Centurion Numinis Review

SUV e-MTBs promise the perfect blend of everyday practicality and off-road capability. We’ve tested whether the Centurion Numinis R3000 EQ can truly do both: replace a car in daily life and provide fun on the trails – or if the SUV approach is just a marketing buzzword.

The Bosch CX Power Update . The modulation is sensitive, and the power is available at any time. Perfect for daily commuters who want to travel relaxed but swift. For our tests, we are constantly riding all kinds of motors, but it shows again and again. Bosch is Germany’s most popular e-bike motor for a reason.

In the down tube of the Centurion Numinis sits the largest Bosch battery currently available: a whopping 800 Wh capacity. Many other manufacturers, especially in the city segment, often install smaller batteries with 500 or 600 Wh. Centurion does not skimp here.

We have extensively tested the motor and also the range of the motor under tough MTB conditions in a dedicated video. Certainly interesting for anyone who is about to make a purchase decision:

The battery can be removed in under a minute. A real advantage for everyday use, vacations, or winter. This way, the battery can be stored in a warm place or easily removed when transporting on the car’s rear rack.

Mountain bike components offer a level of comfort that trekking bikes can hardly provide: wide tires, solid suspension, powerful brakes. More grip, shorter braking distances, fewer punctures, and thus noticeably more safety.

The Bosch ABS system installed (only on the front wheel) is a surprisingly useful everyday helper. The system reliably prevents the front wheel from locking up – even on gravel. For very sporty riders who know how to properly modulate the brake even in moments of panic, the ABS system may be somewhat redundant, but for everyone else, it is a real safety bonus.

A critical view can be taken of the high density of technology: the large Kiox 500 screen and the extensive remote unit with its many buttons clutter the control center somewhat. This increases the risk of defects and makes the bike more attractive to thieves. For commuters, less might be more here. However, bike travelers or tour riders will appreciate the ability to navigate with the Kiox 500 display in combination with a smartphone.

The maximum permissible weight of 150 kg and the official trailer approval make the bike family-friendly. However, a special thru-axle for the trailer must be purchased separately. The luggage rack seems sturdy but is limited to 25 kg. Mounting a child seat is not recommended, as indicated by a clear symbol on the rack.

The dropper post is a real asset for everyday use: making it easier to mount and dismount is just the smallest advantage. The quick height adjustment allows for a tool-free adaptation to different riders — invaluable when the bike is used by multiple people in daily life.

The riding position is comfortably sporty, but not excessive. The handlebars are not higher than the saddle, unlike some city bikes. The character remains MTB-like, allowing for spontaneous off-road detours.

With 140 mm of travel and a comfort-oriented, linear suspension, the Centurion Numinis R3000 EQ is not designed as a trail shredder – but it handles light to moderate trails with ease. Positively:

There are, of course, some limitations: On steep sections, you might hit the rear rack when dropping strongly behind the saddle. And if you want to convert the bike for sportier use, you need to know that the rack with its light wiring isn’t something you can just “quickly” dismantle. Occasional excursions on easy trails are fun. Nobody will seriously want to tackle the legendary 601 Trail at Lake Garda with it. That’s more the domain of the Centurion No Pogo Carbon in our test, which we have also tested for you.

With €6,899, the R3000 EQ as the top model is no bargain. If you can do without ABS and premium suspension, you should check out the Numinis R1000 EQ: same frame, same motor, same battery, but €1,800 cheaper. For most everyday riders, it might be the more sensible choice.

And of course, you can make the bike look even more economical. If you estimate that driving a car costs about 50 cents per kilometer, then you have to cover 14,000 kilometers with the bike instead of the car for your daily trips and you’re basically riding for free. 14,000 kilometers is, of course, a lot, but it’s definitely one way to look at it.

How much more cost-effective it is to travel with such a bike instead of a car is also shown by looking at current electric cars: A battery from the Golf E is about 45 times larger (36,000 Wh) than the one in the Centurion, but only delivers about 3-4 times as much range in everyday use. This makes it clear: short distances are and will remain E-bike territory.