Total Weight:
61.2 lbs (27.75 kg)
(Medium-Large Frame Size)Battery Weight:
7.7 lbs (3.49 kg)
(672wh Battery, 10lb for 960wh Battery)Motor Weight:
7.7 lbs (3.49 kg)
Frame Material:
6061 Aluminum Alloy
Frame Sizes:
17.5 in (44.45 cm)19.5 in (49.53 cm)Geometry Measurements:
Medium-Large Frame: 19.5" Seat Tube Length, 24.25" Simulated Top Tube Length, 17" Reach, 19.5" Stand Over Height, 34" Minimum Saddle Height, 42" Maximum Saddle Height, 27.75" Width, 73.5" Length, 45.5" Wheelbase
Frame Types:
Step-Thru
Frame Colors:
Satin White and Tan, Satin Dark Grey and Darker Grey
Frame Fork Details:
SR Suntour XCT Spring Suspension, 80mm Travel, 28mm Steel Stanchions, Lockout Adjust, Preload Adjust, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer
Frame Rear Details:
138mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Threaded Axle with Keyed 10mm Flats, 18mm Nuts
Attachment Points:
Rear Rack, Fender Bosses, Bottle Bosses Below Downtube
Gearing Details:
9
Speed 1x9 SRAM X5 or Shimano Alivio Derailleur, Shimano CS-HG201-9 Cassette 11-34 ToothShifter Details:
SRAM X5 or Shimano Alivio Triggers on Right
Cranks:
Samox, Forged Alloy, 170mm Length, Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Hollow Spindle, 42 Tooth Steel Chainring
Pedals:
Wellgo Aluminum Alloy Platform, Wide with Integrated Pins, Black
Headset:
Surface 604 Branded, Integrated, Sealed Cartridge, Straight 1-1/8"
Stem:
Surface 604 Branded, Adjustable Angle 0° to 90°, 70mm Base Height, 110mm Length, One 20mm Tapered Spacer, Two 10mm Spacers, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter
Handlebar:
Aluminum Alloy, 30mm Low-Rise, 700mm Length, 15° Backsweep
Brake Details:
Tektro Auriga Hydraulic Disc with 180mm Rotors, Dual-Piston Calipers, Three-Finger Tektro Levers Motor Inhibitors and Adjustable Reach
Grips:
Stitched Faux Leather, Ergonomic, Black, Locking
Saddle:
Selle Royal FreeWay, Gel
Seat Post:
Aluminum Alloy with Forged Single-Bolt Clamp
Seat Post Length:
300 mm
Seat Post Diameter:
30.4 mm
Rims:
Double Wall, 6061 Aluminum Alloy, 35mm Outer Width, 36 Hole, Black
Spokes:
Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge, Black
Tire Brand:
Custom Panaracer, 27.5" x 2.40" (60-584)
Wheel Sizes:
27.5 in (69.85cm)Tire Details:
Moped Rated, 30 to 55 PSI, 2.0 to 4.0 BAR, Reflective Sidewall Stripes
Tube Details:
Schrader Valve
Accessories:
Plastic or Alloy Fenders (65mm Width), Plastic Chain Cover with Reflective Side, 5 Volt 1 Amp USB Type A Charging Port at Top Right Side of Battery, Flick Bell Near Right Grip, Integrated Büchel Forte E-Bike LED Headlight (60 LUX), Integrated Büchel 2-LED Rear Light, Welded-On Rear Rack with Standard Gauge Pannier Hangers and Bungee Loops, Rear Mounted Adjustable Length Kickstand (40mm Tab), Optional SR Suntour Suspension Seatpost, Optional Ergotec Handlebar Mirror, Optional Leather Panniers
Other:
Locking Removable Semi-Integrated Downtube Battery Pack, 1.4lb 2 Amp Charger
Tim
4 years agoThe 2021 rook appears to have sram gearing instead of the Alivio, correct? Is this an upgrade or kind of lateral change. Plus it appears to have bit wider handlebars over the 2020 rook and colt. You state better control, but concerned this might feel too wide for my 5’ wife. I’m 5’ 8” and had those handlebars on other bike and felt a bit wide to me, though could just be years of muscle memory to overcome or personal preference.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Tim, yes! The 2021 Rook that I was loaned for this review did have SRAM X5 vs. Shimano Alivio. Both are 9-speed, but this one appeared to have 11-32 tooth cassette vs. 34 tooth. I was told that Surface 604 had to swap some parts (including the plastic fenders vs. aluminum alloy later in 2021) due to supply chain shortages. I see it as a temporary lateral move. They are trying to keep the bike as consistent as possible but AVAILABLE vs. halting delivery based on one or two parts being limited. I think the bigger brands like Trek, Specialized, Giant etc. might have gotten priority with Shimano parts this past year or so with the global supply chain issues relating to COVID.
ReplyChris Taylor
4 years agoAnother awesome review Court. A typo, I think… Written review – Observations – second bullet you say it’s a 10.4 Ah battery. Should be 14 Ah for 2021. I picked up a 2021 Rook a couple of weeks ago from a dealer in Edmonton. Got it home and started comparing what was actually on the bike with what the Surface604 website said was supposed to be on it and there were a few differences. Reading your review clarified them all! Mine has the Sram X5 which doesn’t have a gear indicator. I rode my Rook for the first time yesterday and when I arrived home I looked and found I’d been in the highest gear (smallest cog) almost the whole time. The Rook is awesome! I’ve been researching ebikes for almost a year and read all your reviews on the many different bikes I looked at. All very informative and helpful. Thank you!
ReplyCourt
4 years agoOh, great catch Chris! You’re absolutely right. I just made the fix to 14 amp hours… lots of little details with these reviews and it is easy to get confused or concerned when something doesn’t match up. It sounds like you really did your homework. Bummer about the missing optical readout for gears, but glad you’re figuring things out. SRAM is still pretty good, and I like how their shifters are both thumb press vs. some lower end Shimano that can be press for low and pull for high (requiring the index finger). Glad the review helped you out and I really appreciate your comment :) enjoy the ride!
ReplyNorm
4 years agoGreat review, and extremely helpful. Love your attention to detail, friendly enthusiastic personality, and the honesty that shines through. You are influential in my putting a deposit down on a 2021 Colt today. I’m about your height at 5’9″ with a similar inseam, but I weigh in at 235 lbs. So I chose the stiffer cross bar of the Colt vs the probably sufficient Rook. That said, I got to test a S/M frame Rook at a dealer and found it plenty high to get on even with the step through (perhaps the bigger 27.5″ wheels impact this). And I note that Surface 604 suggests a M/L frame for our height. Now I’m afraid I should have ordered an M/L Colt, but am concerned I won’t be able to straddle it off the ground (I don’t always like mounting off a pedal). Any thoughts you have would be appreciated. And, I suppose I could always adjust the seat post higher on the S/M frame although my weight may wobble it. Thanks.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Norm! Yes, I think that adjusting the seat a bit higher is your best option and the small / medium size will work fine. I do believe that the standover is very similar and you’re probably getting shorter reach on the S/M. If you were comfortable with the bike, I wouldn’t regret it or feel concern about being wobbly. There should be less frame flex on the smaller frame because the tubing is not narrower in proportion to the frame size… it’s going to be stronger than the larger frame due to slightly shorter tube lengths on the top and downtube. While it’s nice that S604 is offering two sizes, you’re actually in that sweet spot where either frame can fit well and sliding the saddle or raising the seat post can edge you towards comfort on either bike :)
ReplyRon M
4 years agoI hear that slower charging is better for battery life, than I see a review like this complaining about a slow charger. So what’s the truth? Thanks.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Ron, you’re correct! I have also heard and read that if a lithium-ion battery is charged too fast, and doesn’t have a high C Rating (for faster discharge and charging) it could prematurely lower the battery charging capacity. I think that the sweet spot for ebike chargers is 4 amps, 2 is slow and 6 is kind of high. I’m not an expert, but I trust Bosch and noticed that their fastest (and most common charger) is 4 amps. Most basic chargers are 1.6 or 2 amps, and that’s acceptable, but starts to take a long time with higher capacity batteries :)
ReplyDick
4 years agoHello. Enjoyed several of your reviews. I’m new to e-bikes. I only test drove a Trek $2,700 and way too rough over bumps. Older, bigger, taller, arthritis of spine, the large frame Rook would work and be comfortable for 6’2″ 245 lbs? I think the shock absorbing seat post would be a must. Comfort is extremely high priority. Looks like the main thing I’d not like is a low charge port. But have small pickup I haul my Trek Comfort on its right side. That would help with charge access in truck, in garage. Do bike bags have standard “hooks” since the Rook is welded on? Mine just has a “bar” in front to slide in matched hole and a push button snap fit on back, easy on/off. Would a local Trek dealer service this for me?? That seems critical.. Guess I need to chat with him since the e-trek he has is so harsh riding, no cush, no shock absorbers. Thank you.
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi Dick! Perhaps you can get some questions answered and hire help from a Trek dealer (or other local dealer). They sell great products, but some shops have had low inventory lately. Anyway, I do like the Surface 604 Rook and the suspension fork and optional suspension post are great for comfort. Given your height and weight, large does sound like the correct size. The price is pretty good, the hub motor and battery seem reliable to me, and Surface 604 is a step up in quality over some of the cheaper brands. As for the rear bag options, most clip-on or velcro-on bags should work… and I think Surface 604 sells their own accessories that are guaranteed. I hope this helps you make some decisions and guides you on the right path. Have fun out there!
Reply