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I have ridden plenty of electric bikes that try to stand out with huge motors, massive batteries, or complicated technology. The Buzz Cerana 2 takes a different approach. It focuses on making an electric bike useful for everyday riding.
I rode the Buzz Cerana 2 myself, and my wife rode it as well. We used it for neighborhood rides, paved roads, bike paths, and general recreational riding. After spending time with it, I think the Cerana 2 makes a strong case for anyone looking for an affordable commuter or everyday electric bike.
The bike has a 500 watt rear hub motor, a 500 watt hour battery, five levels of pedal assist, a thumb throttle, a Shimano seven speed drivetrain, front suspension, wide 24 inch tires, mechanical disc brakes, front and rear racks, full fenders, front and rear lights, and a manual dropper seatpost.
That is a lot of equipment for an electric bike in this price range.
I also found a couple of things that buyers should know about. My particular bike did not come with the tools I needed for assembly, and the display on my bike has a strange halo or cloudy glow around parts of the screen. The display still works correctly and I can read everything, but I think it is worth mentioning.
With those points out of the way, here is what I thought after riding the Buzz Cerana 2.
The Buzz Cerana 2 has a Comfortable Step Through Design
The first thing I noticed about the Cerana 2 was the frame. Buzz uses a low step through aluminum frame with a 15 inch step over height. I found it very easy to get on and off the bike. I do not have to swing my leg high over the rear of the bike, which makes a difference when I stop frequently. My wife also found the frame easy to use.
I think this design makes the Cerana 2 a good option for riders who want a simple and approachable electric bike. It does not feel intimidating, and I can easily put a foot down when I stop.
The bike has a fairly compact appearance because of its 24 inch wheels. The smaller wheels also help give the bike a stable and controlled feel around town.
The tradeoff comes with weight. The Cerana 2 weighs roughly 63 to 68 pounds depending on how you measure it and the equipment on the bike. I definitely notice that weight when I have to move it without using the motor. Once I start riding, though, the weight does not bother me nearly as much.
Smooth Motor Power
The Cerana 2 uses a 500 watt rear hub motor, and this is one of my favorite parts of the bike.
I found the power delivery nice and smooth. I do not like electric bikes that suddenly jump forward when I start pedaling. The Cerana 2 gives me a predictable amount of assistance, and I quickly became comfortable with the way it responds.
The bike uses five levels of pedal assist. I can stay in a lower setting when I want to pedal more, or I can increase the assistance when I want an easier ride. The motor gives me enough power for normal hills and everyday riding. I never found myself wishing for a much larger motor during my testing.
The bike reaches a top speed of 20 mph, which feels plenty fast for neighborhood roads and bike paths.
The Thumb Throttle
The Cerana 2 also gives me a thumb throttle. I like having a throttle because there are times when I want the motor to do more of the work. It helps when I want to get moving, climb a hill, or simply take a break from pedaling. I found the throttle easy to use and predictable.
The bike also cuts motor power when I use the brakes, which is exactly what I want from an electric bike.
I think the combination of five pedal assist levels and a throttle gives the Cerana 2 plenty of flexibility. I can ride it like a traditional bicycle when I want to exercise, or I can let the motor handle more of the work when I want a relaxed ride.
Buzz Cerana 2 Battery and Range
Buzz puts a 48 volt, 10.4 amp hour battery with 500 watt hours of capacity on the Cerana 2.
The company claims up to 40 miles of range. I always treat range claims as an estimate because riding conditions can change the result dramatically. Rider weight, hills, wind, tire pressure, assist level, and throttle use all affect battery life.
For the type of riding I did, I think the battery size makes sense.
I do not think this bike needs an enormous battery. A larger battery would also add more weight, and this bike already has plenty of weight.
I can remove the battery from the bike and charge it separately, which makes charging more convenient if I do not have an outlet where I store the bike.
Buzz lists a four to six hour charging time.
For normal commuting and errands, I think the battery gives the Cerana 2 enough range to make sense as a daily transportation bike.
Seven Speed Drivetrain
The bike uses a Shimano seven speed drivetrain. I like having seven gears because it gives me enough range to handle different roads.
When I ride on flat pavement, I can shift into a higher gear and maintain a comfortable cadence. When I reach a hill, I can shift down and let the motor and drivetrain work together.
The gearing also gives me another advantage if I run the battery low. I can still ride the bike without relying completely on the motor. I never felt like I needed more gears during my testing.
Wide Tires and Front Suspension
The Cerana 2 uses 24 by 2.5 inch tires. These wide tires give the bike a comfortable and stable feel. They also help smooth out rough pavement.
The bike includes front suspension as well. I noticed the benefit when I rode over cracked pavement and other rough surfaces. The fork takes some of the sharpness out of smaller bumps, while the tires provide additional cushioning. I would not call the Cerana 2 an off road bike, though. I think it works well on pavement, bike paths, neighborhood roads, and gravel surfaces. I would not take it mountain biking or onto technical trails.
The bike simply does not have the suspension, tires, or overall design for that type of riding.
Buzz Cerana 2 Ride Comfort
Overall, I found the Cerana 2 comfortable. The combination of the step through frame, wide tires, front suspension, and comfortable saddle makes the bike easy to ride for casual trips. The grips also feel good in my hands. I did not feel like I needed to change anything immediately to make the bike comfortable.
My wife also enjoyed riding it, which reinforces my impression that Buzz designed the Cerana 2 for a broad range of everyday riders.
The bike feels more active than a very upright cruiser, but it does not force me into an aggressive riding position.
The Manual Dropper Seatpost
The manual dropper seatpost is one of the more interesting features on this bike. When I come to a stop, I can lower the seat and put my feet on the ground more easily. That can make the bike feel more secure when I stop at intersections or traffic lights. I like the feature, but I do not love the location of the lever. The lever sits underneath the seat, so I have to reach down to use it. I would much prefer to have the lever on the handlebars.
Once I get used to the system, it works. I can also see the benefit if two people share the bike because I can quickly adjust the seat for different riders. It is a useful feature that could be even better with a different control location.
Buzz Cerana 2 Braking
The Cerana 2 uses mechanical disc brakes. I found the brakes adequate for normal riding and had no problem slowing the bike down. However, I would prefer hydraulic disc brakes on a bike this heavy. Mechanical brakes require more hand effort, especially when the bike carries a heavier rider or additional cargo. They also require more manual adjustment as the cables stretch and the brake pads wear. That said, the brakes work and fit the price point. For normal commuting and recreational riding, I had no major complaints.
The Utility Package
One of the biggest strengths of the Cerana 2 is everything Buzz includes with the bike. I get front and rear racks, full fenders, front and rear lights, and a bell. That makes a big difference to me. If I buy a basic electric bike, I may need to spend additional money on a rack, fenders, and lights before I can really use it for commuting. The Cerana 2 comes ready for that kind of riding.
The racks give me places to carry groceries, a work bag, or other everyday items. The fenders help keep road spray off me, and the lights make the bike more useful when I ride early in the morning or later in the evening.
The racks do not turn this into a heavy duty cargo bike, though. I would use them for normal everyday loads rather than trying to haul extremely heavy items.
The Display on the Buzz Cerana 2
The center mounted LCD display gives me the information I need while riding. I can see my speed, pedal assist level, battery level, and trip information. I like the simple approach. I do not need to connect my phone to the bike just to see basic riding information. However, I did notice something unusual with my particular bike.
My Display Has a Halo Effect
The display on my bike has a noticeable halo or cloudy glow around parts of the screen. You can see the effect in the photo I took. Instead of looking evenly lit, some areas around the numbers and information have a lighter glow. The important thing is that the display still functions correctly. I can read the information, see my speed, check the battery level, and change the pedal assist setting without any problem.
I did not see this issue mentioned in the other reviews I looked at, so I cannot say how common it is. For that reason, I would not call it a confirmed problem with the Cerana 2. I can only say that my particular bike has this issue. Still, I think buyers should know about it. When I buy a new bike, I expect the display to look clean and uniform. If you decide on picking up the Cerana 2 I would recommend checking the screen carefully when your bike arrives.
Buzz Cerana 2 Assembly and Tools
The Cerana 2 arrives mostly assembled, but I still needed to finish a few assembly steps before I could ride it. Buzz lists the tools needed to complete the assembly on its website, but the bike does not come with those tools from the factory.
I already had the tools I needed, so this did not cause me any problems. However, if you are buying your first electric bike and do not already have a basic set of bike tools, you will need to get them before you start the assembly.
I do not consider this a major drawback, especially since Buzz clearly lists the required tools. I just think it is something worth knowing before the bike arrives. I would check the assembly instructions ahead of time and make sure you have everything you need.
Once assembled, I recommend checking the handlebars, pedals, wheels, brakes, rack bolts, fenders, and other hardware before your first ride.
What I Like About the Buzz Cerana 2
- Smooth and predictable motor power
- Easy step through frame
- Comfortable riding position
- Five levels of pedal assist
- Useful thumb throttle
- Seven speed Shimano drivetrain
- Wide 24 inch tires
- Front suspension
- Front and rear racks
- Full fenders
- Front and rear lights
- Manual dropper seatpost
- Removable battery
- Good everyday handling
- Easy for both me and my wife to ride
What I Dislike About the Buzz Cerana 2
- Heavy when I need to lift or carry it
- Mechanical brakes instead of hydraulic brakes
- Dropper lever sits under the seat
- No tools from the factory
- My display has a noticeable halo effect
Who Should Buy the Buzz Cerana 2?
After spending time riding the Buzz Cerana 2, I think Buzz built a very practical electric bike.
The smooth power delivery is one of the biggest reasons I enjoyed riding it. The 500 watt motor gives me enough power for everyday riding without feeling aggressive, and the five assist levels let me control how much work I want to do.
I also appreciate how much equipment comes standard. The racks, fenders, lights, suspension, throttle, wide tires, and dropper seatpost make the Cerana 2 feel like a complete commuter rather than a bike that needs several upgrades before I can use it.
The bike is not perfect. It is heavy, the mechanical brakes feel like a budget choice, and I would prefer the dropper lever on the handlebar. Overall, though, I enjoyed my time with the Cerana 2. For me, the biggest strength is that it does not overcomplicate the idea of an electric bike. I can get on it, choose an assist level, use the throttle when I want, and ride.
If you want a comfortable and practical electric bike for commuting, errands, neighborhood riding, and casual recreation, I think the Buzz Cerana 2 deserves a look. You can check the current price, specifications, availability, and purchase options at buzzbicycles.com.
