Tenways CGO600 Pro-C Review | What Gains Come with a Chain?

The results of our Range Test—and the process used to gather them—are explained in the graphic above. When compared with similar city e-bikes we’ve tested, which averaged 24.7 and 43.6 miles, the CGO600 Pro-C performed well with excellent results!

The Tenways’ results in the max-assist (Mode 3) test were relatively average and slightly exceeded our estimations; based on the bike’s 350W motor and 360-Wh battery, we anticipated it would travel roughly 19 miles over the course of an hour. Our test lasted an hour and 14 minutes and yielded roughly 3 additional miles.

In its min-assist (Mode 1) test, the Pro-C exceeded the category average by roughly 20 miles! The bike’s result of over 60 miles makes it one of the best-performing city bikes we have tested; at the time of writing, this is among the three longest distances a bike of this style has traveled.

Motor power, battery capacity, total weight, and speed are the main factors affecting performance in this test. There is no obvious reason why the bike did so well; its motor, battery, weight of 45 lbs, and speed of roughly 12 mph were all relatively average in comparison to similar models.

This leads me to speculate (emphasis on this being a guess) that there may be something going on “under the hood” that we are not aware of. The chain-driven version of the CGO600 Pro features a custom—or at least custom-branded—motor, so it is possible that the brand made some tweaks to the internals or programming to improve efficiency.

Regardless, we expect most riders will be able to get multiple short trips in before needing to recharge. Those using the bike for long commutes could have their morning and evening rides covered for days when using the lowest level of pedal assist. This bike can cover some serious ground!

We were pleased to note that the bike shipped with a 3-amp fast charger, which can recharge the CGO’s battery in roughly 3 hours and 20 minutes. We also liked that the battery itself was removable; many bikes of this style have fully internal batteries that require the whole bike to be brought in for charging.

All in all, the CGO600 Pro-C gets another emphatic two thumbs up in this test!

As indicated in the introduction to this review, our Hill Test was the true test of the CGO600 Pro-C’s 8-speed drivetrain. Again, the bike performed extremely well, with one of the best results we have seen from this style of bike; our data and testing process are explained in the graphic above.

For comparison, similar city e-bikes we tested averaged 1:55 from beginning to completion, making the Pro-C twenty-four seconds faster than average. The single-speed CGO with the belt drive—while still 11 seconds faster than average— finished the test in 1:44, proving the chain-driven model to be measurably better at climbing by a difference of 13 seconds.

Once again, many of the bike’s specs and characteristics are well within the norm for city bikes, including its 350W nominal motor wattage and 45 Nm of torque, its weight of 45 lbs, its 700x45c tires, etc. Digging deeper, however, one thing jumped out as a potential reason for why this bike did so well: the motor’s peak wattage.

Going by the bike’s controller, we expect its motor to peak at 650 watts—well above the 568-watt average among similar bikes we’ve tested. This extra power likely gave the CGO its peppier-than-average feel, which made pedaling uphill relatively fast and easy.

To be clear, city bikes like the CGO600 require active pedaling, so riders should expect to be breathing a bit heavier upon reaching the top of a hill. I can attest, however, that this bike makes the job easier than many similar models on the market based on personal experience.

As I mentioned in the Speed Test section above, I found the highest level of pedal assist best for the largest and steepest hills, but the mid and low power levels did well in most other cases.

Bottom line: the CGO600 Pro-C is an excellent choice for riders seeking a city bike capable of climbing hills. If you live or ride in hillier areas and you find Tenways e-bikes appealing, you’ll likely want to consider getting the chain drive over the belt drive.

Using the above process, we determined the CGO600 Pro-C’s average stopping distance to be 23’4”, which is average in comparison to similar models we have tested, which stopped in a distance of 23’3”.

This result makes sense, as the CGO’s weight of 45 lbs and its brake specs (hydraulic disc brakes with 160 mm rotors) are both in line with what we’d expect for a city e-bike. Hydraulic brakes typically have good stopping power, and 160-millimeter rotors are usually effective enough at dispersing heat when braking, so the bike is equipped well for its style.

The brakes themselves felt good to me during my time on the bike, but the CGO was prone to skidding, and its tires often squealed loudly. If you want to reduce noise and stopping distance, you might consider swapping to gummier tires with better grip.

It’s worth noting that the CGO’s brake system does not include a motor cutoff feature; this allows riders to modulate their speed while continuing to pedal and receive help from the motor. We appreciate this feature on city bikes intended for crowded cities, as it adds a greater degree of control to the ride while ensuring immediate motor engagement.

To summarize, based on the Pro-C’s test score and overall feel, we consider it to be specced appropriately with safe and effective brakes.

Ride quality is slightly less objective than the performance measured in the previous sections of this review, but it is no less important. In this section, we will discuss the many factors that affect how the CGO600 Pro-C feels to ride.

Starting with sizing and fit, the bike is offered in three frame sizes: a medium that fits riders from 5’7” to 5’11”, a large for those between 5’11” and 6’5”, and an XL intended for cyclists above 6’5”. Our contact at Tenways shared that the brand is also actively developing a small frame for riders below 5’7”.

At 5’11”, I found our large test bike comfortable, if somewhat long; the bike’s geometry put me at a stretched-out, moderate forward lean. Based on previous experience with similar models, the medium frame may have better matched my expectations, but I liked the overall fit.

With 8” of adjustment in saddle height, I had full leg extension for efficient pedaling. I appreciated the bike’s adjustable stem that allows users to alter the handlebar height and reach. This also allows for customization of the riding position, though I opted to stick with a lower lean instead of making the ride more upright.

I liked the saddle and grips; many city e-bikes have firm saddles, but the CGO’s slim, performance-oriented seat was softer than most. Its rubber grips were nicely textured to be easy to hold onto whether wearing gloves or not. The plastic platform pedals did the job, though I’d have preferred studded aluminum pedals in their place.

As is typical with city bikes, the Pro-C does not include any form of suspension. While bumps are unavoidably noticeable, the bike’s 45-mm-wide tires are somewhat wider than average and offer some cushion. Additionally, the rigid fork lends the bike the crisp handling I mentioned previously.

While I have already mentioned the motor’s remarkable smoothness and highly responsive engagement, I must reiterate that this is a core element of the ride. The fact that the motor was so quiet made it easy to forget that I was riding an e-bike; I simply felt stronger and faster than I was. This is exactly what we at Electric Bike Report love about e-bikes!

Another defining feature of the CGO600 pro is its simplicity; the bike is uncomplicated and extremely easy to use! With only three assist levels, finding the right power level was simple. Where some bikes are overflowing with buttons and modules, the CGO’s cockpit is also clean and uncluttered, making it pleasantly easy to operate without extra thought.

Despite its simplicity, the bike is generally well-equipped. I critiqued the single-speed model for its battery-operated tail light, so it was refreshing to see an integrated tail light in addition to the StVZO-compliant dual-LED headlight seamlessly fused to the head tube.

I give Tenways kudos for the upgrade. However, I feel that a tail light with brake light functionality would be a better fit. As an e-bike intended for urban environments with automobile traffic, other cyclists, and pedestrians, brake lights would add a welcome layer of safety and communication to the CGO that it currently lacks.

One feature I have not yet discussed is the Tenways app; once paired with the bike, this allows users to track ride data, get turn-by-turn navigation, and access customer support. I found the navigation system intuitive and effective. The app was generally laid out well with a pleasant and appealing interface.

In summary, the CGO600 Pro-C’s ride quality was excellent; riding the bike was easy, engaging, and enjoyable!

Following my previous review of the single-speed CGO600 Pro, the bike stuck with me as a prime example of a city bike done well. The 8-speed Pro-C trades some of the belt-driven version’s simplicity and low-maintenance characteristics for better climbing performance but is otherwise equally well put together, appealing, and fun to ride.

The Pro-C performed well in each of our standardized tests. It showed an ideal distribution of power/speed in our Speed Test while covering a ton of miles in our Range test. Its brakes proved effective in our Brake Test, and thanks to its peppy motor and 8-speed drivetrain, it climbed Hell Hole remarkably quickly and easily in our Hill Test.

In the future, we challenge Tenways to include brake lights for added safety. We also think many riders would appreciate the ability to unlock the bike to faster Class 3 speeds. Those minor points aside, I’m happy to recommend this model to those seeking a lightweight, natural-feeling, and easy-to-use city bike.

We think the CGO600 Pro-C would be well-suited to a variety of riders, including commuters, traditional cyclists who might want a less strenuous experience, or anyone looking to get some exercise. We also think it would be an excellent fit for taller riders, fans of city bikes who live in hilly areas, or anyone who plans to lift/transport their bike regularly.

I’ve had the pleasure of personally reviewing nearly all of Tenways bikes, and I can confidently say that the brand once again delivered a winner!

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Tenways CGO600 Pro-C down in our comments section.