Shipping & Assembly
As somebody who unboxes several e-bikes a month (humble brag), I see a ton of protective styrofoam and plastic. I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the TENWAYS bike box and saw the CGO800S bound by Velcro straps rather than plastic zip ties.
Unlike most e-bikes, the TENWAYS CGO800S’ bike box doesn’t weigh that much, making it easy to lift and move around. Assembling the CGO800S was also straightforward, taking me about 30 minutes to put together. It came nearly road-ready. I attached the handlebars, bolted on the front headlight and fender, and I was off and riding!
If you’ve never assembled a bike or feel uncertain of your mechanic skills, give your local bike shop a call and see if they will put it together. You’ll be glad you did.
Apps and Connectivity
Most e-bike companies have an app that connects to your e-bike and expands its capabilities. The TENWAYS app does all that and more. For example, it casts turn-by-turn directions to the CGO800S’ display so you can leave your phone safely in your pocket while you explore new parts of the city.
The TENWAYS app also allows you to track your rides, showing how far you rode and when. It’s a nice feature to have if you’re on a fitness journey and want to track your progress.
You can even use the TENWAYS app to get in touch with TENWAYS’ support staff instantly. If anything happens to your ride, click the customer support icon in the app and get the help you need wherever you are.
How the TENWAYS CGO800S Performed
Before I rode the CGO800S, I thought that if I had ridden one electric commuter bike, I’d ridden them all. What more can they show me that’s different?
Well, let me tell you, the CGO800S stands out amongst a sea of commuter e-bikes as the truest by definition. It has everything you need and nothing you don’t. TENWAYS has designed the CGO800S to be so smooth and efficient that it gives you a feeling of simplicity and elegance while riding.
I assumed that a light and dainty-looking e-bike would be underpowered. I was, once again, surprised as the CGO800S’ smooth power revealed itself within the first pedal stroke, immediately vanishing any doubts.
The Frame
There are step-through e-bikes, and then there’s the CGO800S. It provides a massive space for the rider to step through, making it a fantastic choice for seniors or riders with mobility issues. The frame’s light weight also facilitates mounting and dismounting, since you don’t have to worry about balancing a heavy object.
More than its low weight, the frame’s color and finish are stunning. My model’s Sky Blue frame sported a satin finish that I couldn’t help but run my hand down when I first got it. The CGO800S also comes in Midnight Black and Pebble Gray for those of you into more muted colors. Any choice is a good one.
The Motor and Drivetrain
Make sure to consider maintenance when shopping for an electric commuter bike. You’ll likely put hundreds of miles on it every month, resulting in chain wear and tear that needs regular cleaning and oiling. It’s not the end of the world, but it can be a hassle and, if neglected, lead to faster component degradation.
The fine folks at TENWAYS know that, and so they opted for the Gates CDX belt drivetrain. It replaces the chain with a super strong, tough-as-nails carbon belt — no oiling or cleaning needed. Ride it through most any weather and then leave it alone.
The only time I’ve seen one of these belts fail was when Ryan Van Duzer took his bike on a bikepacking trip and rode through a day’s worth of rain and mud. He had to stop along the trail and dig the mud out of the cogs with a stick. But, you’re not likely to be running into that on your commute.
I say all this because the Gates belt drive system not only lowers your maintenance needs and costs but also makes for a buttery smooth ride. There’s no chain noise and no grit grind in the cogs — just smooth, silent riding.
TENWAYS paired the belt drive with a torque sensor that powers the motor only as needed. When my pedaling became more difficult, I received more power from the motor. Once my pedaling eased up, I could feel the motor back off, and I was doing more of the work. It’s a much different ride than that of a cadence sensor.
The Battery
The light 379.6 Wh Lithium-ion battery adds to the CGO800S’ efficiency. It is ideal for riders in the city with its long, narrow shape and minimal 5.8 lb weight. It easily fits into a backpack or messenger bag.
While not the highest capacity battery on the market, it held enough charge for me to spend several hours riding around town and complete several hill climb tests. Such a lightweight battery also ensures you don’t end up carrying around a bunch of dead weight if it runs out of charge. You can ride the CGO800S like a conventional bike, no problem.
The Handlebars
Personally, I like the appearance of a clean handlebar on my bikes, conventional or electric. Much like the rest of the bike, the CGO800S sports a very clean look with two controllers on either side of the handlebars.
The CGO800S’ handlebars are curved and swept back, making a soft stretched W shape that puts the faux leather grips closer to the rider. I found them very comfortable but still angled enough so that if I wanted to get aggressive on my ride, I could lean into them and really dig out a sprint.
With mostly internal controller wires, you don’t see a lot of cord clutter like you do on other e-bikes. A few cables that hang below the center of the handlebar stem take away from the clean look, but given that they’re connection points, I understand the need to have them accessible.
The CGO800S’ large, integrated display also sits on the stem, blending right in, so you can barely tell it’s there when not in use. The TENWAYS app connects to the display and casts turn-by-turn GPS directions to it.
When I tried it out, I left my phone in my pocket and let the bike show me where to go — easy peasy. The display also showed me the usual odometer, speedometer, trip odometer, and battery charge level.
The CGO800S is operated by two controllers — one on either side of the handlebar. The controller on the right powers the bike, along with the headlight and blinkers. The controller on the left side of the cockpit controls the five levels of pedal assist and switches the mode of the display. I found both of these controllers easy to reach while riding and effortless to use after I spent a little time playing with them.
Wheels and Fenders
The streets are brutal here in Dallas, so I can appreciate an e-bike that absorbs rough road conditions. The CGO800S surprised me (again) with how smoothly it rolled over the jagged city roads, thanks, in part, to the SR Suntour NEX E-25 front suspension and large 28” wheels.
I see more and more SR Suntour components on the market these days, and I must say I’m impressed with their performance. The NEX E-25 shocks’ 63 mm of travel offered more than enough to dampen the bumps. They respond quickly, providing a soft — but not splashy — ride on the front.
The CGO800S’ 28” wheel diameter is common on mountain bikes these days, and for good reason. The larger wheel and wider wheelbase provide a smoother riding experience over rough terrain. While the bigger wheels make the bike feel a little taller, they allow the rider to sit higher and see over traffic. It’s a win-win all around.
I found the CST Classic Zepplin XL tires rolled smoothly and had a good grip. I imagine you could always switch them for something knobbier if the terrain demanded it, but they’re perfect for city riding.
The wheels also sport a reflective sidewall so motorists can see you from the side. Plus, the slick matte black fenders keep the elements where they belong… not on you. Made of light yet durable aluminum, they‘re a cinch to put on during assembly.
Performance: Hill Climb Test
Without a traditional gear cassette, I didn’t expect much climbing capability from the CGO800S. But I stand corrected — it performed very well. Now, I will say that using zero pedal assist — or even level 1 — made getting up the hill a bit of a grind, requiring lots of leg power and even some out-of-the-saddle work. However, once I hit pedal assist level 2, the going got much easier.
| Attempt # | Pedal Assist Level | Avg. Speed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 7.5 |
| 2 | 1 (Eco) | 11.1 |
| 3 | 2 (Normal) | 13.1 |
| 4 | 3 (Tour) | 13.5 |
| 5 | 4 (Power) | 14.3 |
| 6 | 5 (Boost) | 16.7 |
If the CGO800S was any heavier, it would make climbing a tough task. However, TENWAYS has done such a great job making this a lightweight commuter, so it performed surprisingly well on this test.
The torque sensor plays a massive part in climbing, supplying more power as the pedaling gets harder and then conserving power when you don’t really need it. The climbing experience differs from that of an e-bike with a cadence sensor. A cadence sensor delivers full power as soon as you start pedaling at that pedal assist level.
The CGO800S, though, helps you find a good balance of pedaling and power delivery. This approach allows you to climb longer hills, use less battery, and ultimately go longer distances. You will end up using more of your legs, though.
Pro Tip: Got a tough climb in front of you? Hold down the Pedal Assist button on the left controller to enable the Walk Assist mode. The motor powers on without pedaling, letting you walk next to the CGO800S as it pushes itself along.
Performance: Brake Test
When riding in traffic, you’ll undoubtedly need to stop quickly for a pedestrian, an inconsiderate motorist, or that random car door that pops open. Well, rest assured that the CGO800S helps you avoid danger and stay in control.
| Attempt # | Stopping Distance (in feet) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 15′ |
| 2 | 16′ |
| 3 | 13′ |
The hydraulic Tektro brakes on the CGO800S performed splendidly. I see these a lot on other e-bikes and am always pleased with their performance. The 160 mm rotors on the CG0800s are plenty big enough and work well to control the bike on descents and tight turns.
I have only positive things to say about these Tektro brakes. I especially love that they are hydraulic, which ensures plenty of stopping power when necessary, so I won’t be at the mercy of a mechanical failure like a cable break. Tektro is an affordable brand that most — if not all — mechanics can repair and service when the time comes.
Performance: Range Test
Needless to say, the CGO800S performed extremely well on the range test. TENWAYS designed the CGO800S to get the most mileage possible out of a lightweight electric commuter. After a day of testing and riding around the city, 28% of the battery yielded 13.5 miles. Plugging that into our little equation, we get 13.5/.28 = 48.2 miles per full charge.
You can expect about the same, but your actual range depends on your commute, the ambient temperature, your weight, and how much cargo you’re carrying. I live in Dallas where hills are scarce, but I do weigh 205 lbs — probably more than most commuters, so consider that.
While not the 53 miles that TENWAYS claims, it’s still a good distance and very impressive, considering the size of the motor and battery. Could you get more out of a bigger battery and a more powerful motor? Sure, but then you’re adding a ton of weight to your ride.
Range hack: There is a speed limit setting on the CGO800S, accessible in the settings menu of the display, that cuts the motor off at a certain speed so you get more distance out of your ride. The trade-off is that you will be using your legs more once reaching that speed limit. This trick can extend the range of the CGO800S well over the 53 miles that TENWAYS claims. You’re welcome.
Things to Consider
If your commute covers miles and miles of San Fransisco-like hills, the CGO800S probably isn’t the best choice. It will still climb well and get you to where you need to be, but you’ll end up doing most of the work. Without a lighter gear to shift into on those steep climbs, you can only add more pedal assist. For most of us, though, the CGO800S is more than enough bike.
The only other thing I could find to nitpick was the 22 lb cargo capacity of the rear rack. TENWAYS’ engineers told me that the rack can carry up to 22 lbs, but customers have reported that loading the rack up to that weight can result in “suboptimal riding experiences”. While 22 lbs might meet the average commuter’s needs, I’d like a little more carrying capacity reassurance.
