Tenways CGO600 Pro Electric Bike review: a great, albeit expensive, bike for a commute to ...
If you're looking for an easy-to-ride electric bike for commuting to work or running errands, the Tenways CGO600 Pro is hard to beat -- provided you're willing to drop the cash on it.
CGO600 Pro Electric Bike review -- A stylish bike for city riding
There are plenty of reasons to take up cycling. Beyond being an excellent way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, its probably the best method of transportation for those in-between distances that are too far to walk but too close to drive.
However, traditional bikes can be a bit limited. For instance, during the summer, arriving at work drenched in sweat might not be appreciated by your co-workers. This is where electric bikes, like the Tenways CGO600 Pro, really make themselves useful.
We were thrilled to try out the CGO600 Pro Electric Bike. This e-bike is not just lightweight and stylish, but it also features a powerful motor that provides a smooth and effortless ride. Its compact design and long-lasting battery make it perfect for commuting, while its sleek look adds a touch of style to your ride.
Tenways CGO600 Pro Electric Bike - general design
The CGO600 Pro is considered a lightweight electric bike, weighing 37 pounds thanks to its 6061 aluminum alloy frame. If you're a commuter who mixes modes of transportation, the CGO600 Pro is easy to lift. This means you can easily carry it up several stairs or load it onto bus bike racks.
If you run out of battery, it's much easier to pedal a 37-pound bike than a 77-pound bike -- and trust us, we'd know.
CGO600 Pro Electric Bike -- It doesn't scream "electric bike" from a distance
Regarding the design, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better-looking e-bike. CGO600 Pro is more of a stealth e-bike -- meaning that at a glance, it's not immediately obvious that it's an electric bike.
While there's not a particularly practical reason for this, it is nice to maintain that classic bike shape without any immediately obvious external battery packs or displays.
CGO600 Pro Electric Bike - built in mudguards help prevent splashback when riding
One neat feature of the CGO600 Pro is its built-in mudguards over the tire. These are a major benefit when riding in any area that gets even somewhat routine rainfall. Of course, installing them is a bit of a pain.
It's worth noting that there is no throttle on the CGO600 Pro -- it's only a class 1 e-bike -- so you don't have the option to cruise around on motor power alone. This wasn't a problem for us, but it may be a problem for other riders.
We tested the avocado green model, but it's also available in sky blue, pebble gray, and midnight black.
Tenways CGO600 Pro Electric Bike - noteworthy features
Like some of our other favorite bikes, this one doesn't feature a chain but rather a Gates CDN Carbon Belt. Assuming standard use, it should last for over 18,000 miles before needing to be replaced.
The CGO600 Pro features a 350W brushless hub motor and hydraulic disc breaks. We highly prefer disc breaks over rim breaks as they are much more reliable in damp weather and when descending steep hills. The only downside is that disc breaks are more expensive and can be a pain to maintain and change on your own if you don't have experience.
CGO600 Pro Electric Bike -- the minimalist display
The display on the CGO600 Pro is very minimalist -- but that's not a bad thing. The tiny display is easy to read, even in bright light, and we found that it didn't take much effort to engage pedal assist or access other features while riding.
The display also allows a user to set a password, preventing the pedal assist and headlight from being used. However, this does not lock the bike wheels, so it's not exactly an antitheft feature.
CGO600 Pro Electric Bike review -- we love the built-in headlight
Our favorite feature, hands down, is the built-in headlight. This cute little headlight is a game changer if you're an early morning or late evening rider. Simply hold down the up button on the display to turn it on.
Tenways CGO600 Pro Electric Bike - battery
Tucked into the frame is a 360Wh battery, rated to give you up to 53 miles of range -- though that'll depend greatly on rider weight and outdoor temperature.
CGO600 Pro Electric Bike review -- The battery can be removed from the frame for easy charging
What we liked, though, was that the battery was removable from the frame. You'll just need to unlock it with the included key. This means you can store your bike in one area and charge the battery in another -- a big deal if you want to charge your battery in your office or don't have convenient outlet access for a parked bike.
Tenways CGO600 Pro Electric Bike - assembly
Like many bikes you'll get shipped to you, the CGO600 Pro does not come ready to ride. Unfortunately, it requires a bit of assembly. Specifically, you'll need to attach the front wheel, the handlebar, the seat, the reflectors, the mudguards, and the kickstand.
Tenways also provides all the tools to set up and maintain the bike. And, as a bonus, each screw is clearly labeled with the Newton meters that they should be tightened to -- if you're going to be that fickle about it.
We were thrilled with how easily the bike went together, in no small part due to the extremely comprehensive set-up video provided by Tenways. Sure, it didn't go together quickly, but we had no major issues. Overall, it probably took us an hour and a half to set up the bike with just one person -- though much of that time was spent re-watching a video to make sure we weren't screwing it up.
If you're uncomfortable setting up your bike, we suggest taking your bike to a reputable bike shop. Most bike shops are happy to set up a bike for anywhere between $75-$200, though you should call ahead to get an idea of what you'll spend.
Tenways CGO600 Pro Electric Bike - Performance
The bike we tested was designed for riders between 5'9 and 6'4. Our 6'3 tester found the bike fairly comfortable, if not slightly taller than she liked.
And -- somewhat surprisingly -- with handlebar adjustments, our 5'2 rider found the bike a little tall but not impossible to ride.
In fact, we were very happy to see the ability to adjust the handlebars. It's nice to see a bike that doesn't expect to be one size fits all and offers a little customization.
CGO600 Pro Electric Bike review -- This bike features a belt instead of a chain
However, we swapped the seat for a wider seat designed to support larger or more casual riders. The saddle with the bike is small and may be uncomfortable for certain riders.
As far as riding goes, it's one of the smoothest electric bikes we've ridden. The pedal assist is undetectable -- there's no tell-tale jerkiness in the cadence. Instead, it's just a smooth ride that feels very natural.
We were honestly surprised at the range we got from the battery. Using the lowest pedal assist level felt adequate to take the strain off our riders' knees but didn't drain the battery.
We were able to ride more than 35 miles across three rides before we decided to charge the battery, but we probably could have gotten a fourth ride without completely discharging it.
When it comes to speed, the alleged maximum speed is capped at 20 miles per hour -- though Tenways points out that you can go faster under your power. We broke 25 miles per hour a few times on particularly flat stretches of road, though, for city riding, we don't think you'll routinely see those sorts of speeds.
The one place the CGO600 Pro falls short is climbing steep hills. It's a single-speed and certainly feels like a single-speed, so when you hit a steep hill, you'll likely have to put in some genuine effort when pedaling.
We tested it at our favorite park and found that on pedal assist level 3, we could make it up a particularly steep hill, though not as easy as we had with the Roadster V2 by Ride1Up.
Who the Tenways CGO600 Pro Electric Bike is for
We think most people who enjoy riding -- but still want the option of pedal assist -- would enjoy the CGO600 Pro. It is a great way to take the strain off your knees and let you bike longer.
It's also a lightweight bike, which makes it easier to lug around if need be. It's a pretty solid choice for a city bike, especially if you live in an area with plenty of paved places to ride.
Some people may want to look elsewhere. If you're looking for a bike that offers a motor-only mode, this isn't the bike for you. Because it is a class 1, not a class 2, you'll still need to pedal no matter where you're going.
If no throttle is a deal breaker, we suggest checking out Ride1Up's Roadster V2 Gravel Edition. It's a class 2 ebike that is even lighter than the CGO600 Pro.
Where to buy the Tenways CGO600 Pro Electric Bike
You can pick up the Tenways CGO600 Pro from Tenways' website for $1,599.
Tenways CGO600 Pro Electric Bike pros
- Easy to assemble
- Adjustable handle bars
- Attractive design
- Built in headlight
Tenways CGO600 Pro Electric Bike cons
- Only three levels of pedal assist
- No throttle
- Doesn't handle hills as well as others
- Expensive
Tenways CGO600 Pro Electric Bike rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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Comments
Compared to the competition this bike is not light (18,5 kg with mud guards). It is expensive and weak.
I tried to go uphill about a 5% climb. Although I am a very light and fit person (58 kg body weight) this was not possible.
Afterwards Tenways confirmed to me that the CGO600 Pro is not suited for uphill biking.
To me the bike is completely useless. Tenways did not agree to take it back. And since Tenway is selling from a chinese company they do not have to (like e.g. European companies if the product is not as advertised).
Made for people in Holland?