Market / E-Performance: With the Specialized Turbo Kenevo, the Californian manufacturer is presenting its second E-MTB platform. With 180mm of spring travel, coil dampers and thick slippers, the new bike is primarily aimed at endurists and freeriders. A lot has also happened with the drive.
It's been a little over two years since Specialized presented its very first E-MTB, the Turbo Levo. Two years in which a lot has happened in the world of two wheels. The E-MTB boom is unbroken, on the contrary, it seems to get an additional boost every year. So it was probably only a matter of time before a new model would follow in California. The Specialized Turbo Kenevo presented now is – like the Levo two years ago – an e-MTB that fits in perfectly with the spirit of the times.
While the "original Levo" was more of a trail all-rounder than a downhill grinder, the new Turbo Kenevo fits in perfectly with the current E-MTB trend, which is clearly moving towards more suspension travel, more downhill reserves and more sporty applications. The new E-MTB offspring from Specialized offers a full 180mm of spring travel, plus a coil damper in the rear and the fat 6Fattie Plus tires - you can safely call it an E-Freerider.
Specialized Turbo Kenevo: The drive – stronger and cooler
The Turbo Kenevo is a new bike, of course - but Specialized didn't throw everything overboard and stuck to the drive of the Levo, but gave it a few updates. The slim Turbo 1.3 engine comes with a special RX Trail Tune, which together with some hardware updates should tease out more performance. In addition, there are still some interesting solutions: In addition to the own, integrated battery, this also includes connectivity and the modular cockpit concept.
But let's stay with the engine itself for a moment: This is now supposed to deliver up to 15% more power than its predecessor. However, if you are already worried about heat problems, you can rest easy: Specialized says the motor even stays cooler, despite the higher performance. This is mainly due to two large heat-conducting pads, which transfer the heat from the drive unit to the housing and thus prevent any problems. In addition, the efficiency could be improved through software adjustments, which not only benefits the range, but also the waste heat.
The battery with 504Wh is completely integrated in the down tube, but can also be removed quickly and easily if necessary. As usual, the button for switching on and off is on the side, from which the battery charge level can also be read at the same time. The battery also contains the connectivity control center of the Turbo Kenevo drive: it can communicate with compatible devices, such as some Garmins, via ANT+ and Bluetooth.
Specialized Turbo Kenevo: Individual drive thanks to the smartphone app
The Mission Control app is also well-known and tried and tested: In addition to the automatic route recording, there is also a navigation system on board that, depending on the remaining battery charge, predicts whether you will arrive at your destination and what level of support would be appropriate. Of course, all of this also remains with the Turbo Kenevo.
In addition, from the end of this year the so-called Infinite Tune feature will be available as a further functionality of the app, which goes even further than what already exists and is primarily aimed at advanced drivers. Here, each mode can be set individually to suit your own needs, the route and the requirement profile. The degree of support and the motor current can be set separately.
Specialized Turbo Kenevo: enduro as a muse
Specialized connoisseurs will probably see the light at first sight of the new E-MTB: the resemblance to the enduro cannot be denied: the striking X-shape of the main frame and the overall design language are strongly reminiscent of the legendary mountain bike from your own home. With 180mm of travel, the E version has 20mm more travel – with a similar geometry: 65° flat steering angle, long main frame, short struts: modern and definitely fully compatible with ballers.
Specialized Turbo Kenevo: A trim level
Initially, there will only be one version of the Specialized Turbo Kenevo. In addition to the eye-catching Öhlins coil damper, some people will probably notice the seat post: Specialized is installing its new Wu post here for the first time - there is not too much information about it at the moment, but the 150mm stroke is now up-to-date and as a special feature the saddle folds backwards when lowered to give even more room to manoeuvre. Clever!
Otherwise, there is solid to high-quality equipment on the aluminum frame throughout: The chassis consists of the aforementioned Öhlins TTX22M steel spring damper and the Lyrik RCT3 from Rock Shox. The Roval Traverse wheels are fitted with Specialized Butcher tires with a width of 2,8″ – if you want them even wider, you can switch: the frame and fork offer space for tires up to 3″. The SRAM GX drive is complemented by the new SRAM Code R brakes with 200 discs front and rear.
The bike will go on sale in the next few days at a price of €6.299. In addition to the plain black color variant, you can also opt for the eye-catching Cali Fade finish.