Tenways CGO800S vs Cowboy 4: Which Should You Actually Buy?

🔋 UK tested by David Frew | Independent review – not sponsored | Last updated: April 2026

Two premium belt-drive e-bikes.

Both gorgeous.

Both expensive.

Both aimed squarely at the urban commuter who wants to arrive at the office looking vaguely human rather than like they’ve just cycled through a hedge in the rain.

The Tenways CGO800S and the Cowboy 4 are probably the two most-Googled premium city bikes right now, and I completely understand why people keep ending up paralysed trying to choose between them.

On paper they look almost identical.

In real life, they’re actually quite different beasts – and picking the wrong one could leave you genuinely frustrated.

I’m going to be straight with you from the start.

I daily-ride a DYU A5, which is about as far from “premium belt-drive city commuter” as you can get.

But I’ve spent considerable time with both of these bikes – talking to owners, digging through real-world owner reports, and yes, actually riding the CGO800S myself.

So this isn’t a spec-sheet copy-paste.

This is a genuine head-to-head from someone who gives a damn about giving you honest answers.

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What Are These Two Bikes, Then?

Both the Tenways CGO800S and the Cowboy 4 are premium urban commuter e-bikes built around one shared party trick: the Gates Carbon Drive belt system instead of a traditional chain.

No oil, no chain stretch, no black grease on your trousers at 8am.

That’s the pitch, and honestly, it’s a good one.

Tenways is a Chinese brand that’s made a serious name for itself in the UK market by offering belt-drive quality at a price that doesn’t require you to remortgage.

The CGO800S is their flagship.

Cowboy, on the other hand, is a Belgian startup that positioned itself as the Apple of e-bikes – slick app integration, minimalist design, and a price tag to match that ambition.

Both are EAPC compliant and fully UK road legal – 250W motors, 15.5mph assisted speed, no registration required.

Good.

That’s the easy part sorted.

Key Specs at a Glance

Specification	Tenways CGO800S	Cowboy 4
Motor	250W rear hub	250W rear hub
Battery	360Wh (removable)	360Wh (integrated)
Claimed Range	Up to 100km	Up to 70km
Top Speed (assisted)	25km/h (15.5mph)	25km/h (15.5mph)
Weight	~14.5kg	~16.9kg
Charge Time	~4-5 hours	~3.5 hours
Brakes	Hydraulic disc	Hydraulic disc
Drive	Gates Carbon Belt	Gates Carbon Belt
Sensor Type	Torque sensor	Torque sensor
App Connectivity	No	Yes (full app)
Removable Battery	✅ Yes	❌ No
Frame	Aluminium alloy	Aluminium alloy
Max Rider Weight	120kg	100kg
IP Rating	Check spec sheet	IPX4

Real World Performance

Let’s cut through the marketing and talk about what actually matters on UK roads.

The Tenways CGO800S is genuinely one of the smoothest pedal-assist experiences I’ve had at this price point.

The torque sensor reads your input beautifully – none of that jerky cadence-sensor lurch where the motor takes half a second to wake up and then shoves you forward like an enthusiastic labrador.

It just… flows.

Riding it feels effortless in a way that genuinely surprises you the first time.

The claimed 100km range is, as always, a manufacturer’s best-case fantasy.

Real-world range based on owner feedback puts it at 55-70km depending on your weight, terrain, and how hard you’re leaning on the assist.

That’s still perfectly fine for a UK commute.

Honestly, if you’re doing more than 35 miles each way without access to a charger, you’ve got bigger problems than e-bike range.

Hill climbing ability is solid – not spectacular, but solid.

UK urban gradients handle like a champ.

If you’re in Sheffield or Edinburgh and facing something steep, you’ll feel it, but you’ll make it.

The Cowboy 4 is a slightly different experience.

The app integration is genuinely impressive – theft detection, ride tracking, auto-unlock as you approach the bike.

It’s clever stuff and the app is well built.

But the integrated, non-removable battery is a genuine inconvenience if you live in a flat or can’t bring the bike indoors to charge.

You’re either lugging the whole bike to a plug socket, or buying a longer cable and hoping for the best.

That’s a real-world problem that spec sheets don’t mention.

The Cowboy 4 also comes in heavier at nearly 17kg with no folding option, and the max rider weight of 100kg is something burlier riders need to pay attention to.

The CGO800S’s 120kg limit is more inclusive.

Both bikes handle British weather adequately – the hydraulic disc brakes on both are properly reassuring in the wet.

Neither will leave you sliding into a bus on a damp Tuesday morning.

How the Tenways CGO800S vs Cowboy 4 Compares

Feature	Tenways CGO800S	Cowboy 4	Ribble CGR AL e
Price (UK)	~£1,599	~£1,990	~£1,499
Motor Power	250W	250W	250W
Claimed Range	100km	70km	80km
Real-World Range	55-70km	40-55km	45-60km
Top Speed	25km/h	25km/h	25km/h
Weight	14.5kg	16.9kg	~13kg
Belt Drive?	✅	✅	❌
Hydraulic Brakes?	✅	✅	✅
Torque Sensor?	✅	✅	✅
Removable Battery?	✅	❌	✅
App Connectivity?	❌	✅	❌
UK Warranty	2 years	2 years	2 years
Overall Score	8.2/10	7.6/10	7.8/10
Check Latest Price at Tenways ->

Pros and Cons

Tenways CGO800S

• ✅ Gates Carbon Drive belt – genuinely maintenance-free, no chain grease ever again
• ✅ Torque sensor pedal assist is silky smooth – one of the best feels at this price
• ✅ Removable battery – huge practical advantage if you charge at a desk or in a flat
• ✅ Lighter than the Cowboy 4 at 14.5kg – matters more than you think at the top of stairs
• ✅ 120kg max rider weight – more inclusive than most in this category
• ✅ Punchy price point for belt-drive quality – you’re not paying the Cowboy premium
• ✅ Hydraulic disc brakes that actually inspire confidence in British drizzle

• ❌ No app connectivity – if you want anti-theft tracking or ride data, look elsewhere
• ❌ Claimed 100km range is optimistic – real-world is more like 55-70km, which is still fine but don’t be fooled
• ❌ No integrated lights from the factory on some variants – check before buying
• ❌ Tenways UK after-sales support can be inconsistent – worth checking current owner reports before purchasing

Cowboy 4

• ✅ App is genuinely excellent – theft detection, auto-unlock, ride analytics that actually work
• ✅ Clean, minimalist design – looks properly premium leaning against a wall
• ✅ Gates belt drive equally as good as the Tenways
• ✅ Hydraulic brakes, torque sensor – all the premium kit you’d expect

• ❌ Non-removable battery is a genuine daily inconvenience – you’re moving the whole bike to charge it
• ❌ Costs roughly £700 more than the CGO800S for broadly similar performance
• ❌ 100kg max rider weight – lighter limit than the Tenways
• ❌ Heavier at 16.9kg – noticeable if you’re carrying it up stairs or onto public transport
• ❌ Cowboy’s long-term brand stability is less proven than established players – worth factoring in for warranty concerns

Pricing and Value

Here’s my honest take on the value question, and I’m not going to dress it up.

The Tenways CGO800S comes in at around £1,599.

The Cowboy 4 sits at roughly £1,990.

That’s a £700 difference for very similar core hardware – same belt drive system, same motor class, same brake quality.

You’re essentially paying £700 extra for the Cowboy’s app ecosystem and its brand aesthetic.

Whether that’s worth it depends entirely on how much you value those things.

If you need anti-theft tracking and live somewhere that makes bike theft a genuine daily concern, the Cowboy’s app-based theft detection is actually useful.

But if you just want a superb, low-maintenance commuter that gets you to work and back in comfort?

The CGO800S is the better bang for your buck.

It’s not even close.

Check Latest Price at Tenways ->

⚡ Currently £200 off – limited time offer

Who Is Each Bike Best For?

The Tenways CGO800S – Perfect For:

• Daily commuters who want belt-drive quality without the Cowboy price tag
• Flat and office workers who need a removable battery they can charge at their desk
• Riders who prioritise a lighter bike for carrying up stairs or onto trains
• Heavier riders (up to 120kg) who find many premium bikes won’t accommodate them
• Anyone who wants a no-fuss, app-free commuter that just works every single day

The Tenways CGO800S – Not Ideal For:

• Tech enthusiasts who want app connectivity, theft tracking, and ride analytics
• Anyone who needs confirmed IP waterproofing rating – check the spec sheet carefully
• Riders who want a brand with a long established UK service network

The Cowboy 4 – Perfect For:

• Commuters in high bike-theft urban areas where the app’s anti-theft features earn their keep
• Tech-minded riders who genuinely use ride apps and want their bike integrated into that ecosystem
• Riders who have guaranteed indoor bike storage with access to a charging point

The Cowboy 4 – Not Ideal For:

• Flat dwellers who need to detach the battery for indoor charging – it can’t be done
• Anyone over 100kg – you’re over the rated limit
• Value-focused buyers – there are simply better bikes for less money if app features don’t excite you
• Anyone worried about long-term brand support from a relatively young company

Our Verdict

I’m going to be straight with you: if I was spending my own money on a premium belt-drive commuter, I’d buy the Tenways CGO800S without much deliberation.

Here’s why.

The Cowboy 4 is a lovely piece of kit and the app is genuinely well done.

But you’re paying a significant premium for features that most commuters will use occasionally at best.

The non-removable battery alone would rule it out for me – I can’t be lugging a whole bike around just to charge it.

My DYU A5 is the opposite end of the market in terms of price and positioning, but the lesson it’s taught me over 1,500km is the same: practical beats pretty, every time.

The CGO800S ticks all the boxes that actually matter for daily UK commuting.

The torque sensor pedal assist is seamless, the belt drive means zero chain maintenance, the removable battery is a genuine quality-of-life win, and it comes in under £1,300.

That’s a solid choice by any measure.

The Cowboy 4 isn’t a bad bike.

It’s just not £700-better than the Tenways.

And in this economy, that matters.

Range and Battery	8/10
Build Quality	8/10
Value for Money	9/10
Ride Comfort	8/10
UK Suitability	8/10
Overall	8.2/10

Check Latest Price at Tenways ->

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tenways CGO800S road legal in the UK?

Yes, absolutely.

The CGO800S is fully EAPC compliant – 250W motor, 25km/h (15.5mph) assisted speed limit, pedal-assist only.

No registration, no insurance, no licence required.

You can ride it on UK roads and in cycle lanes without any legal concerns.

It’s properly UK road legal straight out of the box.

What is the real-world range of the Tenways CGO800S?

The manufacturer claims up to 100km, which is their best-case number.

Honest real-world range based on owner feedback sits at 55-70km depending on your weight, how hilly your route is, and which assist level you’re using.

Still very respectable for a UK commute – most people will comfortably cover a week of commuting before needing to charge.

Can you charge the Cowboy 4 battery without taking the whole bike indoors?

No – and this is genuinely the Cowboy 4’s biggest practical weakness.

The battery is fully integrated and non-removable.

If you live in a flat or can’t bring your bike inside, you’ll need a long extension lead or a secure outdoor charging solution.

It’s a real consideration that many reviews gloss over.

The Tenways CGO800S solves this with a removable battery.

Which is better for hilly UK cities – the Tenways CGO800S or Cowboy 4?

Both bikes use similarly rated 250W rear hub motors with torque sensors, so performance on hills is broadly comparable.

Neither will fly up a steep Sheffield climb without you contributing some effort.

That said, the CGO800S’s lighter weight (14.5kg vs 16.9kg) gives it a marginal advantage on gradients.

For seriously hilly cities, you’d ideally want more motor grunt than either offers.

Is the Cowboy 4 worth the extra cost over the Tenways CGO800S?

Honestly?

Only if app connectivity and built-in theft tracking are genuinely important to your daily life.

The core riding experience is comparable, the belt drive quality is the same, and the CGO800S wins on removable battery, lighter weight, and higher rider weight limit.

You’re paying roughly £700 more for the Cowboy’s tech ecosystem.

For most commuters, the Tenways represents significantly better value.