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I'm becoming half fat ebike curious and deals on the KSL are taking my eye. Getting to sit on one may take some time and at 5'10 I sit on the boundary of S3 & S4. The S4 is slightly longer and more reach than my current bike, the S3 less. I also note that seatpost insertion is not great which could restrict dropper length.
I see from another thread that a few people have these so I'd be interested what sizes they are riding and their feedback.
If you plump for the s3 this was about the best deal I could find. (also s5 but I guess that's going to be too big!)
It was very very nearly enough to tempt me to go half fat
You might find better given you're not looking for the 5 mind.
Also seemed consensus was smaller on an e-bike is fine
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/ebikes-why-do-short/
Suspect there's a new model just round the corner, it's the only Specialized ebike not recently updated.
Suspect there’s a new model just round the corner, it’s the only Specialized ebike not recently updated
Also still got the 1.1 motor not the newer one on the levo.
Yeah, I guessed that there's probably a new model coming hence the big discounts, but I'm not going to drop 10K on one, prices are at a point whereby I could either buy an S-Works frame and port most of the stuff from my existing bike (29er, 170 Zeb Ultimates, T4E4 brakes, GX AXS), or buy a complete like the one linked (thanks for that, shame it's yellow) and swap out parts and sell my current one as a full bike.
I don't need /want a full fat at the moment as my ride group are on regular bikes, but the SL should help me get more runs on solo rides.
I don’t need /want a full fat at the moment as my ride group are on regular bikes, but the SL should help me get more runs on solo rides
Oddly that's precisely why I went full fat. Sl is no more use with a non ebike group, it's not enough use with a full fat group and on my own half fat is less runs than a full fat or less valleys than a full fat.
The ksl was the bike I wanted but unless all my riding group went sl I couldn't make it make sense.
It's the same carbon frame in all the KSL's, only the shock differs.
I'm 6'2", but long in the leg and short in the body and went for an S4 after hiring one for a day.
They do have a short seat post insert but my 170mm dropper is actually sat proud by a good 100mm but I'm waiting until I get some shorter cranks before I look for how long a dropper I can actually get in.
The assumption is that the new model will have the new motor, but as it's a more powerful motor it'll use more battery...
Did nearly 40 miles and 6,000ft last weekend on mine, using the extender. It'll go further but I was riding with full-fat bikes and consequentially needed to use higher power a lot more than I would on my own.
I'm 5'10" and have an S3. I went S3 rather than S4 mainly due to the saddle being too high on the S4 I tried with the post inserted as far as possible. In hindsight changing to a one Up dropper could have solved this and I probably would have preferred the S4 reach as the S3 feels a bit small on faster downhill trails.
Before my health issues worsened I found the power ok when riding with regular bike riders, and the bike much better/more natural at speeds over the 15mph cut off, now I spend more time on a Kenevo.
If you are in Hamshire you are welcome to try my S3 for size.
Harrogate concept store had some KSL's for around £3,800. Not sure on the exact model. You'd need to call them to find out more. They also have a second shop in Chester if that's more convenient.
Suspect there’s a new model just round the corner, it’s the only Specialized ebike not recently updated.
Same frame, new motor is the most likely scenario given what some of the global Spesh websites have accidentally published.
Anyhoo, 5'9" (and a quarter) on an S3. The S4 was both too long and too all for me.
Harrogate concept store had some KSL’s for around £3,800. Not sure on the exact model.
Comp.
The ksl was the bike I wanted but unless all my riding group went sl I couldn’t make it make sense.
I had to wait until another member of the group got one for precisely that reason. Now we've all got them.
Don’t own one, but am 5ft10 and had a quick go on a mates S4 a while ago.
It felt both too long and too tall. Even coming off a Geometron with a similar reach figure, I’d size down and go S3 if I was buying one myself…
I’m 6’1” and have an S4 KSL, which fits perfectly with a 40mm stem & 780 bars. Oh, and running a 170mm one up dropper. S3 felt a wee bit too small for me, but not teeny - they are relatively big bikes. Unless you’ve got a long inseam, you might be better off with an S3 so that you can get a decent dropper post in there.
FWIW I’ve had a couple of decent demo’s of the new Levo SL’s with 1.2 motors in Comp and SWorks models, and size and geometry wise, they feel really close to the KSL. Bit more lively and not as planted feeling with the mullet setup as the KSL’s 29ers, but IMO the rear suspension on the LSL hasn’t got the sensitivity or grip of the KSL on more challenging trails.
The extra torque of the new 1.2 motor in the LSL was very noticeable on flatter trails and moderate climbs, but I found it eats through the battery a fair bit quicker than the 1.1 in the KSL. It also didn’t feel much different to the 1.1 on steeper climbs, particularly when the battery got into 20-40% remaining - it felt like it was drawing less amps to preserve the battery (a route I’ve ridden before a few times on my KSL and never noticed this power drop).
if you can snag a bargain on a KSL I’d go for it, as they’re so close to the Levo SL in performance terms. Oh, and the performance difference between the Comp and SWorks models in the LSL felt so close, just not worth the extra cash. I’m a bit of a serial parts upgrader, but I’ve been super impressed with the comp version of the KSL, so no plans to swap out stuff until it breaks or wears out).
HTH
Im 5'10 on an S4 with a 42mm stem , im also old and like stable rather than jumpy .
The new version is due out soon with the updated motor.
It's been a great bike that I've never got near its limits on.
I also have the 170mm OneUp dropper, my span/ape index is a little over 6ft which probably helps with the sizing.
Thanks folks, keep the responses coming. I’d seen the S-Works frame in S4 at 3.5k which is what has made me think frame only. However I think I need to sit on an S3 to gauge size, I’m SW London area.
Looking at some of the deals I could get a lower spec bike and swap out and sell parts and probably end up better off.
If the new model is just a new motor that’s good, will help quell new model FOMO. <br /><br />
Definitely the Kenevo I’m looking at as would replace a Megatower, the only reason to change is for a bit of help when I’m going solo.
Pondering the same at the moment too, though at smaller sizes. I'm 5'8'', S3 looks bit too long than I'd prefer, but S2 definitely too small. Not meant to high-jack the post here, but would be interested to hear feedback if someone here happens to be similar to my height.
Im guessing youve seen the Sworks frame only at RaceCo. If you want a full bike then this is quite a bit cheaper than the Expert model Leisure Lakes have...
@mike2018 I'm a little bit taller (I wish I was a baller) and I ride an S3 with a shorter stem (32mm).
Seen that full build too thanks, definitely an option as would just swap out pretty much all the parts. Will try to find one locally ish to sit on.
What I really need is for someone to buy all the cheap ones and I can carry on as is.
Any of you KSL owners uplift with the bike too? This would be replacing my current long travel bike which goes to bike parks and alps with me. How will the KSL be wit this sort of riding? <br />(longer term may look at a used dh bike to take away)
I don’t think you could fly with the KSL as the battery isn’t easily removable. <br /><br />
Sat on an S4 in Harrogate Concept store and I’m a “leggy” 5’11”. You know that feeling when a bike feels good, long and planted, I had that feeling. Took a bit of discussion with myself to walk away from a £7750 bike reduced to £3800.
Battery removal isn't something I'd want to do trailside but it's not actually that difficult. You can use the bike with the RE for a little help between lifts.
I've done Dyfi and BPW with my KSL. The bike tart in me wants a full DH rig for those days but apart from car park kudos I don't think I'd actually benefit from it as the KSL is just so good.
Thanks, looks like a trip to a concept store (think my nearest has stock) to sit on both sizes is required.
I've thought about it and then disregarded it many times.
I ride my Gen 1 FF Kenevo in eco MOST of the time - 15-25% assist depending on where/who.
BUT - trail 40-50% and turbo 100% are used occasionally and to get the most out of an ebike, I wouldn't want to be without that option. Steep techy climbs, a quick blast to a pub/shop, or the last leg of a long ride where you just want to get to the boozer.
I ride alone, with other full fatters, with just leg powered mates, or a mix (no SL's though).
I do try and ride a non-e one a week too, so my ebike isn't a one bike to rule them all, but when I'm on it, having the full range of options suits what I want out of it
Managed to have a sit on an S3 today which felt good and pretty similar sized to my current bike, I don't think I'd want much bigger. Standover was fine and I think I may be able to fit a 180mm OneUp dropper to replace the 150mm installed once I can measure up properly.
I'd been eyeing this up as the best deal available, at £4650 it's 51% off the Kenevo SL Expert so bit the bullet and ordered the last one before someone else did.
I was chuffed when I got an Expert for £6500 last Black Friday, at that price I'd be almost tempted to buy another.
It's got quality kit on it, suspension is Factory with the exception of the coating, drive train is decent etc - only change I've made is to swap out the brakes to Saint brakes & Galfer rotors & pads.
I’m going to swap out my Hope Tech 4s, OneUp dropper lever, GX AXS, Deathgrips and Maxxis tyres plus invisiframe it before it hits the dirt. Will maybe change out the dropper for a longer OneUp in time if room and maybe bars, but that lot can wait.
looks a mint bike that, I’m sure it will be a blast. Looking forward to the NBD post!
Great price! I've been trying to stop myself buying one for a few months now to complement my FF kenevo.
Would dearly love a go on one to prove one way or the other whether it had enough power.
I suspect I would only use it at bpw and a few other uplift sites to replace the DH bike where a little assistance to get back to the trailer would be most welcome.
Hi! Got the LSL over KSL because it is more playful bike and I guess more suitable for my twisty local trails. It's going to be 2 years now and it is running out of warranty (this is important for me as I had to replace the battery after 1 year). I'm not into the new LSL v2 because of the higher price and the fact, that they put the same battery on more powerful motor. Therefore considering Kenevo SL. But I have a problem with sizing. I ride LSL in size L, which could transfer in S4, but the reach on KSL is already longer on S3. I sat on KSL in S4 and it felt huge, but I have never ridden it. I am 182 cm tall with 87 inseam. I am really looking for a playful bike. Is the S3 too small for me?
I'm 178cm tall, not sure on my inseam but my legs are not long. The S3 is a little shorter than my last bike (Large SC Megatower) but longer that ones predecessor (Large SC Bronson). I can be quite sensitive to changes in my bike setup, so the best thing I can say is that jumping on the KSL I felt right at home immediately despite the slight difference in size (I swapped out the cockpit on the KSL before riding it for bars and stem the same size/rise/angles as the ones on my Megatower which will have helped). I did consider the S4 (didn't get the chance to sit on one), but after sitting on the S3 in the shop it felt right and I'm still happy with my decision.
A few weeks in and the bike is an absolute blast to ride and it makes solo rides so much more fun (quicker on the ups = more time for the downs). It's also very versatile, no problem riding with my usual group on regular bikes, I just turn the motor off or to eco and save trail or turbo for when I'm on my own. It's also pretty agile for its weight (vs a regular bike, and the Megatower is a bit of a lump anyway), I don't feel I've had to adapt my riding style to accommodate the bike.
Took a bit of discussion with myself to walk away from a £7750 bike reduced to £3800.
That conversation went the other way with me and I ended up with an S4 in comp spec. That price is less that the replacement value of my HT for goodness sake!
I did consider the Levo SL, but figured if I had a motor the extra travel mattered less, so, so what.
I'm 182cm with a 33 inch inseam and I have just a few mm of adjustment to the 170mm dropper that came with it, but its in the right place so thats fine. I can improve it with the 180mm oneup dropper, but Ive done the maths and a 200mm is too much.
I brought the stem in from 50mm to 35mm and changed the horrible bars. Code Rs were too weedy to and I managed to wrangle a set of code RS's from a friend and put some galfer ebike pads in, which are much better. Icing on the cake has been a Z1 Bomber spring kit in the 36 Rhythm.
It would have been an excellent bike without the motor, but with it? Well. I'm very impressed. It's all the good bits of mtb, only more so. No regrets getting it.
I went from gen 1 levo SL in XL to S4 in Kenevo SL and it's perfect for me. If you were happy with the large levo SL then you may well be with the S3 KSL.
Great bikes. Don't worry about the new motor - it is a meh 'upgrade' IMO.
I’m 182cm with a 33 inch inseam and I have just a few mm of adjustment to the 170mm dropper that came with it, but its in the right place so thats fine. I can improve it with the 180mm oneup dropper, but Ive done the maths and a 200mm is too much.
I brought the stem in from 50mm to 35mm and changed the horrible bars.
I'm on the edge of the 150mm min height on the S3, I think I'd get away with a OneUp 180mm set to 160mm and may do that soon as I'm not overly impressed with the X-Fusion (which also seems to get sticky cable very quickly).
Agreed on the stem and the bars. 50mm feels too long for the stem (though I'm sure some will be fine with it), 35-40mm is more suited to the bike. I'd had a ride on a mates Stumpjumper before buying the KSL, I knew immediately the bars were going to be replaced before riding, the Spesh ones are a weird shape.
Don’t worry about the new motor – it is a meh ‘upgrade’ IMO.
My mates Levo SL is the 1.2. There is a small difference that only shows itself on certain gradients, where the extra torque means he stays in eco and I have to be in trail, but its really quite minor. Also, the 1.1 seems to make better use of the battery. How much better use is difficult to discern, because I'm a bit fitter and a bit stronger than him too.
the Spesh ones are a weird shape.
Very!
Belated pics of the electric (definitely not a bicycle) bicycle. Already love the thing!
