The original Kenevo used a full-power motor and a 700Wh battery in an alloy frame with 180mm of travel. The Kenevo SL 2 uses a lighter SL motor and a 320Wh battery, and features a carbon frame with 170mm of travel.
Specialized Turbo Kenevo E-Bike Review
Written by: Tom Fortune | June 9, 2026 | Time to read 5 min
The Kenevo name has been pinned to two very different bikes. Knowing which one you’re looking at changes everything about whether it’s right for you.
More about the Author: Tom Fortune
Tom is a Brit living in the French Alps. When he's not creating written and video content for various brands, he's either pedalling or snowboarding around his local mountains. E-Bikes have unlocked the potential for Tom to explore Alpine terrain and get away from the crowded bike parks. He is only too keen to share his knowledge and experience with other riders.
Since it launched, the Kenevo has gone through a significant change. What started as a full-power, full-send enduro e-MTB with an M5 alloy frame, a big motor, and a 700Wh battery was discontinued in 2023 and replaced with the Kenevo SL 2, a lighter, carbon-framed bike with a less powerful but more natural-feeling motor.
You can find both generations on the used market, and they’re different enough that it’s worth understanding what you’re getting before you buy.
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The Original Turbo Kenevo: What It Was
Specialized’s answer to riders who wanted a proper enduro e-MTB. With no compromises on power, the original Kenevo came in an M5 alloy frame with 180mm of travel front and rear, a RockShox Boxxer double-crown fork on the Expert, and either the Specialized 2.1 or 2.2 motor, depending on year, both based on the Brose Drive S Mag. Expert models had a 700Wh battery. The Comp used a 500Wh unit.
It weighed about 53-54 lbs, and you can feel it when riding. This was a bike for pointing downhill and holding on. My friends who owned these regularly praised its confidence on steep terrain. One described moving from a 2019 Kenevo to a 2022 Expert with the Boxxer fork as a revelation on rocky descents. The double-crown fork changed how the bike handled aggressive ground.
Specialized sold the Kenevo Comp and Expert through 2023 before discontinuing both. Pre-owned models from 2020 to 2023 are common finds now, often in stock on Upway.
The Kenevo SL 2: What Replaced It
Calling the Kenevo SL 2 a replacement for the original is a bit misleading. Where the first model was heavy, powerful, and blunt, the SL 2 is lighter, more precise, and built for doing more with less.
Switching to a FACT 11m carbon fiber frame results in significant weight savings compared to the alloy original. Travel stays close at 170mm front and rear, but the SL 1.2 motor replaces the full-power Brose system. At 320W and 50Nm of torque, it’s considerably less powerful than the 2.2 motor in the early Kenevo, and the battery shrinks to 320Wh. Weight comes in at around 42-45 lbs, depending on build level, roughly 10lbs less than its predecessor.
Three build levels are currently available, all sharing the same SL 1.2 motor, 320Wh battery, and FACT 11m carbon frame. An optional 160Wh Range Extender is available and integrates cleanly into the frame.
| Model | Retail Price | Key Components |
|---|---|---|
| Comp | $9,000 | RockShox Zeb Select+ fork, RockShox Vivid Select shock, SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed, SRAM Maven Silver brakes, Roval Traverse Alloy 29 wheels, PNW Loam dropper |
| Expert | $9,500 | Same as Comp but with SRAM GX AXS wireless shifting and small component upgrades. The gap between the two is narrower than the price suggests. |
| S-Works | $15,000 | Fox Factory suspension, SRAM XX SL AXS Eagle drivetrain, carbon Roval wheels. A significant jump in price for mostly weight and component quality gains. |
One thing worth knowing before you buy is that Specialized motors are not serviced by all bike shops. If something goes wrong with the drive system, you’ll need an authorized Specialized dealer. It's worth checking there’s one within a reasonable distance before you commit. The customer service at our local Specialized bike shop isn’t great, so my friends with Specialized e-Bikes have been left very frustrated.
How Each One Rides
The original Kenevo was an e-MTB built to go downhill fast and keep you composed while doing it. With 180mm of travel and a double-crown Boxxer fork on the Expert, it inspired confidence on steep and rocky terrain. It’s a heavy bike, but the Specialized 2.2 motor makes up for this with enough power that most riders found the climbs manageable. What it wasn’t was agile or playful.
The SL 2 is a different experience. Lighter and more responsive, it moves around under you in a way the original didn’t. Geometry is still enduro-focused with six adjustment settings covering head angles from 62.5 to 64.5 degrees and bottom bracket height adjustable by 7mm. Testers who have pushed it on aggressive descents consistently describe the rear suspension as exceptional, absorbing everything thrown at it and staying composed. Low weight makes it easier to throw around in tight sections than a similarly-traveled full-power e-MTB.
On climbs, the SL 1.2 motor adjusts its assistance to your effort and responds without surges or jolts. It’s also pretty quiet, so much so that you barely notice it’s there. Riders who’ve found full-power e-MTBs too mechanical in feel often say the Kenevo SL is the bike that changed their view.
The Motor and Battery
On the original Kenevo, the Specialized 2.2 motor amplified pedaling input up to 410%, according to Specialized. Paired with the 700Wh battery on the Expert, it gave riders plenty of range and the kind of power that made even big climbs feel relatively easy. Battery reliability was strong in owner feedback, and the motor performed consistently under load.
In the SL 2, the SL 1.2 motor tells a different story. At 320W and 50Nm, it’s considerably less powerful, but the delivery is more refined and considerably quieter. Charge time is 2.5 hours from flat, and Specialized quotes up to 4.5 hours of ride time. The 320Wh battery capacity is the most common criticism of the SL 2. On long days with sustained climbing, it can run short. Adding the optional 160Wh Range Extender helps, but it’s an extra cost on a bike that’s already expensive.
Things to Know Before You Buy
- They’re different bikes. If you’re shopping pre-owned and see both generations listed, don’t assume they’re interchangeable. The original is heavier, more powerful, and made of alloy. The SL 2 is lighter, carbon, and less powerful.
- SL 2 battery range. The 320Wh battery is small. On big days, plan around it or budget for the Range Extender.
- Seatpost insertion on the SL 2. All Kenevo SL models have a limited seatpost insertion depth due to the battery cavity.
- Pedal strikes on the SL 2. The low bottom bracket geometry increases how often you strike your pedals on technical climbs. Riders coming from more conservative bikes will notice it.
- Roval Traverse wheels on the SL 2 Expert. At least one tester reported the alloy Roval wheels bending under heavy use. Worth knowing for heavier or aggressive riders or those riding particularly rough terrain.
- Original Kenevo availability. 2020 to 2023 models appear regularly on the used market. They’re capable bikes, but they're getting older, so check the motor and battery condition carefully before buying.
- Price. The SL 2 starts at $9,000 new. Even the original Kenevo wasn’t cheap in its day. Buying pre-owned makes both significantly more accessible.
Who Should Buy the Kenevo?
- Riders who want maximum power and range on big-mountain terrain and don’t mind the weight should consider a pre-owned original Kenevo Expert.
- Riders who want a lightweight enduro e-MTB that handles like a proper trail bike and delivers natural-feeling assistance will find the SL 2 Comp the better fit.
- The SL 2 is a good match for lift-served or shuttle-accessed riding where battery range isn’t a concern and ride feel is.
- If your rides are long and self-supported, the original Kenevo’s 700Wh battery gives you considerably more range than the SL 2’s 320Wh unit.
- Neither bike suits casual riders nor those new to e-MTBs. Both are built for experienced riders who know what they want from technical terrain.
Find a Kenevo on Upway
With new SL 2 models priced from $9,000 to $15,000, certified pre-owned alternatives offer a more budget-friendly entry point. Pre-owned original Kenevos also command much lower prices than when new.
Every e-Bike on Upway goes through a 50-point mechanical inspection before listing, and any battery below 80% capacity is replaced before sale. There’s a one-year warranty on the frame, motor, and electrical system, plus a 14-day return window. Delivery arrives mostly assembled. Browse the current Specialized selection on Upway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Kenevo and the Kenevo SL?
Is the original Kenevo still available new?
No. Specialized discontinued the original full-power Kenevo in 2023. It’s available pre-owned only.
Is the Kenevo SL 2 suitable for beginners?
No. Both generations are built for experienced enduro riders. The geometry, travel, and price point all reflect that.
Key Takeaways
- The original Kenevo and the Kenevo SL 2 are very different bikes, and knowing which one suits your riding matters before you buy.
- The SL 2 Comp at $9,000 is the sweet spot in the current range, with a strong spec and more natural ride feel than any full-power e-MTB at this travel.
- Upway’s certified pre-owned Specialized listings include both generations, with inspections and warranties on every bike.
