Today, I took my first spin on the KBO Ranger, a compact electric cargo bike. Well, it’s compact in comparison to the RadWagon, for sure. Tomorrow, I’ll be taking it on a much longer ride, but I wanted to share some photos of it, and my first impressions.
First off, shipping was fast. The bike was shipped from California to Illinois in less than a week. The box had some damage, and the right crank arm was sticking out of the box, but luckily no damage to the bike itself.
The brakes are a little squeaky, but that’s typical right out of the box. They seem to have good stopping power. The gears are shifting smoothly. And unlike a lot of ebikes that have seen many substitutions for brakes and other components, it came with Tektro Aries calipers and levers. It also has a 7-speed Shimano thumb shifter. These aren’t top of the line, but they are name brand and reliable.
The assembly was straightforward and easy, other than the step when I put the front fender and light on backwards. Not KBO’s fault. I just wasn’t paying attention. And I can be a little goofy!
One of the first things I did with the bike, when I got it out of the box, was use the center stand. It’s much easier to use than the stand on my RadWagon 4! The biggest reason I wanted a more compact cargo bike is because I had so much trouble using the center stand on the RadWagon. So, I’m happy to report that it’s a big improvement.
Quick Specs of the KBO Ranger:
- 750 Watt Rear Hub Motor (Sustained)
- 48 V 17.5 Ah Battery
- 3.0 Amp Charger
- 3.0″ x 20″ CST Tires
- 400 lbs Payload Capacity
- 4’11” – 6’3″ Recommended Rider Height
- 77 lbs Bike Weight
- Half-Twist Throttle
- 180 mm Mechanical Disc Brakes
- Shimano Altus 7-Speed Derailleur
- 0-5 Pedal Assist Levels
- Large Center Display
- 33.8″ x 350 mm Seat Post
- 47″ Wheelbase
- 15.7″ Standover Height
- 69″ Total Length
- Comes with Running Boards
- Integrated front and rear lights, with brake light function
- $1699 w/Free Shipping to Most Places
So, these are my “right out of the box” thoughts of the KBO Ranger:
- It has a nice look for a cargo bike
- I like the metallic flake of the orange paint
- Love the front light! The two LED “eyes” remind me of a robot
- Lifting onto the stand isn’t difficult
- The rear rack is wide. 8″ x 20″. Perfect size for a basket to haul groceries
- It’s peppy!
- Frame geometry is good for even a shorter rider like myself (5’1″)
- The center display is very easy to read, and I like the controls that don’t clutter the handlebars (makes it easy to install a mirror)
- Bell is in a practical location on the left brake lever
- The twist throttle is smooth; not herky jerky
- Even a shorter rider can use a suspension seat post since the seat tube isn’t too high
- The bike rides lower to the ground due to the 20″ x 3″ tires, which is ideal for a cargo bike
So far, I can’t think of any negatives, but I haven’t ridden it a long distance yet. Like most rear hub motors of its size (a true 750 watts), it’s not whisper quiet, but not overly loud either. Seems like it will have plenty of power for hills, but wait for the review!
I’ll be leaving off the kickboards most of the time, since I only need them when the grandkids visit. That will reduce weight, and make it a little more nimble. Plus, it’ll take up less space in my already crowded garage. They are easy to install and uninstall with just three bolts.
Well, that’s it for now. I’ll leave you with some photos. Check back soon for the full review! Check out the Ranger on KBO’s website.
I’m an affiliate of KBO, Bikes, but I always aim to provide honest reviews. Thanks so much for your support!
