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Marin and the Kenevo Super Light

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BV2

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Good morning anyone in Marin rock a KSL? A buddy and I are seriously thinking about pulling the trigger on one. Not ready for the big block V-8 Ebikes. I still want to sweat and do majority of the work. Looking to take the sting off of the steep and hopefully less walking up those sections and more pedaling.
Curious what the KSL range is like around Marin with steep fire road climbs. Are you happy with the bike for majority Marin riding? This would be a 90% Marin use with a bit up around Tahoe City and occasional Northstar days. Sounds like the battery can come out for those lift days.
 
#2 ·
IMO - that bike is basically an electric Enduro. There is not a lot of riding in Marin where a modern 170mm travel enduro bike is the right bike - Solstice is definitely great on that sort of bike, but most Marin singletrack is very, um, “old school.” You aren’t gonna have much fun on that thing riding Tamo, for example.

That being said it will a lot of fun if you take it to Oregon or Washington, or Northstar, or in Santa Cruz, Pacifica. So I’d say go for it, but only if you have another bike with somewhat less slack geometry and less travel for most of your Marin riding.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Currently riding a third gen Bronson with the CC link at 160 rear and 160 front. I use full travel on every ride. I have pretty much zero interest in Tamarancho. I know everyone thinks its the best thing since sliced bread, but it just doesnt do it for me. I see plenty of Ebikes out in Marin so I have to think some one is riding a KSL here?
 
#4 ·
Cool, I guess in that case, go for it!

I was thinking mostly of the travel as a proxy for riding style and geometry. Like China Camp dark side has plenty of gnarly downhill, but the way the trails are built is sometimes a real detriment to the most modern 29er geo. Your Bronson 3 is kind of in the sweet spot already.
 
#5 ·
BV2 said:
Currently riding a third gen Bronson with the CC link at 160 rear and 160 front. I use full travel on every ride. I have pretty much zero interest in Tamarancho. I know everyone thinks its the best thing since sliced bread, but it just doesnt do it for me. I see plenty of Ebikes out in Marin so I have to think some one is riding a KSL here?
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I have one and live in Marin. If you know where to ride its awesome. Don't plan on riding with others though...it's a niche bike here..if you're patient you can ride with analog riders but not FF riders unless they are very patient with you.
 
#6 ·
Both myself and 2 friends all had KSL’s previously and all 3 of us are now on 3rd gen Levos. While the weight is noticeable, I truly believe the Levo descends and handles better. Range is better on the Levo. Re-sale value is better on the Levo. And it’s extremely adjustable power settings so you can turn it down as much as you want, so it’s only a cheater bike when you want.

And no, you cannot ride a KSL without the battery as far as I’m aware. I wasn’t even aware you could take it out, at least not without removing the whole motor system.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
I ride mostly solo and primary riding partner has very similar fitness. We both get off and walk at the same sections, I think if we went with the big block V8 or full fats we would end up sitting back and sipping on beers while the bike just carry us up the hill. Just not ready for that, I still want to earn the decent. Everyone else that I/we ride with is significantly more fit so they always end up waiting on their pedal bikes.
Really want to lean toward the lighter weight and lower power concept.
The Transition Relay is also appealing, but the current pricing on the KSL may be too much to pas up on?
Im pretty sure I know where to go, at least most of it. I am sure there is stuff I dont know about? I go up to go down.
Yes the KSL battery as far as I know is not intended to easily come out. Have read about here and there that the motor can come out easily then drop the battery, supposedly 20 minute job? I suppose you could leave it in and just leave the motor off, this would be purely for the lift service days. Thats what Ive read at least?
 
#8 ·
I’d get the Levo instead for what you’re describing. The extra range alone makes it so much more of a door-opener in terms of what you can do compared to a regular MTB.

You can try both at the Specialized demo center in Santa Cruz and decide for yourself.
 
#9 ·
You will be extremely overbiked with that bike in Marin - there are several other skim E-bikes like the Rise, Fuel, Levo SL, etc. that are much more suitable. However, as others have said, once you start really riding E, you'll want the full fat. I know it kind of makes sense intuitively to go for the gateway bike, but believe me, if you're doing it right you will not be sipping beers and letting the bike do the work, you'll just be doing a hell of a lot more laps a hell of a lot faster, and if your worried about not getting enough of a work out, just turn down the assist. Most people who get the skim bikes regret it and get the full-fat soon after. Also, you will not be removing batteries / motors / etc. for rides - that is another concept that sounds good on paper but never happens.
 
#10 · (Edited)
I live in central Marin and ride locally 3-4 times a week, 75% on acoustic and 25% ebike. I've had a Turbo Levo for a year, am selling it now, and I just picked up a KSL last week. Why you ask? Basically because I've come to the conclusion that the Levo is too heavy for how I like to ride, and the power/battery size doesn't do much for me. When I compare descending on the Levo to my enduro bike (Firebird), it just feels heavy, sluggish and nowhere as fun as my Firebird. As a result I've been riding the Levo less and less. Conversely, the KSL I got is 42.0lb. with legit Maxxis tires, and feels completely different from the Levo- pretty much like an acoustic enduro bike with some pedal assist. And for me it descends way better- I can move it around easier, actually bunny hop it, and it jumps fine.

The KSL, however, is a pretty niche bike. The rider it will suit will: be in good shape, like to climb, like an acoustic bike riding experience, probably not ride with guys on full fat bikes, prioritize descending over general trail riding, and have enough skills to make a lighter bike a benefit. Where do I plan on riding the KSL around here? Solstice and poaching, period (it's way overkill for Tamo and trail riding). It would be fine for N* as it's a big bike, and great for Pacifica and UC if you go there.

Image
 
#12 ·
mlloyd007 said:
I live in central Marin and ride locally 3-4 times a week, 75% on acoustic and 25% ebike. I've had a Turbo Levo for a year, am selling it now, and I just picked up a KSL last week. Why you ask? Basically because I've come to the conclusion that the Levo is too heavy for how I like to ride, and the power/battery size doesn't do much for me. When I compare descending on the Levo to my enduro bike (Firebird), it just feels heavy, sluggish and nowhere as fun as my Firebird. As a result I've been riding the Levo less and less.
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OP, I wouldn’t listen to this kind of feedback. I’ve never understood people complaining about he weight of a 45 pound bike. I used to ride 240 pound dirt bikes on similar trails and have a blast. Typically if people are struggling with descending on an ebike it’s a lack off core/back strength thing (or technique). Which may or may not apply to OP.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Gemini2k05 said:
OP, I wouldn’t listen to this kind of feedback. I’ve never understood people complaining about he weight of a 45 pound bike. I used to ride 240 pound dirt bikes on similar trails and have a blast. Typically if people are struggling with descending on an ebike it’s a lack off core/back strength thing (or technique). Which may or may not apply to OP.
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Comparing an ebike with 1/2 horsepower to a dirt bike with 35+ horsepower is mind bogglingly obtuse. Power to weight ratio on a dirt bike is like 15x an ebike. User name checks out.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
I understand everyone has an opinion. And yes I understand that the big heavy bikes can be ridden, I rode a Levo down 7:11 which I am super familiar with. That particular trail is pretty easy and "flowey" weight was no drama on that route. There are heaps of trails I like to ride on which I do think the 50lb platform would be a pain in the balls. Thank you but no thanks, I am fairly certain that I know what I am looking for. Marin, everyone always brings up Tamarancho. You guys can have it. I find Tamarancho pretty boring to be honest. My opinion is that there are plenty of trails for the "enduro" style bike here in Marin. I am 220 dressed and prefer to give it the mustard on the way down. I want the travel. I like to go up to go down. I have very little interest in xc style mountain biking. I am a one bike quiver guy, just dont have the budget for more than one. Would I be taking the battery out of a KSL for the very few and far between N* day, realistically no. I agree it all sounds good on paper but real world not going to happen.
The Transition Relay on the other hand, I could see that.

If you are riding a KSL or similiar SL style bike I would really like to hear your feedback on routes and battery %
I can understand why guys like the big battery big torque bikes. I just dont see needing that. I'm not going to go on a 30-40 mile afternoon ride on my way home from work. I dont see the appeal of full turbo boost mode for the 10-15 mile afternoon ride. My usual afternoon ride is around 1-2 hours and then maybe three hours.
 
#16 ·
Range on any ebike has so many different factors to take in it’s impossible to give you an accurate number. For a KSL with 1 range extender I’ve ran out at about 3200’ elevation gain and 15 miles, and I’ve done rides that were 8000’ elevation gain and 40 miles. My friend has done around 12k’ elevation gain on his SL. But he can do that same amount on a normal bike, so your mileage may vary.

Rider weight
Tire preference
Steepness of terrain
How fit you are
Range extender, yes or no
Speed at which you want to ride

All play a big factor.
 
#17 ·
The bike will deliver 240 watts for a little over an hour (320kWh main battery at 80% efficiency) and you can use that power however you want. If you supply 240 watts, the bike will match your power and you’ll climb about twice as fast for an hour. Or you can half your output to 120 watts, get 120 watts from the bike, and climb for two hours. Or put it in Eco and get 60 watts from the bike and you’ll get 4 hours. Completely up to you how you want to use the available power.
 
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#18 ·
mlloyd007 said:
Comparing an ebike with 1/2 horsepower to a dirt bike with 35+ horsepower is mind bogglingly obtuse. Power to weight ratio on a dirt bike is like 15x an ebike. User name checks out.
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Huh? What does power to weight have to do when descending (which is what you referenced) 25-35% grade trails? I can tell you I am definitely not pedaling or hitting the throttle on those types of trails 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️.
 
#20 ·
BV2 said:
I am fairly certain that I know what I am looking for. Marin, everyone always brings up Tamarancho. You guys can have it. I find Tamarancho pretty boring to be honest.
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wait wait, I’m so confused. This is MTBR, we have rules here. Can you show me on Trailforks where the land managers have said these trails are OK? After all, only legally approved and sanctioned trails are ridden by the fine denizens of this board.
 
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