Rating:

7/10

All ebikes make it easy for commuters—and anyone else, for that matter—to scoot around town without needing to commit to a cardio workout. Their small motors and low-slung design are less intimidating than higher-powered mopeds. Ebikes that fold promise an added component of convenience for storing and transporting—that certainly proved to be the case with the Buzz Bicycles' new Centris 2, at least. The Centris 2 is a budget-friendly folding option I tested throughout the spring, and it won me over for its riding comfort, sturdy design, and cargo capacity.

I also loved that the Centris 2 didn't require me to use any companion app or key code, which meant I could start riding as soon as I put it together. The throttle impressively reaches 20 mph within seconds, and the bike hits 28 mph with pedal assist. Also, thanks to the it's highly accessible 16-inch step-through height, there's no need to lift your leg to Rockette heights when mounting the seat. Finally, its easy-to-read LCD display is convenient and the handlebar controls (turn signal, pedal assist, headlight) are highly responsive.

The Centris 2 does have a few knocks, including an unwieldy left-thumb throttle, cargo accessories that don't fit perfectly, and a lower battery life than similar models. Even so, it’s a great option for city commuters looking for a reasonably priced, low-fuss folding ebike.

Want more bike intel? Check out related guides to the best ebikes, best electric mountain bikes, and best ebike locks.

Comes Together Easily

Similar to other step-through bikes I’ve assembled, the Centris 2 comes blessedly intact. The frame, rear wheel, drivetrain, and motor arrived in one piece, leaving only the pedals, front wheel, handlebars, and seat for me to attach. Those features were a cinch to set up. Ultimately, it took me longer to unpack the bike and its parts than it did to put the whole thing together. (To be fair, it was encased in enough cardboard, Styrofoam, and zip ties to be the lone survivor in a plane crash.)

However, it bears mentioning that the Centris 2 doesn't come with its own set of tiny companion tools. If you've ever assembled a bike before (or a treadmill, or Ikea furniture), you know that such dedicated tools are a huge help and often feel straight-up necessary. Without them, I was forced to rummage in my garage to find enough hex keys, pliers, and jaw wrenches to complete the setup process—a task I completed successfully despite the unwelcome guesswork and time suck doing so required.

The fully assembled Centris 2 felt sturdy. Its handlebars are narrower than what I've encountered on similar models, which turned out to provide more comfort without sacrificing stability. The leaner profile also let me ride in a more natural position, without a need to splay my arms widely to hold on. This put less pressure on my shoulders, which felt great.

Upon first test, I appreciated the responsive hydraulic brakes—I never worried about my stopping distance, even when I slammed on the brakes to avoid bouncing over a curb that surprised me. The Centris 2 handles corners well and doesn’t waver when I turn my head to look over my shoulder.

Unlike my other ebikes, all of which have a throttle grip on the right handlebar, the Centris 2 uses a thumb throttle on the left. Though still functional, I don't love it. I find it harder to tailor and maintain the speed with a thumb throttle than with a throttle grip. It also feels less smooth to accelerate and decelerate with left thumb pressure than it does when using a throttle grip.

Also, the difference in the folding body style compared to a non-folding bike required some getting used to. My friends and I are all avid gravel riders and mountain bikers (self-powered, as opposed to electric), and folding ebikes are certainly not made for cycling efficiency or feats of athletic prowess. They’re made to fold down for storage, carry a load of groceries, and are built low for accessibility and balance.

The Centris 2's seat is low and the handlebars are high, more reminiscent of a standing scooter than a classic pedal bike. I put a friend on the Centris 2 to compare its handling to another one of my folding ebikes, and as we zipped around the neighborhood, she hollered from behind me: “Why are these handlebars so tall!?” I yelled back, “Think of it like a combination scooter and grocery hauler,” as we continued to zoom around with ease.

Folding Convenience

The Centris 2 frame has the same two-point folding design as my HeyBike Comfort Ranger 3.0. It works by pulling the first latch in the center of the frame to make it fold in half, then dropping the other latch, located on the handlebar, to collapse the bike into a compact package that fits in the back seat of a car or tucks into a corner of the garage. It’s perfect for people who have limited storage space or don’t want to load a 65-pound ebike onto a car bike rack.

Cargo capacity is another benefit, but I had trouble securing my items in place. I tested the Front/Rear Rack Bin and the Rear Rack Bin, both made for the Centris line (including the original model and the Centris 2), but neither fit perfectly. When I reached out to Buzz Bicycles about this, the company confirmed the bins would have a tighter fit on the compact folding model but should ultimately fit and function properly.

When I gave both bins a whirl on the bike, though, I struggled with the setup. Per its name, the Front/Rear Rack Bin is made to sit on either the front or rear rack. I used it on the front, and it mostly fit—after I applied some elbow grease to wedge the bin inside the side rails, that is. To make it work, I had to smush one side and be extra careful with the strap connectors, but the bin was ultimately able to carry a decent volume: my lunch, wallet, phone, and water bottle. The larger Rear Rack Bin is more cavernous, but despite fitting my helmet, shoes, laptop case, and groceries, it, too, was flawed. The rugged nylon bin clips onto the included rear rack with secure latches, but no matter where I clipped it, my feet hit the bin when I pedaled. Even though I mostly use the bike's electric function and don’t pedal much, I do have to pedal to initially get moving, and whacking the cargo bag with my heel is both annoying and unsafe.

Some Sacrifices

At $900, the Centris 2 is one of the most affordable bikes from Buzz Bicycles. You will make a few sacrifices, though, like the somewhat lower 300-pound weight limit and 40-mile battery range, the latter of which being my main hesitation for recommending this bike. If your rides are short (and you love to pedal a chunky ebike and stay off the throttle), you can get close to 35 miles per charge. I typically don't pedal and instead treat my Centris more like a moped; I’ve been lucky to get 25 miles per charge, which is tricky because I live at least 5 miles from most of my destinations, so I get around two round trip outings before I have to recharge. This will be less of an issue for people who live in urban areas, but if you, like me, live in the Montana countryside, it's something to consider.

The 500-watt rear motor revs up quickly, but it has less power than many of WIRED's favorite folding ebikes. However, a number of those competitors are much more expensive than the Centris 2, so do with that what you will.

Once you’ve gotten over looking a little goofy zooming around town on a folding ebike, it’s hard to deny the convenience of this ride—especially as gas prices rise. Ultimately, the Centris 2 is easy to use; reliable; and if you can get the bags to fit, you’ll have plenty of cargo space. Keep an eye on the battery life and make sure to charge it often, and it’s a very reasonably priced option in the folding ebike market.

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