I’ve always been an avid outdoorsman, so when we turned a standard sprinter van into a tiny home on wheels, I knew I was going to need a way to get out and see the world after driving for hundreds of miles at a time. Don’t get me wrong, I love roadtripping. Driving across the wide-open country is always enjoyable, but so is getting out and stretching your legs once in a while! That’s why I picked up the KBO K1. It’s a quick and fun way to get some fresh air, work my stiff muscles, and get some peace and quiet on our daily stops as we drive from one park or camping site to another.
My Purchase Experience
I chose the KBO K1 after seeing the launch pricing and learning I could also apply my veteran discount. By uploading a picture of my VFW Card, I was able to get $55 off the already low price of $699. This is what sold me. It was a no-risk purchase for something I’ve wanted for a long time, a brand new e-bike. The bike shipped quite quickly and arrived from FedEx not long after I purchased it. It even came with a free rack and fenders.
Unboxing
The bike was about 90% assembled when it arrived which was nice because I didn’t have a lot of time to put it together. There was plenty of packing material, so it arrived in perfect condition. I always appreciate these small details. I attached the pedals, the handlebar, and locked the battery in place. That’s it. Very straight forward and I kept the manual if I ever want to tinker with the settings.
My Initial Thoughts
The bike is a little small for me (I am 6’ 2”) but I knew that going into it. I just raise the handlebar and seat up as high as they go and it works fine. I could feel the pedal assist the minute I turned it on which was a fun surprise. This is my first e-bike so I didn’t really know what to expect. The smaller wheels give it a unique feel – like I am riding around on a moped. With the thumb throttle, it really does feel like that which is a lot of fun and exactly what I was hoping for. I was able to cruise up paved hills just fine without even pedaling. Very pleased with my first few rides!!
How I Would Improve this Bike
As much as I like the bike, it’s not perfect. I wish the wheels were just a little bit bigger as I can tell that it’s a little more work to pedal without using any power of the motor or battery. Larger wheels would be more efficient I think. I often use the throttle, so it’s not normally a problem. I know the wheels are smaller because it helps it keep a small dimension when folded, but I have a lot of space in our sprinter, so size is not really an issue for me.
I also don’t like the color as much as I thought I would. I opted for the midnight black, and although it’s nice and clean, it doesn’t really stand out. I wish I had chosen the olive green color if I’m being honest – not a knock against the bike, just something to be aware of.
Lastly, the LCD screen is a little hard to read at certain angles when the sun hits it. A brighter screen would be useful for those moments.
Why I Like this Bike
The pros overwhelmingly make up for the cons of this bike. I like that even though it’s a foldable bike – you’d never know when it’s being ridden. It’s got a ton of power for how small it is and it was really affordable. We are on a fixed income but still wanted to be able to afford an e-bike as an easy way to get around when we park and set up camp for the night with our van. This was cheap enough and convenient enough to meet both needs.
Final Thoughts
I don’t have much else to say about my K1. I like it quite a bit and would recommend it to anyone looking for a nice little e-bike at a great price.
