Ridden: The Coswheel CT20S E-Bike Has an Insane 45-MPH Top Speed and a Striking Design

But before we get to that, I want to tell you more about the e-bike and its maker. Coswheel is a Dongguan, China-based manufacturer of electric scooters and e-bikes. It was founded in 2015 and has built a portfolio of 10 e-bikes if we count all the slightly different versions of its products.

Two more recent ones are the CT20 and its sportier brother, the CT20S. Coswheel describes the former as a "family commuter e-bike," while the latter is a speedier version with some minor differences.

The CT20 is smaller, taller, and lighter than the CT20S. There are also differences in top speed, range, and all-around performance. But since I don't want to overload your brain with specs, I'll talk more about the CT20S, especially since it's the version I tested and the topic of this review.

Design Evaluation

The CT20S has a 47.8-inch (121.4-centimeter) wheelbase and a seat height of 32.6 inches (82.8 centimeters). According to Coswheel, it's suitable for riders with height between 5'1" and 6'5" (155 and 195.6 centimeters).

It tips the scales at a hefty 99.2 lb. (45 kg), including the weight of the battery. What's more, it can hold quite a bit of weight. Its maker shared that the safe load would be 265 lb. (120.2 kg), but the maximum you can go up to is 330 lb. (149.7 kg). Both figures include the weight of the bike.

Before we go further into detail, I want to mention something. The CT20S is marketed as (and technically is) an e-bike since it's equipped with pedals. However, it doesn't feel like one – I think a better fit would be an "electric moped."

How about pricing? For the performance this e-bike offers, I'd say it's quite fairly priced. The standard price for the CT20S is $2,749 (€2,602), but it's currently discounted to $2,549 (€2,413). By comparison, the standard CT20 costs $700 (€662) less, discounted from $2,049 (€1,939).

But enough about general info—let's take a closer look at the actual bike. This two-wheeler is definitely an eye-catcher. I'm not just saying this because it caught my eye when I first stumbled upon it, but also because I always notice people I ride by checking it out. In fact, I was stopped and asked many times about the bike.

The opinions I got from other people regarding the design were quite opposed: either they loved it or disliked it. I'm part of the first category. I'm fond of the long, thick top tube that houses the battery and the bike's overall shape.

The bike's frame design and overall look are sporty but also classy and retro. They resemble the design of Super73 e-bikes.

I don't know if it's just me, but it makes me think of space. It looks like a NASA moon exploration e-bike, especially since it's finished in minimalistic silver paint paired with various black touches, such as the saddle.

Like many other e-bikes, the CT20S sports a frame made from aluminum alloy. A saddle takes up the second half of the top tube. Moreover, you'll notice a strategically positioned handle at the top tube's end, which helps you lift the bike's rear when needed.

A 60 V brushless motor rated for 1,500 W nominal (2,000 W peak) helps the bike achieve exceptional performance. No, it's not housed under the top tube, in the middle of the frame (like most people I've spoken with have assumed). It's, in fact, a hub motor integrated into the rear wheel.

The CT20S is by far the fastest e-bike I've ever tasted. Its acceleration and top speed are the two main reasons why I'd rather call it a moped rather than a bike.

Of course, to respect European regulations, the bike is limited to 15.5 mph (25 kph). However, removing it lets you go as fast as 40 mph (65 kph), according to Coswheel. Regarding torque, the motor can output up to 120 Nm (88.5 lb-ft.).

This remarkable performance is possible due to a massive 60 V, 27.5 Ah battery housed in the top tube. It’s secured there via a small locking mechanism at the battery’s rear. Removing and attaching it is also easy, as there’s a handle at the battery’s tail, and there are two tiny metal channels that let you know the right way of inserting the battery.

The range is pretty good as well. Coswheel claims you can go 100 miles (160 km) in the Class-1 PAS (pedal assist) mode and 55 miles (88.5 km) in the Class 2 Mode, using only the half-twist throttle. What's more, charging time, according to the manufacturer, is anywhere between 3.5 and 8 hours.

Things sound good on paper, but the reality is a bit different, as you'll soon see in the "Real-World Testing" section below.

With the definitely dangerous top speed this e-bike is capable of, its braking capabilities should be on point, and fortunately, they are. The CT20S is equipped with double-piston hydraulic brakes with 180 mm brake discs.

The tire setup is good. The bike sports Arisun moped-style 20" x 5.0" fat tires, which Coswheel describes as off-road tires. They can handle some light off-roading, but I wouldn't necessarily call them "off-road tires."

While the fat tires do a decent job absorbing shocks, you also get a front and rear suspension system to bear the brunt of riding. You get a 20-inch (51-centimeter) dual shoulder front suspension with 80mm travel and a rear shock suspension with 180mm travel.

Even though this e-bike couldn't fare very well off a bicycle drivetrain, it still has one. It sports a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain with an anti-rust chain.

On the electronics side, I'd say things are not great, not terrible, as the quote from a popular series goes. The bike has a small LCD that showcases riding speed, total distance ridden, and other relevant info.

There are five customizable pedal assistance levels you can cycle through at the touch of a button.

As expected, the CT20S has a kickstand and fenders, making it a proper urban e-bike. Moreover, it has powerful front and rear LED lights, making it unmissable on the road. Riding at night isn't an issue, as the 120 LUX angel eye headlight will make sure you'll properly see the road ahead.

You even get turn signals front and rear – a good "indicator" (pun intended) of this e-bike's commuter nature.

Real-World Testing

I had quite a "rough start" with the Coswheel CT20S. After assembling the e-bike, I took it on the first test ride. After 10 minutes of riding, I suddenly lost power, and the display showed "Error Code 30," which indicates a communication fault.

After unplugging all connections and plugging them back in, the error remained, and the e-bike had no power output. I contacted the manufacturer, and the company sent me another controller.

Replacing it wasn't easy, but not very difficult either. I had to take it apart and replace all connections, which was a bit tedious. Thankfully, the controller caused the error, and replacing it fixed the issue. I have had no problems with the new one ever since.

When I first experienced the CT20S, I was quite disappointed—having a brand-new e-bike that I couldn't ride was a bit frustrating. There was another problem I ran into while riding in the first two gears: the chain would come into contact with the rear tire.

That wasn't a problem for me since I always ride fast, so the last gear is always my go-to. But it can be a major issue for most customers who'd like to use lower gears.

I checked and discovered the shifter wasn't bent from shipping, which might have caused this issue. Instead, it might be a design flaw or a problem with the unit I received. That being said, the shifts were instant and problem-free.

However, once I got to experience the e-bike, I soon forgot about the problems I initially experienced. For context, I am about 6'0" (183 centimeters) tall and weigh about 78 kg (172 lb.). I found the position on the CT20S quite different from what I've been used to. You sit low and have no way to adjust the height. The saddle is decently comfortable, although your back will get tired after quicker rides.

I found using the pedals pretty uncomfortable. The bike's geometry and the seat position make pedaling very unnatural. Pedaling at a higher speed might even unbalance you.

The fact that there's no torque sensor was the cherry on top, making me ignore the pedals altogether; I just used them as foot pegs. In my mind, that set the CT20S's "moped nature" in stone. Coswheel even installed a license plate holder.

I only use the half-twist throttle when riding the bike. It's extremely easy to operate and is sensitive enough to be modulated to adjust the speed and acceleration.

Like all European models, the CT20S came limited with a top speed of 25 kph (15.5 mph). After removing it, I could go as fast as 72 kph (45 mph). I won't lie; that speed is too much on this e-bike, as it doesn't feel balanced or safe. Luckily, the brakes it sports can quickly and safely slow you down or bring you to a halt.

The CT20S feels generally handleable when you don't go very fast on it – it has more of a moped feel when it comes to handling. The main problem is that it is top-heavy. The massive battery is positioned quite high up, significantly influencing how the e-bike rides. It feels a bit unstable, especially when you get to higher speeds.

The front and rear suspension do a decent job of absorbing impact, although hitting a pothole is quite rough on the rear.

Given that I didn't pedal at all on the CT20S and prefer riding at higher speeds, the range figures were significantly impacted. I was able to get about 50 km (31 miles) on it, with a bit less when riding in very cold temperatures. However, you can significantly extend that by riding at lower speeds. Moreover, if you manage to pedal, I'm sure you can get closer to the official range figures.

As expected, the e-bike shut itself off at 7% to prevent damage to the battery. Charging time from 7% to 100% took about 6.5 hours.

The final problem I encountered is related to the motor. After about 550 km (341 miles) of riding, the motor started to make a weird noise. To be clear, the motor is quite noisy—nothing too annoying, but you can definitely hear it.

This new noise was different, like a clacking noise. However, the motor's performance wasn't impacted at all.

I took the bike to a mechanic, who discovered two loose bolts inside the motor's casing. I know that sounds sketchy, but they were fixated on Vaseline on the side of the casing, so they weren't the cause of the sound. It was a mystery where they were actually supposed to fit.

The mechanic didn't investigate further, as I had already contacted Coswheel, which kindly asked me to send it back so they could inspect it and see what was wrong. I did, but this happened not that long ago, so I haven't gotten an answer as to what went wrong. Luckily, Coswheel sent me a new motor, which has been great so far.

I have to give props to the quick and efficient response of Coswheel when it comes to the issues I encountered. At the same time, the controller and motor problems were a bit unexpected, taking into account the price of the CT20S.

To be fair, Coswheel is still working on making the motor better and more reliable, and these things happen. The company also shared that "long-term, high-speed operation will damage the motor." Moreover, I also pushed it to the max when riding, so that might've also been a factor.

Coswheel shipped out a rear shelf for the bike. I had a really hard time fitting it to the bike. It didn't fit at first, so I had to pull on it to widen it, making it suffer a tiny crack. After barely making it align properly, I discovered that two of the threads in the bike didn't work properly, as in the screws couldn't be fully tightened into them.

After very little riding, one of the screws that wasn't fully tightened flew off the bike. I gave up using the rack and removed it altogether. That's quite disappointing, considering the rack costs an additional $129 (€122). Other accessories you can opt for are a cargo bag for $129 or a much crazier and unique sidecar, which will set you back an extra $1,199 (€1,134).

You'll feel the e-bike's weight the most when carrying it up the stairs. In fact, you probably won't carry it, just like I haven't. It's better to put it in the first mode and slowly accelerate it upstairs as you hold on to its handlebars. This way, I've never had a problem getting it in and out of my house, and I didn't hurt my back either.

Regarding electronics, the display is easy to read, the buttons are easy to reach, and the horn is decently loud. There are also two functions that are useful yet sometimes annoying.

I'm referring to a light sensor and cruise control. The sensor detects how much light is outside and turns the front light on or off. While this eliminates the need for you to do the operation yourself, I've had the experience of the sensor constantly turning the light on and off while riding during the day, and I had to turn off the light manually to prevent that from happening.

Cruise control can be helpful while riding. However, this function activates by itself after you maintain a constant speed for about 10 seconds. This has taken me many times by surprise, as the bike continues at the same speed even when I let off the throttle and intend to slow down.

The Verdict

All in all, my problems with the CT20S aren't small, but they weren't bad enough to make me dislike the e-bike. In fact, I still use it as my daily ride through the crazy traffic of my hometown of Bucharest. I reach my destination faster than people do in their cars.

That being said, you'd expect a pricey bike like this one to have fewer issues. You do get an insane top speed for a good price, I'd say, and the customer support was great, so bonus points for that.

In my opinion, the Coswheel CT20S is worth the extra bucks for the increased power you get. Even though you get good brakes, you should still ride this thing carefully, as its immense power (for an e-bike) can put you at risk.

Pros:

• Extremely Fast & Fun
• Fully-Equipped for City Riding
• Eye-Catching Design

Cons:

• Faulty Components
• Flawed Design (e.g., drivetrain & rear rack)
• Heavy (Hard to lift)

Rating: 4.0/5