Are you in the market for a versatile commuter e-bike? Finding a commuter e-bike powerful enough to perform tasks outside of just transporting light payloads on paved surfaces isn’t easy. In this guide, we’ll cover one of the few multi-purpose e-bikes available on the market, the KBO Breeze Commuter Electric Bike Review. KBO’s “Breeze” is a 500W e-bike that comes with a lot of cool features.
Its powerful lithium-ion battery and budget-friendly price makes it seem like a no-brainer to e-bike enthusiasts looking for a mid-range bicycle. However, like every other electric bike, the KBO Breeze has its limitations.
Find out more about the specifications of this product; its pros and cons and most importantly, if it’s the right electric bike for you.
Specifications of the KBO Breeze
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Power Output |
500 Watts continuous and up to 750 Watts at peak performance (hub-drive system) |
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Battery Capacity |
48V 16Ah (768 Wh) |
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Tire Size |
27.5″ × 2.4″ |
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Top Speed |
28 mph (45 kph) |
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Mileage |
55 miles (89 km) |
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Maximum Payload Capacity |
300 pounds (136 kg) |
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Brakes |
Dual Tektro mechanical disc brakes |
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Smart Control System |
Backlit LCD |
Features of the KBO Breeze
Front Suspension Fork With Lockout
The KBO breeze comes equipped with aluminum alloy forks that can travel up to 80mm when compressed. Riders can also adjust the rigidity of the forks to the extent of completely locking them out.
This feature makes the KBO breeze a more versatile option to other electric bikes in its class as riders can easily adjust the forks’ rate of compression to meet their needs when riding on different terrain.
If you plan to do some off-road riding, you can modify the forks to a more plush setting or tweak them to a firmer setting for riding on paved surfaces.
48V 16Ah Li-ion Battery
If you’re after mileage, you might want to check out this 768Wh electric bike. Its 48V 16Ah lithium-ion battery can store up enough juice to power 55-mile commutes.
In real-world tests, the KBO Breeze was able to cover 35 miles in throttle-only mode and 55 miles in pedal-assist mode. However, these numbers are not absolute as other factors like payload, speed, stops, etc. might affect how much power the motor draws from the battery pack.
The design team also made sure that riders can easily detach the battery from the bike’s frame without having to mess around with any tools.
Front and Rear Mechanical Disc Brakes With 180mm Rotors
One of the biggest advantages of the KBO Breeze’s braking system is its simplicity. It’s easy to use and less prone to developing faults.
It might not be the best in terms of efficiency since the cables will only exert as much force to the pads as the rider applies to the levers, however, its heat-dissipating ability makes up for any inefficiencies and places it on par with some of the best hydraulic braking systems out there.
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs
- Motor | 750 Watt Brushless Geared Hub Motor
- Range | 55 miles
- Battery | 48V 16Ah (768 Wh) Samsung Battery
- Speed | 28 mph
Pros and Cons of KBO Breeze Commuter Electric Bike Review
KBO’s Breeze is a very good electric bike for its price range. Nevertheless, the e-bike comes with its flaws. In the next section, we’ll discuss some of the KBO Breeze’s advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
1) It Is a Utility E-bike
The KBO Breeze wasn’t created for commuting only. The bike’s upright sitting position makes it suitable for long recreational rides (as in cruiser or comfort e-bikes).
It also comes with a rear rack on which riders can strap gear or any other form of cargo. The rated payload capacity for this electric bike is 300 lbs; which also makes it a good fit for heavy riders.
And if you’re into some light off-road riding, the KBO Breeze might meet your needs, saving you the cost of purchasing a commuter e-bike and a mountain e-bike.
2) The E-bike Comes Fitted With Almost Every Accessory You’ll Need
If you’ve ever bought an electric bike and had to purchase aftermarket accessories to make it more fitting to different riding conditions, you’ll appreciate pre-equipped e-bikes like the KBO Breeze.
The KBO Breeze is fitted with a 48V LED headlight that can easily be switched on from the LCD display. It also comes with an integrated brake light, dual aluminum alloy fenders, a bottle cage, and a kickstand.
Another cool accessory is the smart, 48V 3A charger. This fast charger should get your e-bike fully juiced up in five hours.
3) Throttle-assist Functionality
Besides the regular riding mode and the 5-level pedal-assist mode, the KBO Breeze has a throttle assist function that allows riders engage the e-bike’s motor without pedaling.
A half-twist throttle located on the right handlebar grip propels the bike to max speeds of 20 miles per hour. However, it’s worth noting that using this feature will drain the bike’s battery quicker than any other riding mode.
Cons
1) Don’t Be Fooled by Looks, the Breeze Is a Weighty Electric Bike
If you’re in the market for a lightweight e-bike, the Breeze might not be a good fit for you. This e-bike weighs 62 lbs (28 kg) and cannot be collapsed into a smaller size.
2) The Cadence Sensor Creates a Bit of a Lag When You Switch to Pedal-assist Mode
The e-bike’s motor doesn’t immediately kick in when you start to pedal. There’s a short but noticeable, half-second delay in the motor’s response to the signals sent by the cadence sensor.
This lag also affects the e-bike when you stop pedaling; it takes about the same amount of time for the motor to stop assisting after the cranks stop rotating. This isn’t much of a problem since riders will get accustomed to the lag with time.
Who’s the KBO Breeze For
Commuters and recreational riders will get the best out of this electric bike. Couriers can also use the KBO Breeze on delivery runs.
Who’s the KBO Breeze Not For
Racers, off-road riders, cyclists looking for a portable electric bike, etc. Riding up fairly-steep gradients might not be an issue for the KBO Breeze, however, you’ll need more power — or a completely different drive system — to tackle steeper hills and/ rougher terrain.
It’s also not suitable for racing. Besides being too heavy, the KBO Breeze’s sitting position isn’t exactly aerodynamic. Racers will find electric bikes with tucked sitting positions to be better fitted to racing.
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs
- Motor | 750 Watt Brushless Geared Hub Motor
- Range | 55 miles
- Battery | 48V 16Ah (768 Wh) Samsung Battery
- Speed | 28 mph
