【AI前沿】Centris 2 Folding Ebike Review: Compact, Sturdy, Budget-Friendly

Maggie SlepianGearMay 15, 2026 7:02 AMReview: Buzz Bicycles Centris 2This budget-friendly folding ebike fits in the back seat of a car and has narrow handlebars for riding comfort.Courtesy of Buzz Bicycles$900at BuzzCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyRating:7/10Open rating explainerInformationWIREDThe folding mechanisms are secure. The bike is comfortable to ride, thanks to narrow handlebars. It’s priced lower than many competitors.TIREDThe thumb throttle is harder to control than a twist throttle. Storage accessories don’t fit perfectly. It has a lower battery range than comparable models.All ebikes makeit 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 thebest ebikes,best electric mountain bikes, andbest ebike locks.Comes Together EasilyPhotograph: Maggie SlepianSimilar 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 atreadmill, 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.Photograph: Maggie SlepianThe 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, “Thin