The KBO K1 – Everything You Expect From a Compact Folding EBike
Mitchell Anderson
Mitchell has been fascinated by electric scooters since 2019. He began sharing his enthusiasm on his YouTube channel, “RK9 Rides,” in 2020. He joined Rider Guide in 2023, and between the two channels, he spends seven days a week riding, testing, and writing about electric scooters. He has tested dozens of models from dozens of brands and is always on the lookout for the newest and greatest scooters. His current favorite models are the Nami Klima and the NIU KQi3 Max.
The KBO K1 gives you everything you’d expect from a folding bike at this price.
It’s got high-quality components, it’s easy to fold, move and store, and its low weight, low cost, and practical rack and fenders make it a great all-around town ebike for everyone in the family.
KBO K1 Folding EBike Review
Generally speaking, folding e-bikes are a practical choice for a first e-bike. They're easy to carry around without having to buy a bike rack for your car, and you can store them small spaces in your home or apartment.Folding bikes should accommodate all shapes and sizes of riders, and they're generally a good way to get comfortable with an e-bike if you've never ridden one before.
Does the KBO K1 meet these requirements? I find out in my review of this well-made electric bike.
KBO K1 Specs
| Range | 45 mi |
| Max sp. | 20 mph, Class 2 |
| Sensor | Cadence Sensor |
| Battery | 500Wh capacity |
| Motor | 500W |
| Modes | 5 modes |
| UL Cert. | UL2849 |
| Lighting | 48V headlamp and tail light |
| Brakes | Mechanical Disc Brakes with 160mm rotors |
| Shifting | Shimano 7 speed drivetrain |
| Wt Lim. | 280 lbs |
| Suspens. | Front spring suspension |
| Add. Feat. |
Removable battery, detachable rear rack, alloy fenders |
The KBO K1: Serious Quality and Value for $699
What you get on the KBO K1 is more than typical for the price of an under $800 folding ebike. This is definitely an electric bike that checks all the boxes and then some.
You get 20-inch wheels, which is standard; an adjustable seat post and adjustable handlebars with quick releases; a basic 7-speed Shimano drivetrain; front and rear aluminum fenders; and a rear rack that can hold around 60 pounds (25 kgs) of weight.
You also get a 48V battery with a 10.4Ah capacity and a 500W rear hub motor. It’s nice that they didn’t cut corners here and go with a 36V system. KBO promises 45 miles of range from this battery – we typically get around half the manufacturer’s given range number in our tests.
KBO K1: Real World Top Speed
Often at this price point, you’ll see 250W or 350W motors, especially on bikes this size, so KBO is offering a lot of power for this small Class 2 ebike.
There are 5 riding modes and a top speed of 20 mph. On my test run, I saw 23-24 mph on the speedometer, with a slight downhill incline. Given the usual difference between an ebike speedometer like this one and a GPS measurement, I’d say this bike caps out at around 21 mph.
Each pedal assist mode limits the bike to lower speed, with mode 4 maxing out around 16-17 mph. You also have throttle power and can just cruise along if you want, which is the way most people will likely end up using this bike.
You can get a little bit of a workout, if you want to, with the KBO K1’s drivetrain. But pricier ebikes with torque sensors and mid-drive motors are better suited for fitness riding.
What's It Like to Ride the KBO K1?
I'm 6'1" and over 200 pounds, so that gives you some idea of how this bike can accomodate a larger rider despite its compact size.Although it felt a little small for me, the K1 also felt really solid during test rides, although the motor does vibrate during operation, which caused the metal fenders to rattle a little.
The motor is also a little loud and can take a couple pedal strokes to kick in, but once it does, this bike really sprints off the line.
The K1's suspension doesn't have a ton of travel but it does help a little in off-road situations.
What helps cushion the ride even more than the suspension is the 20 x 3" tires, which are wide and knobby enough for decent traction.
This bike is great for light trail riding and like other small folding ebikes, it's got an overall nimble quality that makes it easy for anyone to handle.
KBO K1 Folding EBike: Worth the Price?
As I’ve said, with this ebike, you’re getting exactly what you should expect at this price for a compact folding electric bike. There’s nothing particularly special about the KBO K1, but that’s a good thing if all you’re looking for is an affordable folding ebike that can live in your apartment or travel with you in the back of your SUV.
What you won’t get with this bike are surprises, of the negative kind. Folding is a breeze, the bike is UL Certified for safe charging, the components are high quality and will hold up well over time, and the bike performs well for its price and won’t disappoint beginner or casual riders looking for compact, affordable transportation.
