Gazelle Cayo: The City Bike That Breaks with Tradition

In late 2025, Gazelle launched the Cayo—and it’s one of the most unconventional e-bikes the brand has ever produced. No upright riding position, no suspension fork, and no standard luggage rack. Instead: a sleek aluminum frame, a Fazua Ride 60 mid-drive motor, a built-in 430 Wh battery, and a cockpit where your smartphone serves as the display. The Cayo comes in two versions: the single-speed C1 and the C310 with an Enviolo continuously variable hub. Both are designed for urban commuters who want Gazelle’s reliability but not traditional Dutch comfort.

Gazelle Cayo C1 and C310 at a Glance

What sets the Cayo apart from all other Gazelles

Gazelle has built its reputation on comfortable bikes: an upright riding position, hands resting on the handlebars, and a built-in rack. The Grenoble, the Avignon, the Ultimate—all designed with comfort in mind. The Cayo breaks with all that. The riding position is active and slightly leaned forward, the fork is rigid, and there’s no suspension seatpost. Anyone switching from a classic Gazelle will feel the difference after just a hundred meters.

It’s a deliberate choice, and I think it’s a smart one. The Cayo doesn’t compete with its own comfort models, but rather with trendy urban bikes like Cowboy or Tenways. Sleek, quiet, minimalist. It’s no coincidence that the design won the Red Dot Award: integrated motor, discreet battery, clean cockpit. That said, expectations need to be adjusted: this isn’t a bike that’s forgiving on rough surfaces. On cobblestones, tram tracks, or tree roots, you’ll feel the bumps more than you would on a Grenoble with suspension. The tires absorb some of the shock, but they’re no substitute for a real suspension fork.

The practical downside of minimalism: no standard luggage rack. For a backpack with a laptop, no problem—but if you want to carry groceries, a child seat, or panniers, the optional front or rear luggage rack becomes almost indispensable. Many Gazelle buyers expect a fully equipped city bike right out of the box, and that’s precisely where the Cayo falls short. Those seeking maximum comfort and a full range of features will be better served by a refurbished Gazelle Ultimate or another comfort model.

C1 or C310: What's the Real Difference?

On paper, the two versions seem nearly identical: same motor, same battery, same brakes, same belt. The difference lies entirely in the drivetrain—and that determines the entire riding experience in everyday use. The C1 has a single speed. The C310 is equipped with an Enviolo continuously variable hub.

The C1 is the purest interpretation of the concept: lightweight (21.6 kg without the battery), simple, low-maintenance. No gear-shifting delays, no hassles. On flat urban roads, it’s delightfully responsive. But a single-speed bike is always a compromise: at low speeds, the gear ratio can feel heavy; at higher speeds, you’re pedaling through thin air faster. The C1 is therefore a niche bike—ideal for those who consciously choose simplicity on flat routes, but less suitable once bridges, hills, or headwinds come into play.

The C310 is more versatile. The Enviolo hub allows you to adjust your cadence continuously, which is particularly nice at traffic lights, on bridges, and when riding at varying speeds. This flexibility comes at a price: the C310 weighs 24.2 kg without the battery, and when ready to ride with the battery, it’s close to 26.5 kg. You can really feel the extra weight when lifting the bike and pedaling without assistance.

The honest conclusion: the C1 isn't inferior to the C310—it's different. If you want a straightforward, simple bike for flat rides, the C1 offers the same motor and battery for less. If you want a bike that’s more versatile, the C310 remains the safest choice for most people. To better understand the differences between city bikes and all-terrain bikes, our dedicated guide can help you narrow down your choice.

Motor, Battery, and Real-World Range

The Fazua Ride 60 is the heart of the Cayo, and it’s an interesting choice. While many Gazelle urban e-bikes are equipped with Bosch or Shimano motors, the Cayo opts for a lighter, sportier system: 60 Nm of torque, a rated power of 250 watts, and a boost function that briefly delivers extra power when starting off. The result is a more natural and direct riding experience than a conventional city motor. In my view, this perfectly matches the bike’s character: it’s designed to go with the flow, not to push.

However, Fazua is less common on the Belgian market than Bosch motors. This isn't a judgment on quality, but something to keep in mind: when it comes to service and buying used bikes, Bosch is much more widespread. Anyone who's undecided between the two motor systems should take the time to research the differences before making a decision.

The 430 Wh battery is deliberately modest. Gazelle claims a range of 80 km in economy mode, 60 km in intermediate mode, and 45 km in maximum power mode. These are manufacturer’s figures under ideal conditions; in practice, the rider’s weight, wind, temperature, and tires pressure tires reduce these numbers. For commutes and daily urban travel, this is more than enough. For long weekend rides, however, it’s less sufficient—and in that case, you’d be better off choosing a model with a larger battery, such as the Gazelle Ultimate. The battery is built into the down tube and is removable, allowing you to recharge it indoors.

Buying refurbished What to Watch Out For

Since the Cayo didn’t hit the market until late 2025, the selection of pre-owned models in 2026 remains limited: mainly demo models, leasing units leasing recent used models. Especially with a highly integrated smart e-bike, thorough inspection isn’t just a minor detail—it’s the cornerstone of a sensible purchase. It’s not just about the battery and brakes, but also the software, the Fazua diagnostics, the smartphone interface, and the GPS module.

When buying a used Cayo, check the battery’s health and charging behavior, the boost function, and—for the C310—make sure the continuous adjustment operates smoothly without any creaking or play. Verify that the original Fazua charger is included and that the GPS—via the Gazelle data subscription—is properly transferred without any account restrictions. The built-in GPS does indeed require a subscription, and this must be properly settled when the bike changes hands. A malfunctioning wireless charging feature or smartphone mount reduces the bike’s value—be sure to test these as well.

The big advantage of a refurbished bike: you get a premium city bike for less than the price of new, and the bike gets a second life instead of depreciating prematurely. At Upway, reconditioned Gazelle e-bikes are inspected for the frame, drivetrain, braking system, wheels, tires, battery, motor, display, and software—with a test ride and warranty included. For a relatively new and sophisticated bike like the Cayo, it’s precisely this level of assurance that makes the difference between a great deal and a disappointment. You can also check out our refurbished e-bikes with less than 100 km on them to find models that are practically new.

FAQ

What is the difference between the Gazelle Cayo C1 and the C310?

The C1 has a single speed, is lighter and simpler—ideal for flat urban rides. The C310 features a continuously variable Enviolo hub, weighs more, but is more versatile at traffic lights, on bridges, and when riding into the wind. The motor, battery, and brakes are identical on both models.

What is the range of a Gazelle Cayo?

Gazelle claims a range of 80 km in economy mode, 60 km in intermediate mode, and 45 km in maximum power mode. In practice, this depends heavily on your weight, the weather, the terrain, and the level of assistance you select. For everyday use, this is more than enough.

Does the Gazelle Cayo come with a Bosch motor?

No. The Cayo uses a Fazua Ride 60 mid-drive motor with 60 Nm of torque. It’s a lighter and sportier system than the Bosch motors found on many other Gazelle city bikes, which results in a more natural riding experience.

Is the Gazelle Cayo suitable for long distances?

For commuting and getting around town, the 430 Wh battery is perfectly adequate. For longer rides, it’s a bit on the low side—in that case, a Gazelle model with a larger battery, such as the Ultimate, is a more logical choice.

refurbished a refurbished Gazelle Cayo a good buy?

Yes, provided that the price is significantly lower than new that the battery, motor, charger, GPS, software, and drivetrain have been thoroughly inspected. For a recent smart bike like the Cayo, the technical inspection and proper transfer of the GPS subscription are particularly important.

Written by: Jos Mans | Published on: June 22, 2026 | 6-minute read

About the Author: Jos Mans

Jos is both a writer and a cyclist—and more often than not, he does both at the same time. With thousands of kilometers under his belt and just as many words on paper, he combines his two great passions: being on the road and telling stories.