Conclusion
If the Forestal Siryon and Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL were the first e-bikes we’d ever tested, we’d be absolutely blown away. Integration of all the e-bike components is seamless, both bikes look amazing and they sure make climbing to get to the very best enduro trails that much easier than on analogue bikes.
This is not our first e-bike rodeo, though. So much as we loved the assistance, it didn’t blind us to the underlying ride qualities of each bike. And there are a couple of fundamentals that need addressing on both. If you’re 5ft 11in, even with relatively long legs, you won’t be able to run a 170mm Rockshox Reverb AXS post in either the S4 Specialized or size L Forestal, without the saddle being too high at full extension. On the Kenevo SL that’s due to limited insertion depth, on the Forestal it’s down to the overly tall 475mm seat tube.
Also both of these bikes are billed as flagship models, but the focus seems to be on making them the most expensive lightweight e-bikes, not the lightest. Why else would you fit SRAM’S wireless AXS drivetrain and Rockshox dropper post? Both function seamlessly, and eliminate some cable routing problems, but you could easily have a lighter post with a lower stack height, that’s also cheaper, and instantly kill three birds with one stone.
In fact, when you’re paying £13k for a lightweight e-bike, you would hope that the brand has turned over every stone in search of the lightest, most robust components. And this isn’t unique to Specialized and Forstal, it is a similar story with the new Fuel EXE. So more often than not it’s the second tier bikes that are the lightest in the range, and they are the ones we’d recommend buying. Granted they are not a lot lighter, but the money saved is substantial, easily covering a range extender, or two.
Which leads us nicely to the power/ battery conundrum. With the increased power of the 60Nm motor on the Forestal, it’s hard not to burn through the 360Wh battery, even in Eco mode. On the Specialized the 35Nm power limit of the motor increases the range dramatically, in all settings, but limits the bike in certain terrain. Because even in Turbo mode you won’t be tackling impossibly steep climbs on the Kenevo SL. Which, let’s face it, is all part of the fun of riding an e-bike.
So what’s the solution? The Forestal needs adjustable peak power so you can tone it down and extend the range
£12,999 19.8kg (43.65lb) silverfish-uk.com
S, M, L, XL
L
Alpha Box Carbon Öhlins TTX2 Air (230x65mm) 170mm travel (167mm measured)
Ohlins RXF 36 M.2 Air, 51mm offset 170mm
Forestal Eondrive 60Nm, 250W
Forestal Aurora Perform 360Wh 52V integrated
Forestal Smart Dashboard 3.2in Touchscreen
Crankbrothers 110/148mm
Crankbrothers Synthesis Carbon E11
Stainless
Panaracer Romero HO 3comp 29x2.4in
Panaracer Aliso HO 3comp 29x2.4in
Praxis Carbon, 32t, 165mm
SRAM X01 Eagle AXS
SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 1x12sp
SRAM XG-1299 Eagle, 10-52t
Braking, two-piston 203/180mm
Forestal Oxydon 800mm (31.8mm clamp)
Forestal Oxydon 45mm
Rockshox Reverb AXS 150mm
Fizik Aidon X3 E-MTB