2021 Surface 604 Rook Review

2021 Surface 604 Rook Electric Bike Review
2021 Surface 604 Rook
2021 Surface 604 Rook Bafang 500 Watt Planetary Geared Hub Motor 62nm Torque
2021 Surface 604 Rook Removable Reention Battery 48 Volt 14am Or 20ah
2021 Surface 604 Rook Wider 700mm Handlebar Ergonomic Grips Bell Controls
2021 Surface 604 Rook Large Color Lcd Display 3 5 With Usb Charging Port
2021 Surface 604 Rook Trigger Throttle And Control Pad Left Side
2021 Surface 604 Rook Bell Trigger Shifters Right Side
2021 Surface 604 Rook Sr Suntour Xct Suspension Fork
2021 Surface 604 Rook Buchel Headlight 60 Lux Integrated
2021 Surface 604 Rook Buchel 2 Led Rear Light With Brake Activation
2021 Surface 604 Rook 9 Speed Cassette 11 32 Tooth
2021 Surface 604 Rook 42 Tooth Chainring Hollow Spindle Plastic Guard
2021 Surface 604 Rook 180mm Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brakes Panaracer Reflective Tires 27 5
2021 Surface 604 Rook Integrated Paint Matched Rear Rack 50lb Max Adjustable Kickstand
2021 Surface 604 Rook Usb Charging Port Right Side Battery Pack
2021 Surface 604 Rook Ebike
2021 Surface 604 Rook 2 Amp Charger Battery Off Bike
2021 Surface 604 Rook Ebike Battery Charger
2021 Surface 604 Rook Stock Step Thru Black
2021 Surface 604 Rook Stock Step Thru White
2021 Surface 604 Rook Electric Bike Review
2021 Surface 604 Rook
2021 Surface 604 Rook Bafang 500 Watt Planetary Geared Hub Motor 62nm Torque
2021 Surface 604 Rook Removable Reention Battery 48 Volt 14am Or 20ah
2021 Surface 604 Rook Wider 700mm Handlebar Ergonomic Grips Bell Controls
2021 Surface 604 Rook Large Color Lcd Display 3 5 With Usb Charging Port
2021 Surface 604 Rook Trigger Throttle And Control Pad Left Side
2021 Surface 604 Rook Bell Trigger Shifters Right Side
2021 Surface 604 Rook Sr Suntour Xct Suspension Fork
2021 Surface 604 Rook Buchel Headlight 60 Lux Integrated
2021 Surface 604 Rook Buchel 2 Led Rear Light With Brake Activation
2021 Surface 604 Rook 9 Speed Cassette 11 32 Tooth
2021 Surface 604 Rook 42 Tooth Chainring Hollow Spindle Plastic Guard
2021 Surface 604 Rook 180mm Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brakes Panaracer Reflective Tires 27 5
2021 Surface 604 Rook Integrated Paint Matched Rear Rack 50lb Max Adjustable Kickstand
2021 Surface 604 Rook Usb Charging Port Right Side Battery Pack
2021 Surface 604 Rook Ebike
2021 Surface 604 Rook 2 Amp Charger Battery Off Bike
2021 Surface 604 Rook Ebike Battery Charger
2021 Surface 604 Rook Stock Step Thru Black
2021 Surface 604 Rook Stock Step Thru White

Summary

  • A feature-complete and approachable step-through hybrid electric bike available in two frame sizes and two colors. The Rook comes standard with an integrated rear rack, fenders, and lights that run off of the main battery pack. The rear light activates when braking, the bike has two USB charging ports, and there's an optional battery size upgrade!
  • A rare combination of a torque sensing with a hub motor delivers a smooth and responsive riding experience. The bike also comes with a trigger throttle, so you can relax or add power to climb hills or catch up to friends. Upright comfort-oriented geometry with a quality adjustable angle stem, wider swept-back handlebar, ergonomic grips, adjustable suspension fork, and high volume 2.4" tires.
  • Excellent stopping power thanks to Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors and motor inhibitors. The bike will ship with a SRAM X5 or Shimano Alivio groupset that are known for reliability and crisp shifting. The 9-speed cassette offers smaller steps between gears than most entry-level ebikes which provides a more comfortable pedal experience.
  • Larger color display now also includes an integrated full sized USB charger in the base, tires are moped rated and include reflective sidewall stripes for safety, the battery charge port is next to the right crank arm which could make it vulnerable but the kickstand is far back and won't create pedal lock. No slap guard on the right chainstay which leaves the paint vulnerable to scratches when going over bumps. Limited 11-32 tooth cassette vs. 34 or 42 on some comparable models.

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

Surface 604

Model:

Rook

Price:

$2,299 ($2,599 USD for 960wh Battery, $2,999 CAD for 672wh Battery, $3,399 CAD for 960wh Battery)

Body Position:

Upright, Upright Relaxed

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban, Commuting

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive, 3 Year Frame

Availability:

United States, Canada

Model Year:

2021

Bicycle Details

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 Tooth

Shifter 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

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

Bafang RM G020.500.DC

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts

Motor Peak Output:

750 watts

Motor Torque:

45 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung 18650 or 21700 (3,500mAh or 5,000mAh Cells), Reention Dorado Casing or Custom Casing

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

14 ah (Optional 20ah)

Battery Watt Hours:

672 wh (Optional 960wh)

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

5 hours (2 Hours for ~80%)

Estimated Min Range:

25 miles (40 km)

Estimated Max Range:

80 miles (129 km)

Display Type:

Surface 604 Branded, Fixed, Adjustable Angle, 3.5" Color, Backlit LCD, USB Type A Charging Port

Readouts:

Battery Percentage, Current Speed (With Infographic), Power Meter, Trip Distance, Odometer, Max Speed, Avg Speed, Trip Time, Assist Level (0-5)

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad near Left Grip, Buttons: +, -, Information, Lights, On/Off, (Hold - for Walk Mode, Hold + and - for Settings Menu, Settings Password 1212, Speed Limit Password 0510)

Drive Mode:

Torque Sensing Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle (Measures Pedal Torque at Rear Dropout)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)(Can Unlock ~26mph Top Speed)


Written Review

This review was provided for free, but Surface 604 did provide a temporary demo bike and accessories to test. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of S604 products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below, and the Surface 604 electric bike forums.

Observations:

  • Surface 604 dates all the way back to 2013. I was lucky enough to review their first product, the Element electric fat bike, in 2014. S604 products are designed to be affordable, but capable on a wide variety of terrain. Their designers frequently choose parts that are a step up in terms of durability and quality because they come from the mountain bike background. Surface 604 is based in British Columbia, Canada. Their name denotes the 604 phone area code for the Vancouver region, which is home to ocean, city, and mountain conditions. The brand is sold in the US and Canada.
  • The big differences that I noticed in the 2021 version of the Rook and Colt models include wider 700mm handlebar for improved steering control and leverage over the larger 27.5″ x 2.4″ tires (previous models were 26″). The battery pack now comes in 14ah as a base (672wh) and optional 20ah (960wh) for extended rides. Other highlights include the hollow spindle bottom bracket, 180mm hydraulic disc brakes with rear light activation and motor inhibitor, and higher torque motor output of 45nm. The bike is available in two colors and two frame sizes, which is rare… I tested the M/L 19.5″ frame size for this review.

Pros:

  • The bike looks beautiful, S604 did a wonderful job selecting the paint colors, and offering two color schemes (light and dark). Notice how the wires and power cables are mostly hidden because they are routed through the frame, and the battery is half hidden and positioned low on the downtube vs. high up or on the rear rack.
  • Most of the really affordable ebikes are not available in different frame sizes. With the Rook and Colt, you get a small/medium and medium/large frame choice, which improves body position and ride comfort. This sense of control and response is further supported by the torque sensor pedal assist here vs. a cadence sensor that feels more like “on/off” than smooth dynamic output. The downside is that it can be more sensitive to work on and occasionally activate due to chain bounce and not pedaling.
  • Prior generations of this ebike used grayscale displays or a smaller color one. The 2021 Rook and Colt have large 3.5″ color LCD screens that are easier to see in daylight and easier to read. I love that there’s a precise battery percentage readout vs. five bars, and also a full sized USB type A port at the base of the display! This allows you to charge or maintain a smartphone or other portable electronic device.
  • The controller and display have a settings menu that can be unlocked to allow the bike to go a bit faster ~26mph. This might be fun for people who enjoy riding off-road or want a Class 3 speed pedelec experience. By default, it’s Class 2 20mph (32km/h) with throttle.
  • I appreciate the kickstand choice here, because it offers adjustable length. It’s mounted using a standard 40mm bolt spacing, which makes it easy to replace. They positioned it far enough back that it won’t cause pedal lock when backing the bike up, and it should support a loaded rear rack well.
  • I appreciate that Surface 604 has a higher weight rating for these ebikes at 300lbs + 50lbs on the rear rack! That means heavier riders can enjoy the bikes and still feel safe. Part of what makes this possible is the thicker 13 gauge spokes and 36 spoke setup here vs. 32 or 28 on some other ebikes. Do keep an eye on the wheels and spokes to keep them true and taught.
  • With the larger 27.5″ wheel size on the most recent version of the Rook and Colt, the ride experience feels smoother and more stable. The attack angle of the tires is lower, so they roll over cracks and dips more easily. There’s a bit of added weight, but the longer handlebar helps to give you control over that, and it all works quite well.
  • Surface 604 was able to maintain the same relatively low standover height of the bike, despite using larger 27.5″ wheels. That’s pretty impressive, and it makes the bike approachable and safe feeling for people with knee and hip sensitivity. I like that they went with a mid-step frame because it improves frame stiffness vs. a full “wave” step-thru.
  • Given the larger heavier wheels+tires here compared to last generation, I was still impressed by the motor power and torque. Surface 604 reps told me that the motor can produce up to 45 newton meters of torque and peak out well above 500 watts, and my experience riding was quite satisfying. Keep in mind that I’m 5’9″ at 135lbs (61kg).
  • This ebike has powerful hydraulic disc brakes with large 180mm rotors. This provides a strong mechanical advantage and cooling, and both brake levers also send a signal to cut off motor power. I appreciate that the brake levers offer adjustable reach to work well with different sized hands, it works well with the two frame size options.
  • In addition to stopping the bike, the braking system also activates the rear light when the lights are off. This increases your visibility and improves safety. When the lights are on, it appears that the rear light just stays constant during braking.
  • This ebike is a hybrid, meaning that it blends city and mountain components. You can see that with the suspension fork, handlebar bore, hydraulic disc brakes, and upgraded spindle. The riser stem with adjustable angle option feels sturdy and strong, the medium-sized comfort saddle was plush, and the larger aluminum pedals gave me a sense of confidence when pedaling and standing while riding off curbs and over roots.
  • I love that the company offers two battery pack sizes! The standard 672 watt hour is already above average, in terms of capacity. If you want to go even higher, the 960 watt hour pack is a great fit for $400 more and only adds 2.3lbs. Although I did not see it, the high capacity battery is said to be a bit wider and bulge out on the left side of the frame about a half an inch.
  • My understanding is that many of the Surface 604 bikes now use the same Reention Dorado battery interface, so the pack can be shared! This is a more open battery standard, which means you can have the batteries repacked or purchase them from generic suppliers someday if S604 changes their design or goes out of business.
  • This is a little thing, but I like how the suspension forks match the frame colors. They chose a black one for the dark gray color scheme and a white one for the light color scheme :) the forks also offer preload adjust to “pre load” the spring for heavier riders, and lockout to reduce bobbing when riding on a very smooth surface.
  • In addition to the full length fenders, this ebike also comes with a plastic chain cover to keep your right pant leg or dress end from getting greasy and snagged on the chain and chainring. The cover has a reflective section designed in, which adds to the visual footprint created by the reflective tires and side-visible lights.
  • Surface 604 has some cool optional accessories including a sturdy Ergotec handlebar mirror for spotting traffic (shown in the video review), a suspension seatpost from SR Suntour, and some genuine leather saddle bag panniers that are guaranteed to fit the bike.
  • Lots of changes from previous generations for easier maintenance and repairs, for example, the controller has been changed to use standard XT60 connectors and is much easier to reach for diagnostics and repairs when necessary. Notice the quick disconnect for the motor, headlight, display, brake motor inhibitors, and trigger throttle. The controller has also been upgraded to produce 25 amps of power output for that zippy powerful ride feel. Many cheaper ebikes use 18 amp controllers.
  • The company has been around since 2013 and earned my trust. I feel like they produce a quality product and offer good support. I try to communicate this whenever I have covered multiple generations of products.

Cons:

  • Older Rook models featured tires without puncture protection or reflective sidewall stripes, so it’s great to see the reflective striping on this new 2021 generation. However, I still think they do not include extra puncture resistance. The rep told me that tires have been difficult to come by in recent years, so they got custom ones made by Panaracer! I saw a “moped” label which suggests that the rubber is thicker than normal, so hopefully that helps with thorns and the like. Always keep the tire pressure within the recommended range to reduce pinch flats :)
  • The charger for this ebike is pretty basic, though I do appreciate the branding they did. It’s fairly compact, has a removable wall-side cord to reduce length, and it only weighs ~1.4lbs, but it only puts out 2 amps. This makes it slower than some of the 3 and 4 amp chargers I’ve seen from other companies, which is especially relevant if you get the upgraded 20 amp hour battery (960 watt hour) because it could take 7+ hours for a full charge. I’ve also heard that the barrel style charger plugs can ark easier or crack the plug socket if bumped.
  • The charging port on the battery pack is positioned low on the left side of the bike, directly in the path of the left crank arm. This could cause the cord to get snagged or cracked if the crank arms turn while the bike is plugged in. The battery lock cylinder is also on the left (non-drivetrain) side of the bike. Ideally, both the lock and charging port would be up high and on the right side of the bike to be less vulnerable and easier to reach.
  • The rear rack is welded to the frame, which means it cannot be removed and adds weight to the overall build. The upside is that it won’t rattle loose over time, it’s color matched and has the pannier hangers, bungee loops, and flat slats on top, and is rated to 50lbs (22.6kg). This rack would probably work well with child seats like the Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi, and has the nice integrated rear light well positioned.
  • The ergonomic grips are not locking, which means that if you bear down on them you can twist them forward and back (or even slip them off the ends if you really go for it). Fortunately, the relaxed position of the riser stem and handlebar mean that you won’t be bearing down on the grips the way you might with a mountain bike. I also felt that the grips were a little hard vs. softer rubber, but replacing them with something like the popular Ergon GP1 isn’t too expensive or difficult.
  • I was surprised to see that there was no slap guard sticker on the right chainstay. This is a minor annoyance, but it does mean that the paint can get chipped off if the chain is bouncing up and down a lot while riding off-road. Consider a piece of clear box tape or aftermarket velcro slap guard like this if you ride fast and on bumpy terrain.
  • The rear derailleur and motor power cable are not protected by a derailleur guard, which mean that they could get bent in shipping or if the bike tips over. Many bicycles forego derailleur guards, but it’s more relevant here because of the hub motor and extra cable there… just be careful not to get snags and consider using extra zip ties if your cable protrudes a lot.
  • As mentioned earlier, one drawback to torque sensing pedal assist is that the controller may think that you’re pedaling when it’s really just the chain bouncing down hard. The strain plate (mounted on the inside of the right chainstay rear dropout area) can also be more sensitive to over-tightening the rear bolt in my experience.
  • Hub motors are zippy, work well with throttles, aren’t as hard on the drivetrain, and cost less than mid-drives, but usually do not allow for quick release (which is the case here) so only the front wheel has that feature. It just adds time and requires tools to work on the rear wheel and motor.
  • The headlight performed well, but is mounted to the arch of the suspension fork which means it adds to the unsprung weight of the bike and will bounce up and down when riding on rough terrain vs. being “suspended” up on the steer tube, stem, or handlebar. This lower position won’t be as visible to high-riding automobiles and the light be may be partially obstructed by a front fender and tire.
  • Due to supply chain challenges, this ebike may come with a SRAM X5 or Shimano Alivio drivetrain and the shifters are slightly different… that’s not a huge deal to me, but you may care. Furthermore, the fenders may be plastic SKS which are durable and light but noisier than the aluminum alloy ones.

Useful Resources:

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Comments (10) YouTube Comments

Tim
3 years ago

The 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.

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Court
3 years ago

Hi 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.

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Chris Taylor
3 years ago

Another 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!

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Court
3 years ago

Oh, 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!

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Norm
3 years ago

Great 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.

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Court
3 years ago

Hi 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 :)

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Ron M
3 years ago

I 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.

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Court
3 years ago

Hi 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 :)

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Dick
3 years ago

Hello. 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.

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Court
3 years ago

Hi 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!

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