Tenways CGO800 Plus review

Where the CGO800 Plus fits

The geared member of the CGO800 family, combining a low-step frame and comfort equipment with a larger battery, a 45Nm motor and eight-speed Shimano shifting.

At a researched UK list price of £1,799, the important comparison is not simply motor power. Frame access, total mass, gearing, battery energy, service access and the regular route decide whether this geared step-through city bike is good value. Prices, colours and component substitutions can change, so the live Tenways page remains the final pre-purchase check.

Motor, torque and hill performance

Tenways specifies the CGO800 Plus with a Tenways C9 250W rear-hub motor with a torque sensor and 45Nm of maximum torque. A torque sensor measures pedal pressure and should add support in proportion to the rider’s input, which generally feels more natural than a simple rotation sensor. UK-compliant assistance must progressively cut out by 15.5mph; the motor does not make this a powered vehicle above that threshold.

Motor location and gearing matter as much as the headline torque. This bike uses Shimano Claris eight-speed chain drivetrain. On a hill, the rider should choose an appropriate mechanical ratio where one is available, keep a smooth cadence and avoid forcing the drivetrain in an excessively high gear. Substantially heavier than the CGO800S

Battery, charging and realistic range

The listed battery is a 475.2Wh removable battery. Tenways claims up to 100km under favourable test conditions, but that is an upper-limit marketing figure rather than a promise for every journey. Cold weather, hills, repeated starts, soft tyres, luggage, rider mass and high assistance can all reduce distance substantially.

Compare batteries in watt-hours, not only in kilometres. A sensible owner plans around the hardest regular return trip, keeps a reserve for detours and battery ageing, and charges with the supplied compatible charger in a dry place with a working smoke alarm. Stop using a battery that is swollen, damaged, unusually hot or has been immersed.

Ride, comfort and handling

The Plus addresses the CGO800S’s clearest limitation by giving the rider eight mechanical gears and slightly more motor torque. A low gear helps both rider and hub motor maintain momentum on moderate slopes, while the wide tyres and suspension preserve the family’s comfort-first character.

Published independent coverage is currently thinner than for the CGO800S. Road.cc’s launch analysis focused on the change to gears and a larger battery; without a substantial independent long-term test base, claims about durability or real-world range should remain provisional.

Equipment and everyday practicality

The core equipment is Shimano or Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, depending on current specification, 700×48C puncture-resistant tyres and a SR Suntour suspension fork. Listed weight is about 24kg net and 26kg with fitted equipment; the permissible load is 145kg. Tenways positions the fit for riders around approximately 155–190cm, but height is only a starting point. Reach, saddle position, stand-over clearance and control access need checking on the actual bicycle.

The 475.2Wh pack gives more stored energy than the CGO800S’s standard battery, but the heavier bike and varied gear use mean the same headline range is not a guarantee. Range comparisons should use an identical route, rider, weather and assistance setting.

At roughly 24kg before accessories, stairs and train transfers deserve a realistic trial. The low-step frame helps mounting but does not make the bike easy to lift; remove the battery before lifting where the manufacturer permits it.

What independent reviewers are saying

Independent commentary is broadly useful when it describes repeated ride characteristics rather than simply repeating a specification. For the CGO800 Plus, the published themes are reflected in the source notes below. RideIn has not presented this specification-led review as a laboratory test, and a new or lightly covered model has a smaller evidence base.

Road.cc CGO800 Plus launch analysis: Independent news coverage of the geared specification.

Strengths and disadvantages

The model’s attractions and limitations are best read together. A feature that benefits one route can be a compromise on another, so a decision should start with terrain, storage, carrying and local servicing rather than appearance alone.

• Strength: Low-step access with usable gears
• Strength: Largest battery in the CGO800 pairing
• Strength: Comfort-focused tyres and suspension
• Strength: Hydraulic braking
• Disadvantage: Substantially heavier than the CGO800S
• Disadvantage: Chain drivetrain requires regular care
• Disadvantage: Independent long-term testing is limited compared with older Tenways models

Ownership, warranty and service checks

Tenways’ published UK warranty gives the frame and rigid fork longer coverage than most electrical components, while motors, batteries, controllers and displays generally have shorter defined periods. Consumables, crash damage, incorrect assembly, unauthorised modification and normal battery ageing are treated differently. Read the current terms rather than assuming every fault is covered.

Before ordering the CGO800 Plus, identify the retailer or service partner responsible for assembly, diagnostics and warranty labour. Check the frame number, charger marking, battery keys, firmware or app requirements and availability of model-specific spares. A local test ride should include a hill, repeated starts, hard controlled braking and low-speed turns.

RideIn verdict

The CGO800 Plus makes better sense than the 800S for a rolling commute, provided the extra weight is manageable. Flat-route riders may reasonably prefer the cheaper, cleaner belt-drive 800S.

The best match is upright commuting where slopes and varied pace make gears worthwhile. It is a weaker match when its listed disadvantages collide with a non-negotiable part of the journey. Compare the related Tenways models below and use RideIn’s main e-bike guide to check legality, battery safety, range and ownership costs before committing.