Officially unveiled just today – and already being tested by us. We had the opportunity to thoroughly test ride the new Tenways AGO X Special Edition in advance, both on our daily commute through the city and on longer trips into the surrounding countryside. Read our review to find out how this affordable all-round e-bike performed!
Design
First of all: wow, that colour! Olive Moss – a metallic green that really sparkles in the first rays of sunshine of the year. Together with the golden logo, it creates a sophisticated but by no means ostentatious look. It looks high-quality without being flashy.
The relatively slim frame emphasises this impression. Dynamic and elegant proportions, plus cleanly ground weld seams – the importance of detail is clearly evident here. An ambient light signature on the seat tube adds a special touch. Rather than being a functional necessity, the pulsating light is more of a design statement. If it bothers you, you can simply deactivate it.
All add-on components are in black, which further emphasises the frame. At the rear, the rear light is elegantly integrated into the luggage rack, while at the front, the compact front light is located below the handlebars. It’s got a neat battery in the down tube, and the mid-drive motor is a typical size – not super small, but not bulky either. We really like the tidy cockpit: a small colour display, compact controls, and even a subtle bell – everything fits together nicely.
Equipment
Technically, the AGO X Special Edition marks the next step for Tenways after the AGO Air. The in-house mid-motor delivers a powerful 80 Nm of torque, placing it in the upper mid-range of current systems. Despite its performance, the unit remains pleasantly compact in appearance.
The system is controlled via a compact control element on the handlebars, supplemented by a colour display in the centre of the handlebars. With its 560 Wh, the battery offers a decent capacity and is removable, integrated into the down tube.
Gears are shifted using a 10-speed derailleur from Shimano’s latest CUES series. Linkglide technology ensures durability and smooth gear changes even under heavy loads. For safe braking, the bike is equipped with a hydraulic disc brake system.
For high traction on all trails, 57 mm wide tyres are fitted, and there is also a suspension fork with 100 mm of travel, including adjustable preload and lockout. Thanks to the height-adjustable stem, the seating position can be individually adjusted, and the saddle itself is from Selle Royal.
The everyday-ready specification includes robust metal mudguards, a front light compliant with German road traffic regulations (StVZO) featuring two lenses positioned beneath the handlebars, producing a pleasantly bright beam, as well as the rear light integrated into the rear rack.
The rear rack itself is compatible with the MIK HD system, featuring a practical click mechanism for attaching bags, baskets or child seats with loads of up to 27 kg. In addition, it connects to the Tenways app – access ride data, plan navigation and transfer everything directly to the display.
Operation
The system is largely self-explanatory to operate. The plus and minus buttons are used to change the assistance levels, while a long press activates the lights or the walk-assist function. If preferred, you can select just three riding modes instead of five – providing additional clarity. Separate buttons are available for switching between display views.
Battery removal is pleasantly straightforward: once unlocked, the battery is released via a tab on the underside and pulled out downwards. The battery and the cover in the frame colour form a single unit, making handling even easier. Naturally, the battery can also be charged directly on the bike, although the somewhat small charging plug requires a steady hand.
Typical of Tenways is the motor lock secured by a software code. The drive is only activated once a four-digit code has been entered. Alternatively, automatic unlocking can be set up via the app as soon as the bike connects to your smartphone.
Riding impressions
Let’s start straight away with the Tenways mid-drive motor – and it leaves a convincing impression. Power delivery is smooth and well controlled in all modes – clearly noticeable when setting off, yet never abrupt. Overall, the character feels balanced and pleasant, while the motor still offers sufficient reserves for more demanding climbs.
The basic operating noise remains pleasantly quiet. Only under greater load does the drive become more audible, without ever becoming intrusive. We were no longer able to detect the extended overrun that we had observed in rare situations on the AGO Air – a welcome improvement.
With regard to the electric drive system, the only feature we would like to see is a kind of Auto mode that eliminates the need to switch between individual riding modes – while providing adaptive assistance ranging from gentle support to full power.
The motor and gears also work well together – although gear changes under load can sometimes be clearly audible. Nevertheless, the combination of the powerful mid-drive motor and the 10-speed derailleur delivers a pleasantly sporty riding experience – both on the flat and uphill. Despite its measured weight of exactly 26.9 kilograms in size L, the bike feels lighter and more agile than the figure would suggest.
The riding position strikes a successful balance between upright comfort and a subtly sporty stretch, to which the straight handlebar makes its contribution. At 75 centimetres, however, it is fairly wide – for our taste, it could certainly be a little narrower. Thanks to the use of standard components, replacing it would be straightforward.
Wide tyres and, of course, the suspension fork ensure a comfortable ride even on gravel and forest tracks. The latter could respond a little more sensitively to small bumps, but remains perfectly acceptable for this price range. The attractive price is probably also the reason why no suspension seatpost is fitted – though this could easily be retrofitted if desired.
On rough terrain, the bike remained pleasantly composed – nothing wobbles, nothing rattles, which speaks for an overall solid build quality.
Conclusion
The AGO X Special Edition offers a well-rounded overall package. Distinctive design, a solid mid-drive motor, thoughtfully chosen components and comprehensive everyday equipment come together at an attractive price of just 2,199 euros. This makes it just as appealing for commuters as it is for longer weekend rides.
In addition to the green Olive Moss version of our test bike, the AGO X Special Edition is also available in a light Starlight Silver directly from the online shop of Tenways.
