Usually, a hill on the final stretch of my commute would have me arriving looking like I just finished a marathon, but the Tenways AGO Air changed the narrative. This is a mid-drive trekking e-bike that focuses on making the urban environment feel flat and effortless. Despite the name suggesting a featherweight racer, this bike is built for utility and smoothness above all else.
Contents
Frame and Build Quality
The first thing I noticed when I pulled the AGO Air out of the box was how much it deviates from the “minimalist” look of previous Tenways models. This is a robust, alloy-framed machine that prioritizes stability over pure aesthetics. The step-through geometry is excellent, offering a low standover height that made frequent stops at traffic lights much less of a chore. I found the frame stiffness to be impressive, especially when I was carrying a heavy set of panniers on the integrated MIK-compatible rear rack.
However, we need to address the “Air” branding. On my scale, this bike came in at nearly 27 kilograms with all the accessories attached. While the weight is distributed well due to the low-mounted mid-drive motor and the battery being integrated into the downtube, it is far from what I would call “light.” The build feels incredibly solid, and the internal cable routing keeps the silhouette clean, but you will definitely feel those kilos if you have to carry this up a flight of stairs to your apartment. The inclusion of a Zoom suspension fork provides about 80 millimeters of travel, which I found more than enough to soak up the vibration from cobblestones and minor potholes, though it does add to that overall mass.
Drivetrain and Components
The heartbeat of this bike is the Tenways-branded mid-drive motor, which delivers a surprising 80 Newton-meters of torque. When I hit those steeper 10 percent grades, the motor didn’t just help; it practically took over the heavy lifting. The engagement from the torque sensor felt very natural, though there was a slight delay when I stopped pedaling—a common trait in many mid-drive systems. I really appreciated the choice of the Shimano Cues 9-speed drivetrain here. This is Shimano’s latest “Linkglide” technology, designed specifically for the higher torque of e-bikes, and the shifting remained crisp and quiet even when I was shifting under load while climbing.
The gear range provided by the 11-36T cassette gave me plenty of options for both high-speed cruising on the flats and grinding up hills. I found the 561-watt-hour battery to be quite efficient, giving me a real-world range of about 75 kilometers on a mix of assistance levels. The Shimano hydraulic disc brakes were another highlight for me. They provided consistent, predictable stopping power even when the bike was fully loaded and the pavement was slick with rain. The Kenda 700 by 50C tires are wide enough to offer confidence on light gravel paths but still roll efficiently enough that I didn’t feel like I was fighting the bike when the motor cut out at the 25 kilometers per hour limit.
Limitations and Trade-offs
No bike is perfect, and the AGO Air has a few compromises that became apparent during my week of testing. First, the battery removal process is a bit more fiddly than I would like. You have to remove a separate plastic cover before you can unlock and pull the battery out, which is an extra step that gets annoying if you charge indoors every day. I also noticed that the motor, while powerful, has a distinct “whirring” sound that is louder than the nearly silent hub motors Tenways is known for.
Additionally, the European legal limit of 25 kilometers per hour feels a bit restrictive on a bike with this much torque. I often found myself hitting that speed wall and feeling the motor taper off just when I wanted to keep the momentum going. If you live in a region with Class 3 regulations, this might feel a bit slow for long-distance commuting. Finally, the one-size-fits-all approach to the frame means that riders on the extreme ends of the height spectrum—either very short or very tall—might struggle to find the perfect reach despite the adjustable stem.
Final Verdict
The Tenways AGO Air is a workhorse disguised as a lifestyle bike. It trades the “stealth” look of a hub motor for the raw climbing power and balanced handling of a mid-drive system. It is a fantastic choice for the commuter who has to deal with hills or someone who wants a bike that can handle a grocery run and a weekend trek with equal competence.
Buy this bike if you have a hilly commute and need the 80 Newton-meters of torque to keep you from sweating, or if you value the reliability of the Shimano Cues drivetrain over having the lightest bike on the block.
Skip this if you live in a fifth-floor walk-up and need something you can easily carry upstairs, or if you prefer a bike that feels more like a traditional bicycle and less like a motorized utility vehicle.