the new bikes looks awesome

[@Conejosacostumbra2]

Good morning. We don't want controversy about where you record your trails. But the Cerro del Telegrafo in Moralzarzal in a short time will be forbidden terrain for all Bikers due to the poor state of conservation of the trails. We ask that if you do the downloads, do not record them to increase the effect called to the public, which, on the other hand, does not have enough technical expertise and looks for loopholes to avoid doing what it does not know. Thanks for your time. Signed by a local rider

[@SamsBikes]

Thanks for your concern but this is my local trail and I’ve filmed here main times.

[@alex1231235]

Hey Sam, I think it rides big as it's an S4. May I ask how tall you are? Do you know your RAD?

[@therealphilistein]

They do ride big mate. I have an S3 at 175cm and a 31mm stem gives me RAD +10mm, which feels ok on a bike that’s meant to be a bit long. Not sure if that helps…👍🏻 Slightly odd choice by Specialized to ship them with a 50mm stem I think.

[@alex1231235]

@@therealphilistein I'm 178cm on an S2 and it fits perfectly!

[@therealphilistein]

@@alex1231235 I don’t think it’s an exact science with sizing, it just depends how you want the bike to feel. 👍🏻

[@alex1231235]

@@therealphilistein Very true. I have found when the bike fits your RAD, you’re balanced on the bike :)

[@jimmyg2077]

👍

[@haydenjarmey9921]

Should have stuck with the commencal!!!

[@chickenclips]

he still has it? Why SHOULD he?

[@SamsBikes]

Yep still got it but I’m over it to help honest ep8 doesn’t give me enough range

[@chickenclips]

@@SamsBikes crazy hey

[@downhillgroovy]

It's the look, I just can't. Too many better looking bikes available

[@dave_waudby]

If your gonna swop out parts you need to do 2 reviews, one review with bike as it is out the box and another with your favourite parts swopped out. In a review I want an honest opinion of the bike as it comes out the box, if that flags up that you need to change tyres, bars, stem etc to get the best out the bike that could be the reason I do or don't buy it!!! If I'm dropping that sort of cash on a bike I really don't want to be changing anything. 500k review of the stock bike then a 500k review of your preferred setup/ swopped out parts and give us the differences, good and bad. That would be my kind of review 👍

[@SamsBikes]

Yea I get you but I’m reviewing the kenevo not the s works also I’m sponsored by i9 and Schwalbe so there’s that. Wheels and tires are a very normally upgrade. Maybe go back abs check my Levo SL long term review and see my format and style

[@dave_waudby]

@@SamsBikes I hear you Sam and I totally get why you swop out stuff and set the bike up how you like it, I'd just once like to read a review about the bike you are buying, brakes stem tyres drivetrain the lot as they come out the box. Look forward to any review you do, keep up the good work.

[@SamsBikes]

@@dave_waudby thanks mate defo I’ll give you a review right now! Code brakes are not for me, the specialized wheels feel good I would rather thinker spokes but they seem strong and the new butchers rock and would 100% ride them if I could!

[@marknewton1599]

Let me guess oh another specialized bike review. In the last 20 of your Videos there are 10 consisting of Specialized bikes. They are great bikes but there are other brands to consider as well.

[@SamsBikes]

Hey Mark I can only review what bikes I can get! You would be surprised how hard it is for me to get bikes been trying to review a trek rail for months

[@marknewton1599]

@@SamsBikes Fair Comment in these Covid times. I do really enjoy your channel . Just a few different bikes would be appreciated.

[@SamsBikes]

Mate I’ll keep trying if only all the bike companies were so easy to work with.

[@AlexT.A.]

🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙 😍😍😍😍😍

[@bikemad]

Sam big betty s front and back better cornering better braking roll just as good if not better than mary just my opinion

[@sergeikulichkov7748]

Big Betty rolls better but doesn't have as much traction as Magic Mary

[@weaponofchoice8942]

15K bike that hardly on one can afford ... just saying

[@Gworan]

idk, there are poeple who spend this much for a night out. So, some can afford it...

[@weaponofchoice8942]

@@Gworan this is true , I own a 10k Sworks Stumpy but would not buy this bike and yes I can afford it.

[@alex1231235]

Fricken HOT RIDES SAM!!

[@peterlinfoot1886]

58 years old might be to old.....not

[@siriosstar4789]

never too old , well almost never . i'm 75 and compensate for weakness by riding big powerful motors for uphill and four piston brakes for crawling downhill. 😂

[@Gufolicious]

Specialized fanboy.

[@chickenclips]

is that really necessary mate? You know Sam on a personal level to call him a fanboy?

[@robg3836]

Campa van👍 bike 👎

[@tylervickers9087]

Compare stock wheels, carbon wheels, and high quality aluminum wheels. Speed to climb and descend, price, feel. Several runs each.

[@SamsBikes]

Could be a good idea