A magnetic torque sensor and carbon belt drive deliver smooth and seamless performance

TechRadar Verdict

Tenways CGO600 Pro: One-minute review

The Tenways CGO600 Pro is one of the best e-bikes I've had the pleasure of riding. Almost every part of the bike looks great and performs well. The battery is tucked away inside the down tube and cables from front to back are hidden in the frame. All of this makes it very difficult to tell that you're actually riding an e-bike at all.

The magnetic torque sensor is the star of the show, providing a seamless provision of assistance whenever it is required. There is absolutely no lag between pedalling and the motor kicking in, making the whole experience very enjoyable. I've had e-bikes before that have motors that kick in very slowly and unreliably and they're a nightmare to ride.

The carbon belt drive is long-lasting and low-maintenance. An advertised life of 19,000 miles for the belt means it'll take a long time to require replacement. Not having any grease to deal with not only makes maintenance a breeze but also removes the risk of getting it on your clothes.

The 36V, 10Ah Lithium-ion battery with LG Cells has a maximum range of 100 km / 62 miles. This is far from the longest the best electric bikes have to offer but it is more than adequate for any commute. A four-hour recharge can be easily achieved while either at work or overnight before riding it again in the morning.

The CGO600 Pro is perfectly positioned as a city commuter. The medium-to-thin tires eat up the miles and handling around traffic is light and easy. The price is comparable with most of its competitors for this e-bike type and, given its fantastic performance, it's one of the best commuter bikes on the market at the moment.

Tenways CGO600 Pro review: Specs

Tenways CGO600 Pro review: Price and availability

• $1,599 / £1,569
• Only available in the US and EU
• Available from the manufacturer directly

The CGO600 Pro, with its 250W motor and 25km / 15.5 miles per hour speed limit, is perfectly tailored for the European market. At $1,599 / £1,569, it sits squarely in the middle of the city commuter bracket of e-bikes. Considering the features and performance, I would have expected to pay a little more for it.

There's no shortage of color options with Midnight Black, Avocado Green, Pebble Grey and Sky Blue to choose from. You can also specify the frame size you request, with medium, large, and extra large as options.

If you'd like the mudguards and kickstand as well, then you'll need to pay an additional £78. That is, unless you're prepared to subscribe to the Tenways newsletter. If you do, remarkably, you'll get those accessories for free. Don't get over excited about the kickstand, though; it's far too short for the size of the bike and is absolutely useless unless you're propping your bike up on a significant incline.

Tenways CGO600 Pro review: Design

• Beautiful and slim design
• Battery is tucked away in the down tube
• Noticeably lightweight

If you're looking for an e-bike that doesn't look like an e-bike, then the CGO600 Pro is going to be right up your street. This is thanks to the battery being neatly tucked into the down tube, the cables being hidden in the frame, and the frame being a more traditional shape. Unless you look closely, there is very little to give the game away that this is in fact an e-bike.

It is available in four different colors. I had the Pebble Grey option but I think the Avocado Green and Sky Blue paint colors are much nicer. The frame is made of aluminum and is perfectly balanced in terms of tube thicknesses and wheel sizes. I particularly like the way the top tube tapers out as it travels from the seat tube to the headset.

One of the standout design features is the carbon belt drive, which is superior in many ways to a more traditional chain. We'll cover more about its benefits in the performance section of this review but it's worth saying here that it certainly looks the part and there's a removable section in the chain stay if it does need to be replaced.

The 700c aluminum rims with 40mm road tires are perfectly proportioned for the the frame. Their size and thickness also make them perfect for eating up the miles on flat, even terrain while being thick enough to provide the necessary grip around corners. They are advertised as puncture-proof but I refrained from cycling over any shards of glass to test the validity of this claim.

The OLED display is positioned on the left-hand side of the handlebar and is, unfortunately, rather on the small side. I didn't have too much difficulty reading the display but I have read reports of people who struggle with it. The controls are easy to use and straight-forward, making it a pleasure to operate.

• Design Score: 4.5/5

Tenways CGO600 Pro review: Performance

• Magnetic torque sensor
• Mivice M070 250W Rear Hub Motor (40 Nm Torque)
• Hydraulic disc brakes

The CGO600 Pro, with magnetic torque sensor, provides one of the most seamless riding experiences I've ever had. The magnetic, rather than cadence-based, technology, almost eliminates any sense of lag between pedaling and the motor kicking in. I've experienced e-bike motors that take several seconds to kick in, which is far from ideal when you're needing to pull away quickly from a stationary position. Thankfully, Tenways has absolutely nailed this implementation.

The single-speed drivetrain makes it super easy to get moving and stay moving, a reality that contributes significantly to the enjoyment of the ride. Tenways has managed to engineer a gear ratio that is absolutely spot on for flat roads and is easy enough to keep things moving when going up hills. The addition of the powered motor makes this a powerful combination.

The bike, as a whole, is wonderfully quiet. This is to be expected with carbon belts and it's certainly the case with the CGO600 Pro. There is limited noise coming from the motor so you can still properly enjoy nature's surroundings as you're pedalling along.

The hydraulic disk brakes also perform very well. They're made by TEKTRO, rather than a more premium brand such as Shimano but they seem to deliver what's required. They are quick to respond and firm enough to apply the necessary braking pressure to the wheels. 

The entire performance of the e-bike is very positive, with nothing that got in the way of me thoroughly enjoying every ride I had on it.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Tenways CGO600 Pro review: Battery life

• 100km / 62 miles maximum range
• 36V, 10Ah Lithium-ion battery with LG Cells
• Removable battery

The advertised range of the 36V, 10Ah Lithium-ion battery with LG Cells is 100km / 62 miles. This does pale into insignificance compared to the 250km range of the Engwe P275 Pro but it's still fairly respectable. As someone who commutes around fifteen miles each day, this is more than enough for a few days of journeys between charges. I personally always opt for the highest level of assistance, and in this mode, I found the maximum range drops to around 30 miles.

The battery level is reported on the OLED display as a percentage, which I prefer over a simple three or four bar readout. Having a specific percentage really helps to keep track of that precious juice and make sure you don't run out mid-ride.

The battery is perfectly contained inside the down tube of the frame, providing a seamless design. With the provided key, it is possible to 'pop' the battery out of the tube, making it ideal for charging at home or in the office. A full recharge takes in the region of four hours, which is comparable to most e-bikes of this type.

• Battery life score: 4/5

Should I buy the Tenways CGO600 Pro?

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How I tested the Tenways CGO600 Pro

Even though the CGO600 Pro is advertised as suitable for flat roads, I was keen to test its ability on a broader range of terrains and inclines. My commute to the office made for a perfect collection of mild and steep hills, as well as tarmac and dirt tracks. Using the e-bike in these locations helped me build up a picture of not only how good it is under ideal conditions but also when you're forced out of those.

I thoroughly enjoyed using the e-bike every time I took it out. The single-speed setup and magnetic torque sensor provided an ideal combination for effortless riding.