Review Update: Tenways' CGO600 Pro E-Bike Is Still Going Strong, a New Version Is Out Now

Folks, over the past few months, I've been riding the CGO600 Pro on just about every occasion I had, even squeezing in rides between testing other bikes, because, honestly, it struck me as one of the more urban and cyclist-ready budget e-bikes of the year.

From nice plump tires that take the abuse of curbs and gravel with ease to a drivetrain that I've yet to service - it's a belt setup - and even a formidable range and power despite the size of the battery and motor. That said, we're here to check back in on the experience after around six months, and may I say I'm still very happy with the CGO600 Pro, so grab your helmets, and let's take a ride.

Now, to understand a bit about what I've been riding, allow me to start at the beginning: the aluminum frame. One of the selling points of the Pro is the sleek and rather lightweight frame, considering it's packed with a battery and motor. A tad over 19 kg (42 lbs with a rear fender) is all I've been lugging around, so it's quite manageable for a decently active adult to take up a flight of stairs or two. I live on the fourth floor, and that's doable too.

When it comes to geometry, here to Tenways seemed to have crafted not only a comfortable bike but one that has been able to handle on-road use, gravel, and even trails through the local woods. No joke; if I had used more appropriate tires, things would have been a tad more comfortable on some of the trails I encountered with this one. But its natural habitat is in the city, so make no mistake about it. For a more detailed look at the geometry, be sure to check the first review we wrote on the Pro.

One other feature that the Pro's frame expresses but one I never took advantage of - I use bikes for other things - is the presence of cargo mounts. They're present on the fork, and the seat stays, too, but as I said, I never used them as I don't often carry cargo on a bike, and if I do, it's in a backpack.

From here, we arrive at this thing's electronics, yet another area where the Pro surprised me. First and foremost, this version is rocking a Mivice motor with 40 Nm (EU version) of torque and running under 250 W, and while it's limited to just 25 kph (15.5 mph) for Europe, I'm still bringing in an average speed of around 27 kph (16.7 mph). That's made possible by the drivetrain, which we'll talk more about later.

While I had never heard of this brand until riding the Pro, from the first push of the pedal, I realized it kicks like a mule, so if you do pick up a Pro for yourself, be sure to take off with lower speed settings, especially in traffic. Oh, and six months later, I can't say I've seen a drop in the motor power or had any problems with it. I've clocked in close to 1,200 km (745 miles) on it and only had a mechanic look at it because of maintenance - lubrification - and pure old curiosity.

Then there's the battery. In this department, the CGO600 Pro excels yet again. From being waterproof and offering me an average ride time of around 85 km (53 miles, a nearly 10% drop in capacity to hold a charge from 93 km, or 58 miles a few months back) to being reasonably light, this 360 Wh trinket is still holding its weight against the price one of these babies costs. In the US, the Pro is currently selling for $1,700 with a belt drivetrain. With a recharge time of around four hours for 80%, I'm still happy with this one.

As for the final piece of the puzzle, we arrive at the drivetrain, where Gates is the crew that gives the Pro the power to move. Honestly, there isn't much to say about this system as Gates is notorious for running smoothly and without problems for tens of thousands of miles, and that spirit is present on the Pro as well. But it's not really perfect. Occasionally, the crank will slip for about a quarter of a rotation, which can be a nuisance if you're giving it all you've got or going uphill.

Speaking of hills, one major downside of running a belt drivetrain is riding up inclines, even with a motor; if it's on the smaller end of things - 250 W is small for an e-bike - and you'll struggle while riding up hills with a 15% or more incline. Some hills in my area top 30%, and those are very tricky to damn near impossible. But to help you find that sweet spot between belt tension, speed, and how hard you want to pedal, Tenways adds adjustable dropouts to the rear of this two-wheeler.

However, Tenways has been listening to rider feedback, myself included, and has expanded the Pro's ability to handle hills with a recently updated version that's rocking a 1x8-speed chain setup (dubbed the Pro-C). It may not seem like a big deal, but it really opens up the Pro's venues, especially with those up to 45c tires. If you ask me, it's what the CGO600 Pro had been missing, even though the idea of the original version is to be a sleek, silent, and hassle-proof machine; the chain just works. It's also cheaper than the Pro I'm rocking, selling in the US for $1,400, a price that is well worth the consideration.

All in all, from the first few moments that I hopped on a CGO600 Pro, I knew that Tenways had something special, especially in this day and age where e-bikes are often overpriced and rocking some rather questionable build quality. But don't take my word for it; the CGO600 Pro has even won the Red Dot Award in 2024 for Bicycle Design. I completely understand why.