Buzz Charter F review: A folding e-bike with a unique battery location

Buzz Charter F review: This low-cost folding electric bike sticks the battery where the sun don’t shine

Electrek.co by Micah Toll

[{"selector":"#anim-e5022e0b-ef02-4ffc-8e5e-ee8c49618be8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Buzz Charter F , which is the latest e-bike from the value-oriented electric bike brand Buzz, offers up a low-cost $999 folding model with the battery hidden in the seat post.

[{"selector":"#anim-8d19406a-b98b-4b32-b5cd-a01593046b0b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] It’s a battery design that we’re starting to see more of , and for good reason.

[{"selector":"#anim-531597c8-c5a8-42d4-a36e-bd674ea763e8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] It can come in handy in urban settings where riders will likely want to take both the saddle and the battery inside with them while the bike remains locked outside.

[{"selector":"#anim-f9c696ba-7dcb-4a9e-b05d-f1d7ab8f3761","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Buzz Charter F Tech Specs • Motor: 250W rear geared hub motor • Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph) • Range: Up to 64 km (40 mi) • Battery: 36V 8Ah (288 Wh) • Weight : 15.8 kg (35 lb) with battery • Frame: Aluminum

[{"selector":"#anim-1501c969-d4ac-4744-a589-92fbc21faff0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Buzz Charter F Tech Specs (Cont'd) • Tires : 20 x 1.75-inch • Brakes: Mechanical rim brakes • Extras: 3 levels of pedal assist, LED dot display, battery built into seat, locking seat post clamp, kickstand • Price: Currently $999

[{"selector":"#anim-4bc2679e-a48a-491c-96c1-47f71bbe1861","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Those are the two most commonly stolen parts of an electric bike, so combining them into one easy-to-grab component means riders can head thieves off at the pass.

[{"selector":"#anim-f354dfbf-5bbd-49e9-950c-abc4ef0b6845","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Buzz Charter F’s specialty is being a lightweight, no-frills folding e-bike.

[{"selector":"#anim-04bd3720-4b2d-4bc4-8e59-2388afa5c1b6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] At just 35 lb., it’s definitely on the lighter end of the range of e-bikes I’ve tested. Folding bikes are often particularly heavy due to the extra weight of a few rugged folding mechanisms, but the Buzz Charter F manages to keep an eye on its waistline to maintain its trim figure.

[{"selector":"#anim-42a1a18f-d992-4b06-abf1-27d7091981bf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Check out my video review to see the Buzz Charter F in action and keep reading the rest of my in-depth review at Electrek.co. Video review