I’m super excited to share this review with you all! I’ve simply tried to write the review guide that I wished I had while I was looking for my first e-bike. I had been on the fence about e-bikes for SO long. I know they are fun to ride because I had tried a friend’s e-bike out before. I know they are good for the environment. I even know they are more cost-effective in the long run since they don’t need gasoline, insurance, or expensive maintenance and repairs like a car.
Despite all that, I had just never been able to bring myself to pull the trigger and purchase one because of the price. Most well-known bikes go for between $1,000 and $2,000. The bikes below that price range always seemed to be too small or had too few features and just seemed risky.
Well, no longer! I am now the proud owner of an Olive Green KBO K1 folding ebike
and I could not be happier.
Why Did I Decide to Finally Buy An E-bike?
After hemming and hawing for over two years, I finally purchased my K1 this April, just in time for the warm weather. I’ve watched dozens of reviews on different bikes on YouTube, I’ve read hundreds of reviews on Amazon, and I’ve even calculated how much money I’d save in gas by using the e-bike for short errands around town. And the thing that finally convinced me to get my first e-bike was the price plus the quality; I got my K1 on sale for $699 and free shipping. I’ve seen e-bikes in this price range before, but not with this level of quality and definitely not ones that look this good.
Pros and Cons
So, obviously, the biggest pro for me was the price. This is a legit, full-size e-bike that folds in half and has the power to reach 20mph easily (on flat ground anyways). It’s hard to find that set of features at this price. Trust me, I’ve looked!
Another big pro for me was the color. I was a little hesitant at first, because olive green does not sound like the best color for an e-bike. But the images and videos I saw looked more like a shiny emerald, so I took a chance. There was a 30-day return policy, so in the worst-case scenario, if I didn’t like the color in person, I could return it even though that would be a headache.
The last pro in my book is the size of this bike. I dislike those big bulky e-bikes that draw a bunch of attention to the rider. I wanted something low-key and laid-back. It’s got slightly smaller tires, a nice high handlebar, and you can’t even see the battery because it’s built right into the middle of the frame.
Now to talk about the cons. I only have a few, but I’m trying to be as balanced as possible here.
There’s no simple way to lock the battery of the e-bike. Anybody could just hop on the bike and take it if it isn’t locked up with a bike lock. I liked the idea of having a key to use the bike, but this bike doesn’t allow for that. I do like that you can charge the battery right through the frame without needing to unfold it and take the battery out, though.
I also wish there was a rear light, but instead it just comes with a red reflector in the back. It’s just not as safe as a red light. Thankfully, I can attach a light for when I do ride at dusk or dawn. Can’t complain for this price.
Finally, the chain guard and pedals are plastic. It would be nice if they were more solid material like metal or carbon fiber.
Who is this E-bike for?
If you’re like me and you want a good product at a great price, this is the bike for you. It’s a super affordable first-time e-bike which is exactly what I wanted. I imagine college students are going to love this bike. I wish I had one back when I had to walk across campus 5 times a week!
This bike seems to run well on flat ground but loses a bit of power going up hills and through the grass so don’t get this bike if you’re looking to ride trails in the woods or live in a very hilly city. That should be obvious but just pointing it out. Otherwise, this is a great electric bike and I’m so glad I waited for it to come along.
