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KBO Ranger Review

Great range and power combine with a fair price point to make this model a smashing deal
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KBO Ranger Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $1,699 List
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Manufacturer:   KBO
By Jeremy Benson, Ross Robinson  ⋅  Dec 13, 2022
72
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 9
  • Ride - 25% 6.0
  • Range - 25% 8.0
  • Power - 20% 8.0
  • Cargo Carrying - 15% 6.0
  • Interface - 10% 8.0
  • Assembly - 5% 7.0

Our Verdict

The KBO Ranger blasted past our expectations in our testing period. Despite its mid-level price, it landed at the top of the bike pile in multiple performance metrics. Named appropriately, the range of this model is huge, giving you the confidence to travel farther with the Ranger than other bikes. It also boasts serious power for high top speeds and quick starts, and it has all the key features we want. It is smaller than several other cargo bikes, which detriments its carrying capacity and handling a bit. Still, this bike is comfortable to ride for many miles around town, and we are willing to bet that plenty of folks will appreciate the cost savings that come with this super-solid bike. Our cargo bike review will show you how it fares versus competing products.
REASONS TO BUY
Reasonable price
Powerful and fast
Battery and range
Many features
May fit on some bike racks
REASONS TO AVOID
Slightly less stable than some other models
Lower cargo capacity
Limited accessories offered

Compare to Similar Products

 
kbo ranger
This Product
KBO Ranger
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Cargo Bike
Top Pick Award
Most Stable Cargo Bike
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
 
Price $1,699 List
$999.00 at Amazon
$1,999 List
$1,799 at Aventon Bikes
$2,199 List
$2,399 at Rad Power Bikes
$1,399 List$1,699 List
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Bottom Line Anyone looking to get the most power and range per dollar spent will be drawn to this modelA well-thought-out cargo bike that offers a bevy of accessories to personalize for your preference. This bike is user friendly and can help you easily replace car trips with its carrying capacityRedesigned from the wheels up, this cargo bike takes a safety-first approach and has many new features that increase its appeal, but they also increase its heftThis model balances versatility, range, and power with a wallet-friendly price tagA sensible cargo bike with adaptive features but a ride that is simultaneously too rigid when pedaling solo and too flexy when loaded
Rating Categories KBO Ranger Aventon Abound Rad Power RadWagon 5 Lectric XPedition Velotric Packer 1
Ride (25%)
6.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Range (25%)
8.0
10.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
Power (20%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
Cargo Carrying (15%)
6.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
Interface (10%)
8.0
9.0
10.0
9.0
9.0
Assembly (5%)
7.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Specs KBO Ranger Aventon Abound Rad Power RadWagon 5 Lectric XPedition Velotric Packer 1
Wheel size 20-inch 20-inch 20-inch 20-inch 26-inch front, 20-inch rear
Battery Size 840 Wh 720 Wh 720 Wh 672 Wh 691 Wh
E-Bike Class Class 3 Class 2 Class 1, 2 or 3 Class 1, 2 or 3 Class 2
Motor Power 750W 750W 750W 750W 750W
Sensor Cadence Torque Torque Cadence Cadence
Number of pedal assist settings 5 4 5 5 5
Top speed throttle 24 mph 20 mph 20 mph 20 mph 23 mph
Top speed pedal-assist 28 mph 20 mph 28 mph 28 mph 25 mph
Measured Distance Range 29.9 miles 37.4 miles 25.0 miles 25.7 miles 28.9 miles
Frame material Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Total Weight Limit 400 lbs total capacity (up to 120 lbs on rear rack) 440 lbs 375 lbs total capacity (up to 120 lbs on rear rack) 450 lbs total capacity (up to 300 lbs on rear rack) 440 lbs
Measured Weight 77 lbs 84 lbs 5 oz 88 lbs 1 oz 75 lbs 1 oz 77 lbs 6 oz
Wheelbase length 47-inches (1194mm) 50.16-inches (1274mm) 50.7-inches (1288 mm) 48.4-inches (1229mm) 54.33-inches (1380mm)
Drivetrain Shimano Altus 7-speed Shimano Tourney 7-speed Shimano Altus 7-speed Shimano Tourney 7-speed Shimano Altus 8-speed
Brakes Tektro Mechanical Disc Hydraulic Tektro Hydraulic Disc Zoom Hydraulic Hydraulic
Additional features Fenders, front and rear lights, rear cargo rack, running boards, heavy-duty aluminum kickstand, puncture-resistant tires, Fenders, front and rear lights, rear rack, kickstand, running boards Fenders, front and rear lights, rear cargo rack, telescoping seatpost, adjustable handlebars, mounts for accessories, deflopilator, USB-C port Fenders, front and rear lights, rear rack, kickstand Fenders, front and rear lights, rear rack, kickstand, storage box
Warranty 2 year Lifetime for frame if registered, 2 years 2 year 1 year 2 year

Our Analysis and Test Results

The KBO Ranger is a Class 3 electric cargo bike with an 840-watt-hour battery and a 750-watt motor. A 6061 aluminum frame sits atop 20-inch wheels, and the total max load is 400 pounds (rear cargo limit is 120 pounds). The bike itself weighs 77 pounds and has a comparatively shorter wheelbase of 47 inches.

Performance Comparison


kbo ranger - the ranger has plenty of pleasant surprises wrapped up in its...
The Ranger has plenty of pleasant surprises wrapped up in its less-than-most price tag.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ride


Overall, the Ranger offers solid ride quality, though not the best in class. It is smaller than other cargo e-bikes we tested, which makes it both slightly less stable and more easily maneuverable. The 20" wheels don't provide the stability of bikes with larger wheel sizes, most noticeable at top speeds and when handling turns. On the flip side, the shorter wheelbase of this model provides a smaller turning radius, making it more nimble than the longer bikes in this review. Even with this tradeoff, we happily cruised around town on the Ranger.


The components on the Ranger suffice without shining. The Tektro mechanical disc brakes bring you and your cargo to a stop well enough, and the Shimano Altus drivetrain did not give us any issues changing speeds underway. The over-bar shifters on the right of the handlebars have room for improvement, as this position isn't the most ergonomic. Plus, they don't strike us as robust. The plump three-inch width of the puncture-resistant tires dampens the ride pretty well. The comfortable tires have a smooth file like tread, good for paved roads and designated bike lanes. It can ride on dirt and smooth gravel at slower speeds, too, though it won't gain purchase in rough terrain like tires with deeper tread.

kbo ranger - our assessments of the kbo ranger didn't end at the end of our test...
Our assessments of the KBO Ranger didn't end at the end of our test cycle. We've been riding this bike for months on end, and have found that it performs surprisingly well in winter conditions.
Credit: Chris McNamara

The Ranger is comfortable pedaling around town. There is a fairly large claimed height range of 4'11" to 6'3". Our six-foot-tall lead tester almost achieved full leg extension with the seat height maxed out, though we acknowledge that he has especially long legs. The handlebars do not have an adjustable stem (one is available as an accessory), but rather rely on the placement of the spacer positioning to increase or decrease the handlebar height. This proved functionally inconsequential, as our riders were able to position the seat and handlebars into a casual, upright seated position easily enough. The faux leather grips feel great, and the generous padding of the saddle kept us comfy.

kbo ranger - our six-foot-tall tester maxed out the height of the seatpost but...
Our six-foot-tall tester maxed out the height of the seatpost but still rode comfortably on the Ranger.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Features have a large impact on the convenience of a cargo bike, and the Ranger has a great set. The standard model comes equipped with large, plastic front and rear fenders to keep street sediment off your clothes. The front and rear bike lights are integrated into the bike and powered by the battery, and the rear light flickers when applying the brakes, a safety feature we appreciate. The large rear rack has a wooden topper, as do the included rear running boards, which support your cargo and look good doing so. Being a 77-pound bike, the beefy two-legged kickstand with rubber feet is super useful. It also has a bell and mount points on the head tube to attach an after-market rack or basket to the front of the bike. The only feature one might find lacking is a deflopilator, which keeps the front wheel straight while on its kickstand. A tiny issue that is a result of the battery compartment being located on the underside of the downtube. This lower-priced model did not skimp on these important details that make it enjoyable to ride on a regular basis.

The front lights never need to be removed to charge, as they receive...
The front lights never need to be removed to charge, as they receive power directly from the onboard battery.
The rear lights blink as the brakes are applied.
The rear lights blink as the brakes are applied.
Integrated lights are a feature on most new electric bikes that we really appreciate.

Range


The Ranger far exceeds its price point regarding its range. With a whopping 840-watt-hour battery, you can depend on this bike to take you further than most of the competition on a single charge.


On our standardized range test course that includes sections of undulating hills, we rode 29.9 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain using the throttle only before the battery wore out. Adding to the impression, we averaged 17.6 mph on the course. The higher top speed (24 mph) of this bike burns some extra battery power, but the huge battery has plenty to expend. Given that our range test only utilizes the throttle with no active pedaling, we confidently expect this bike to cruise much farther distances when the rider uses pedal assistance and expends some effort. Great range and low price do not often come together in electric bikes, but the Ranger defies this rule.

kbo ranger - the little kbo did quite well in range testing.
The little KBO did quite well in range testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Power


Like its prowess in range, the Ranger equally impresses with its power. The 750-watt motor is a beast that offers quick acceleration and a speedy top speed. It doesn't strike us as the most refined motor, but it certainly doesn't lack power.


We hit 24 mph, and sometimes a touch faster, with the throttle of this bike. The twist throttle reacts immediately but doesn't jump out of control. Instead, it ramps up smoothly and quickly, reaching its top speed in just 12 seconds from a dead stop. In our uphill testing. we were able to we cruise at 18 mph, slowing only to 17 mph in the steepest section. These results are excellent and we were thoroughly impressed.

kbo ranger - rapid acceleration and a top speed of 24 mph from the kbo ranger is...
Rapid acceleration and a top speed of 24 mph from the KBO Ranger is more than we expected.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The pedal assist function has five modes. It struck us as a little jumpy in its acceleration when shifting gears initially, but we quickly figured out its character, which led to smooth pedaling. The first mode cruises at around 12 mph, and each support level increases by about 3 mph upon that. While KBO claims the Ranger can hit 28 mph with pedal assist, we did not achieve much faster than 24 mph with maximum effort. Still, this bike is fast and powerful, no matter if throttling, pedaling, or mixing both.

Cargo Carrying


Despite being smaller than several other electric cargo bikes we tested, the Ranger can carry significant cargo. KBO lists its maximum load at 400 pounds (including the rider), which is probably much more than most folks will attempt.


The wood-topped rear cargo rack measures 19.7" long by 7.9" wide. This is a bit shorter than the rear racks on other models we tested, but should still easily accommodate a fair amount of cargo. The rear rack weight limit itself is 120 pounds. The running boards also have wooden toppers, which provide foot support to a rider. The front mount appears very sturdy with four bolts on the head tube, so you can add another rack or basket to the front and still transport a lot without hitting the weight limit of this bike.

kbo ranger - the rear rack is on the small side, but the wood topper is a nice...
The rear rack is on the small side, but the wood topper is a nice touch.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Before you purchase this bike or any electric cargo bike, take a look at the accessories KBO offers. Upgrading a cargo bike with accessories is usually necessary to max out its carrying capacity. In comparison to other bikes and manufacturers, KBO's selection of accessory upgrades is somewhat limited. If you are looking for a nice bike seat for a toddler, for example, KBO does not sell one at the time of publication, although they do have other options for carting around kids. It also comes with running boards, something you typically have to purchase with other bikes.

kbo ranger - our test bike with some of kbo's add-on accessories loaded up for a...
Our test bike with some of KBO's add-on accessories loaded up for a run to the post office.
Credit: Chris McNamara

Unlike most other cargo models we tested, this bike is able to fit onto some tray bike racks for transport by car. This is made possible by its comparatively shorter wheelbase length of 47 inches and is awfully handy when moving this bike farther than you can pedal it. The caveat is that it still weighs 77 pounds, which may exceed the single bike weight limit of many racks and makes it challenging to load.

Interface


The interface of this KBO model is pretty standard for the price range. It works well enough and we have no real qualms, but if the controls and display are very important to you, you might not be all that impressed.


The bike controls are ergonomic and easy to manipulate with thumbs. No tricks here, just an intuitive design that gets the rider used to the bike quickly. There's a twist throttle on the right side of the handlebar, and a three-button controller on the left that controls the power, mode, and pedal-assist levels.

kbo ranger - the controller on the left of the handlebar controls pedal assist...
The controller on the left of the handlebar controls pedal assist modes and power to the bike.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The display is functional, not inspirational. Located in the middle of the handlebars, it is large, and the data it displays is easy to read at a glance. The 10-segment “Energy bar” provides feedback on battery life in small increments, which is nice, and the current speed shows up in big numbers. It also reads the pedal assist mode and an odometer with a trip counter clocks your distance traveled.

kbo ranger - simple yet very functional, the display of the ranger is easy to read.
Simple yet very functional, the display of the Ranger is easy to read.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The battery is housed in the downtube of the frame for a clean look. It locks into place with a key for security, and it can be easily removed for charging off the bike.

The battery releases from the bottom of the downtube for off-bike...
The battery releases from the bottom of the downtube for off-bike charging.
If you choose, you can charge the battery while it is on the bike. A...
If you choose, you can charge the battery while it is on the bike. A rubber stopper keeps dirt and liquid out of the charging port.

Assembly


As far as electric cargo bikes go, the Ranger is above average in its ease of assembly. This only has to happen once, so it's not a deal-breaker for most people, but we appreciate that KBO made efforts to make the process a little smoother than other models.


Assembly instructions are included, and KBO has an instructional video to walk you through the process available online. The bike comes with a nice folding multi-tool to assist in assembly. You will also need a wrench for the pedals and the small nut behind the front fender. To start, prop the bike up on its sturdy kickstand, which helps remove all the packaging easily. Further, the steps include installing the handlebars, front wheel, front fender, headlight, pedals, and running boards. It took us 45 minutes in total.

kbo ranger - adjusting the height of the seatpost is one of the final steps of...
Adjusting the height of the seatpost is one of the final steps of assembly. The Ranger makes this easy with a quick-release adjustment bar.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the KBO Ranger?


If you want a reliable cargo e-bike that does not break the bank, the Ranger should be at the top of your list. It has the look and feel of a top-quality bike while costing less. Plus, its features, power, range, and top speed all perform at high levels. At some point, if you are not looking for something more particular or niche, it begs the question: Why spend more when this bike provides so much?

What Other E-Bikes Should You Consider?


The main area where the Ranger falls a bit behind is its ride quality. For folks who ride most days of the week, this might be a factor that makes it worth spending a little more to make the ride more enjoyable. If that describes you, check out the Blix Packa Genie. It has a longer rear rack, but more importantly, has a fantastic ride quality for daily rides and commutes. If you're looking for high-end ride quality and the most cargo capacity, the Yuba Spicy Curry is a great option though it is much more expensive. It foregoes a throttle in favor of a quality mid-drive motor with super smooth pedal assistance. It comes with higher-end components and Yuba offers the deepest selection of accessories for customization.

kbo ranger - great performance at a good price, we recommend the ranger strongly...
Great performance at a good price, we recommend the Ranger strongly for its bang per buck spent.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Jeremy Benson, Ross Robinson
 

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