CENTURION Numinis R2700i 2022 in our 2022 budget eMTB group test – The best budget eMTB up to € 6,500

With the Numinis R2700i, CENTURION promise to offer a bike with optional full-equipment that can impress both on trails and tours. At € 5,149, it’s the cheapest bike in the entire test field and yet the only one that is available with a full equipment upgrade. Can the Numinis strike the balance between daily routine and trail fun or does it run out of steam in one of the disciplines?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2022 for € 6,500 – 11 budget eMTBs in our eMTB group test

The CENTURION Numinis R2700i 2022 isn’t a rowdy trail ripper for demanding singletracks, but rather an everyday life companion: chilled night rides, commutes off the beaten path, gentle singletrack sessions or epic weekend expeditions with a quick stint at the local farmers market? At € 5,149, the Numinis R2700i 2022 is the cheapest bike in test and is available with a full equipment upgrade, which costs € 150 and significantly improves its everyday capabilities. Anyone considering the CENTURION should get the upgrade, because it both suits and enhances the character of the bike. For € 150 you get a pannier rack, kickstand, wide alloy mudguards and an elegant integrated tail light to complement the standard headlight. With all of this, you’ll be optimally prepared for shopping trips, late night pub sessions and commutes in all weather conditions. While the standard FOX AWL isn’t the best-performing fork out there, it has all essential mounting points and a high 150 kg max. permissible weight (second highest in this test!), which leaves a huge 123 kg margin for a fully-kitted rider. You can also tow a trailer with your kids, dogs or your weekly beer supply too.

CENTURION Numinis R2700i – up to date with the Bosch Smart System

A high maximum payload calls for excellent motor performance. The powerful Bosch Smart System offers a complete package, perfectly fitting the concept of the Numinis and ensuring decent propulsion even at low cadences. Moreover, the latest Smart System update includes several smart features that improve the everyday suitability of the bike. These include the eBike Lock function, which transforms your smartphone into a virtual lock when you leave your bike on the side curb to pop into the bakery. The 750 Wh battery provides enough juice for long rides and commutes without a destination charging point. On long tours, the CENTURION scores points with its comfortable, upright pedalling position and Shimano Linkglide 11-speed drivetrain, which has 450% gear range and was engineered to perform slower gear shifts and thus decrease chain wear.

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Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	400 mm	420 mm	460 mm	500 mm
Top tube	577 mm	598 mm	621 mm	644 mm
Head tube	110 mm	115 mm	130 mm	145 mm
Head angle	66.5°	66.5°	66.5°	66.5°
Seat angle	76.5°	76.5°	76.5°	76.5°
Chainstays	475 mm	475 mm	475 mm	475 mm
BB Drop	35 mm	35 mm	35 mm	35 mm
Wheelbase	1,208 mm	1,230 mm	1,255 mm	1,281 mm
Reach	425 mm	445 mm	465 mm	485 mm
Stack	632 mm	636 mm	650 mm	664 mm

​​With the fully-equipped EQ version, you’ll get a trusted companion for everyday life and trail riding.

When it comes to the frame, components and overall workmanship, CENTURION focus on high quality with an emphasis on functionality. While many manufacturers rely on in-house components to maximise profits (or save some dough, in simpler words), CENTURION actually enhance the value of their bikes by using their own parts. Details like the magnetic charge port cover, the paint finish and brushed aluminium cranks with the beautifully-machined chainring demonstrate a remarkable attention to detail.

The centurion Numinis R2700i on the trail – Take your shopping trolley off-road

Provided you don’t get too rowdy, the playful and agile CENTURION is great fun on flowing trails, making it all too easy to forget that it’s the second heaviest bike in the entire test field at 26.46 kg – and that’s without the full equipment upgrade! The firm 140/130 mm suspension provides direct feedback from the ground. On rough terrain, the suspension quickly reaches its limits, struggling to generate traction and thus failing to inspire confidence – partly due to a lack of composure at high speeds. On long tours, the stiff suspension makes it less comfortable than the FOCUS JAM² 7.9 or Moustache Trail 7. Although the 2.4″ MAXXIS DISSECTOR EXO+ tires struggle to maintain consistent traction, the CENTURION winds its way up the mountain with great confidence, making it easy to negotiate steep and technical sections with its long chainstays.

The CENTURION can be lots of fun as long as you don’t try to explore the extremes. If you get too excited and open the gas, the CENTURION quickly throws in the towel. The suspension reaches its limits and the handling turns from agile to nervous, requiring good riding skills to hold your line. If you respect its limitations, the CENTURION Numinis R2700i 2022 rewards you with intuitive handling and behaves like a textbook “Low speed all-rounder”. The CENTURION is best suited for commuters with a soft-spot for trails rather than the other way round. Therefore, we highly recommend the EQ version because the full-equipment emphasises the placid character of the bike. On top of that, you’ll get a genuine and fully-equipped all-rounder for a very reasonable € 5,299.

Tuning tip: choose the fully-equipped version

Conclusion

The CENTURION Numinis R2700i 2022 isn’t the weapon of choice for ambitious and fast trail riders but offers an excellent platform with clever details at a very reasonable € 5,149. We highly recommend the fully-equipped EQ version, which for just € 150, adds a lot of value and emphasises the character of the bike. In the upgraded variant, the CENTURION offers a harmonious overall package for sporty everyday riders and commuters who take off-road shortcuts only once in a while – and take it easy when they do!

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You can find out more about at centurion.de

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2022 for € 6,500 – 11 budget eMTBs in our eMTB group test

All bikes in test: Bulls Sonic EVO AM-SL1 (Click for review) | Canyon Spectral:ON CF8 (Click for review) | Centurion Numinis R2700i | FOCUS JAM² 7.9 (Click for review) | Giant Trance X E+19 (Click for review) | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 975 (Click for review) | Mondraker Crafty R (Click for review) | Moustache Trail 7 (Click for review) | Orbea Rise H15 (Click for review) | Rossignol Mandate Shift XT (Click for review) | SCOTT Patron eRide 920 (Click for review)

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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Mike Hunger, Robin Schmitt