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KBO Breeze electric bike review: A leisurely e-bike with real commuter potential

by Micah Toll

September 14, 2021

We’ve watched many electric bicycle models in North America push further into the heavier, more aggressive categories of fat tire e-bikes and electric moped-style rides. But the KBO Breeze takes a different approach, bucking the trend toward bigger and bolder e-bikes. This comfortable and leisurely contender is light on riders’ backs and even lighter on their wallets.

The bike comes equipped with enough motor and battery capacity to provide good power and higher than average range, while also offering a number of included accessories that make the Breeze a more utility-oriented package. And its design actually looks pretty good as far as e-bikes go, something that is far from a given in this industry. It’s even available in both a step-over frame and a step-through frame option, offering more access to a wider range of riders.

KBO Breeze tech specs • Motor: 750W peak rear hub motor • Top speed: 22-ish mph (37-ish km/h) • Range: 35-55 miles (56-88 km) depending on throttle/pedal assist • Battery: 48V 16Ah (768 Wh) with LG cells • Max load: 300 lb (136 kg)

KBO Breeze tech specs (cont'd) • Frame: 6061 aluminum, step-through style • Tires: 27.5″ x 2.4″ • Suspension: Front spring suspension fork • Brakes: Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 180 mm rotors • Extras: LCD display with speedometer, battery gauge, PAS level indicator, odometer, light status indicator, front and rear LED lights, half-twist throttle, included rear rack, included metal fenders

KBO’s price of $1,499 falls in the sweet spot of being affordable enough for most to consider, yet pricey enough that they didn’t cut corners with a bunch of cheap parts. For example, the 48V 16Ah battery is larger than you’ll find from most of the leaders in the industry. That’s 768 Wh of capacity, or enough for around 35 miles (56 km) of range on throttle only (though the 22 mph (35 km/h) top speed helps that range figure by not letting you ride too fast on throttle operation).

The Shimano 7-speed shifter is basic hardware but it works just fine. If I was paying more then I’d want to see slightly better parts that would last longer between tune-ups, but this is a $1,499 e-bike and you can’t really climb the Shimano hierarchy at this price. The same goes for the Tektro Aires disc brakes on 180 mm rotors. They aren’t fancy mechanical disc brakes, but they get the job done. And at least we were bestowed with 180 mm rotors instead of 160 mm base-level rotors.

The throttle is a half-twist model, which I’m seeing less frequently. I find half-twist throttles to be the most comfortable type of throttle, since you can twist the inner half of the grip and then use your entire hand to grip both halves and hold the throttle engaged– no wrist strain necessary on long rides. Thumb throttles can be tiring on longer riders, and full twist throttles require some level of wrist muscle engagement to maintain the twist. Half twist throttles are the goldilocks option and I love seeing them.

The step-through frame is also a nice offering. There’s a step-over frame option too, but I usually prefer step-throughs when possible. If you’re loading up the rear rack then it is much easier to step through the frame than swing a leg over high-mounted cargo. And the step-through still has a 300 lb (136 kg) load rating, so even heavier riders can still enjoy the bike without worry.

A rear rack not only gives more cargo space, but I like the way it can double as a backpack rest when I have a particularly full backpack. The lights are another “nothing fancy but nothing too cheap either” part of the bike. They work fine for alerting others to your existence, but someone who commutes often in the dark might want to add a larger headlight to illuminate the way home from work.

With 750W of power and slightly higher than 20 mph speeds, the KBO Breeze has the power and speed to make me feel safe on the road. While I love 28 mph e-bikes, the KBO Breeze still has decently fast commuter speeds that I can live with. The combination of long range and a nicely designed e-bike that can fulfill a true commuter role sits nicely with me. The bike is an attractive option in the commuter electric bicycle space and is fairly priced for what you get.