The 'Kenduro' - Making a Specialized Kenevo More Enduro

[@embn]

What do you think of Steve's 'KENDURO' mod? Let us know 👇

[@VlrginAtlantic]

Save your money and buy a kenevo comp?

[@yacoobdzi5555]

@@VlrginAtlantic unfortunately the price is higher for every Spec than a few days ago

[@liverpoolman1990]

The price of the fork /shock/ wheel seems a waste when you could get a budget ebike from decathlon full sus decent reviews for 1700 quid

[@CoyoteMTB77]

Isn’t that just a Kenevo Comp anyway? Upgrade the fork and shock with Ohlins/Fox factory and boom it’s better than anything

[@worldstallestmidget]

Are you going to,do a long term review of this?

[@smigielko]

You might have missed a trick by not using a 29" front wheel. Enduro bikes these days seem to go full 29er or mullet.

[@kountification]

Now two years later, how would you think a Kenevo mullet would ride like? Do you think the head angle would be too open at roughly 62.5º?

[@jackcollettMTB_]

@@kountification I’m putting a 29er in the front of mine for winter I’ll tell how it gors

[@malber]

​@@jackcollettMTB_ have you ride it yet with mullet setup?

[@ronchang9791]

@@jackcollettMTB_ I know of someone who did it for a higher BB for less pedal strikes when pedaling through rocky terrain. How did it go?

[@Ruffest]

My kenduro setup. Fox 40s Box 9 11 50 gearing Trail watts 250wh booster taking it to 950wh 29er mullet setup Dirty dan 2.35 f magic mary 2.6 r Its a beast for every ride. Also have a 500wh battery for the bike parks making it lighter 🤘

[@choanlpoto]

Dude hi. Can you give me more info plz on your build ?

[@Ruffest]

@@choanlpoto it's changed since then 😂 check my channel

[@choanlpoto]

@@Ruffest thanks nice to see you still ride your kenevo 2yrs later. So much bad feedback on long term health of the motor. I would appreciate a video bike tour on your channel 🔥

[@AaronAvallon]

Love my trailwatts 250. All turbo all the time.

[@worldstallestmidget]

I just put a 190 Zeb on my kenevo. And kept the 27.5 wheel. Feels pretty good!

[@evo5349]

So you spend £7400 on a Kenovo and then buy new forks and shock. Give me a break. When picking a bike go through what you are going to use it for and where you ride and pick the best parts on it wheels cassette etc.

[@evo5349]

@@jerryx2000 Oh! Yes that's if you look like a horses behind. Rather have a motorcycle and ride that.

[@adriamr_8]

Just a quik reminder that the Kenevo is already cataloged as an enduro bike on the specialized website, and the comp version of it is almost the same "enduro" spec as the mod you did to the expert model (just with marzocchi suspension). Apart from that, nicee build!! 👌🏻👌🏻

[@markroberts7866]

Haven’t you just turned an expert into a comp though?

[@rafalpyszny8018]

Exactly what i thought ...

[@Inconspicuous657]

You don't need to change anything on a Kenevo to make it enduro friendly. Just get a suspension specialist to set up for forks properly. I've bombed down downhill tracks and done 60+km rides in a day (two batteries, 115kg rider). These bikes do it all without any extra cash needing to be spent

[@mk3driftmotion]

I actually put a Fox 40 on my 2022 Kenevo tonight! First quick ride in front of the house tonight feels like it will be perfect! Can't wait to ride some trails! It's an S5 and I am 6'2", feels just right on the ride height with a 50mm rise bar and the original direct mount headset.

[@porroco]

If you read this, why not mulltet the kenevo as well.

[@mikerbwind]

Speaks volumes for the Whyte E180 which has it all without any mods!

[@MrScrofulous]

So does the Kenevo.....they didn't really need to do that to make it a good trail bike, it already is.

[@boggybigpants9462]

Not sure if it’s common knowledge but you can put a 29” wheel up front on the comp without changing the forks ...making a mullet ...

[@tcw95NZ]

How so? Aren't the forks 27.5?

[@glassmasterflash]

I tried that with my 2018 Kenevo expert, I used a 29 wheel and fork from my acoustic Specialized enduro but I found that it was too slack and had a floppy feel on slow tech but I like the idea of a 29 on the Kenevo. Perhaps with that geo in mind, they could make it work a little better.

[@boggybigpants9462]

@@tcw95NZ yes they are 27-5 but there made to have a lot of room for plus tyres ......there isn’t a lot of clearance after fitting a 29 but it works

[@tcw95NZ]

@@boggybigpants9462 huh good to know, if I have 29er laying around I might give it a go, cheers!

[@boggybigpants9462]

The best way to save weight on the Kenevo is too get the Kenevo Comp .....👍sorted

[@markcosens1]

Interesting video but should have tried a mullet setup really. I also don't understand how the ha has slackened but the BB height has dropped when using a fork with a longer a2c than the stock boxxer.

[@eBikerHowie]

Yeah. I didn't get that either. But I did like the build. Did the same thing with my Trek Rail 9.7. Perfection.

[@jensmakinen]

Its when measure thing with iphone :D

[@stevejones7956]

@@jensmakinen Hahaha!

[@yachtdynamics1788]

Been there to , 38 pistachio in front and X2 out back , but I chose 29’’ South Industries carbon wheels to finish up and 220mm rotors . It totally transformed the bike and the 38 is actually stiffer then the Boxxer .

[@racepnd]

Great review on all these Specialized bikes. I like the new review format for the the channel well done.....

[@carsten4524]

Why not try 29 front and rear , to make it mor”enduro- touring “. ?

[@nicolapellegrino1072]

A friend of mine is doing this kind of upgrade on his kenevo I can't wait to see it complete to try it and see how it rides :) (he comes from a Levo size L).

[@th_js]

This was one of the best videos I've seen on this channel 👍🏻 Really enjoy this type of video.

[@iamgeneric1888]

I assumed you were going to put a 29 front wheel on, which is an awesome option by the way. But you just made it like a comp with a nicer fork. And as someone else mentioned how did it get slacker and the bb get lower?

[@Yetifur003658]

Is this an S5 and did you have any issues with the air can fouling on the frame? Also, assume that you had to use a 2021 65mm stroke shock as the x2 doesn't come in 62.5mm. It would have been good to hear how much weight you saved and also what you thought the compromise was going to a single crown fork and air shock.

[@antcramp]

It’s always about Specialized, unless it’s a ‘paid promotion’.

[@xx-----------xx873]

Of course, they are sponsors after all.

[@HarryKuloh]

That's because they make the best ebike

[@graysquirreltreeservice7299]

They the most advanced ebikes😁😁😝😝

[@duggan2284]

Someone needs to buy Steve a work stand for Christmas 🎄

[@59trevski]

I enjoyed the kenduro idea did think of this ages ago tbh. the Kenevo comp with the bombers on. But I would like that 7 hour battery. In a mullet with the 180 forks what would the geometry be fork wise?

[@eBikerHowie]

I still don't think the manufacturers get the whole ebike thing. Build the bike with 29ers x 2.6" tires, 180mm single crown fork, 170mm air shock, 75-76 degree seat tube angle, 64 to 65 degree head tube. Presto. The go everywhere, do everything bike. And give it a Bosch or Shimano motor with 625 to 700wH battery.

[@sacha2711]

2021 Commencal Meta Power 29 basically with an $80 air can to up the fork travel from 170 to 180, minus the silly 2.6" tire idea because they don't come in a DD/gravity casing

[@p.beesley9745]

It's a shame the levo batteries can't be halved,so you have the choice of short rides or put the other half in for longer rides.

[@strutstipher]

Why did you not start with the Comp?

[@Dano71R]

I was thinking the same thing! And really, I am considering the comp as my new bike. If in the future I'll need more performance do the upgrades later on...

[@philh3041]

@@Dano71R I have a Kenevo comp it’s brilliant! Ride it all day on 700wh battery(upgraded) and suspension is very plush

[@Dano71R]

@@philh3041 thanks, good to know.👍

[@D1s1nf0rmat10n]

Somebody should really tell these guys that other EMTB brands are available 🤣

[@randymiller385]

Couldn’t agree more

[@smattgoss]

Specialized are the best

[@vilemeister]

are they? Their reliability stats doesn't back that up...

[@smattgoss]

@@vilemeister they do

[@HarryKuloh]

That's because specialized makes the best overall e-bike

[@Will99x]

Guessing you had to swap lower headset bearing as boxxer is straight steerer?

[@cavsri]

I don't get it? Same travel fork which is slightly lighter and the same with the shock. Saving a tiny amount of weight but the bike is still around 55lbs. It's the same bike, if it had a mullet set up then that would be more interesting. Am I missing something here?

[@Yetifur003658]

Yeah, it's not particularly insightful. Some more information on how it rides compared to the standard expert would have been interesting.

[@Will99x]

One benefit is turning radius, can't think of much else

[@59trevski]

Should of put a 29 on the front.

[@nathbutcher]

Great video - I've had a Kenevo for 2 years and love this idea, what do you think about making it a 29ner upfront? Would that drastically change the GEO?

[@JoInvermere]

Always like EMBN. great stuff. Did you try to run a FOX 38 29er in a lower travel like 170mm instead of the 27.5 on this Kenevo? Thought? I have a 2024 Kenevo with the 27.5 FOX 38 on the bike. Thanks

[@MikeRidesEU]

But is it not already called the Kenevo Comp?

[@reevesashby4185]

Why not just buy the Kenevo Comp?

[@MrScrofulous]

Why didn't you just profile the Comp ?

[@AaronAvallon]

What length stems are you guys riding with the single crown 180’s? List what wheel size. I’m moving to an avy’d ZEB 180 27.5 with hybrid coil. Coming from the boxxer. I’m thinking a 30mm A318 industry nine.

[@goqusa]

Hi, I am considering similar trying but with 29er fox 38z what is the offset on the fox fork you chose? They are 3 options and I am a little confused by it all.😅

[@Emolokz]

I'm very confused as to how your BB height is lower than published as factory numbers when you changed to the 29'er.

[@dreystevenson9545]

Does the float x2 fit well? Heard you have to mod the sidearm to make it fit?

[@gears7867]

The spikey thing in the end of the pipe cutter is to get rid of burs inside the pipe once you have cut it. You put the spikey thing in and twist it to remove sharp pieces of metal

[@juanmontijano5500]

What app are you using to measure the head angle? Thank you

[@michaeledwards5241]

I would have been interesting if you had weighed the bike before and after the modifications 👍

[@richardtaylor5157]

What saddle is that??? The stock one on the kenevo is a killer🥴

[@kountification]

I think this is great Steve!! i would definitely go for that!!! but what is the resale value on the unused new parts...? i think it is a 1000 + cnd swap: (wheel/tire/fork/stem)

[@jamesuk9]

I have a mate who did exactly this spec to his Kenevo Comp when he binned the bombers. He still maintains the stock expert is the better bike.

[@glassmasterflash]

I thought that was great. I tried a 29er on the front of my Kenevo but it made it too slack. Any chance you could do another video about beefing up a Levo? That will be our next bike. Also, if you are talking to Specialized, ask if there are any plans to make a 29er Kenevo or mullet? Also, on another note, now that there is a Covid 19 vaccine close at hand, could you plan an EMBN world tour? We have more than a few trails we would like to show you in our neck of the woods...Pemberton, Whistler, Britannia and Squamish B.C.

[@nathanfriesen3027]

Did you weigh it once you changed the components?

[@lesterma1608]

First you buy a stock bike, then you make it the way you want and use lighter parts, now you’re playing their game!! Those parts should be available on the build to begin with so your not stuck with the old valuable parts!

[@MTBover40TV]

Nice Built! Hope to see part 2 - The "Lenduro" ;)

[@Kev.in-Bike]

Nice video. Thanks for this

[@joebmtb109]

I'm running similar but with a 29 front. Makes it even more slack but raised the BB 10mm. This can be offset a bit with the flip chip. Love the 29 front but not sure the frame is suited to it... think this might have been better option. What offset fox fork did you fit?

[@sacha2711]

re offset that would require steve actually being detail-oriented & informative

[@TheDivineInquiry]

Idk why any one goes for the orange on the fork

[@leecharlesworth7975]

Either way more what I've been talking about for a while. A levo evo in my words. It's a new bike I'm sure specialized will make soon.

[@mk3driftmotion]

This is awesome! I was literally considering doing this exact same project, but also adding a mullet 29" front wheel on a 170mm Fox 38! Using a 170mm travel fork basically makes up for the increased height of the 29" wheel. I already have a 2019 Haibike Nduro Xduro with a mullet, I upgraded it with Fox Factory 38 with 170mm 29" front, and 180mm 27.5' rear with Fox Factory X2, and its VERY good, but the 500wh 36v battery and the Bosch CX isn't cutting it for power or run time anymore. I think I can swap the new triple crown forks from the Kenevo to the Haibike and get good money for it used, in order to offset the price of the new 2022 Turbo Kenevo Expert. Hmmm...... Now Haibike is pulling out of USA I don't want to count on a bike with no local support anymore. Specialized dealers are all over Southern California.

[@mtb_3930]

Hi. Yes I want to do that also ie put fox 38 170mm on my Kenevo with 29 inch wheel. Do you need new brakes I imagine yes?

[@andykirkwood]

Hi, does what you did with the fork/ front wheel change the head angle?

[@mk3driftmotion]

@andykirkwood I ended up putting the Fox38 with 29" front wheel on the Haibike, but after a while, I lost my affection for the mullet setup. With the bigger front wheel, it basically kind of steers slower, if that makes sense. 😆 I changed it to the triple crown Boxxer 180mm with a 27.5" front wheel, and the steering felt much more responsive for technical downhill riding. BUT, the Haibike frame almost broke in half! The whole frame downtube cracked all the way around, just below where the charging connector is. It was from maybe a 2' jump to flat, I have never crashed on the Haibike. I put Fox40 200mm on my 2022 Kenevo with 27.5 f/r and I freakin love that bike!!!

[@joelrunyan1608]

Yeah. But. Does this mod void the warranty?

[@will450ktm]

Nice video I just went for the comp🤷

[@kylefaulkner9645]

Specialized sells the kenevo with an air shock and single crown fork already...

[@8664antonio]

i go for the lighter ! tuned levo!

[@JP-bv8su]

What an absolute waste of time. You all bang on a bout how good Specialized is, then you go and butcher it, so it can't be that good in the first place?

[@ofto5872]

something about clean pillows supporting a muddy bike is disturbing to me

[@Schevron]

Looking forward to see that modification on the upcoming Kenevo SL 😜

[@salpairadice]

But aren't these all just variations on the same 250W setup? I have a Vado and while I love it for its quality and durability. its slow.

[@tomperret7734]

Seems like you've turned it into a Whyte e180 RS v2....no bad thing, but could save some cash and buy the Whyte from the off!

[@michaelwidmer9827]

Thanks for that. Now please the opposite approach: make a Levo more of a gravity bike.

[@lphyxsius]

This..

[@janezbester3488]

mullet - change rear to 27.5 / 2.8

[@user-yg7nc9od8i]

Great vid. Steve! But you basically just changed a 2020 kenevo expert back to a 2018 expert! (Minus the air shock)... Which was a better all around bike to begin with! And that's why I won't give mine up!☺️ It's a crazzy enduro machine! Why did they change them to full on DH bikes, anyway? And leave us with the lame motored comp. Version as an "enduro bike"... Beats me..🤔

[@neil27pearson]

So.. if they sell frame and motor only it will be everyone making their own decision! But that's the elephant in the room you refuse to address!

[@eBikerHowie]

Bike manufacturers hate it when people customize their rigs. They'd rather have everyone buy multiple bikes.

[@neil27pearson]

@@eBikerHowie But as this shows riders love to... So hopefully they will eventually listen to the more serious riders when selling 7K plus bikes! You would hope!! Lol

[@GIULIACARTA]

i have a Kenevo 2019 expert, what do you think? if I upgrade it whit a fox 38 and and back I would let the ohlins ttx

[@graysquirreltreeservice7299]

29 wheels would change everything 27.5 just don't flow over east coast roots and rock

[@sacha2711]

aka buy a 2021 Commencal Meta Power 29 & pocket $3k

[@stevethompson4493]

You have dramatically changed the bike by reducing the head angle to 63deg, I would call that a ‘Hack’ Kenevo is 64 Levo is 66 can’t see 63 as a good idea to make it more enduro?? Still waiting for a triple clamp Kenevo and 2021 Levo both 700ah from LBS Levo is 160mm up front on the specs I’m reading The situation in the US obviously slowing things down

[@paul-po7vv]

you transform an expert into a comp ahahahah with 500watt also ahaha

[@NeekeeDjessin]

Specialized fanboys... WAY to much Specialized on here.

[@smattgoss]

Stick to specialized there the best

[@NeekeeDjessin]

@@smattgoss That´s not the point. I´m actually getting fed up with it, seeing and hearing about it all the time. I have had my Specialized bikes, and loved them, but that´s not a reason for me to see and hear about them every time i open this channel.

[@mutedmonkey]

So what you did is took one Kenevo Expert and made a Kenevo comp with rear air suspension. I think Specialized beat you to it Steve hahaha

[@FritzPhoto]

I think.... What about cleaning the bike before working on it ;-)

[@stianjarnass]

Choose a Ghost hybride slamr x instead, much more bang for the buck👋

[@NevadaSmith2]

Where do you live/ride? And what’s the attitude/law towards eBikes there? I live in the a small town near Lake Tahoe, California. We can ride eBikes on probably 80% of trails, and I’ve yet to encounter anyone who had a negative attitude towards me being on an eBike.

[@stevenjbeard]

Haven’t you just built a very very expensive Megawatt?

[@ryandean3279]

I’m running my Kenevo full 29er 170 Zeb 230x60 ohlins ttx coil.. 💪🏻

[@CoyoteMTB77]

What’s the Zeb like? Im toying with Fox 38/Ohlins RXF 36M2 to match the TTX on the rear?

[@ryandean3279]

@@CoyoteMTB77 good fork.. it’s like a stiffer lyric.. but I feel my lyric ultimate is a better fork for trail/Uk enduro.. Zeb suits ebike and rough trails to feel any benefits of the thicker chassis.. damping is easy to setup.. but they do have a lot of stiction when new.. they are loosening up, plus I’ve done a couple of internal mods to improve performance

[@CoyoteMTB77]

@@ryandean3279 good to hear what others think about mods/upgrades. Grip2 upgrade is an option as well. Makes it a much stiffer 36 basically

[@ryandean3279]

@@CoyoteMTB77tbh all the top end forks are pretty much as good as each other.. I’m fortunate enough to have been able to try most.. really I’d chose what ones you like the look of, best deal and best aftercare

[@chris8949]

Its Kenevo all the way..trust me and take the comp..;-)

[@concernedbiker9414]

Dude, you gotta wash the bike before you work on it! It's not like you're at the trailhead.

[@kev7co]

He went backwards 😂 wtf

[@Chuckolicious]

Wash your bike before working on it! Oy.

[@b-manz]

Both are way overpriced. They aren’t good enough to justify the extra $.

[@charliewilson3528]

I can't help to think if you have a marketing manager somebody's dropping the ball. If I don't need attire? I should be able to buy a tyre/tire from a link from your videos so you guys could make a extra buck. Or any other emtb/ebike part. And maybe have a review even of said parts. What a mystery.