At 35 lb, the Charter F is a lightweight option for a folding e-bike.
The Charter F’s battery is in the seatpost. Both can be removed for security.
A tester describes folding the Charter F as “straightforward” and quick.
The Charter F is sold at a very competitive price.
Due to it’s low weight, it’s easy to pedal the Charter F without power, if need be.
The Charter F folds up small, to fit in your boat, apartment or RV.
Buzz offers the Charter F with a 2-year warranty on electronics & a 10-year ‘limited’ warranty on its aluminum frame.
The Charter F’s grips are ergonomic and comfortable.
Motor-inhibitors are present, to bless the Charter F with a reduced stopping distance.
Older riders endorsed the Charter F’s low standover height.
Buzz donate a portion of Charter F buyers’ profits to a honey-bee survival charity.

7 reasons not to buy

A tester says the Charter F is not a powerful option.
The Charter F’s display is simple and does not have a speedometer.
Rim V-brakes are less powerful than discs and require frequent adjustment.
Fenders and racks are not included with the Charter F.
Buzz does not offer aftermarket fenders or racks to fit the Charter F.
Lights are not included with the Charter F.
With small wheels and modest-width tires, the Charter F can deliver a jouncy ride.

Bottom line

The Buzz Charter F is a lightweight, low-cost, no-frills, folding, Class 1 e-bike. It packs up small enough to be practical on multimodal commutes using a train, bus or ferry. At 35 lb, it’s a lot lighter and easier to carry than many folders. To keep the weight and price down, however, compromises have been made. Linear rim brakes are used and the battery is a mere 288Wh. This will last around 30 miles under normal use, as there is no throttle. Wheels are 20”, tires are 1.75” and with an aluminum frame and no suspension, this can result in vibration being a part of riding the Charter F. The display is basic and no extras; racks, lights or fenders are included. The battery sits inside the seatpost, so you can remove both in one for inner-city security.

By Owen Jesse

Expert Reviews

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Electrified Reviews

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Buzz Charter F Review: The Lightest Folding E-bike Under $████

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Even though it’s super affordable, Buzz didn’t skimp on quality. This is a great e-bike for anyone who needs a lightweight folder for traveling, or maybe you just don’t have a lot of space to store a full-size e-bike. The mini 20” x 1.75” tires don’t add much in the way of shock absorption. It can get a little bumpy.

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Electrek

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Buzz Charter F Review: This Low-Cost Folding Electric Bike Sticks the Battery Where the Sun Don’t Shine

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The Buzz Charter F’s specialty is being a lightweight, no-frills folding e-bike. That being said, the package comes at a cost: power. The 250W rear hub motor isn’t the peppiest. While there’s a lot to like here, there are some compromises that have been made as well.

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CleanTechnica

Level 2 expert

Busy Little Buzz Charter E-bike Beats Any EV … in Traffic

Level 2 expert

After a few minutes on the Charter I didn’t miss the throttle at all. The punchy pedal-assist more than made up for it. It fits easily into the trunk or back seat of a compact sedan. At a mere 35 pounds, the Charter is manageable for mass transit.

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