Dutch e-bike producer Tenways has become known for producing an appealing range of flat-bar hybrid e-bikes. Until now these have all been belt driven single-speed models – ideal for the famously flat country they are made in. But a new model, the Tenways CGO600 Plus, is so-called because it comes with eight-speed Shimano Claris derailleur gearing.

Would it be enough to tempt me, when I live in an area (the Pennines) where you certainly need gears? Would it be a good choice for those who like pitching up at the best campervan sites for cyclists?

It weighs 18kg, so it shouldn’t eat too badly into your ’van’s payload, whether you have a motorhome such as the Swift Voyager 505 or a campervan such as the Auto-Trail Expedition 68XL.

Along with an easily adjustable saddle, it has straight handlebars whose angle you can also adjust. On here, you will find the LCD display where you can choose one of three different power levels, and keep a tally on distance travelled, average speed and max speed.

You also use this display to turn the lights on and off – both the front light, which is fully integrated into the bike’s body, and the back light, which includes a brake light. An integrated light certainly looks nicer, and you don’t have to keep remembering to fit it, but it does mean you can really only light up in the direction you want to travel. You can’t detach the light to check that signpost you just passed, for example. I also wonder how easy it would be to fit a new bulb.

The head unit
Head unit includes power modes, battery life, speed and odometer

Both these lights are fully compliant with StVZO, tough German traffic regulations that are designed to reduce glare to other road users. This means they light intensely, but over
a shorter than usual distance.

The handlebars
Flat handlebars are marked for centring and angle of rise

Overall, I found using this bike something of a wonder. It was easy to switch between the three power modes, and although I only felt the real oomph of the motor in the highest power level, putting it in such a mode meant that parts of the Pennines that previously on a conventional bike were either a hard slog or completely off limits, became an easy ride.

The Shimano Claris
Shimano Claris comes with a basic gear indicator

The longest journey I took on the bike – about 30 miles in total – was a relatively easy toddle, with the battery only beginning to lose power slightly towards the end. Even then, the relatively light weight of this e-bike meant that it remained a decent ride with the power off. The eight gears also mean you don’t have to switch between different power modes so often.

Many people didn’t even realise that it was an e-bike, because the battery is so well integrated into the frame. I felt comfortable leaving it locked up in public.

My only niggle was our test bike’s mudguard, which is made of metal not plastic. After only a short period of riding it started rattling on even relatively smooth terrain. Tightening it up involves removing the back wheel, and that in itself is a trickier job than it needs to be because you need to disconnect a cable which is housed in a solid metal casing.

You can also take a look at our review of the Ribble Allroad TI Enthusiast.

Technical spec of the Tenways CGO600 Plus

  • Price: £1799
  • Max speed: 15.5mph (e-restricted)
  • Weight: 18kg
  • Range: Up to 60 miles
  • Battery: 360Wh removable battery with LG 21700 cells
  • Motor: C9 250W rear hub motor with 45Nm of torque
  • Gears: 8-speed Shimano Claris derailleur gearing
  • Accessories: LCD display, kickstand and mudguards included as standard
  • Colours: Pebble grey, sky blue
  • Contact: tenways.com

If you’d prefer to explore in a different way when you’re on tour, see what we have to say about taking a motorbike on a motorhome tour.

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