KBO Breeze Commuter Review: Our Honest Thoughts

The KBO Breeze Commuter electric bike is positioned in the market as an affordable, reliable commuter bike, appealing to budget-conscious riders.

Its standout features and overall value proposition place it as a strong contender in the crowded electric bike market, particularly for those seeking a blend of functionality and cost-effectiveness.

I’ve known about this bike for a while, but had never gotten the opportunity to ride or test one. So when Breeze reached out to me and asked if I’d like to review one of their bikes, I jumped at the chance.

I’ll break down my honest thoughts below, and show you why I think this is a great option for those in need of an electric bike.

Key Specs of the KBO Breeze Commuter Bike

This electric bike blends style, performance, and value. With its powerful 750W motor, long-range 768 Wh battery, and robust build, the KBO Breeze stands out in the crowded e-bike market.

Priced competitively at $999, this step-thru model offers an exceptional blend of features including fast charging, advanced safety lighting, and a comfortable ride over diverse terrains.

• Frame Type: Step-Thru (also available in Step-Over)
• Motor: 750W Peak Brushless Geared Hub Motor
• Battery: 48V, 16Ah Lithium-ion with Samsung/LG Cells, 768 Wh, up to 55+ miles range
• Charging Time: Approximately 5 hours for a full charge
• Tires: 27.5″*2.4″ Panasonic, puncture-resistant
• Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes with front and rear 180mm disc rotors
• Shifting: Shimano 7 Speed Derailleur
• Weight Capacity: Up to 300 lbs
• Warranty: 2-Year

Ideal for urban commuters and leisure riders alike, the KBO Breeze promises reliability and efficiency, backed by a solid 2-year warranty and supportive customer care.

Assembly and First Impressions

The box that I received this bike in was about what I expected – roughly the side of a bike without a front wheel.

Once I took the bike out of the box, I was immediately disappointed the bike was packed just like most e-bikes that I’ve received in the past. There has to be a better way to pack a bike than to use plastic zip ties to adhere the padding to the bikes.

I didn’t have a knife or scissors at my office, so I had to actually wait until the next day when I brought one in order to finish the process.

Once I unwrapped and untied everything, I was immediately impressed with the construction of the bike. The materials were nice and it seemed to me like the product designers took their time in creating a bike that would impress riders from the start.

The design and build quality immediately stand out, with the bike sporting an attractive look and a sturdy frame.

I thought the company did a good job of incorporating small touches into the process, like including this multi-tool. This is actually includes allen keys, both flat and Phillips-head screwdrivers, as well as a socket set with three different sizes.

There were also some various components including a light, peddles, the axel for the front wheel, a charger, a manual, and and a tightener for the pedals.

I began trying to figure out how to put this bike together, and I was a bit caught off guard by the instructions.

Usually, there are pictures and very clear, detailed instructions on how to put the bike together. However, this is what was sent:

And as it turns out, the lack of clear instructions meant a ton of frustration with quite a bit of trial and error trying to figure out how the thing actually goes together.

I don’t want to dwell too much on this part of the review, but this became a bit frustrating to put together at times. I am not sure if the people who actually designed the bike have ever put it together themselves.

Update: the KBO team sent me this video to help with assembly:

First, when I went to put the front wheel on, it was clear that the bike wheel say in the notches you see below:

Then, this axel rod would be placed through the wheel and affix it to the bike:

However, it wasn’t very clear on how the springs were supposed to point. The instructions gave vague direction, but a picture would have helped a lot more than words that could be open for interpretation.

Next, I attached the handlebars.

The wires sort of got in the way of the hex key, but there’s really not a way around that part of the design. I like how the wires are just the right length for the bike and don’t have a lot of slack. This helps keep them out of the way while riding.

Overall so far, the installation was going pretty well – until I got to affixing the front fender.

It seemed simple enough – two screws and I’m done.

Two to affix the fender rod to the bike forks and another to the frame. However, that didn’t turn out to be that case. I realized is that I needed more tools.

The nut was too tight and I couldn’t undo it with my fingers. It was nice that I was given a multi-tool with everything I need in theory, but since it was all attached to one another, it didn’t really help me in the moment.

For example, I needed a hex key and socket at the same time, but since they were attached to one another, I couldn’t use both.

Luckily, I had more tools with me, so I grabbed a secondary wrench that didn’t come with the bike and used that.

As I tried to tighten the screw that holds the light to the fender, the tool wouldn’t spin all the way because it was too wide.

I noticed the same thing when I went to install the fender rod. The wide wrench wasn’t a good choice to put inside of the spokes.

I had to take a few moments to let my frustration pass. I was close to having a fully-assembled bike, but just needed to get that last fender rod on:

I ended up just grabbing my own tools and using those instead. When I used my own tools, the installation became a lot easier.

I’d highly suggest the manufacturer going back and rethinking the design a bit though, as well as the tools that came with the bike. Not everybody has these types of tools laying around, so give them what they can actually use to assemble the bike, not just what sounds like it would work.

With assembly aside, I had a fully-assembled bike that was ready to ride. I plugged it in and let it charge.

The charger is a fairly standard e-bike charger, with a small rubber grommet protecting the plug. It appeared to be pretty sturdy and durable, and I don’t expect it to wear out any time soon.

The company says the bike takes between 5 and 6 hours to charge, but I just let it charge overnight for good measure. When I came back in the morning, it was fully-charged and read to go.

Performance and Riding Experience of the KBO Breeze Commuter

After filling up the tires with air (they come purposely underinflated as a safety measure during shipping) I turned the bike on, hopped on, and gave it a go.

From the start, the bike was very easy to use and ride. It didn’t take long to figure out how to ride it.

Immediately, I noticed how well-balanced the bike was and how fun it was to ride. It’s branded as a bike that is easy to use, and it certainly lived up to its promise.

The twist throttle was responsive and comfortable to use. I personally like a thumb throttle a twist one, but this just comes down to personal preference and doesn’t say anything about the bike itself.

The motor was powerful, transitioning smoothly between pedal assist and throttle modes without any type of noticeable delay.

I normally don’t use the pedal assist function very often, but for those that do, you’ll definitely appreciate the smooth transitions.

The motor didn’t hesitate hauling me up hills, either. And I’m not a light guy, I’m 6’5″ and 210 pounds. I’ve ridden bikes before that slow down because of my weight, but this bike kept the same pace and momentum regardless.

One thing that I should mention are the handlebars.

They’re wider than most handlebars that normally come on a bike, which made riding for long periods of time quite comfortable.

Another underrated feature is the bell that comes on the bike. It’s a nice-sounding pitch and very loud, yet the design is very slim and low-profile. You almost don’t notice it is there.

If I were to use this an night, I’d also feel very safe because of the front and rear lights – both which tap into the electric bike’s battery.

What’s interesting about the front light is that is uses a combination of LED lights and reflectors. The lights reflect into the housing, which projects it to the front.

The battery capacity also seemed to be accurately marketed. The company says that the 48V batter lasts up to a range of 55 miles, and I definitely believe it.

I haven’t ridden mine quite that far yet, but I have ridden it several times during testing – both around 7 miles in total per ride – and I still seem to have plenty of battery left.

I tried riding the bike over a mixture of surfaces, including hard pavement, grass, dry dirt, and gravel.

While it didn’t hesitate to perform on any of them, it seemed to do best on hard pavement.

This is what I expected from a commuter bike designed for urban riding, but I was happy to see that if I had to take it off road, it could at least easily pull its weight in more than one environment.

KBO Breeze Commuter Components and Features

As I mentioned before, the product designers have done a great job of creating a bike that looks nice but also works really well.

It’s clear how the suspension, brakes, and motors all work together to deliver a smooth and enjoyable ride.

I also like how the bike meets its intended use – for commuting. The small features that commuters will find helpful are the metal fenders and rear rack.

This greatly enhances its utility as well as its usability in hauling things like cargo, food delivery bags, other small cargo that a normal bike can’t.

I haven’t ridden this bike extensively enough to personally test the longevity, but if you take a look around the forums online, it’s clear that it holds up.

As one example, take a look at the glowing review it recieved from one of my favorite YouTubers:

Crunching the Numbers: Value for Money

Considering its performance, included features, and the competition, the KBO Breeze offers good value for its price point.

It stands out for providing a higher-than-average range and a set of commuter-friendly features at a price that is accessible yet reflective of its quality.

I consider this model a very good value, offering a wide range of features and performance that are very comparable to models that are much more expensive than this.

Conclusion: Is the KBO Breeze Commuter Worth the Money?

The KBO Breeze electric bike presents a compelling package of affordability, functionality, and enjoyment. Its strengths lie in its responsive performance, ease of use, and the practicality of its components and features.

While there are minor areas for improvement, such as the tools that come with the bike initially, these do not significantly detract from the bike’s overall appeal.

Considering the performance, comfort, and durability the KBO Breeze is worth the investment for those in the market for a reliable commuter electric bike.

The KBO Breeze electric bike offers a good balance between price, performance, and practicality, making it a compelling option for those entering the e-bike market.