REVIEW: Tenways CGO600 eBike, zero gear changes, zero chains, a hidden battery and great range – techAU
Electric bikes are rapidly becoming a common sight in Australia, offering a greener, healthier, and often quicker way to get around. In 2025, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to eBikes, so competitors have to show up with something really compelling to stand out from the crowd.
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the chance to ride the Tenways CGO600 which is very different than any other eBike that I’ve ridden. The focus on simplicity, style, and lightweight design makes it a great urban commuter, but as someone in regional Victoria, I can attest this helps you see more of the world with an incredible range.
Often eBikes have large, heavy frames to house the battery, but designers and engineers at Tenways have worked their magic to delvier a clean, light aesthetic which they say also results in low-maintenance over time.
The specs and features of the CGO600 make it worth a detailed look if you’re on a mission to short list your next bike.
Let’s dive into the design, performance, and overall value proposition of this sleek e-bike for the Australian rider.
Design
The Tenways CGO600 impresses with a minimalist design. When you’re buying a road bike, one of the criteria you’re often searching for is lightweight and having to hide a battery in the frame, often results in a overly large bulky look.
The CGO600 boasts smooth lines, a relatively thin frame profile. The hidden battery is key to its conventional bike appearance, making it less obviously an e-bike at first glance. Look a little closer and you’ll notice there are some clues this isn’t your father’s pushbike.
On the handlebars you’ll find a compact OLED Display, again taking a minimalist approach to the design. This display and control panel shows essential information like speed, battery level, and assist level without cluttering the handlebars.
When it comes to build quality, the bike feels really solid, utilising a lightweight 6061 aluminium alloy frame which contributes significantly to its low overall weight of around 15kg – a major plus if you have to carry the bike from time to time. On one of my adventures, I needed to cross from a main road to a bike path which required lifting the bike and walking it about 20 metres, it’s times like this I definitely appreciated the lightweight construction.
What you won’t find on the bike is an fancy suspension to absorb shocks from the bumps underneath your tyres, but outside of that, this bike has everything you could hope for.
Something that drew my attention when I first seen the CGO600 was the use of Belt Drive drivetrain, instead of a traditional chain, eliminating greasy maintenance and noise. As someone who’s had a chain come off while riding, this is a very welcome change. Having ridden with the belt, it make me wonder why we still use chains on bikes at all.
Belts are regularly used in the automotive sector, and the combination of the belt and no gears means this bike feels great to ride.
The cable management on the brake cables are incredibly well done, well thought out, adding to the uncluttered aesthetic.
The bike is available in just two colours Midnight Black and Sky Blue (reviewed). While it’s tempting to go for the subtle black, it’s a little commonplace in bikes, so I’d push anyone to consider the blue, it looks great in the sunlight.
Performance
At the heart of the performance is the Mivice M070 250W rear hub motor, which is known for being compact and quiet. Tenways paired this motor with a torque sensor, a feature often found on more premium e-bikes.
This sensor measures the rider’s pedalling effort and delivers proportional assistance, resulting in a much more natural and intuitive riding feel compared to cadence sensors which can feel jerky or overly aggressive.
When the power comes on, particularly on the highest setting, feels like you just got a turbo underneath you. The boost is substantial and there’s just a hint of a delay between your input and the response from the motor. Once it kicks in the assist is powerful and seriously helps you get up hills, or across larger distances than you would otherwise ride.
Riding this bike was the closest feeling I’ve had on 2 wheels that I get from my EV. There’s just a single speed, meaning you have zero gear changes to worry about, just accelerate from zero up to your top speed.
The single-speed drivetrain, powered by the Gates Carbon Belt, emphasizes simplicity and low maintenance.
That battery is 252Wh in capacity and sure, you can’t remove it, but I have used other eBikes and never removed it. For those who live in apartments and can’t fit the bike in a lift, this may limit your charging options, but for the majority of users the slimmer design was the right choice.
That battery and an efficient drivetrain combine to offers an impressive range of up to 70km. This is far more than I personally would ever need on a single ride. I suspect the regular users of this bike will charge it once a week, and simply use it for a daily commute without thinking about the range.
The lightweight city bike would be sufficient for most daily commutes and great for weekend workouts of exploration.
When it comes to stopping, you’ll want to have confidence these will perform as well, one of the biggest safety considerations of bike ownership. The inclusion of hydraulic disc brakes is a welcome feature, ensuring reliable stopping power in wet or dry conditions, essential for navigating unpredictable city traffic.
Features
Some of the standout features of the Tenways CGO600 are:
Lightweight Aluminium Frame
The bike weighs approximately 15kg, making it significantly lighter than many e-bikes and easier to handle, carry, or store.
Mivice M070 250W Rear Hub Motor
Provides quiet and efficient power assistance, suitable for urban commuting speeds and moderate hills.
Torque Sensor
Delivers smooth, intuitive pedal assistance that feels natural by matching the motor output to the rider’s input.
Gates Carbon Belt Drive
A clean, quiet, and virtually maintenance-free alternative to a traditional bike chain, lasting longer and requiring no lubrication.
Integrated 252Wh Battery
Seamlessly built into the frame for a sleek look, it provides up to 70km of range and is portable for convenient charging off the bike.
Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Offer strong and reliable braking performance in all weather conditions, enhancing safety in urban environments.
Compact OLED Display
Clearly shows essential information like speed, battery level, and assist level without cluttering the handlebars.
Single-Speed Drivetrain
Simplifies the riding experience and reduces maintenance needs, ideal for predominantly flat urban routes.
Issues and Opportunities
While the Tenways CGO600 presents a compelling package, it’s not without potential drawbacks or areas for future improvement.
Easily my biggest complaint is the bell. This is terrible and should be re-thought. The bell is needed at a time of urgency, when you need to get the attention of other road/path users, you don’t want to mess with the equipment.
I found on a number of occasions that I tried to ring the bell and failed. This pull back trigger made from plastic, fails to strike the bell with purpose like a metal element would, so I hope this gets updated in future revisions. So lacking is the bell experience that I think many will seek a 3rd party solution.
While the bike ships with accessories like a rear light and guards for front and rear wheels, I actually would have preferred a drink bottle holder ahead of either of these. Riding, particularly extended rides, require refreshments and having spent a decent figure on this bike, you’d expect to drop in your water bottle and get riding.
Price and Availability
The Tenways CGO600 is available directly to Australian customers through the official Tenways Australia website.
As of early April 2025, the price listed on the website is AUD $2,299, a $200 discount from the RRP of A$2,499.
At that price, the bike is priced well compared to other, similarly spec’d rides. Bikes and particularly eBikes, are one of those items that really can fetch a significant price tag. The technology, design and features help the CGO600 stand out from the crowd.
You can view and purchase the bike from Tenways Australia Official Website.
Availability through other third-party retailers in Australia is limited, with Tenways primarily operating on a direct-to-consumer model in this region. This means test rides might be harder to come by compared to brands sold through traditional bike shops.
Overall
The Tenways CGO600 is a thoughtfully designed e-bike that successfully targets the urban commuter who values style, simplicity, and a lightweight build. Its minimalist aesthetic, clean lines, and integrated components like the battery and Gates Carbon Belt Drive make it stand out from visually clunkier competitors.
Is it worth buying? For the right person, absolutely. It most appeals to city dwellers navigating predominantly flat or moderately hilly terrain, who prioritise low maintenance, ease of handling, and a sophisticated look.
The price point represents solid value for money, especially considering the torque sensor and Gates belt drive – features often reserved for more expensive models.
I do find it interesting that the US store offers a CGO600 PRO version which offers an adjustable stem, allowing you to reposition your handlebars. This reminded me that you really are locked into a single riding position, so you really want to ensure the bike fits you comfortably.
Tenways offer a range of bikes internationally and after having spent time with the CGO600, I really hope we see more of the lineup in Australia.
