Raleigh Centros Hub Gear

A practical and well-specced model from the revitalised British brand

When it comes to bicycle manufacturers, one brand needs no introduction. Raleigh has been a fixture in more cyclists’ lives than any other. And while the famous British brand continues to make regular bikes, in recent years it has focussed on the development of e-bikes.

Its latest range now includes the Centros Hub Gear, which, as the name suggests, is an e-bike with hub gearing. Simple and reliable, hub gears have been around for over a century, although the rise of mountain and road racing bikes, with their tendency to employ lighter and more delicate derailleur gears, led to them falling from favour. Now, increased interest in e-bikes for urban transport has seen them staging a comeback.

In the case of the Centros, the hub gears are an eight-speed Nexus system from Shimano. These are tucked safely away from potential damage while still allowing riders to get the maximum benefit from the bike’s Bosch Performance Line motor, which is neatly hidden away between the pedals at the lowest point of the frame.

Also snuck into the chassis is the 625Wh battery. The capacity of this down tubeintegrated Bosch power pack is large for a city bike, and it’s particularly impressive to see on a bike at this price point because the unit can go for long intervals – over 200km – between charges.

Despite the urban-centric looks, Raleigh describes the Centros as ‘one for the offroaders’. The Suntour Nex suspension fork and the large-volume 55mm Schwalbe tyres do offer comfort when the tarmac runs out, although the full-length mudguards and slick treads on the tyres will quickly clog if used off-road and in muddy conditions.

Still, stick to gravel tracks, canal paths and parkways, and you’ll be fine. These are the surfaces where the Centros does best and, with its stately yet not excessively sedate ride, it’s a bike that’s mostly happy to go where you point it and it will carry you there in comfort.

 £3,099

 raleigh.co.uk