When the tour of the estates is due, but the Land Rover has once again succumbed to a gearbox failure and a hole in the oil pan – a hole reminiscent in size of the Titanic incident –, the Lord realistically has only two options left.
Either he saddles up the trusty steed and gallops across the fields, or he walks on foot like the common folk.
However, the noble horses fell victim to budget cuts after the last botched investment overseas. The stable has been empty ever since, and before the Lord gets his boots dirty in the mud, quite a lot would have to happen.
Centurion
The term Centurio(n) originates from the Latin military system, which had a variety of ranks and titles. The Centurion typically commanded a unit of about 80 men. Why not 100, as the name actually suggests? Nobody knows. Maybe a rounding error.
What sounds quite powerful was, in reality, not all that special. Although the Centurion formally held the rank of an officer, he didn’t have much authority. He was more of a small fish and regularly found himself side by side with ordinary foot soldiers in the dirt of the battlefield.
Perhaps pioneer Wolfgang Renner found this name fitting for precisely that reason? As a young lad, he stumbled into the cyclocross scene – known today as Cyclocross – in the early 1960s and quickly made an international name for himself. In a short time, he made the leap from ambitious amateur to World Championship participant. In 1972, he achieved third place.
After a career-ending injury, he turned his passion into a profession and founded Centurion in 1976. What followed is an impressive story, which can be read on the company’s website – and it’s well worth reading.
I will probably never become a lord, that much is certain. But luckily, you don't have to be one to travel like a lord or a lady.
With the new lineup of the Centurion Country series, this luxury is finally accessible to the masses, and the perfect bike is guaranteed to be found for everyone who prefers stylish over stressful travel.
The Lord drives a Ford, I ride the Country.
L, LX or T?
The basic recipe is quite simple: Take a solid frame with a low step-through as a base, slap a Bosch mid-drive motor on it, hide a gigantic battery in the down tube, offer it with both belt and chain drive options, equip it with wide 27.5-inch wheels, and outfit it with various add-ons depending on the intended use.
Always included: sturdy fenders, an excellent lighting system – stylish, reliable – and more or less extensive luggage rack solutions.
With this formula, not much can really go wrong. And yet, Centurion has made an especially successful implementation of it.
Centurion Country L-Series
The Country L series impresses with simplicity, which does not mean that anything has been compromised. On my test bike, the flagship with the somewhat clunky name R4000 L ABS, no wish remains unfulfilled.
Bosch Performance Line CX motor with endless torque, an 800-Wh battery integrated in the down tube (of course removable), Gates-CDX belt in combination with the Enviolo-HD hub and stepless automatic transmission (!). What a time to be alive!
Exactly – and if you're going to do it, do it right: 4-piston brake system from Shimano, naturally with ABS.
If that doesn’t blow your cycling shoes off: The classy ride comes factory-equipped with a Supernova lighting system, and as the cherry on top, there’s even a dropper post.
Country L
Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
Suspension travel: 100 mm
Max. total weight: 150 kg
Frame: one-piece head/down tube, one-piece Look motor mount down tube, very low and wide step-through, FEM-optimized design, front rack interface, best step-through in its class, lifetime warranty
Usage: All Terrain
Wide fenders: Stable, with plenty of space for knobby MTB tires, Centurion's own design, manufactured in Europe
Fully integrated cable routing offers a clean design and protects the cables from external influences. Additional protection through the extra-sealed headset by Acros
Bosch Performance LINE CX: Improved noise performance, 100 Nm maximum torque, 750 watts maximum power, 400% maximum support, 2.8 kg, extended Boost
Bosch Performance LINE PX: Drive unit for adventurers, very quiet, thanks to optimized gear-
mechanism, reliable and robust, 90 Nm maximum torque, 700 watts maximum power, 400% maximum support, 2.9 kg
Bosch ABS: High stability on varying surfaces, safe downhill riding, supports initial braking, confident use of the front brake, no skidding or overturning
Enviolo HD + Gates: Automatic stepless shifting and low-maintenance belt drive
Geo L
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheel size | 27.5" | 27.5" | 27.5" | 27.5" |
| Seat tube length [mm] | 390 | 420 | 470 | 520 |
| Top tube length [mm] | 580 | 605 | 631 | 656 |
| Chainstay length [mm] | 455 | 455 | 455 | 455 |
| Head tube angle [°] | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 |
| Effective seat tube angle [°] | 74 | 74 | 74 | 74 |
| Actual seat tube angle [°] | 72.6 | 72.6 | 72.6 | 72.6 |
| Bottom bracket drop [mm] | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Head tube length [mm] | 155 | 175 | 195 | 215 |
| Fork length [mm] | 504.5 | 504.5 | 504.5 | 504.5 |
| Fork offset [mm] | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 |
| Reach [mm] | 395 | 415 | 435 | 455 |
| Stack [mm] | 645 | 664 | 682 | 701 |
| Wheelbase [mm] | 1135 | 1163 | 1190 | 1218 |
| Standover height [mm] | 406 | 406 | 406 | 406 |
| Stack/Reach ratio (STR) [%] | 163 | 160 | 157 | 154 |
| Recommended height [cm] | 150 - 170 | 162 - 182 | 174 - 194 | 184 - 204 |
Line guidance: Consistently straight from the top tube to the dropout
Highlights: Centurion head tube badge and 3D lettering
Charging port: Seamlessly integrated into the top tube, magnetic with hide function,
ergonomically positioned
Battery cover: Resistant to dirt, very easy to handle, comfortable
to close, with a rotatable joint
Motor cover design: Sporty-looking grille air intakes for protection and
optimal cooling of the motor
Halo rear light: Best visibility from Centurion
Mounting points: Space for two bottle holders on the head tube
Crank & chainring: In custom Centurion design
Kickstand and Racktime luggage carrier
Multi-use head tube: Interface for left/right bottle holders, luggage carrier, and
range extender
Centurion Country LX Series
If this model seems too puritanical to you or if you want to set a personal best on the in-house single trail between your weekend house on the mountain slope and the village bakery, then the Country LX series is highly recommended.
For the most part, the fully suspended version shares many features with the Country-L line: powerful motors, large batteries, and a solid full equipment package – that means aluminum fenders, luggage racks, and all the practical extras. The fork has been upgraded to 120 mm in the front, and at the rear, there’s an additional 105 mm of travel.
Unfortunately, the LX series does not include a belt drive – the rear construction is to blame. Instead, a Shimano Cues with 11 gears is used. And it works, as you’d expect from Shimano: simply perfect. Anyone complaining that 12 gears would be better just doesn’t know what they’re talking about.
The bike weighs a hefty 35 kilograms, but this never struck me as a negative. My Cayenne’s bike rack can easily handle three times that weight, and loading and unloading are taken care of by the chauffeur anyway. I’m just being honest. Once a lord, always a lord.
The price for the R2000 LX with ABS? A mere 5,699 euros. Almost embarrassingly affordable.
Country LX
Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
Travel: 120 mm
Max. total weight: 150 kg
Weight: 30.5 kg
Frame: One-piece head tube/down tube, one-piece look motor mount down tube, very
low, wide step-through, FEM-optimized design, front rack interface,
elegant shock integration, comfort-optimized kinematics, distinctive clear design
language, best step-through in its class, lifetime warranty
Use: All Terrain
Features basically like the L-Series, but without Enviolo HD + Gates.
Geo LX
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheel size | 27.5" | 27.5" | 27.5" | 27.5" |
| Seat tube length [mm] | 380 | 410 | 440 | 465 |
| Top tube length [mm] | 567 | 592 | 617 | 642 |
| Chainstay length [mm] | 480 | 480 | 480 | 480 |
| Head tube angle [°] | 67.8 | 67.8 | 67.8 | 67.8 |
| Effective seat tube angle [°] | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Actual seat tube angle [°] | 71.7 | 71.7 | 71.7 | 71.7 |
| Bottom bracket drop [mm] | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Head tube length [mm] | 115 | 175 | 195 | 215 |
| Fork length [mm] | 521.5 | 521.5 | 521.5 | 521.5 |
| Fork offset [mm] | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 |
| Reach [mm] | 395 | 415 | 435 | 455 |
| Stack [mm] | 642 | 661 | 680 | 698 |
| Wheelbase [mm] | 1172 | 1199 | 1226 | 1254 |
| Standover height [mm] | 422 | 422 | 422 | 422 |
| Stack/Reach ratio (STR) [%] | 163 | 167 | 156 | 153 |
| Recommended rider height [cm] | 152 - 172 | 163 - 183 | 173 - 193 | 183 - 203 |
Centurion Country T-Series
L – for the luxury pampered. LX – for those who still want more. The question remains: Who is the Country T-Edition actually intended for?
On paper, the three models differ only upon closer inspection. While L and LX are almost identical in terms of geometry (the stack is minimally lower on the fully), the T-series takes a slightly different path.
With around 10 mm longer reach and approximately 15 mm less stack across all sizes, the T-Edition presents itself as the first choice for touring enthusiasts who value a slightly sportier riding position.
Otherwise, as the discerning literature lover knows, there's nothing new in the East.
Country T
Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
Travel: 100 mm travel
Max. total weight: 150 kg
Frame: hydroformed head tube with front luggage rack interface, FEM optimized design, slim top tube, lifetime warranty
Usage: All Terrain
Geo T
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheel size | 27.5" | 27.5" | 27.5" | 27.5" |
| Seat tube length [mm] | 390 | 420 | 470 | 520 |
| Top tube length [mm] | 601 | 608 | 633 | 658 |
| Head tube length [mm] | 155 | 175 | 195 | 215 |
| Head tube angle [°] | 67.5 | 68 | 68 | 68 |
| Effective seat tube angle [°] | 74 | 74 | 74 | 74 |
| Actual seat tube angle [°] | 72.9 | 72.9 | 72.9 | 72.9 |
| Bottom bracket drop [mm] | 55 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Chainstay length [mm] | 135 | 155 | 175 | 195 |
| Fork length [mm] | 509 | 509 | 509 | 509 |
| Fork offset [mm] | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 |
| Reach [mm] | 420 | 423 | 443 | 463 |
| Stack [mm] | 629 | 645 | 663 | 682 |
| Wheelbase [mm] | 1157 | 1163 | 1190 | 1218 |
| Standover height [mm] | 635 | 637 | 652 | 682 |
| Stack/Reach ratio [%] | 150 | 152 | 150 | 147 |
| Recommended rider height [cm] | 150-170 | 162-182 | 174-194 | 184-204 |
Summary
The target group seems quite clear at first glance. Comfort, riding safety, and powerful motors supposedly appeal primarily to the affluent older audience. In reality, however, the bikes are also a well-thought-out option for urban people with a practical mindset.
The daily commute to work shouldn't be a sporting challenge but, first and foremost, simple, stress-free, and comfortable. If it’s also fun, even better. No traffic jams, no parking issues, no frustration with public transport.
And yet, I can effortlessly chauffeur my child through the city, store groceries on the front carrier, and, if the mood strikes, tackle the root trail on the Kahlenberg. The bikes are well-crafted and, thanks to the wide range of accessories, almost infinitely customizable. From the big city to off-road terrain, it simply works.
Centurion has figured out the adventure commuting game.
Conclusion
Country L, LX & T
- Model year
- 2026
- +Very stable tracking
- +Center of gravity lies below sea level
- +Incredibly powerful motor
- +Well-rounded overall package
- +German quality
- oGerman design
- -Smart Sam tires
BB verdictRecommendation for everyone who prefers to be chauffeured.
The Lord may have driven a Ford in the past, but those days are long gone. Today, one gets driven – or better said: chauffeured. With the Centurion Country R4000 L ABS, cycling becomes a comfortable honorary lap. The version with the Enviolo automatic transmission is particularly recommended, as it leaves hardly anything to be desired in terms of operating comfort.
The bike impresses with excellent tracking stability and an extremely low center of gravity – seemingly somewhere below sea level. The motor delivers relentless thrust, regardless of whether in the CX or PX version. Ten Newton meters more or less? Nobody cares here. The overall package is cohesive, especially the fenders, lighting system, and carrier system, which not only appear solid but also thoughtfully integrated.
The quality is, true to the cliché, typically German: robust, precise, reliable. However, the design leaves some room for improvement – it looks functional but somewhat generic, almost a little technocratic. And for those who value maximum comfort, the standard Smart Sam tires should be replaced with Big Apple tires. I truly have nothing more to criticize. Really, nothing.
