Video Review
General
Frame and Contact Points
Electronics
Bicycle Components
Featured Accessories
Written Review
Power — Hub drive, 500 nominal watts, 800 peak watts
Speed — 20 mph stock, 25 mph unlocked
Battery and Range — 48 volt 16 ah, 50 miles, Samsung cells
Pedal assist sensor — Cadence sensor
Display — LCD, micro USB port
Frame and weight — 6061 Aluminum alloy, 62 pound curb weight, 300 pound capacity
Suspension — Spring suspensions, 80 mm
Gearing — Shimano Altus, 7 speed
Brakes — Tektro Aries, mechanical disc
Warranty — 2 year limited
Price — Starting at 1,399 USD
What’s up, everybody and welcome back to another episode of Electrified Reviews! If this is your first time stopping by, then hello and welcome to the channel! If you’ve been here before, well, then it’s great to see you back.
Today we’re reviewing the KBO Breeze. This is an affordably priced electric bike at just $1,399, and we are pleasantly surprised to find the Breeze comes with solid, name-brand components, and an impressive 2-year limited warranty — which is just way above average for an ebike at this price point.
The Breeze comes in two color options, black and orange, but only comes in one frame size, which is 18 inches. The geometry of the Breeze makes for a relaxed ride, with raised, slightly sweptback handlebars and a swooping top tube that lowers the standover height and makes it easier to get on and off the bike compared to a traditional half-diamond frame. It also comes stock with integrated lighting, fenders and a rear rack, giving the Breeze some serious functionality and the ability to fill pretty much any role.
Alright, there’s a lot to unpack here with the Breeze, so, let’s dive into the specs.
The Breeze has a 500 nominal watt, 800 peak watt, geared hub motor in the rear wheel that brings the bike up to a top speed of around 25 mph. The motor here feels well balanced between power and efficiency, and offers enough oomph to take the ill out of hills without draining the battery too much. You can reach that 25 mph top speed by using the throttle, or the cadence sensing pedal assist. Look, cadence sensors aren’t going to win any awards for precision — there’s always a bit of latency when it comes to motor activation and deactivate — but they get the job done just fine, and most importantly, they keep help keep the price down.
On the downtube we have the battery, which is a 48 volt, 16 amp hour system with Samsung cells, which seem to perform better overall compared to other brands. This battery offers a max estimated range of nearly 50 miles, and it’s position on the downtube helps keep the center of weight low and also helps keep the Breeze feeling well balanced overall. And of course this battery is locking and removable, and also has a USB port and a quick-check battery level indicator on the top.
We mentioned the swooping top tube, but it’s also worth noting that the Breeze has pre-drilled bosses on the top tube, which is going to come in handy for those who want to throw on a bottle cage or some other accessory. The frame itself is made from 6061 aluminum alloy and has a max carry capacity of 300 pounds and a curb weight of nearly 62 pounds, which isn’t too bad at all since it has front suspension and a rear rack. And to make moving the Breeze around just a little bit easier, there’s a handle located just beneath the saddle. It’s also worth noting that the rear rack does bolt directly to the frame, which gives it plenty of strength and durability. Honestly, if you throw some saddlebags on the Breeze it becomes an even more versatile commuter.
In the back of the Breeze we’ve got a Shimano Altus derailleur, which is another pretty sweet upgrade point and one that is, honestly, a bit surprising to see. We’ve still only got a 7-speed cassette, but that’s enough when paired with a 500-watt motor. There’s also a Shimano SIS-Index thumb shifter on the right side of the handlebars to switch through the gears.
Although it’s a small detail, it’s worth pointing out the Breeze does have an aluminum bash guard, which not only helps protect the front chainring teeth in the event of a strike, but it also helps prevent chain derailments. Golf clap.
To bring the Breeze to a stop we’ve got Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes with 180 mm rotors in the front and rear. Of all the name brand components, this is easily the most important one. Being able to stop quickly is of paramount importance, especially with ebikes like the Breeze with higher top speeds. The brake levers also have motor inhibitors built in, which automatically cut power to the motor whenever the brake levers are depressed. Another excellent safety feature that ensure you’re not fighting against the motor during an emergency braking situation. Standing ovation.
For suspension we’ve got unbranded spring suspension forks with approximately 80 mm of travel. These do a good job of dampening small bumps and jumps, and can even handle some light off-road trails, but at the end of the day the Breeze is best suited for commuting through urban areas.
On the arch of the suspension fork there’s an integrated headlight, which is bright enough to help increase visibility, but not really bright enough to illuminate a path at night. It’s a great safety feature, but for those of you who enjoy night rides, we recommend getting an aftermarket light with around 2,000 lumens of output.
The 27.5” by 2.4” Panasonic tires are a good balance between comfort and durability, and even have a puncture-resistant lining because let’s be honest… flats suck.
Wire management is good on the Breeze, with everything grouped together nicely and internal routing.
The handlebars are raised a fair amount and even swept back a little bit, which makes for more of an upright riding position that’s easy on the back and shoulder. In other words, it’s just plain comfortable.
The greyscale display is on the left side of the handlebars and is simple, easy to use and effective. On the right side of the handlebars we’ve got the SIS Index thumb shifter and half-grip twist throttle.
Overall, the Breeze is an incredible bargain buy of an electric bike that comes fully featured with everything needed for extended commutes through an urban environment. But the cool thing about the Breeze is it can still handle some light trails as well!
See more of the Breeze: https://kbobike.com/products/electric-commuting-bike
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