Quality electric bicycles come with a hefty price tag. Therefore, why not acquire a single one for communal use?
This concept underpins the Tenways CGO Compact e-bike, which my wife, teenage daughter, and I have been using jointly for the past fortnight. Its design allows for swift adjustments, requiring no specialized tools, ensuring a snug fit for individuals of diverse statures. This adaptability is facilitated by its step-through frame, fast-release saddle pillar, and a steering bar whose height can be altered.
Furthermore, its design is more space-efficient than a typical bicycle. Equipped with 20-inch wheels and collapsible footrests, it also features a handlebar that swivels, allowing it to assume a slender, wall-hugging form. This configuration enables it to lie flat conveniently within an automobile or train carriage.
The CGO Compact’s configuration positions cyclists in a pleasant, erect posture. When coupled with its broad tires and a substantial aluminum frame — which outweighs many standard-dimensioned e-bikes — it conveys an exceptionally robust feel, notwithstanding its compact dimensions. Moreover, it boasts an aft luggage rack capable of supporting a youngster or several days’ worth of provisions.
While the concept of a communal e-bike is not novel, Tenways approaches optimal execution with its CGO Compact, priced at €1,999 (approximately $2,365).
$2365
The Advantages
Seat and steering bar rapidly adaptable
Rotates and collapses to lie flush
Provides a substantial and robust ride
Ample carrying capability relative to its dimensions
Absence of additional service promotions
Notifications for depleted power
The Drawbacks
Application is merely satisfactory
Fast-release saddle prone to theft
Tenways, the e-bike firm based in Amsterdam with Chinese roots, has been thriving across Europe. This success is largely attributable to the post-pandemic turmoil that sidelined many of its rivals. The company produces aesthetically pleasing e-bikes using readily available components, backed by a strong support system. Significantly, their offerings are priced below the average e-bike cost of €2,681 (approximately $3,160) — a costly sum when contrasted with US prices, yet these bikes are markedly less prone to spontaneous combustion.
The Tenways evaluation electric bicycle reached my entrance in an enormous corrugated container. Although it appeared sufficiently large to contain the CGO Compact completely put together and with its steering bar rotated, I nevertheless had to affix the headset and fore wheel myself. Unpacking the e-bike required approximately 20 minutes, though I have been constructing directly shipped e-bikes roughly once a month for the past ten years.
Rapidly adapts to accommodate my wife, who stands at 164cm (5ft 5in).
The steering bars and damping saddle can be elevated in moments to suit my 183cm (6ft) physique.
Engage the latch to adjust the vertical position of the steering bars; elevate the small fastener to rotate them aside.
The collapsible footrests
help create a sleek, wall-adjacent contour, facilitating effortless passage.
My initial action following setup was to experiment with the Byschulz Speedlifter Twist Stem. Its design is ingenious. Actuate the control to swiftly elevate or depress the handlebar, or to obtain entry to a pin release allowing the handlebar to pivot out of the path. While it required some familiarization for all users to become proficient, we quickly grasped its operation.
The compact LCD display is luminous and vibrant, even despite direct sunlight. A four-digit PIN code must be input upon startup, modifiable solely within the basic companion application via Bluetooth connectivity. This constitutes the CGO Compact’s sole anti-theft preventative measure, implying Tenways will not attempt to persuade you into additional paid services or software-locked functionalities.
Irrespective of our varying statures, spanning from 164cm to 183cm (5ft 5in to 6 feet), all users found the CGO Compact exceedingly pleasant to ride. Modifying the handlebar and saddle requires under 10 seconds, and the suspension seatpost proved effective at absorbing minor impacts. However, the seat’s rapid release system provides no extra safeguard to deter theft of the post and saddle. This is deemed unacceptable in the major European urban centers this bicycle aims for.
The e-bike’s torque sensor rendered the riding experience remarkably intuitive, guaranteeing that the 250W rear-hub motor’s power output was calibrated to correlate with the downward pressure applied to the pedals. Additionally, the motor operated exceptionally hushed, its noise completely obscured by the sound of the broad, 2.4-inch tires traversing pavement.
The Tenways motor merely produces a maximum of 45Nm of torque. Lacking extra gearing, the CGO Compact is most suitable for predominantly level terrains. Nevertheless, its performance surpassed my expectations on inclines, effortlessly outperforming the 35Nm Raleigh One I evaluated recently. As an illustration, I was able to traverse a bridge with a 10 percent gradient that hindered the Raleigh One, provided I initiated with momentum — otherwise, I had to dismount and propel it. On descending grades, the generous chainring enabled me to cycle with ease at velocities nearing 30km/h without my limbs excessively rotating. Nevertheless, the pedal-assist ceases providing support at 25km/h (16mph) in accordance with European regulations.
Furthermore, I encountered none of the instability folding bikes tend to exhibit due to comparatively brief wheelbases, compact 16-inch wheels, and slim handlebars. Typically, I utilized pedal-assist levels 3 or 4 among five available, with level 3 feeling the most organic, and 4 reserved for expeditious travel.
1/25The suspension seat post absorbed impacts on various road surfaces.
With a fully charged power source, I achieved a range of 65kms (over 40 miles) prior to requiring replenishment. Notifications were delivered to my iPhone and Apple Watch when the battery depleted to 10 percent, and power diminished significantly when the projected remaining distance reached 4km. Recharging the 494.36Wh battery consumed a comparatively unhurried 4.5 hours using the included charger.
Evidently, the CGO Compact was conceived by individuals who habitually cycle in dense European urban environments. It comes equipped as standard with built-in illumination, fenders, an audible bell, a side stand, and a partially enclosed drivetrain to safeguard apparel like trousers, skirts, and long coats from becoming entangled. The small horizontal bar within the step-through frame conveniently serves as a grip to assist in lifting the bicycle to ascend stairs.
Urban bicycles require the ability to transport items, consequently, the CGO Compact comes equipped with the click-and-attach MIK HD rear carrier system. It accommodates cargo up to 27kg (almost 60 pounds) — a sufficient capacity to accommodate a suitable container or infant seat. The e-bike also features attachment points on its forward section for a water bottle holder or a front carrier.
Overall, the companion application for Android and iOS is adequate, though infrequently required. It could potentially prove beneficial for purchasing extras and insurance, or for commencing a dialogue with customer service and locating the closest maintenance facility. Furthermore, it purports to display cycling metrics organized chronologically, however, this functionality remained inactive for me, consistently presenting null values.
Tenways’ CGO Compact is a superb electric bicycle, priced at €1,999 (approximately $2,365). The consensus indicates the cycling experience has been outstanding. And when it ultimately requires maintenance, Tenways boasts a robust network of local bike shops across Europe to provide aid, coupled with ample availability of readily available components from familiar manufacturers.
The CGO Compact is an exceptionally versatile e-bike that offers a substantial ride yet stows compactly, rendering it a perfect associate for European urban existence. Furthermore, it’s highly amenable to sharing — however, no one would fault you for reserving it exclusively for personal use.
Tenways C9 Wheel Motor (250 watts, delivering 45Nm of turning force)
Gates CDN Carbon one-speed belt propulsion system
Detachable 494.36Wh power source
A cushioned seat post designed for the Selle Royal saddle
Tektro fluid-actuated disc stopping mechanisms
Byschulz Speedlifter Twist Stem
The bicycle’s total mass is 24kg (approximately 53 pounds) when fully equipped with all attachments
Peak capacity: 145kg (320 pounds)
MIK HD Back Cargo System, with a top allowance of 27kg (close to 60 pounds)
Appropriate for individuals measuring from 160cm to 190cm (5ft 2in up to 6ft 2in)
Attachment points for add-ons on the steering tube
Embedded forward and aft illumination, complete with a daytime visibility lamp
Liquid Crystal Display screen
A fundamental application available for iOS and Android devices
Visuals by Thomas Ricker / The Verge
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