Tenways CGO800 S ebike: Elegant, accessible, maintenance-free commuting
Commuters don't have time to always work on bikes and this model offers design features that are compelling.
Hyperdrive Hits
5/5 Medals of Yavin: Highly recommended for commuters and city dwellers, includes everything you want in a commuter
Light weight, Gates Carbon belt drive, five levels of assist, center integrated display, turn signals on the tail light
Smartphone app to use for tracking rides and managing settings
Several steps to assemble the bike
I thoroughly enjoy riding e-bikes and I am particularly fond of bikes that look and ride like standard bikes for my commute due to the ability to easily carry it on the train. Commuters also need a reliable, and low maintenance, bike that can be depended upon for daily commuting. The Gates Carbon belt, elegant battery design, lights, fenders, and rear rack make this bike an incredible option.
For the past month I’ve been riding the Tenways CGO800 S and it offers a more accessible option to the CGO600 Pro that I tested in early 2024 with a step-through design, more pedal assist levels, integrated tail light with turn signals, and a center large display that provides navigation features.
Tenways has different color options available, but sent me the same color of the CGO800 S as the CGO600 Pro I rode earlier this year. The Sky Blue color is lovely, especially with the matte finish.
Rating:
As explained in my palmsolo’s Refresh Rating Scale post, I’m awarding the Tenways CGO800 S five (5) Medals of Yavin. It is an elegant and minimalist ebike that serves well in the role it was designed for. All of the lights, fenders, suspension, and features that a commuter needs are present on the bike. It’s essentially a perfect commuting bike and is accessible for people of all shapes and sizes.
The Good and the Bad
It’s pretty rare for me to not find something that can be improved with a product and for things like electric bikes the pros and cons can depend on your riding needs.
Pros
Light weight design
Beautiful colors and elegant design elements
Excellent tires, fenders, kickstand, and rear rack
Accessible step-through design
Superb center mounted color display
Minimal visible cables
Gates Carbon drive belt
Five levels of pedal assist
Integrated tail light with turn signal indicators
Smartphone application
Cons
Assembly requires some bike knowledge
Experiences
Some electric bikes require some experience putting together bikes and this one took a few more steps with the kickstand, handlebars, front fender, front light, front wheel, and pedals needing installation. There are also a few cables to connect for the system to function. Tenways provided very clear and distinct instructions to help assemble the bike so just be patient and follow the instructions for success.
The battery fits perfectly into the main frame piece, matching the color of the bike and also requiring a key to remove the battery. A center mounted large color display provides you with pedal assist status, odometer readings, and even navigation guidance when you set up a route through a paired smartphone.
My wife was unable to ride the CGO600 Pro because the center bar was too high so she was pleased to enjoy the step-through design of the CGO800 S. The bike frame is extremely well assembled and flawless with the frame easily handling my weight and up to 264 pounds.
The Tenways CGO800 S does not have a throttle so it is ridden all of the time in pedal assist mode or as a standard bike. It is heavier than the CGO600 Pro, but I was able to make it up the 13-15 degree slope without having to walk the bike. This did require me to stand up and pedal hard so I won’t be making this ride that often with this bike.
It performed perfectly for commuting with its sleek form factor that was easy to park and secure on the train. The tires are a bit wider than some other light bikes I have tested, which is great for me with rides in the rain and on roads that aren’t always in the best condition.
The torque sensing drivetrain is great and provides for a smooth experience. I’m a huge fan of the Gates Carbon belt drive system due to its simplicity and maintenance free design. It doesn’t support gears though so if you require gears then this bike is not for you.
The fenders, small rear rack, headlight, tail light, and turn signal indicators are all perfect for riding around the city and commuting. The center mounted display with navigation support also means you will not have to mount a phone on the handlebars and I appreciated this functionality.
Specifications
Specifications alone don’t mean much, but they are useful for comparing similar devices and checking that you are getting value for your money.
Frame: 6061 aluminum alloy available in three colors
Motor: 350W rear hub, 45Nm torque
Bike weight: 46 pounds
Bike capacity: 264 pounds (120 kg)
Rear rack capacity: 11 pounds (5 kg)
Pedal assist: Five levels with single gear Gates Carbon drive belt
Max speed and range: 20 mph with up to 53 miles
Brakes: Tektro hydraulic disk brakes
Tires: 700*48C puncture resistant tires
Bottom Line
I was first introduced to the Gates Carbon belt system with the Urtopia bike and have now ridden several bikes with this drive system and I am a huge fan. I love the low maintenance aspect, removal of the derailleur system that requires maintenance and makes noise, and reliability of the belt. As much as I enjoyed the CGO600 Pro, I like the Tenways CGO800 S better due to the step-through frame, center display with navigation, turn signal/integrated rear light, and five levels of assist.
The bike has a minimalist look and feel, but that also means there are very few wires visible and the battery is well integrated. It holds up well in daily use and the battery range keeps me going for a week at a time and that is perfect for my needs. The $1,599 price is reasonable for a light weight modern bike with amazing design elements. The angle of the handlebars and comfort of the seat make it a joy to ride as well.