The 2015 A2B Kuo+ is a much improved version of the 2013/2014 Kuo. While it does cost several hundred dollars more, you get a more powerful motor, more consistent pedal assist, longer crank arms for a more natural ride, a rear carry rack, better LED lights and nicer drivetrain components (Shimano Alivio vs. Tourney). It’s totally worth the money in my opinion and easily one of the best folding electric bikes I’ve tested for the price. A2B is known for their iconic Metro electric bike which launched in 2008 and has since expanded their line of ebikes to include models like this folding bike which could be perfect for those with boats, RV’s or limited housing space. At 43 pounds with the battery attached and closer to 38 without, it’s not too difficult to lift and maneuver. The folding points are all reinforced with locking quick release hinges and the chainging is protected with a nice aluminum bash guard. There’s even a flat metal block below the bottom bracket designed to stabilize the bike when it’s completely folded and a pair of magnetic discs connect at the front and rear to keep it from coming unfolded. There are a few quirks here including a trigger throttle on the left bar that was flipped on the model I tested and an LCD display that’s a bit small with difficult to reach buttons, there’s also no suspension fork to counteract the bumpy ride that smaller wheels tend to create but overall it’s a winner and comes with a generous two year electronics warranty.
Driving the Kuo+ is a 250 watt geared hub motor located in the rear wheel. Being geared, the motor is relatively small (you can hardly see it behind the seven speed Shimano Alivio cassette in the picture below). It operates fairly quietly but has a noticeable whir when driving at full power. I wasn’t able to weigh it, but geared motors tend to be lighter than gearless and for a folding application like the Kuo Plus that’s a welcomed attribute. One thing that both the front and rear wheel lack is a quick release skewer for easier maintenance and flat fixes. I like that the tires are designed with K-Shield puncture protection and that they feature a reflective sidewall stripe to keep riders safe. Between the three colors (Black, White and Silver) the two lighter tones might offer the best visibility and be worth seeking out if you’ll be riding this bike in foreign lands on vacation or business travel.
The battery has also been upgraded for the A2B Kuo+ and now offers 36 volts of power instead of just 24. This improves the range and power that riders will experience. The cells use a Lithium-ion chemistry that’s light weight and long lasting and I was impressed with how compact the pack is. It’s mounted just behind the set tube and between the seat stays and chain stays for excellent protection in the event of a tip. It’s not as centrally located as some folding ebikes which have a top-tube integrated pack, but I still appreciate the lower weight distribution found here and love how easy the battery is to access and remove. It blends in with the frame nicely and can be charged on or off the bike.
Once the A2B Kuo+ battery is charged and mounted to the frame, you actually have to press a toggle switch on the pack before the main display can operate. This can be confusing if you haven’t used the electric bike for a while, one might wonder if the battery is charged or if there has been another problem with circuitry? Once the main display is powered on using the tiny rubberized on/off button below the screen you’ll see readouts listing speed, battery level, range and assist level. Using the rubberized “i” button to the right of on/off you can navigate through different “information” readouts. Using the rubberized “m” button to the left of on/off you can jump between 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 “modes” of drive output. At zero, only the throttle will work and going from 1-5 pedal assist will work with increasing power output. At any time, in any of the assist modes, the throttle can be actuated to add more power but it is capped with each level. So basically, in pedal assist level five you get more throttle power than zero and pedal assist mode one. Considering the throttle is a slider with variable power output, I’d prefer that it just offered full power at all times. I do like that A2B is now using a cadence sensor instead of the less consistent feeling torque sensor that the standard Kuo had. This pedelec disc features 12 magnets and operates relatively quickly and smoothly.
The Kuo+ is a solid folding electric bike from a reputable company. It offers great utility at a reasonable price and shows that A2B is dedicated to improving their products as it is much better than the original Kuo in almost every way. There are still a few little quirks with the system and areas of improvement to be made but if you’re looking for a folding bike at your local shop and they carry this one, it would be a solid choice. The removable battery, longer crank arms and multiple drive modes (that feel smooth and natural) won me over but the attention to detail on the rack, fenders, lights, tires and solid folding mechanisms reinforced my interest and I like that there are multiple colors. Again, I’d probably choose the lighter colors for improved visual footprint, especially if using for travel. In the future, if they chose to offer a suspension fork option I’d definitely go for that, even if it weighed more, because the smaller 20″ wheels on all folding bikes tend to feel uncomfortable but I’ve got a stiff back and neck. For most people on smooth roads this thing should work just fine.
Pros:
- Full length matching plastic fenders with mud guards keep the rider clean and dry
- Rear rack uses standard gauge tubing for use with a wide range of panniers or saddle bags, the reinforced sides block panniers from rubbing on the wheel and spokes, the integrated spring latch is handy for small items
- Front and rear LED lights blend into the frame and add an element of safety, the front one is aimable
- Reinforced front chainring has a large metal bash guard that protects the sprocket teeth and helps to block pants from dragging on the greasy chain, it also doubles as a guide to keep the chain on track while riding over rough terrain
- Easy to fold with locking quick release points on the stem and middle of the top tube, nice metal rest below the seat tube designed to stabilize the bike once folded
- Offers throttle only mode at level zero with five levels of assist that can be overridden by the throttle at any time, great intuitive design
- Longer crank arms are comfortable and efficient to pedal with, the original Kuo had short arms that felt awkward at times
- Good price with an excellent warranty and track record from A2B (which was one of the early ebike companies lauching the A2B Metro in 2008)
- I like that they included mounting holes for a bottle cage on the top tube, even though the bottle would basically be horizontal
- Built-in magnetic clasp on front and rear stays to help keep the bike from unfolding during transport
- Battery is easy to take off for convenient transporting (reduced weight) and for charging away from where the ebike frame is stored
Cons:
- Weighs about four pounds more than the original A2B Kuo (~43 lbs vs. 39 lbs) due to the larger motor and rear rack, could make it more difficult to lift and transport for some
- Uses a trigger throttle rather than a twist throttle like the original Kuo had, that’s fine but it’s mounted on the left bar and seems flipped compared with other ebikes I’ve tested (which may be less intuitive or bothersome for some riders)
- The LCD display pad is mounted further away from the left grip (in part due to the trigger throttle setup) which makes it more difficult to interact with while riding without taking your hand off the grip to change assist modes or information readouts, the buttons are at the bottom of the display and are small instead of the side and large which also makes them trickier to reach and use
- The plastic folding pedals aren’t as stiff as aluminum ones might be but likely save weight and keep the price low
- While the battery and motor weight are kept low on the bike frame, they are mounted more towards the rear than some other folding ebikes like the e-Joe Epik SE which place it in the downtube
- Brake and power cables aren’t integrated into the frame tubing which contributes to a messier aesthetic and may expose them to more damage during transport and riding but will make them easier to service and fix
- Throttle mode is limited by the level of assist you’re riding in and won’t put out full power if you’re not in level five, even in throttle mode (mode zero)
Resources:
- Official Site: http://www.wearea2b.com/us/collection/usa-kuo-plus
- Official Documentation: a2b-kuo-plus-manual.pdf
- More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/AnS9Sv7a5czqjmrH8
Scott says
Hey Court! Love your reviews, I’ve read about 75 of them! Question on this bike, I love the idea of a folder, but I’m 5′ 11″ and 240 pounds. Will this bike work for me ok? Also you mention that this edition of the Kuo+ has a 350 watt motor, but every website I visit including the A2B website state it’s still a 250 watt motor. Which is correct? Thanks, Scott
Court Rye says
Hi Scott, great question here… In the video I said 350 and the A2B team actually gave me that spec again via email after Interbike. I’ve reached out to them for confirmation but you are correct about their website listing 250. I think the bike would be okay with your height and weight for relatively level terrain and if it’s smooth that will keep the rattling down. These folding ebikes do tend to be less stiff but A2B has historically made beefier bikes. If you want something a little sturdier but still compact, check out the Kalkhoff Sahel Compact Impulse 8 here and prepare to spend a bit more and give up the throttle.
Court Rye says
Hi again Scott, I just heard back from A2B about the Kuo+ and they confirmed the 250 watt motor size and apologized for the original misinformation. I’ve updated the written portion of the review to reflect the proper specs. Sorry for the confusion and thank you for calling it out!
Harry Liang says
Thanks for this review. I wanted to add my thoughts since I got this bike and rode about 1k miles on it already.
This bike really has great components. Much better than the e-Joe. The neck joint, and folding latch is heavy duty. I only had to grease it every now and then to avoid the squeaky sounds. I fold it twice a day for work and I park under my desk so this was very important in the decision. The motor is smooth and so is the pedal assist. Mine came with a twist throttle and the digital display and they both work great. The motor is smooth. Brakes good enough, I thought disc brakes were too clunky on a fold up.
My ideas for improvement about the bike is that I only get about 18mph flatland at full charge. At halfway on the battery you can only throttle to 15-16 mph. Though you can go farther, I would prefer higher speed and wish they added the 350 watt motor instead of 250. Ejoe is more powerful in that regard. But as a bike I use everyday, it was more important to have quality components. But I do wish I can get up to 20mph on the greenways of New York.
I only use the 3 highest gears really, so I think they should change to higher gearing ratio and maybe have one big low gear for steep climbs.
The battery is in a great spot that makes the bike feel really balanced but the plastic battery holder can break easily. I had to get another plastic holder. Now I support that battery with additional velcro straps just in case I go off a curb, it won’t crack. I recommend this to anyone getting this bike.
The company did do a good job building this bike out of the box BUT, I wish they had put Loctite on all the bolts and screws. I already lost the front fork magnet and 2 bolts flew off the backrack. I decided to take off all the bolts and put thread adhesive on so the vibrations won’t shake it off.
This bike I think can be designed to fold and balance even better (though it folded much better than the e-joe). When folded, the bike tends to lean in weird ways with the handlebar where you have to fidget to get it balanced correctly. I think it has to do with the magnet size on the fork and the way the body is shaped. TIP: if you need to move this bike around, I fold it and push it like a cart with the handlebars up like I’m pushing a shopping cart (with my right hand on the seat and left hand on the handlebar as the bike is tilted back). Though this bike is lighter than most fold up electrics it is still too heavy to just carry it around. On the next version I hope the design team would work on how this bike folds quickly and securely to latch to the magnet without wiggle. It is important for people like me to cart around. And when folded it should maintain it’s balance easier without too much work.
Wishful thinking: I ended up getting a padded seat and a thud buster. Would love to see them replace the seat with something softer and maybe add a seat shock.
Other than my thoughts for improvement, this is still a great bike compared to its competition and I’m really happy I got it. I still haven’t had it long enough to see how long the battery will last but I do love the the build quality in the battery, the meters, the frame, and all the folding components are excellent for the price. For a compact little bike this thing is a tank. I definitely recommend it and I hope they sell a kit to increase the speed as I think this bike can handle it no problem.
Court Rye says
Awesome feedback Harry! I especially appreciate your tips about securing the battery with Velcro and being careful with curbs… sorry to hear your original plastic holder broke, I’ve heard about this happening before on some other ebikes. The upgraded saddle and Thudbuster sound nice. Many folding ebikes go a bit under 20 mph and I think it’s just the wheel size relating to the set RPM of hub motors. You get extra torque but the speed is decreased and usually this is okay given that handling can be a bit less stable. In any case, feel free to chime in as the bike continues to get use and ride safe out there :)
Harry Liang says
Just an update… The battery holder cracked again after glue and velcro straps. I’ve come to the conclusion that the major design flaw of this bike is that they made the battery holder out of 1mm plastic. It should be at least 1/4 inch thick all around to withstand the shock of riding and carrying a heavy battery. Though drastic, I added another 1/4 inch to the plastic using 6 packs of super glue and baking soda around the plastic casing. You can youtube plastic welding with super glue to see how it’s done. This is the only thing that seems to keep it together. It’s only a matter of time before you hit a bump and crack that plastic battery holder but other than that this bike is holding up a daily 35 mile round trip commute in NYC where I fold it everyday.
Court Rye says
Nice! Sounds like there’s a bit of Frankenstein style happening with your bike surgery but glad to hear you’re getting solid use out of it. The feedback about the plastic being too thin is great (hopefully A2B sees it) and I appreciate the tips on plastic welding, might help others who have similar issues :P
Pete says
Hey everybody. I got a black Kuo+ about a month ago and am loving it! As far as I can tell from reviews and research, it seems like the best balance of design, power, and price as compared to other folding bikes I have seen.
I wanted to chime in on the battery holder issue. I had the same issue within days of buying my Kuo+. I contacted the dealer and mentioned this issue and they requested a replacement part from A2B. While at the shop today I saw the old part and the replacement part, and I can tell you that it looks like A2B has become aware of the issue and made improvements to the battery holder. Specifically, the replacement part has some internal plastic ribs/bracing which I assume will better manage the load of the battery as compared to the original part, which had no internal bracing.
Other than that I think that the review and Harry’s additional comments are spot on. I weigh about 165 lbs. so I don’t have a lot of issue with the 250W of power the bike provides. I’ve replaced the pedals with Forte Boulevard dual platform (clipless/flat) pedals which make riding the bike (or any bike) a lot easier when clipped in. Since they are flat on one side, it makes it easy to use regular shoes as well. I don’t think the stock folding pedals really folded all that much, although I liked them. These pedals add maybe one inch to the drive side as compared to the stock pedals which is worth it in my opinion. I’ve also added a Cygolite Dash 350 & Hotshot SL 30 for real lights. The built-in lights are best considered running lights, since they really don’t put out as many lumens as the Cygolites.
Even with a lot of hills in the DC area, for range I think I can comfortably say that I could do 25 miles on one charge based on the 100+ miles I’ve put on my Kuo+ so far. This is on max assist (PAS: 5). I assume I could squeeze out a few more miles on a lower level of assist or if my ride was flatter. For example, my return commute is 3.7 miles with an ascent of 350+ feet at an average speed of 12 mph and that uses up 19% of the battery. That equates to a range of 20 miles but with a significant ascent for that distance. My morning commute is 3.7 miles, mostly downhill/flat (ascent: 75 feet), at an average speed of 12.5-13 mph and uses up 9% of the battery. That comes out to a range of 41 miles, but it’s with a lot of coasting downhill. So unless I’m climbing a mountain (which I don’t recommend), I would say that 25 miles is a near-guarantee range for a mixed elevation ride/commute. Keep in mind these range come with a reasonable amount of pedaling. YMMV (your mileage may vary).
Some final notes about comments made in the review. The throttle is now on the right where you would expect it to be. This means the display box can be moved closer to the left grip to make it easier to use. The cables are not integrated into the frame, although they are all wrapped up quite nicely in a black mesh material as you can see in Court’s pictures. This looks a lot better than many of the e-bikes out there with unbundled cables, although of course it would be nice if they were integrated. But a very minor point. I think they did a nice job.
Final words: I think it’s great and highly recommend it to anyone, especially if you’re looking for a folding bike.
Court Rye says
Awesome! Thanks for the great overview and updates Pete, sounds like you’re really enjoying the Kuo+ and getting excellent range. I love it when companies refine their bikes and fix little things and I’m sure they appreciate you recognizing them and pointing them out to others, thanks also for the light and pedal recommendations ;)
Pete says
Thanks Court! Yeah, the Kuo+ is great!
Adding another point to add to my comments from earlier. Today, I biked 13.3 miles (825 ft. total ascent) in a mixed downhill/uphill/flat environment and used up 53% (47% remaining) of my battery life. If you do the math that comes out to a range of almost exactly 25 miles. I would make to clarify one point: to anyone who reads this, when I mentioned average MPH above it’s with starts & stops in the city. I did not mean to imply that the top speed is 12-13 MPH (in case anyone read it like that).
Also, Court, I would like to thank you for all of the work you put into this site and doing these reviews. They were extremely helpful as I was doing my research into what e-bike to get. I have one suggestion regarding folding bikes: please try to fold the bike in your video reviews. For some you do (like the Kuo+ review), and for some you don’t (like the recent ElectroBike Magnos review). From a reader’s perspective, if I’m looking at a folding bike specifically, the folding aspect is really important to see how to fold it and how it manages while folded. Some other bikes I’ve seen in your reviews would be immobile while folded and that’s an important consideration to me (and I assume other buyers of folding bikes).
As for the Kuo+, it manages pretty well folded. I could see this would be the case in your video review. :) On that note, today I took in with me into the DMV when I was registering my car (ironic, isn’t it? :) ) and just rolled it in. It separated a few times but after I got used to it, I was able to roll it folded just fine.
Thanks again Court!
Court Rye says
Great feedback about folding in reviews Pete! I skipped it for the ElectroBikes because I was off on my own with very limited time. I’ve tried folding with one hand before but struggled and have also tried setting the camera down, I’ll work to make it happen in the future and appreciate your points about rolling the bike while folded etc. Thank you :D
Harry Liang says
Adding my final points to this bike after well over 7k miles. I have finally found the best solution for this flimsy battery holder. Because even with the improved ribbed holder it managed to crack because the plastic is just not thick enough to handle the shock of hitting potholes in the NYC streets. After glueing it back together again with baking soda and super glue, i realized what the real problem is. There’s nothing holding up the weight of the battery from the bottom. Luckily the frame has a kickstand hole not being used because the kickstand is mounted on the side. So since this hole is directly underneath the battery, I used it to mount a bouncy ball as a shock absorber. I had to cut out a corner to fit the battery just right. I used a 4 dollar Amazing PINKY Hi- Bounce Ball and screwed it down using the kickstand hole. The ball is spongy so its easy to cut out a corner using a steak knife. This prevents the battery from breaking off when you hit a bump. Another thing I did was I took the the handle on the battery and tied it to the top of the bike frame so that it is supported above and below using plastic ties. I even used velcro straps to prevent sliding sideways. Though I think the last 2 is overkill but I really ride this as if it was a bmx bike sometimes. Hope this helps anybody else out there looking for a serious solution.
Also note, my battery was replaced under 1 year warranty when battery teeth started to chip off due to the cracked battery holder. So customer service was on point. kudos for that.
Court Rye says
Hi Harry, cool tips! You’re very creative and I bet this will help to inspire ideas in others as well. The bouncy ball idea is just great ;) glad to hear A2B customer service took care of you. Here’s to 7k+ more miles, ride safe out there!
Frank says
I squeezed a pair of tennis balls under the battery and have had no further problems with battery holder/mounting cracking
Court says
Hi Frank, that’s a unique solution?! Thanks for the tip… Feel free to post a photo of it in the A2B forums so we can see any other fixes you’ve invented ;)
Paul Cernik says
The battery has also been upgraded for the A2B Kuo+ and now offers 36 volts of power instead of just 24. FYI Volts are units of voltage not power
Court Rye says
Thanks Paul! And great point… I realize my phrasing is a bit sloppy and I don’t write this way in newer reviews. Amps seems to be a better measure of power and motor torque for how zippy and what kind of climbing incline is possible. Still, lower voltage bikes tend to be weaker than higher in my experience.
javier says
Compré una Kuo+ hace un año y la utilizo para ir a mi trabajo cada día 25kms /15millas estoy muy contento con la bicicleta pero la batería debería tener mayor amperaje actualmente equiva una batería de 8,8a en España la asistencia no es buena incluso parace ya no existir nadie que de soporte tecnico. Me gustaría saber si es posible comprar una batería similar de mayor amperaje.
Court Rye says
Hola Javier, me alegro de que hayas disfrutado de este ebike, pero puedes entender el deseo de más poder. Desafortunadamente, no creo que puedas actualizarla … La mejor solución podría ser venderla y comprar una bicicleta eléctrica diferente, más potente o usar un kit. ¡Espero que esto ayude! También puede pedir consejos en los foros :)
Harry Liang says
Tengo el mismo deseo. Ahora estoy pensando en vender la bicicleta para una nueva, porque necesito más velocidad y batería de mayor duración.
Hoppy says
Hi Court, a local dealer told me that A2B has pulled out the USA market. He is not selling A2B bikes anymore. I have a Kuo+ and happy with it. Can you confirm if A2B is still selling bikes in the US and any replacement for the Kuo+?
Court Rye says
Hi Hoppy! I had heard some second hand feedback from shop owners and customers about A2B maybe going out of business or pulling out of the USA but have not been able to reach them or heard anything for certain. Maybe someone in the A2B Forums here could help and answer this. In any case, I’m glad you’re happy with the Kuo+ and you could probably ask around in this area of the forums if someone is selling the bike parts or replacement pieces anymore.
Randal says
Don’t trust this company. The battery of my Kuo+ stopped working for no reason within the one-year warranty and A2B refused to replace it. The new battery is $400+ and it is not even available until December. Don’t buy A2B.
Court Rye says
Hi Randal, that’s a bummer… I wish this kind of thing didn’t happen, as it turns out, I think A2B has actually gone out of business now (and might have been purchased for a year or two before going out). Maybe it was this kind of customer service that ultimately did them in :(
Harry Liang says
Hi Randal, I have seen this battery online at Amazon but not completely sure if will work with the Kuo+. It has the same shape and relatively same specs. I might end up getting this as well to replace my battery. But I think if it doesn’t work you can return it. Just wanted to share this battery find. Thanks!
Court Rye says
Interesting… thanks for sharing this Harry! Please report back if you do buy the battery and test it with your A2B Kuo+, it would be nice to know about solutions :)
Harry Liang says
Just wanted to follow up. I did try out this battery on Amazon and it did not work because I think A2B created their own plug standard even though they use the same battery case. In order to use that battery you’d have to replace the battery holder and do some rewiring to the bike.
Court Rye says
Oh man, thanks so much for the info Harry. I hope this saves others from having to spend their money… What do you plan to do with the battery you purchased? Maybe you can adapt it somehow? But be careful because it’s not worth having a fire or being injured on the bike :/
Hoppy says
Hi Harry, did you change the battery holder so the Amazon battery will fit?
Geoff Allan says
I am also interested in replacing my Kuo+ battery – I note that the bike “plug” has 2 outer long connectors and 3 inner short connectors. The Amazon battery sold in the UK (from Yose Power) seems to only have 2 short inner connectors – as does the US one mentioned above. Yose battery sold here.
Has anyone found a source of replacement batteries for the Kuo+? or do I need to send it off for a rebuild? Thanks, Geoff
court says
Hi Geoff! I haven’t found any other sources so far but the repacking/rebuilding idea could work. Rechargeable Power Energy or Hi-C Battery could be places to contact. I haven’t used either but they seem to offer this service and could even expand your capacity with the latest cells :)
Geoff Allan says
Thanks – unfortunately I’m in the UK so I’ll have to find a local battery rebuilder.
Anonymous says
I’ve been very happy with my A2B Kuo Plus, bought in the UK in February this year, 2019. I am not aware of any issues regarding closure of A2B as others have stated, my supplier informed me that they are well made quality bikes, from a company doing well, plentiful parts supply, the firm being dedicated to the manufacture of e bikes only. I love mine..
I have changed the saddle though to accommodate my rear more comfortably. Very impressed on the whole, I’m no lightweight, but it copes really well on the flat, and moderate hills. In (very) hilly Exmoor the other week, had to dismount a lot and push, but found the throttle really useful here in helping to pull me up the steep hills!
Court says
Thanks for sharing your experience with this bike!
Louis Low says
Do you ship parts to Singapore? I am looking forward to recondition my A2B kuo+ ebike. The items I am looking for are:
Or the complete set.
Thank you
Court says
Hi Louis! We don’t actually sell any bikes or parts here, just review them and document as much detail as possible to help people who are considering a new purchase, buying used (since many websites turn over old info after the model year is over), or trying to repair! There were a lot of A2B bikes made, and I think they were sold all over the world. Perhaps someone will see your comment here, or you could ask around in the EBR A2B forums here. Good luck :D