Tenways nearly perfects the shareable city e-bike

Good electric bikes are expensive. So why not buy one and share it?

That’s the idea behind the Tenways CGO Compact electric bike that I’ve been sharing with my wife and teenage daughter for the past two weeks. It adjusts in seconds without any tools to comfortably accommodate riders of varying heights with its low entry frame, quick release seat post and height adjustable handlebars.

It also takes up less space than a regular bike with its 20-inch wheels, foldable pedals and handlebars that twist to create a slim, wall-hugging profile that flattens inside a car or train.

The geometry of the CGO Compact places riders in a comfortable upright position. Combine that with wide tires and a heavy aluminum frame – heavier than many full-size e-bikes – and it feels remarkably sturdy despite its size, with a rear rack system strong enough to hold a child or a few days’ worth of groceries.

The shareable e-bike isn’t a new idea, but Tenways is about to perfect it with the €1,999 (around $2,365) CGO Compact.

Tenways, the Chinese-born e-bike company headquartered in Amsterdam, is on a tear in Europe thanks to the post-pandemic chaos that has wiped out much of its competition. The brand makes superb e-bikes using off-the-shelf parts and backed by a robust service network. It’s important to note that they sell for below the e-bike average of €2,681 (around $3,160) – expensive compared to the US, but much less likely to burst into flames.

My Tenways Electric Bike Review arrived at my front door in a giant cardboard box. It seemed big enough to fit the CGO Compact fully assembled and with the handlebars twisted, but I still had to attach the steering column and front wheel myself. The e-bike took about 20 minutes to unbox, but I’ve been assembling direct-to-consumer e-bikes about once a month for the past decade.

The first thing I did after assembly was play with the Byschulz Speedlifter Twist upper. It’s magical. Open the lever to quickly raise and lower the handlebars, or to access a release pin that allows the handlebars to twist. It took a little practice to get everyone mastered, but we quickly got the hang of it.

The small LCD dashboard is bright and colorful even in the sun. When powering up, you have to enter a four-digit PIN, which can only be changed in the rudimentary app via Bluetooth. This is the only anti-theft deal Tenways offers on the CGO Compact, which also means it won’t try to sell you subscriptions or software-locked features.

Despite our height differences, ranging from 164cm to 183cm (5ft 5in to 6ft), everyone found the CGO Compact very comfortable. Adjusting the handlebars and saddle took less than 10 seconds, and the suspension seatpost absorbed small bumps well. But the quick release mechanism of the seat does not provide any additional security to prevent theft of the post and saddle. A no-no in major European cities for which this bike is intended.

The e-bike’s torque sensor made riding exceptionally intuitive, ensuring that the power delivered by the 250W rear hub motor was matched to the downward force exerted on the pedals. The engine was also very quiet, entirely masked by the sound of the 2.4-inch wide tires rolling over the asphalt.

The Tenways motor is only capable of 45Nm of torque. And without additional gears, the CGO Compact is ideal for primarily flat environments. It still did better than I expected on the hills, easily outperforming the 35Nm Raleigh One I recently reviewed. For example, I was able to cross a bridge with a 10% incline that blocked the Raleigh One, but only if I had a rolling start – otherwise I had to dismount and push. On descents, the large chainring allowed me to pedal comfortably at speeds approaching 30 km/h without my legs spinning frantically. However, pedal assist stops helping at 25 km/h (16 mph) in Europe.

I also didn’t feel the twitchiness one feels with folding bikes with relatively short wheelbases, smaller 16-inch wheels, and narrow handlebars. In general, I rode with pedal assist levels 3 or 4 out of 5, with 3 being the most natural feeling and 4 when I was in a hurry.

With a full battery, I managed to travel 65 km (over 40 miles) before needing a recharge. I received alerts on my iPhone and Apple Watch when the battery dropped to 10%, and the power dropped noticeably when the estimated remaining range reached 2.5 miles. Charging the 494.36 Wh battery took a relatively slow 4.5 hours using the supplied charger.

The CGO Compact was obviously designed by people who cycle in compact European cities. It comes standard with integrated lighting, mud flaps, a loud bell, a kickstand and a partially covered drivetrain to protect pants, skirts and long coats from snags. The small crossbar in the pass-through frame even serves as a handle to help hoist the bike up the stairs.

City bikes need to carry things, which is why the CGO Compact is equipped with the Click and Go MIK HD rear rack system. It supports loads of up to 27 kg (nearly 60 pounds), enough to accommodate a compatible crate or child seat. The e-bike also has mounting points on the front for a bottle cage or bottle cage.

In general, the Android and iOS app is fine, but it is rarely needed. This could potentially be useful for purchasing accessories and insurance, or starting a chat with support and finding the nearest service center. It also promises to display collected driving data by date, but that never worked for me, only showing zeros.

The CGO Compact from Tenways is a great electric bike for €1,999 (around $2,365). The driving experience, everyone agrees, was exceptional. And when it finally needs servicing, Tenways has a strong network of local bike shops across Europe to help, with an immediate supply of off-the-shelf parts from brands you know.

The CGO Compact is a highly adaptable electric bike that rides big and packs down small, making it an ideal companion for European city living. It’s also extremely shareable, but no one would blame you for keeping everything to yourself.

Photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge