If you live in a city apartment, you likely know the specific pain of trying to store a full-sized bicycle. It’s a game of hallway Tetris where you usually lose, ending up with grease marks on your walls or a handlebar catching your hip every time you walk by. The traditional solution has been the folding bike, but let’s be honest: tiny wheels and a hinged frame often mean a wobbly, compromised ride.
Enter Tenways. The Netherlands-based brand has just launched the CGO Compact in Europe, and it takes a different approach to the space problem. Rather than folding in half like a piece of origami, this bike gets skinny. It’s a clever twist—literally—on urban mobility that aims to balance ride quality with storage practicality.
How does the space-saving design actually work?
The CGO Compact falls into a category often called "semi-folding" or "compact utility." According to the specs released, the frame itself is rigid, which is generally good news for stability and durability. You don’t have to worry about a main hinge wearing out over time.
Instead of breaking the frame, Tenways has equipped the bike with a special stem that allows the handlebar to twist 90 degrees. Combined with folding pedals and small 20-inch wheels, the bike creates a incredibly slim profile. It’s designed to hug a wall flat, slide into a narrow apartment hallway, or fit into a train compartment without dominating the space. While it might not fit under a desk like a Brompton, it solves the "width" problem that makes storing standard bikes indoors so annoying.
What kind of performance and range can you expect?
Tenways built its reputation on the CGO600, a lightweight commuter that was great to look at but suffered from a small battery. It seems they’ve listened to the market feedback with the CGO Compact. The new model comes with a removable 504Wh battery, which is a significant jump from the 252Wh pack found in their lighter models.
Tenways claims this battery will deliver a range of up to 100km (62 miles). While real-world range often varies based on terrain and assist levels, doubling the battery capacity makes this a much more viable option for longer commutes or riders who just don’t want to charge their bike every single day.
Mechanically, it sticks to the brand’s winning formula. It features a Gates Carbon Belt Drive, which is essentially maintenance-free and doesn’t require grease—a massive plus if you are storing this thing inside your living room. The power comes from a rear hub motor (likely their own C9 system or Mivice) paired with a torque sensor. If you haven’t ridden a bike with a torque sensor, it’s a game-changer; it measures how hard you pedal and adjusts the motor output instantly, making the ride feel natural rather than jerky.
Is this bike practical for families and cargo?
One of the most interesting aspects of the CGO Compact is its versatility. It isn’t just a solo commuter; it’s positioned as a shareable family utility vehicle. The bike features an adjustable stem and a low step-through frame, meaning it can accommodate riders of widely varying heights. In a household where partners are different sizes, this single bike could theoretically serve both.
On the utility front, it comes standard with a MIK HD rear carrier. For those unfamiliar with rack standards, the "HD" is the important part here—it stands for Heavy Duty. The rack is rated for up to 27kg (almost 60 pounds), which is robust enough to mount a child seat safely. This pushes the CGO Compact into the territory of a "minivan" replacement for quick school runs or grocery hauls.
How does the price compare to the competition?
The European pricing is set at approximately €1,999. In the context of the current e-bike market, this is aggressive. Competitors in the premium compact utility space, such as the i:SY or the Cube Compact Hybrid, often command prices ranging from €2,500 to €3,500.
By offering a belt drive, torque sensor, and a high-capacity battery at the €2k mark, Tenways is clearly trying to undercut the legacy brands while offering a spec sheet that looks very premium on paper.
Looking Ahead
The launch of the CGO Compact signals a maturation in the "right-sized" mobility market. Tenways is effectively challenging the idea that a city bike needs full-sized wheels or a complex folding mechanism. The winners here are urban dwellers with limited storage who have previously been priced out of the high-end compact utility segment. However, legacy manufacturers like Cube or Riese & Müller may find their market share squeezed if they cannot justify their higher price premiums against capable, lower-cost rivals like Tenways. This move suggests we will see more brands pivoting toward 20-inch rigid frames as the default form factor for dense city living.
![Illustration related to Tenways CGO Compact: €1,999 Apartment E-Bike [Specs]](https://bytewire.press/wp-content/uploads/bytewire-images/2026/02/tenways-cgo-compact-ebike-storage-solution-a9ce6f472b.webp)
![Diagram related to Tenways CGO Compact: €1,999 Apartment E-Bike [Specs]](https://bytewire.press/wp-content/uploads/bytewire-images/2026/02/tenways-cgo-compact-ebike-storage-solution-82bf297ed3.webp)
