It didn't take long for Tenways to boost its range, not without a certain consistency, by the way. But this CGO 600 Pro inaugurates something new for the brand, since it's the first renewal of a model. And not just any model, the best-seller that made the manufacturer famous and validated the crowdfunding campaign.
But not everything is as rosy as it was at the end of Covid. The bicycle market is gloomy and, although the e-bike business continues to grow, the competition has been forced to review its prices on an abundance of products in stock. The question therefore is: is this Tenways CGO 600 Plus, sold for 1799 euros, as interesting as the first version was 5 years ago? We'll see that in a test of more than 300 km.
Presentation and context of the test
There are two versions of the new CGO 600: the Plus and the Pro.
The CGO 600 Pro is equipped with a belt drive. It is therefore single-speed and its motor is a Mivice M070 delivering 40 Nm of torque. It weighs 16 kg.
The CGO 600 Plus (our test model) is equipped with an 8-speed Shimano Claris chain drive and uses a Tenways in-house motor with 45 Nm of torque. It weighs 18 kg… on paper.
Tenways' promise is great. It is noted on the site: "As quiet as a whisper, with exceptional power." Just that!
The test was carried out over almost 400 km. The test route (the same for all bikes and scooters) and its gradual 6 km gradient (ideal for testing the limit of the motor's peak power) served as a reference. The cyclist and his equipment weigh 100 kg. During the test, the temperature fluctuated between 4°C and 20°C.
Technical characteristics
- High frame geometry (no open frame on this urban model)
- 6061 aluminum alloy frame
- 8-speed Shimano Claris transmission (shifting via shifters)
- Tektro hydraulic disc brakes
- 700x48c CST tire
- Integrated battery-powered headlight
- Integrated battery-powered rear light
- 250W Tenways C9 motor with 45 Nm of torque
- Torque sensor in the crankset
- 360 Wh battery (36V; 10 Ah)
- Stated weight: 20 kg with mudguards
- Measured weight:
- Advertised range: 100 km
- Measured range: 58 km
Design: highly urban
The CGO 600 Plus adopts the design of the CGO 600, namely a frame whose top tube sits high, very high, too high. It's difficult to justify this choice, especially since the bike is aimed at active people, both men and women. A choice that can quickly make you split a seam in your crotch. No, it's not from experience, but still. We can, however, appreciate the modern and refined line. But this geometry, while aesthetically pleasing, is impractical, as we will see later.
The mudguards are offered via a promotional offer that is apparently unlimited in time. Unlike the CGO 600, the headlight is now integrated into the frame. The rear light is housed in the mudguard, and it too is powered by the battery.
The handlebars are wide, straight, a little low, but now height-adjustable. The ergos are pleasant, and fortunately so, because you'll be resting a large part of your weight on them. The removable battery is integrated into the frame.
The screen is tiny and the information is difficult to read. The tires are wide, perhaps too wide for an urban bike. The rear seatstays can accommodate a luggage rack.
Transmission and motorization: lack of punch and poorly adapted gears
The choice of an 8-speed Claris transmission is relevant: single chainring and a range that could have covered a little more than the 25 km/h beyond which the assistance cuts out. But the gears are perched too high: as a result, when climbing, the "easiest" gear still requires a lot of effort. So much so that if you stop on a steep slope, you'll have a hard time getting going again.
Once the transmission is properly adjusted and lubricated, gear changes are pleasant. The shifters respond quickly, and the shifts are smooth. The Tenways engine promised a lot. As a reminder, it says on the website: "As quiet as a whisper, with exceptional power."
In reality, it's quiet. The power, however, is nothing exceptional. Of the three assistance levels, only levels 2 and 3 provide a minimum of power. And even then, level 2 is mostly effective on flat, well-surfaced terrain.
Uphill, things get tricky. The engine quickly struggles as soon as the slope steepens. The peak power, already low, collapses after about a hundred meters. You can tackle 5-6% slopes without any problem, but beyond that, you'll have to give it your all. As much as on a 9 kg muscle bike.
Riding: uncomfortable but lively and responsive
The CGO 600 Pro is lively. The torque sensor, the straight handlebars, the geometry that places the weight on the front make it a machine capable of reacting quickly to unforeseen situations that recur in the city
It allows you to take angles, slalom easily and therefore enjoy pedaling. But there is a downside.
Indeed, the bike, although adapted to the size of your servant, directs too much weight towards the handlebars. The arms are subjected to significant pressure, which is clearly felt after an hour of riding. That's not all: the saddle is unpleasant and the pedaling position makes your wrists and the inside of your thighs suffer. You'll have to think about changing this saddle for a thinner, more streamlined model that rests better on your backside.
You'll want to stand up straight, and the transmission, precisely calibrated too high, allows it without any problem.
The brakes are effective. As usual, it was on a nice descent where it's easy to reach 50 km/h that we tested the bite, progressivity, and endurance several times. The result is correct. The progressivity is a little weak with a dead travel that goes directly to the brakes. Endurance is good and the bite is sufficient for 25-30 km/h. At 50 km/h, they had more trouble but are not made for that.
The tires are good, but the 48 mm width for an urban bike is too much and creates unnecessary resistance and weight on the unsprung masses. A 38 section would have been more than enough, in addition to refining the bike a little more, both visually and weight-wise.
The lighting is good, wide, but lacks a little power. The same goes for the rear. Additional equipment will not be a luxury to see and be seen better.
Autonomy and charging: a camel!
With a 5-hour charge (without any indicator other than a green LED on the 3A charger), the Tenways CGO 600 Plus offers 58 km of autonomy using a battery of only 360 Wh. This makes it one of the most efficient and durable bikes on the market.
Admittedly, the motor is not a lightning bolt of war and quickly gives up on crests, but overall, on urban journeys without major hills, it delivers. With a guaranteed 58 km, that is to say with 100 kg on the saddle, temperatures between 2°C and 20°C and with the assistance at maximum level.
Good point: the battery is removable and light (logical, given its capacity).
Application: top, really!
Tenways was able to develop its application by relying on a homemade engine. It was therefore possible to do everything, but not just anything. While we find the usual information (GPS tracking, distances traveled, calories burned, CO2 saved), there is also a counter that displays the essential information in a readable and pleasant way, namely:
- Current speed
- Average speed
- Travel time
- Hour
- Mileage remaining
- Distance traveled
All with a clear and precise summary at the end of the trip. There is also an online assistance system.
In short, it's well done, attractive, and free. But almost all bike and scooter apps are now of this ilk.
Verdict: an average bike, but no longer the value for money of yesteryear
The post-COVID party is over. The CGO 600 Plus is no longer that explosive value for money. Now there's competition. Here, everything is decent, nothing more. From the finish to the engine, including the brakes and the price. On the other hand, the geometry is unpleasant, the seat uncomfortable, the transmission poorly calibrated and the peak power of the engine collapses too quickly.
But this CG0 600 still manages to provide pleasure. It's lively, its weight is well distributed, it has a certain style and will honorably handle any bike commute request, as long as you're prepared to get a little wet (which isn't really the point of bike commuting). Then its autonomy is phenomenal, especially from a 360 Wh battery, when the competition does less, with batteries with 70% greater capacities. But at this price, we now ask for a mid-drive motor (especially if it's an in-house motor) and a little more work on the geometry.
This CGO 600 Plus will suit those who like to pedal and make a certain effort. But this effort will make you sweat. And if you have to spend sweat, the idea of a good lightweight muscle bike can arise when faced with this e-bike.
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