The Folder With The Most Range We’ve Ever Tested | Kingbull Verve Review

One of the standout areas of the Verve’s spec sheet was the 960Wh battery. That’s the largest we’ve ever tested on a folding bike by a wide margin (runner up is 840 on the Lectric XP 4 long range).

So somewhat unsurprisingly, it yielded the best range we’ve ever tested for a bike of this style. On our minimum assist test at PAS 1, the bike went 105.8 miles (!). On the max test (conducted as always, at Class 2, 20 mph speeds) the Verve went 46.6 miles. Folks, that’s tons of range, but there are a couple of points to cover with those numbers.

On min settings, the 10 mph the bike wants to assist you too isn’t much more than what you can do on your own for most riders. The motor was humming the whole time, but it likely wasn’t producing that much juice. If PAS 2 didn’t jump so drastically to 15 mph, we would have bumped up that test.

On the max test, the bike was also not always holding 20 mph effortlessly. It’s 16.1 mph average was fairly low (man folders hit 17-19 on this) so it is pretty conservative in how it uses it’s power.

Glass half full: great range, it’s got a big battery and that leads to big range. Half empty: a bumped up PAS 1 or nudged down PAS 2 speeds would be more appropriate and bring that skyhigh number down some, and PAS 5 could hold higher speeds better too.

A mixed bag, but it’s got range and useable assist even if it’s not the most refined.

On occasion, our dedicated hill tester Justin is called away to a conference, and we try and fill in the hill test as best we can. In this instance, I took the Verve to a nearby test hill, and used the throttle and hill climb times to compare with control bikes he previously tested to get a approximation how they would do at the Devil’s Backbone.

By these numbers, the Verve was looking at something like a 1:45 throttle performance time, which is 17.5 mph. While the pedal test would be 2:04, 14.6 mph.

A throttle time going faster than a pedal time isn’t uncommon when the motor uses a torque sensor. The gap is significantly larger than most though. It reiterates the bike’s natrue: peppy with throttle, a little more cruisery with pedal.

Further data analysis backs that up. Most throttles average 2:01. The pedal average is 2:05, so it’s nearly on the money there.

I think the bottom line here is this bike won’t struggle on hills. It’ll have an easier time just hitting the throttle then pedaling, but if you value stretching those legs whale riding, not even super steep hills will be a problem.

I’ve tested hundreds of e-bike brakes, and over the years I’ve become an advocate for overdoing this department as much as is reasonable. Kingbull went big with the brakes, and I loved that. Which is fitting given the high payload capacity it boasts, and the heavier than most setup of the bike.

Instead of the usual 2-piston hydraulic on 180mm rotors, Kingbull bumps the Verve up to 4-piston setup which gives great bite with a squeeze that’s easy to modulate for slowing or quick stopping.

In our brake test, the bike score a 20’8” stopping result. Nearly two feet better than the current e-bike average.

Tektro brakes just work. Nothing fancy, but highly effective, and easily serviced and replaced in most places. No notes here: just good results.

Kingbull’s Verve looks a little like folders did a few years ago. Due to this, I misjudged what it would pack on the spec sheet, where it manages to squeeze in some nice value.

Part of the ‘old school’ look to it is the tires. 20×4” tires were all the rage for a while and now more brands go with 20×3”. I like this size though, it makes it a little more adventure friendly with some offroad chops on the knobby tread.

The suspension system is solid. The Zoom fork has 80mm of travel which is all you’ll need for paved areas, and it has enough adjustment to dial in for bumpier terrain, or rider preference.

I already mentioned how I looked the commitment to good brakes, the 8-speed shifter is another win. The Shimano system works reliably, and has enough range for pedaling up and down hill.

The frame is a mix. Kingbull has a large 450 lbs payload claim with 150 lbs on the rear rack. It could theoretically handle all of that, but the vide “U” shape of the frame introduces some flex that you feel into corners. Higher weights will further feel this. It’s not prohibitive when riding, but something you’ll notice into turns.

The reach of the bike feels pretty long. Most of the time my arms were nearly fully extended. It’ll be easier for taller riders as a result, though the low step frame means shorter folks can technically ride it, you’ll just want to scoot the saddle forward on the rails.

Touch points are all standard for a bike at this price: nothing fancy, and the pedals are the folding type that re fine unless you stand on them then thye’re collapsing nature doesn’t feel the best underfoot.

As far as the folding aspects, I do like that the internal cables are braided so there’s less risk of pinching one protruding wire, and with pratice, the bike folds down quickly and easily enough. You’ll likely want to remove the 20Ah battery before attempting to heave it into a truck or SUV as the bike is sizeable at nearly 79 lbs.

I think value-wise, it’s pretty spot on. It’s got some highlights in the spec (brakes, battery capacity) that I haven’t seen on a folder and the motor power and other components are all up to par so in terms of money for your dollar, it’s solid value.

With the Verve, I think Kingbull nails some of the core elements, with some room for improvement on others. It markets the Verve as a throwback fat tire folder experience which still has an audience, and it puts the biggest battery I’ve seen to date into a folder with a nice pair of quad piston brakes to keep the bike controlled.

The bike had undeniably long range, but benefitted from a more mild ride on pedal power than most.

The motor has great top end power, but is only feeling that way with throttle use, while the pedal experience is a little more cruisery.

I think if you’re looking for something fun to push you around town, occasionally off the beaten path to get you outside more, there’s some definite value and appeal with the Verve. The weight will be limiting for some, but for those that can handle the heft, the promise of long rides, with a powerful throttle to boost you when you need it could make tons of sense for the right rider.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Kingbull Verve down in our comments section.