Tenways CGO600 Pro E-Bike Review, 2024

Before examining the results of our Range Test, which you can read more about in the graphic above, it’s worth noting that the Tenways CGO600 Pro includes a few different specs between the US and EU versions of the bike. In the EU, the 350W rear hub motor I mentioned in the previous section is instead a 250W unit. The bike’s top speeds are also different, and both of those changes affect the bike’s range.

In the EU, the CGO600 Pro has a range of up to 100km or 62 miles, but in the US (where we are located), this is reduced to 53 miles or 85km. We tested the US version of the bike using its PAS 1 and PAS 3 settings, so I will compare our results accordingly.

With maximum assistance (PAS 3), we traveled just over 33 miles. In its lowest setting, we managed 46 miles in PAS 1. This minimum-assistance result is most relevant for comparison purposes, and despite seeming underwhelming when looking at Tenways’ advertised range, we’re completely satisfied with it. Let’s look at the reasons why:

Both versions of the CGO600 Pro use the same 36V, 10 amp-hour (Ah) battery with a resulting 360 watt-hours (Wh) of capacity. We talk more about the relationship between batteries and the motors they are paired with in our guide to e-bike batteries, but we typically like to see a 1:1 ratio between battery watt-hours and motor watts. If an e-bike has this characteristic, it should be able travel in its max-assist mode for roughly an hour. We were able to travel for two!

Additionally, range estimates are typically made with only flat ground in mind (and other “ideal” conditions like weather); our test paths have elevation changes that reflect real-world conditions. To account for variability, we build in some flexibility, and the results of this test are well within our margins of error.

Finally, the fact that the CGO600 Pro has a torque sensor means that it’s naturally going to be more efficient than an e-bike with a cadence sensor. We talk more about sensor types in our guide to e-bike hub motors, but torque sensors require their rider to put in some effort, so the motor and rider are dividing up the work. As such, e-bikes with torque sensors are able to cover more ground because they draw less battery power.

All of that is to say that the bike’s range is fantastic for its specs; when compared to similar e-bikes we’ve tested, the CGO600 Pro is at or near the top of the list! Considering the bike’s effective power in PAS 1, we think it’s entirely practical to keep it in that setting most of the time. This will allow riders to get the most possible distance from the bike’s 350W motor and 360Wh battery!

See the graphic above for a description of our Hill Test. Considering the CGO600 Pro’s torque sensor and single-speed drivetrain, I had a sneaking suspicion that this test would prove challenging, and I was not disappointed!

Since this is a Class 1 e-bike with no throttle, we had no choice but to pedal up in its max-assist setting. With no low gears to reduce the hill’s difficulty, we had to stand to get enough leverage to keep the cranks moving. We were out of breath as we struggled to the top in 1 minute and 44 seconds, with an average speed of 10.4 mph – but we made it!

This performance is admittedly slow, and when compared to similar e-bikes we have tested, the CGO600 Pro finds itself toward the bottom of the list in terms of average speed and time. To be fair, Hell Hole is an extreme hill that we selected for this test specifically because of its challenging nature. We consider any e-bike that can make the climb to be successful regardless of its test data.

Additionally, Tenways realizes the limitations of the bike as it is. The bike’s webpage states that it offers climbing ability on slopes up to 10 degrees – but stronger riders who are more used to pedaling uphill may be able to push the bike beyond this. Our testing supports the accuracy of this statement, and to reinforce everything we’ve covered so far: this is a bike that wants you to pedal!

This result is slightly longer than our average when compared to all of the similar city and commuter-style e-bikes we have tested (currently around 21’-6”), but is well within our range of expected results. Distances of many feet can make a difference when coming to a stop, but roughly a foot and a half is hardly noticeable when traveling at or near 20 miles per hour.

It’s worth pointing out that, at least for us, the CGO600 Pro had a tendency to lock up and skid when braking. This wasn’t alarming or unexpected, but something to be aware of.

There is another feature of the bike’s brake system that is worth mentioning; they do not include a motor cutoff. This allows the rider to pedal with assistance while simultaneously modulating their speed in areas where they may need to maneuver around (or through) traffic on roads or sidewalks.

When it comes to other safety features on the CGO600 Pro, we greatly appreciated its unique and stylish integrated dual headlight. While bicycle and e-bike lights currently are currently not required to meet any similar standards in the US, the headlight on the CGO600 Pro meets Germany’s StVZO regulations. The bike’s beams are directed downward beneath the eye level of pedestrians, other cyclists, and motorists to help reduce accidents caused by blinding or distracting lights.

The bike also comes with a removable, battery-operated taillight, which felt surprisingly simplistic when considering its seamlessly-integrated front lights. The CGO600 Pro is made for urban environments with lots of traffic, where communication and safety are supremely important. As such, we’d have preferred to see an integrated taillight with brake lights to signal nearby drivers. We also think it would be great to have the option for a throttle so that riders could get through intersections and get up to speed faster.

In terms of comfort, the CGO600 Pro does fairly well without breaking any new ground. As with many city e-bikes, it includes a lean, performance-oriented saddle made from a unique, smooth fabric. I am not often a fan of this style of saddle and personally would prefer something wider, but riders who enjoy similar saddles should not be disappointed by what the bike comes with. I found the bike’s standard-style grips to be well-textured and relatively comfortable, though I do prefer ergonomic-style grips more. The bike’s pedals are large and feature a design I haven’t seen before; it’s always nice to encounter something fresh!

On the road, the bike handles rather predictably for a bike of its weight and size. Lighter e-bikes tend to be easier to maneuver and get up to speed quickly, and while the CGO600 Pro isn’t the lightest we’ve tested, its 42 lbs are far from the heaviest. It uses 700x40c tires, which have a decent amount of grip with their street-specific tread, and good stability with their width. In my experience, the size of the wheels becomes more noticeable with speed; the faster you travel, the more the bike wants to go straight. But the bike’s wheel size also helps to reduce the impact of bumps and small debris.

The bike’s single-speed drivetrain may not appeal to all, but in my experience, it only became a slight detriment on the most extreme of hills. In mostly flat urban environments, and even locales with moderately-rolling terrain, the CGO600 Pro can deliver a lively, uplifting experience in exchange for a bit of leg work.

We think the bike could benefit from a catchier, more descriptive (and perhaps a less mechanical-sounding) name, but otherwise, it has an abundance of elements for commuters, couriers, and other city cyclists to love.

Its unique aesthetic and eye-catching style is a great complement to its energetic feel, and we think the CGO600 Pro will appeal to riders who seek a simplified user experience that doesn’t sacrifice on responsiveness and functionality.

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