TENWAYS AGO X

The Tenways AGO X is a sleek and stylish Class 1 electric hybrid boasting a 250W, 80Nm mid-drive Bafang motor, a 110mm suspension fork, and fast-rolling 29″ wheels.

In this review, we examine this bike’s specifications, find out how it rides, and measure how it performs in areas like acceleration, hill-climbing, range, and braking. After the dust has settled, we wrap it up with my final word on the value and performance provided by the Tenways AGO X.

About Tenways

Tenways says its goal is to make daily commutes effortless, speedy, eco-friendly, and fun. It’s probably no coincidence that Tenways is based in the Netherlands, which is home to more bicycles than people.

Tenways launched its first model, the CGO600, in 2021. Since then, it has added a range of electric city bikes and hybrids, a smart city bike, and two cargo bikes.

BikeRide.com has previously reviewed the CGO600 Pro, AGO T and CGO800S.

What Is the Tenways AGO X?

Tenways calls the AGO X a real all-rounder for daily errands and off-road leisure rides. As a Class 1 e-bike there’s no throttle, and assistance is limited to 20 mph. It has a 250W mid-drive Bafang motor with 80 Nm of torque, and a 504Wh battery.

Add a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain, 29” by 2.25” CST tires, and Suntour suspension fork, and this thing looks set to be fun.

Tenways says the motor is optimized for fast acceleration, carrying heavy loads, and climbing steep slopes. It also claims the AGO X offers the same performance as bikes costing twice as much.

So, does the AGO X deliver?

Pros

Ride Quality

The AGO X is responsive and pleasant to ride on pavement and light trails. The 29” wheels and 2.25” tires were able to cover ground quickly while providing a great mix of responsive steering, stability, and extra cushion—all without the negative attributes wider tires bring.

The torque sensor and mid-drive motor provide a natural ride feel that avid cyclists will surely enjoy. The bike feels like it was designed by cyclists, because its geometry, components, and riding style are intuitive, and I enjoyed the athletic riding position.

The mid-drive motor is quiet and doesn’t detract from the cycling experience, unlike louder, more aggressive hub motors.

Plus, the AGO X is offered in 3 frame sizes, avoiding the one-size-fits-all approach found with so many e-bikes. I reviewed the XL size and found it a fine fit for my 6’ frame, with plenty of room left for taller riders.

Appearance

The bike’s stylish appearance turns heads on the road. While I was testing it, several passers-by complimented the design. The sleek paint and clean welds, combined with a pleasing frame design, immediately inspire a feeling of quality.

The finish features a stunning fade from silver up top to a darker tone lower on the frame. The motor and battery are integrated nicely into the frame.

The AGO X features an integrated headlight at the front.

At the back, an unobtrusive, integrated tailight is mounted on a stylish rear rack, which is fixed to the seat stays in a visually appealing manner.

Drivetrain

This bike’s 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain provides a much better gearing range than the typical 7-speed. The Deore trigger shifter has a pleasant, crisp operation, and it was easy to tune the shifting while setting this bike up.

The bike’s gearing matches its 20 mph top speed and offers plenty of options for climbing hills and maintaining a good pedal cadence. The wide range of gears is ideal for getting the most out of the motor.

The gearing range is also wide enough to pedal the bike over level ground without motor assistance. I was even able tackle small climbs relatively easily without motor power, which is impressive, considering the bike’s 61lb weight.

Display and Control

The display and 3-button control pad are streamlined and unobtrusive, but offer plenty of information in an easy-to-access format.

The advanced menu is easy to use, with clear item names and descriptions. You won’t need a manual to understand what you’re tweaking, and you can access the advanced menu from the bike’s main display without needing the app.

The AGO X also has a four-digit PIN code to prevent unauthorized use, and you can use the app to upload navigation directions via Bluetooth to the onboard display for easy navigation.

I love this feature, as it lets you keep your phone in your pocket and guides you to your destination in a non-distracting manner.

Cons

Unrealistic Estimated Range

The included estimated-range display is a nice feature, but in my testing, it was so inaccurate that it was of little use. Worse still, it overestimated the range.

During the PAS 5 range test, with battery charge at 75%, the display said the bike could travel another 28 miles, but in the end, it managed only 18.5 miles. The total range reached during the test was 28 miles, so the estimate was off by a huge margin.

When battery charge was high, the display gave a hopelessly ambitious range, and even though it improved as battery charge fell, it would be much more useful to have a more realistic idea of range, especially when first heading out.

Steep Hills

Tenways says the AGO X and its Bafang M410 mid-drive motor are “tailor-made for steep slopes and heavy loads.” With a 250W mid-drive motor and 80Nm of torque, I expected it to trounce other e-bikes with similar specs but less torque.

While it did outperform the Fiido Air and Velotric T1ST+ on both hill climbs. I was surprised when Tenway’s own CGO600 Pro, with its 350W, 40Nm rear hub motor and single-speed drivetrain, easily conquered both the small and medium elevation climbs between 15-20 seconds faster.

The Urtopia Carbon 1, with its 250W – 35Nm rear hub motor and single-speed drivetrain, matched the Tenways AGO X on the medium elevation hill and beat it over the small elevation climb by a few seconds.

Mid-drive motors with higher torque outputs should outperform rear hub motors on hill climbs. However, single-speed bikes with less torque matched or beat the AGO X, with its greater torque and 10-speed drivetrain. I was disappointed by this performance.

I should mention that the Tenways’ performance is far from the worst we’ve recorded. It managed to shave a full minute off the times of our worst-performing test bikes on both climbs. So, it’s not incapable of climbing 12° slopes in a reasonable time, it just takes some extra effort.

However, considering Tenway’s claims and the motor specs, I was not overly impressed with its ability to climb steeper hills.

Anyone hoping to climb steep hills a little faster may prefer the CGO600 Pro, which is both cheaper and lighter, but doesn’t have a cargo rack or suspension fork.

Pavement-Focused Tires

The AGO X comes with CST tires that are great for regular urban use, but the tread pattern lacks the grip needed to enjoy confidence on gravel.

If you’re going to spend most of your time on paved surfaces, these tires are great, but anyone hoping to exploit Tenways’ much-vaunted “all-terrain set-up” on gravel or loose dirt will probably want to upgrade to tires with a beefier tread.

No UL Certifications

Neither the AGO X nor the battery are UL certified, although they do meet other safety standards, including EN15194 and CE Marking. EN15194 is a similar European standard for e-bikes sold in the region and provides some peace of mind despite the lack of UL compliance.

Tenways hoped to have the bike and battery certified for UL2271 and UL2849 by the end of 2024, but as of this review, that testing hasn’t been completed.

The US website doesn’t mention UL compliance, compliance with EN standards, or IPX ratings for the bike.

However, the brand representative was quick to provide clarification to my questions. The EN15194 compliance increases my trust in the company and indicates that the bike should meet UL 2849 without issue, but regardless, at the time of this review, I cannot confirm its UL compliance.

The AGO X In Detail

Tenways markets the AGO X as an SUV-style e-bike or urban all-rounder primed for daily errands, commuting, or weekend adventures on light trails, so it needs to be rugged and capable of carrying plenty of cargo, while being relatively light, balanced, and offering enough motor and handling performance to be fun and capable off paved routes.

Let’s have a look at how Tenways has designed and specified the AGO X in a bid to fulfil this brief.

Frame and Fit

The AGO X has a stylish aluminum frame, which comes in three sizes for riders from 5’3” to 6’5″, according to Tenways. I tested the XL frame, which is supposed to fit riders from 5’11 ” to 6’5”.

This bike appears to be well made, with an excellent finish, and a nice, clean appearance, thanks in part to internal cable routing. Of course, hiding the cables inside the frame can make servicing the bike more difficult, but it does protect the cables and enhance the bike’s looks.

E-Bike System, Controls, and Classification

In the middle of the frame, we find the Bafang M410 mid-drive motor, rated for a nominal 250W of power and 80Nm of torque.

That motor output is modulated by a torque sensor that’s integrated in the motor. The bike operates at 36V, with a removable 14 Ah, or 504 Wh, battery, which is paint-matched to the frame and sits inside the bottom of the downtube, with a key-operated lock keeping it secure.

As a Class 1 e-bike, the AGO X is pedal-assist only, with no throttle. Motor assistance is limited to 20mph, and there’s no option to adjust the speed limit.

Safety Certifications and Weatherproofing

The AGO X is undergoing UL compliance testing but doesn’t have UL2849 or UL2271 certification yet. Tenways is confident this will be done soon, and given that the bike already carries a CE mark and complies with the EN15194 standard, I share their confidence.

The whole bike is water-resistant to at least IPX4 level, the motor and display are IP65 water-resistant, and the battery is IPX6-rated, so the bike should be fine on rainy days.

Suspension and Wheelset

Up front, there’s a 110mm Suntour suspension fork with preload adjustment and a lockout.

The AGO X has 29” spoked aluminum rims, which wear 2.25” CST tires. The tires have a light, city-style tread pattern and feature puncture protection. Quick-release axles at both ends make removing the wheels a simple, tool-free process

Drivetrain and Brakes

The Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain has a 38T chainring with a single-sided guard at the pedals and a 11-46T cassette at the back. This combination provides a wide gearing range of 100% to 430%, and is an impressive step up from the 7-speed setups I see so often.

Stopping power is provided by Tektro HD-M275n hydraulic brakes, with a 180mm rotor up-front and a 160mm rotor at the back, but there’s no motor cut-off, so e-bike newbies must remember to stop pedaling when they brake.

Cockpit and Touchpoints

The 760mm-wide riser bars have a slight back-sweep and are fitted with lock-on grips. There’s a streamlined 3-button control pad next to the left grip, and a 2” TFT LCD mounted in landscape format just to the left of the stem.

Next to the right grip, we find a Deore trigger shifter, which has an indicator showing which gear you’re in. The other touch points are a Selle Royal ESSENZA+ saddle and a pair of plastic platform pedals.

Accessories

At the time of writing, aluminum mudguards, a kickstand, and a rear cargo rack are included for free, if you subscribe to the Tenways newsletter.

These accessories have a claimed value of $307 USD and may not always be included for free. Without these accessories, the bike’s utility is drastically reduced.

Testing the Tenways AGO X

The AGO X is the first 250W mid-drive bike I’ve reviewed, so I don’t have any directly comparable test results.

Therefore, the competitors I’ve listed have a mix of single-speed and geared drivetrains with 250W and 350W motors. The AGO X is heavier than these bikes, but has much more torque, which should level the playing field.

I tested the AGO X’s hill-climbing performance against these bikes:

• Fiido Air
• Velotric T1ST+
• Tenways CGO600 Pro (Gates Belt Drive)
• Urtopia Carbon 1

Hill Climb Tests

On our small-elevation hill test, the AGO X landed firmly in the middle of the pack, along with the Urtopia Carbon 1. The AGO X’s time of 3:20 is far ahead of the Fiido Air and Velotric T1ST+ but lags behind Tenway’s own CGO600 Pro by 14 seconds.

The medium-elevation hill climb produced similar results. The AGO X easily outperformed the Fiido Air and T1ST+ by 40-60 seconds. Its ability to climb the hill a full minute ahead of the T1ST+ impressed me, but I was surprised by how hard I had to pedal, given the motor’s 80Nm of torque. I found climbing the 12° slope far from effortless. Up this hill, the Urtopia Carbon 1 beat the AGO X by 4 seconds, and the CGO600 Pro was 22 seconds faster.

Acceleration Test

In the pedal-assist acceleration test, all of the test bikes hit 20 mph in about 7.5 to 8 seconds, and the AGO X took 8 seconds. As the AGO X has no throttle, throttle acceleration wasn’t tested.

Range Tests

I’ve compared the range-test results for the AGO X with two groups of bikes.

Group 1: Fiido Air, Velotric T1ST+, Tenways CGO600 Pro, Urtopia Carbon 1
The bikes in the first group have similar-size batteries but bigger motors.

Group 2: Velotric Fold 1, Fiido C11, Lectric XP 3.0, Retrospec Chatham Rev+
The second batch, the same bikes I compared in the other tests, have motors of similar outputs to the AGO X but much smaller batteries.

Range Test 1 (PAS 5)

When compared to the bikes with similarly powerful motors but smaller batteries, the AGO X soars past the short ranges of the Fiido Air and T1ST+, which have significantly smaller batteries.

Tenways’ own CGO600 Pro came within a mile of matching the AGO X, and surprisingly, Urtopia’s Carbon 1 managed to go 2.5 miles farther, despite its battery being 4Ah smaller.

Compared to bikes with similar-size batteries, the AGO X is the clear winner, with a range of 28.78 miles and 1098 feet of elevation gained over a two-hour ride.

Range Test 2 (PAS 3)

The AGO X can hit 20 mph in PAS 3, which makes the PAS 3 range test feel similar to the PAS 5 test.

The most notable difference was when climbing hills, where the motor provided noticeably less power than in PAS 5. This lower assist level increased the range by approximately 22%, resulting in a total distance of 35.56 miles.

The AGO X performs well compared to the group-one bikes. The only bike to come close was the CGO600 Pro, which managed 32.36 miles. It’s followed by the T1ST+, at 30.63 miles.

When compared to bikes with similar battery capacities, the AGO X is in the same ballpark, with both the Velotric F1 and Fiido C11 achieving 35 miles.

The AGO X gets good range overall. If the range estimates given by its display were more accurate, it would be a fine companion.

The saving grace for the range estimate is the consistent battery decline and useful battery meter, which shows remaining battery as a percentage, and proved accurate and reliable during the range tests.

Brake Tests

The AGO X’s 20-foot stopping distance is fine for safety and sits in the middle of our test results. The Fiido Air and T1ST+ managed 18 feet, and the Urtopia required 21 feet. The worst performer was the CGO600 Pro, which needed an extra 6 feet to stop from 20 mph.

Riding the AGO X

The AGO X is comfortable to ride in urban environments and has a very natural ride feel that isn’t upset by its mid-drive system, unlike my experience with rear-hub motors. The bike lives up to Tenways’ claims of a robust, intuitive bike that’s easy to ride on pavement and light trails. The 110mm suspension fork does a good job soaking up light impacts, and I enjoyed riding the bike throughout testing, regardless of the terrain. The frame feels strong, and I experienced no flex or speed shimmy during my tests.

The 3 frame sizes seem to offer a good range of rider fit. The XL frame I tested fit me well at 6’ tall but did feel big. I had lots of room on the seat post and in the cockpit, so I can see it fitting taller riders well. I felt I was at the low end of the sizing for the frame, which is in line with the minimum height of 5’11″ for the XL. The large frame would also probably have been a good match for me.

I like the test bike’s Starlight Silver finish, and the bike’s looks received several compliments while I was out riding. Other elements, such as the integrated headlight and internal cable routing, contribute to the bike’s clean looks.

The mid-drive motor and 10-speed Deore drivetrain made this bike a joy to ride. For me, the gearing range was a perfect match for the pedal assistance. Shifting was crisp, as long as I remembered to reduce my pedal effort to take pressure off the drivetrain. I think a shift sensor would be a worthy upgrade from Tenways, as it would enhance shifting and reduce the risk of a broken chain.

The motor and torque sensor are responsive, and for general riding, I found it intuitive and natural, overall, but was surprised at how hard I had to pedal when climbing steeper hills, given the motor’s high torque rating.

Battery voltage fell in a steady, consistent manner while riding, with no sudden dips or fluctuations. Battery charge is displayed as a percentage, and I found this to be accurate and reliable. I greatly prefer a percentage readout like this to the usual 5 or 10 bar graphic.

Assistance varies usefully across the 5 PAS levels, with the bike easily reaching the 20 mph limit in levels 3, 4, and 5. As is typical of this type of mid-drive setup, acceleration and speed are controlled mostly by pedal cadence and effort. The mid-drive motor was responsive and quick to accelerate or climb mild to moderate slopes.

The bike is also very quiet, the most noticeable noise being a slight rattle from the aluminum mudguards. The motor is nearly silent and does not detract from the ride experience.

The tires have a smooth, city-style tread pattern, which I found to be fast-rolling and pleasant on pavement. In tighter turns on gravel, however, I experienced some loss of grip, especially at the front, so you would probably want to fit tires with a more aggressive tread if you planned to ride this mostly on gravel trails.

Conclusion

The Tenways AGO X is a fun and intuitive bike to ride. It easily lives up to the majority of Tenways’ claims about its abilities and build quality.

The bike’s only shortcoming was its surprising lack of ability to climb steep inclines, where I felt the 80 Nm mid-drive motor could have provided a bit more pep. Still, with results firmly in the middle of our test bikes, the AGO X is far from a slow poke.

I would happily recommend this bike to many riders, especially those looking for a natural-feeling ride quality and who want to transition easily from weekday commutes to weekend fun. The bike is wonderful to ride over pavement and light trails and has a sense of quality that I hope will ensure years of fun on two wheels.

If the AGO X gets its UL certifications and Tenways fixes the range estimate function with a software update, there will be very little to complain about with this awesome bike. This would make it an excellent choice for urban commuters and weekend thrill-seekers alike.

Score Breakdown

• Build quality: 94
• Performance / Innovation: 92
• Design: 95
• Ride quality: 96
• Price / Value: 90

Overall: 93

Detailed Specifications

Electric Bike Class: Class 1
Warranty: 2 year warranty – 14 day trial
UL Certification: In progress
IP Rating (whole bike): Minimum of IPX4
IP Rating (Motor + Display): IP65
IP Rating (Battery):IPX6
Total Weight: Claimed: 59lb – 64lb (dependent on accessories) – Test model total: 61 lb
Motor Brand: Bafang M410
Motor Type: Mid-Drive
Motor Nominal Output: 250 W
Max Torque: 80 Nm
Battery: 36V – 14Ah (504 Wh)
Range Claimed: up to 62 miles
Range Tested (PAS 3): (Test 2 PAS 3) 35.36 mi – 1,165 ft – 2h 4m
Range Tested (PAS 5): (Test 1 PAS 5) 28.78 Mi – 1,098 ft – 1h 58m
Speed: 20 mph
Throttle: No
Pedal Assist: 5 level
Charger: 42V – 3A
Charge Time: 4 hours
Display: 2” TFT LCD display
Frame: 6061 Aluminum
Fork: SR Suntour XCM 32 ATB – 110mm travel
Brake Levers: Tektro HD-M275n Hydraulic
Brake Calipers: 2 piston Tektro hydraulic
Brake Rotors: 180mm Front – 160mm Rear
Crankset: Aluminum – 170mm – 38T
Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Shifter: Shimano Deore
Cassette: 11-46T 10-speed
Rims: 29” 6061 Aluminum
Tires: CST (with puncture protection)
Fenders: Aluminum full coverage
Lights: Headlight + Taillight
Grips: Lock on grips
Saddle: Selle Royal
Pedals: Plastic platform
Handlebar: 760mm riser – back sweep
Kickstand: Single sided
Payload Capacity: 295 lb (rider and cargo)
Rack Capacity: 22 lb (10 kg)

Geometry Details

Seat Tube: 19.68“ (500 mm)
Reach: 17.5” (432 mm)
Stack: 27” (689 mm)
Stand Over Height: 33.34” (847 mm)
Virtual Top Tube Length: 24.60” (625 mm)
Min Saddle Height: 35” (889 mm)
Max Saddle Height: 43” (1092 mm)
Wheelbase: 45.11” (1146 mm)

As a whole, I think the AGO X offers a fantastic ride quality with its responsiveness, handling, operation, and comfort. It earns enthusiastic approval despite a couple of minor flaws.

The AGO X is a mid-drive commuter/off-road bike. It’s got all the high-end components you want, and with a mid-drive motor, you’ve got a natural and intuitive ride.

It’s a solid ride, well-equipped, and not terribly overpriced for all it’s packing. The TENWAYS AGO X isn’t the perfect bike, but it doesn’t get a lot wrong.

The TENWAYS AGO X seems to have that premium ride without the premium price tag. I only had one problem, which was the grips, and I did about 50 miles on this bike, and do not feel fatigued at all.

This thing never felt like it fell short on the power, plenty of power. [It’s] very surprising, [a] 36V system 250W motor, but it has some really good power. No matter how steep of a hill I came to…

This bike’s probably not for everybody because you don’t have a thumb throttle and you do have to pedal to go. But it’s nice because it doesn’t have a giant battery sticking off it, looks like almost a regular bicycle…