Tenways recently launched its new CGO compact electric bike in Europe that is designed to fit into tight spaces like car trunks, apartment hallways and train compartments.
To achieve this, the CGO Compact is fitted with small 20-inch wheels, folding pedals and a handlebar fitted with a bendable stem to create a slim, wall-clinging profile. The adjustable steering column and low-step through frame make it suitable for a wide range of rider heights, so it could be a good shareable e-bike for families. And its MIK HD rear carrier system is good for towing up to 27 kilograms (about 60 pounds) around town, with mounting points for additional accessories like a crate or child seat.
Tenways may not be a household name globally, but the Chinese e-bike company headquartered in the Netherlands is making a name for itself in Europe thanks to aggressive pricing, attractive designs, and over 1,500 stores and service centers. And while the CGO Compact’s €1,990 (about $2,365) price isn’t cheap, it’s well below the €2,681 average for European e-bikes.
The company sells e-bikes in the US, but the CGO Compact is only for sale in Europe to date. It features a 250W rear-hub motor connected to a Gates carbon belt drive for maintenance-free propulsion. It promises a range of up to 100km from its 500Wh removable battery, but its single-speed drivetrain produces only 45Nm of torque, so it’s best suited to relatively flat cities. The suspension seat post should help absorb bumps if your commute strays off the asphalt. There’s also an integrated torque sensor to ensure smooth delivery of pedal-assisted power, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes should keep any sudden stops under control.
The CGO lives up to its name in terms of compact size, but it’s not that lightweight. It weighs 19.8 kilograms (about 44 pounds) when taken down, or 22.1 kilograms (about 49 pounds) with all the accessories you’d want in a wet urban environment. This makes it heavier than many full-size e-bikes, even tenways, and less versatile than the excellent 20-inch Brompton G Folding, which also weighs less but costs more than twice as much.
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