Tenways has almost perfected the shareable e-bike in the city

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

This is the idea behind Tenways CGO Compact The e-bike I’ve been sharing with my wife and teenage daughter for the past two weeks. It adjusts in seconds without any tools to comfortably fit riders of varying heights thanks to its low profile frame, quick-release seat post, and height-adjustable handlebar.

It also takes up less space than a regular bike with its 20-inch wheels, foldable pedals, and handlebars that wrap to create a slim shape that hugs a wall and lies flat inside a car or train.

The CGO Compact geometry puts riders in a comfortable upright body 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 sturdy enough to carry a child or a few days’ worth of groceries.

Shareable e-bike Not a new ideabut Tenways is close to perfecting it with the €1,999 (about $2,365) CGO Compact.

Tenways, the Chinese-origin e-bike company headquartered in Amsterdam, has been on a tear in Europe thanks to the post-pandemic chaos that wiped out much of its competitors. The brand makes great looking e-bikes from off-the-shelf parts backed by a strong service network. Most importantly, they sell under Average e-bike price: €2,681 (about $3,160). – Expensive compared to the US, but less likely to catch fire.

My Tenways review e-bike arrived at my door in a giant cardboard box. It seemed large enough to fit the entire CGO Compact assembly and with the handlebar twisted, yet 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 Stem. It’s magical. Open the lever to quickly raise and lower the handlebar, or to access the pin release that allows the handlebar to turn out of the way. It took a little practice for everyone to master it, but we soon got the hang of it.

The small LCD dashboard is bright and colorful even in the sun. You must enter a four-digit PIN upon launch, which can only be changed in the primitive app via Bluetooth. It’s the only theft deterrent service Tenways offers on CGO Compact, which also means they won’t try to sell subscriptions or software-locked features.

Despite our height differences, which range from 164cm to 183cm (5’5″ to 6’6″), everyone found the CGO Compact very comfortable. Adjusting the handlebar and saddle takes less than 10 seconds, and the suspended seatpost did a good job of absorbing small bumps. But the seat’s quick release mechanism does provide additional security to prevent post and saddle theft. This bike is not targeted at major European cities.

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

The Tenways engine is only capable of 45 Nm of torque. Without additional gears, the CGO Compact is best for mostly flat environments. It still performed better than I expected on hills, where it easily outpaced The 35Nm Raleigh One I recently reviewed. For example, I was able to cross a bridge with a 10 percent slope that obstructed the Raleigh Bridge, but only if my start was rolling—otherwise I had to get off and push. On steep inclines, the large chainring allowed me to pedal comfortably at speeds approaching 30 km/h without my legs spinning around frantically. However, the pedal assist system stops assisting at 25 km/h (16 mph) in Europe.

I also didn’t experience any of the shudder you get from folding bikes with relatively short wheelbases, smaller 16-inch wheels, and narrow handlebars. Overall, I rode at pedal assist levels of 3 or 4 out of 5, with 3 feeling most natural, and 4 when I was in a hurry.

With a full battery, I was able to travel 65 kilometers (over 40 miles) before needing to recharge. I received alerts on my iPhone and Apple Watch when the battery level dropped to 10 percent, and power dropped significantly when the estimated remaining range reached 4 kilometers. Charging the 494.36 Wh battery took a relatively slow 4.5 hours from the included charger.

The CGO Compact was clearly designed by people who ride bikes in compact European cities. It comes standard with built-in lighting, mudguards, a loud bell and kickstand, and a partially covered shifter to protect trousers, skirts and long coats from snagging. The small crossbar on the step frame can also be used as a handle to help lift the bike up the stairs.

City bikes need to haul stuff, which is why the CGO Compact comes with a click-and-go MIK HD rear carrier system. It supports loads of up to 27 kg (about 60 lbs) – enough to fit a compatible trunk or child seat. The e-bike also has mounting points on the front for a bottle cage or rack.

Overall, the Android and iOS app is good, but rarely needed. It may be worth eventually purchasing accessories and insurance, or starting a conversation with support and finding the nearest service center. It also promises to show ride data collected by date, but that never worked for me, and only showed me zeros.

Tenways’ CGO Compact is an excellent e-bike for €1,999 (about $2,365). Everyone agrees that the riding experience was great. And when you do eventually need servicing, Tenways has a strong network of local bike shops in Europe to support, with a ready supply of off-the-shelf parts from brands you know.

The CGO Compact is a highly adaptable e-bike that rides upright and downsized, making it the perfect companion for European city life. They’re also highly shareable, but no one would blame you for keeping them all to yourself.

Photography by Thomas Ricker/The Verge