menu

Surface 604 Colt Review

  1.  Home
  2.  Reviews
  3.  Brands
  4.  Surface 604 Reviews
  5.  Surface 604 Colt Review
2020 Surface 604 Colt Electric Bike Review
2020 Surface 604 Colt
2020 Surface 604 Colt 500 Watt Bafang Planetary Geared Hub Motor
2020 Surface 604 Colt Semi Integrated 48v Battery Samsung Cells
2020 Surface 604 Colt Beautiful Color Lcd Display Ergo Grips
2020 Surface 604 Colt Trigger Throttle Button Pad Brake Lever
2020 Surface 604 Colt 26 Cst Tires Suntour Suspension Fork
2020 Surface 604 Colt 180mm Hydraulic Disc Brakes
2020 Surface 604 Colt Integrated Spanninga Headlight
2020 Surface 604 Colt Plastic Chain Cover With Reflective Safety Sticker
2020 Surface 604 Colt Integrated Rear Rack With Pannier Hanger Adjustable Kickstand
2020 Surface 604 Colt Selle Royal Gel Saddle
2020 Surface 604 Colt 9 Speed Shimano Alivio
2020 Surface 604 Colt Integrated Spanninga Duxo Rear Light
2020 Surface 604 Colt Usb Charging Port On Display
2020 Surface 604 Colt 2 Amp Ebike Charger
2020 Surface 604 Colt High Step Black
2020 Surface 604 Colt Electric Bike Review
2020 Surface 604 Colt
2020 Surface 604 Colt 500 Watt Bafang Planetary Geared Hub Motor
2020 Surface 604 Colt Semi Integrated 48v Battery Samsung Cells
2020 Surface 604 Colt Beautiful Color Lcd Display Ergo Grips
2020 Surface 604 Colt Trigger Throttle Button Pad Brake Lever
2020 Surface 604 Colt 26 Cst Tires Suntour Suspension Fork
2020 Surface 604 Colt 180mm Hydraulic Disc Brakes
2020 Surface 604 Colt Integrated Spanninga Headlight
2020 Surface 604 Colt Plastic Chain Cover With Reflective Safety Sticker
2020 Surface 604 Colt Integrated Rear Rack With Pannier Hanger Adjustable Kickstand
2020 Surface 604 Colt Selle Royal Gel Saddle
2020 Surface 604 Colt 9 Speed Shimano Alivio
2020 Surface 604 Colt Integrated Spanninga Duxo Rear Light
2020 Surface 604 Colt Usb Charging Port On Display
2020 Surface 604 Colt 2 Amp Ebike Charger
2020 Surface 604 Colt High Step Black

Summary

  • A feature-complete hybrid city electric bike available in two frame sizes, comes standard with a rear rack, fenders, and integrated Spanninga lights, the company has built a fairly large dealer network in both the US and Canada for test rides and warranty support
  • Offers responsive torque sensing pedal assist as well as trigger throttle override with full power, this can make it easier to get started or zip up a hill without clicking any buttons, the control pad and display are intuitive to use and great looking, good comfort with hybrid tires, a suspension for (with lockout and preload adjust), and a gel saddle
  • Responsive Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes with large 180mm rotors and dual-piston calipers, ugraded Shimano Alivio groupset feels snappy and offers a large 11-34 tooth cassette range, I like the Shimano trigger shifters with two-way action and appreciate the full-coverage plastic chain protector
  • The new display isn't very bright and can be difficult to see in direct sunlight, no puncture protection or reflective sidewall striping on the tires (but the integrated lights and reflective chain cover is great), the charge port is next to the right crank arm, and there is no slap guard on the right chain stay which leaves the paint vulnerable to scratches when going over bumps

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

Surface 604

Model:

Colt

Price:

$1,999

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:

2020

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

57.2 lbs (25.94 kg)

Battery Weight:

7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)

Motor Weight:

9 lbs (4.08 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, 23.5" Reach, 28" Stand Over Height, 33.5" Minimum Saddle Height, 25.25" Width, 71.25" Length

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Satin Black with Satin Sand Accents

Frame Fork Details:

SR Suntour XCT Spring Suspension, 80mm Travel, 28mm Steel Stanchions, Lockout Adjust, Compression Adjust, Preload Adjust, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Skewer with Quick Release

Frame Rear Details:

135mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Threaded Axle with Keyed 10mm Flats, 18mm Nuts

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack, Fender Bosses

Gearing Details:

9 Speed 1x9 Shimano Alivio Derailleur, Shimano CS-HG201-9 Cassette 11-34 Tooth

Shifter Details:

Shimano Alivio Triggers on Right (Two-Way High Lever, Three-Shift Low Lever), Shift Display Readout

Cranks:

Samox, Forged Alloy, Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Hollow Spindle, 42 Tooth Steel Chainring

Pedals:

Wellgo Aluminum Alloy Platform with Rubber Tread

Headset:

Integrated, Sealed Cartridge, Straight 1-1/8"

Stem:

Satori UP2+, Adjustable Angle 0° to 90°, 70mm Base Height, 110mm Length, 20mm Stack Height, Two 10 mm Risers, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter

Handlebar:

Aluminum Alloy, 20mm Low-Rise, 630 mm Length, 6° 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

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, Aluminum Alloy, 25mm Outer Width, 36 Hole, Black

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge, Black

Tire Brand:

Kenda Kranium, 26" x 2.10" (54-559)

Wheel Sizes:

26 in (66.04cm)

Tire Details:

40 to 65 PSI, 2.8 to 4.5 BAR, 280 to 450 KPa

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Plastic Fenders (70mm Width), Plastic Chain Cover with Reflective Side, 5 Volt 1 Amp USB Type A 1 amp Charging Port at Top Right Side of Battery, Integrated Spanninga Kendo+ LED Headlight, Integrated Spanninga DUXE LED Rear Light, Welded-On Rear Rack with Standard Gauge Pannier Hangers and Bungee Loops, Rear Mounted Adjustable Length Kickstand, Optional $99 SR Suntour NCX Suspension Post with Shim

Other:

Locking Removable Semi-Integrated Downtube Battery Pack, 1.6lb 2 Amp Charger

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

Bafang RM G360.500.DC

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts

Motor Peak Output:

750 watts

Motor Torque:

50 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung 18650 (2400mA or 3200mA Cells), Reention Dorado Casing

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

10.4 ah (Optional 14ah)

Battery Watt Hours:

499.2 wh (Optional 672wh)

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

5 hours (2 Hours for ~80%)

Estimated Min Range:

25 miles (40 km)

Estimated Max Range:

60 miles (97 km)

Display Type:

Key-Disp KD718, Fixed, Adjustable Angle, 3.25" Color, Backlit LCD

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, Default Password 0510), USB Type A Charging Port on Right Edge of Display

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle (Measures Pedal Torque and Pedal Speed)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

Written Review

To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This in-depth review was sponsored by Surface 604 Bikes. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Surface 604 products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comment section below and the Surface 604 electric bike forums.

Observations:

  • The frame was completely redesigned for 2020 so the stand-over height is slightly lower, the medium/large frame is slightly bigger (19.5″ vs. 19″) and the rear rack is set back and enlarged a bit for greater utility
  • Instead of using a bottom bracket torque sensor with a square tapered spindle, Surface 604 has moved to hollow axles (which are stiffer and easier to service) and now uses a rear dropout mounted TMM style torque speed sensor
  • The battery pack for this bike comes in two sizes and is cross-compatible with all of the other 2020 models including the Rook, Boar, and Shred

Pros:

  • Includes a one-year comprehensive warranty and support from many dealers in the US and Canada, which is great not only for support down the road but also for test riding and fitting before you buy
  • Your choice of two frame sizes, an upright relaxed riding position, the step-through design, and the high range of adjustability for the stem makes this bike extremely approachable, able to fit virtually any size of rider
  • A new and much-requested feature here is torque sensitivity tuning! Dealers will now be able to tune the torque sensor to accommodate rider needs. It requires connecting with diagnostic hardware and modifying the firmware so it isn’t something you can change quickly on your own… but the vast majority of people shouldn’t change these settings since they are optimally configured by Surface 604. The big win is that bike shops can now customize this sensitivity for customers who need it
  • The 3.5″ color LCD is a big upgrade from previous generations of the Colt. New features include password protection as a theft deterrent, an optical sensor for automatic display dimming & integrated light activation, and advanced settings that even allow you to tweak torque sensitivity
  • Feature-complete with integrated lights, fenders, and a rear rack! The rack is weld-mounted which offers more sturdiness compared to an aftermarket attached rack, Spanninga lights are powerful and do a great job of illuminating the road ahead – and the rear light even activates and brightens on braking – and the full-size fenders are plastic which offers good durability
  • A redesigned 48-volt battery pack that is shorter and standardized across Surface 604 models so you can share batteries if you own any of their other models, you also get a choice between the standard 10.4 amp-hour or the upgraded 14 amp-hour pack (which costs an extra $200)
  • Two options for charging personal electronics are available here, which is awesome! There are two USB Type-A ports available, one is on the display and has 0.5 amps of power, the other is on the battery and offers 1.0 amps… For reference, a full 1 amp is required for charging an iPhone but 0.5 amps is sufficient for most Android phones. The battery charging port is nice because you can remove the battery from the bike and still use it to charge other devices, such as powering a portable speaker while on a picnic
  • A responsive torque sensor is paired with a 500-watt Bafang rear hub motor, this is a rare combination and offers what feels like a smooth mid-drive motor experience at a hub motor price
  • Full throttle power is available at any assist level (even level 0), I really appreciate this because you can ride in a low assist level and have access to the throttle for a short burst of speed or power without having to change the assist level first
  • Excellent stopping power thanks to Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes, three-finger levers make the dual-piston calipers easy to actuate, and the 180mm rotors are an upgrade from the 160mm rotors seen on previous versions of the Colt
  • Large plastic chain guard does a great job of protecting the chain from wayward skirts or pant legs, and it also features a white reflective side panel for increased side visibility
  • A Suntour suspension fork for with 110mm of travel, large Selle Royale gel saddle, and stitched leather ergonomic grips add up to a comfortable ride, you can also add a Suntour suspension seatpost ($100 upgrade) for even more comfort
  • Beautiful visual appearance thanks to clean internally routed cabling, even more clean than previous versions of this bike – now even the brake light cabling is routed through the rear rack! You also get your choice of two colors, white or black with white accents
  • 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. Historically Surface 604 bikes have been challenging for dealers to repair the electronics, so I appreciate that they’ve listened to feedback and worked to make their bikes more serviceable
  • The high-step frame design may be easier to hang on some car racks and offers a bit more stiffness than the step-thru Surface 604 Rook

Cons:

  • The tires are fairly basic, they don’t include any puncture protection or reflective striping on the sidewalls. You can add slime or upgrade the tires aftermarket if you want durability and visibility but at least the plastic chain cover has a nice reflective strip built-in so you get some increased exposure on the right side of the bike
  • The display is a big upgrade from previous versions in terms of the information readouts and additional settings, but the color LCD can be a bit more difficult to see in direct sunlight. Make sure you remove the protective film as leaving it on will add some glare and make it even more difficult to see! The important readouts such as your current speed have a good contrast and are easy to see because they’re large, but some of the other details in the corners of the screen are using green text instead of white and can be tough to see in direct sunlight. Fortunately, the display swivels easily so just make sure you have it at a good angle to minimize glare
  • The weld-mounted rear rack is nice for sturdiness, but of course, the tradeoff here is that you can never remove the rear rack. For most people this is a good thing, but if you already have a special rack you want to use or a bike trailer that mounts on rear rack bosses you wouldn’t be able to do so on this bike
  • The ergonomic grips are not locking, so if you bear down on them you can twist them up and down which can be especially frustrating with ergonomic grips, fortunately, the relaxed position and use case for this bike means you won’t be bearing down on the grips the way you might with a mountain bike
  • The charge port is positioned near the right crank arm, which means a risk of bumping and damaging your charger (or the charge port) when charging the battery on the bike
  • There is no slap guard on the right chain stay, which means that bumps can cause the chain to bounce down and scratch the paint on the chain stay… A low-tech solution to prevent this is to put some clear tape on that chainstay. Previous versions of the Rook had cables routed on the top of this chainstay and they also served as a slap guard, but on this 2020 model the cables are now internally routed
  • The headlight is mounted on the lower traveling portion of the front fork, which means that the headlight will bounce up and down as the suspension fork compresses. This can create a “strobe light” effect on bumpy trails, it’s typically not too extreme but good to be aware of
  • The plastic fenders are lightweight, durable, and immune to dings and rust, but they do rattle more than steel or alloy fenders – especially when riding on bumpy trails, this is a minor consideration for me because the bike was very quiet when I rode down stairs during the video review :D
  • Minor consideration, the rear light is mounted outside the support bars of the rack and could take damage if the bike is tipped all the way back or upside down, this is relevant because Surface 604 does sell online and the bike could get bounced around during shipping

Useful Resources:

Reviewed On

More Surface 604 Reviews

February 19, 2020

Surface 604 Boar Hunter Review

  • MSRP: $2,499
  • MODEL YEAR: 2020

A purpose-built fat tire electric bike designed with hunters and campers in mind. The frame and fork are painted with matte Kryptek camouflage to blend into wilderness environments while nearly all accessory hardware is black. Comes with a sturdy rear rack and front basket system, both capable of supporting pannier bags (up to four in total). Extra large 26" x 4.5" fat tires provide traction and float, lower the PSI to…...

Read Review
November 3, 2019

Surface 604 Shred Review

  • MSRP: $2,090
  • MODEL YEAR: 2020

A value-priced hardtail cross country style electric mountain bike with 9-speed SRAM 11-34 tooth cassette, plus sized tires, higher top speed of 28 mph, super-responsive torque + cadence sensing bottom bracket, quiet motor, and trigger throttle that overrides assist for full power. Available in two frame sizes for improved fit and comfort, optional 14 amp hour battery…...

Read Review
October 20, 2019

Surface 604 Rook Review

  • MSRP: $1,999
  • MODEL YEAR: 2020

A feature-rich and approachable step-through city bike available in two frame sizes and two colors, comes standard with a rear rack, fenders, and Spanninga lights, with a large dealer network in both the US and Canada for test rides and support down the road. A rare combination of a torque sensor with a rear hub motor gives a smooth…...

Read Review
May 26, 2018

2018 Surface 604 Colt Review

  • MSRP: $1,799
  • MODEL YEAR: 2018

A value-priced, hybrid electric bike with plastic fenders and a chain cover to keep you clean, integrated LED Lights to keep you seen, and an adjustable suspension fork and stem to improve comfort and fit. High-step diamond frame improves strength and stiffness but also slopes for easier mounting and comfortable…...

Read Review
May 11, 2018

2018 Surface 604 Shred Review

  • MSRP: $1,899
  • MODEL YEAR: 2018

A value-priced hardtail electric mountain bike with 9-speed Acera drivetrain, plus sized tires, higher top speed of 28 mph, trigger throttle, and a super-responsive torque + cadence sensing bottom bracket. Available in two frame sizes for improved fit and comfort, optional 14 amp hour battery…...

Read Review
March 29, 2018

2018 Surface 604 Rook Review

  • MSRP: $1,799
  • MODEL YEAR: 2018

A relatively affordable, well-supported, feature packed electric bike with plastic fenders, a chain cover, integrated LED Lights, and an adjustable suspension fork. With shorter reach and an adjustable-angle stem, this ebike feels pretty upright and relaxed, the…...

Read Review
March 22, 2018

Surface 604 Boar E750 Hunter Review

  • MSRP: $2,199
  • MODEL YEAR: 2018

A camouflaged fat tire electric bike complete with sturdy racks and a powerful 750 watt motor, responsive torque-sensing pedal assist and throttle on demand. Powerful 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes, sturdy alloy platform pedals, stiff 15 mm thru-axle with…...

Read Review
February 5, 2017

2017 Surface 604 Rook Review

  • MSRP: $1,899
  • MODEL YEAR: 2016, 2017

A step-thru urban electric bike that hits a sweet spot between cruiser comfort and city efficiency performance, adjustable angle stem, locking suspension fork and hydraulic disc brakes. The bike comes with fenders, a sturdy oversized rack (with standard gauge pannier rods), integrated…...

Read Review
October 26, 2016

Surface 604 YunBike C1 Review

  • MSRP: $999
  • MODEL YEAR: 2016, 2017

A light weight, compact, single speed electric bike that's well suited to neighborhood riding or short commutes... optional fenders and front or rear rack expand utility. Smaller capacity 187.2 watt hour battery limits range but the torque-sensing pedal assist requires more…...

Read Review
October 17, 2016

2017 Surface 604 Colt Review

  • MSRP: $1,899
  • MODEL YEAR: 2016, 2017

A sturdy, purpose-built electric bike that would be great for neighborhood cruising, urban commuting or rentals, featuring an upgraded fork, SRAM X5 10 speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes. I love the integrated LED lights, both run off the main battery pack and there's…...

Read Review
August 11, 2015

Surface 604 Boar E350 Review

  • MSRP: $2,499
  • MODEL YEAR: 2015, 2016

A purpose built fat electric bike available in two sizes and three colors, optional fenders, racks, upgraded tires and suspension fork. Tapered head tube, 15 mm thru-axle with quick release, hydraulic disc brakes and integrated battery…...

Read Review
March 27, 2014

Surface 604 Element Electric Review

  • MSRP: $1,999
  • MODEL YEAR: 2014

Well-rounded "fat style" electric bike with three levels of pedal assist, a twist throttle and seven gears for going off road. Oversized tires provide cushion on bumps and won't sink in sand or snow, solid derailleur…...

Read Review

Comments (3) YouTube Comments

Mike
5 months ago

Torque sensing adjustability/tunability does not require a dealer, or firmware change, or even a password. Its right in the display menu for the user to adjust once they press the + and – buttons simultaneously.

Its a great feature, for those who have felt torque sensing required too much effort on mid drives, and didn’t want that much ‘exercise’ you can set it high sensitivity and the response is awesome. For those who DO WANT exercise, and a work out, and greater range, just adjust to lower sensitivity, and wa lah ! your wish is granted.

The tires are Kenda’s, and I have seen customers get over 3000 miles easy, and no complaints of flats. Same tires that have been on these S604’s for past 3 years.

The grips are much more comfortable on this 2020 model, than prior models, and havent noticed any slippage.

With the prior 10 Ah battery, and torque sensing, 50 mile range was not uncommon, and some customers eeked out more. Now with 14 AH battery, 70 mile range should not be a problem, especially if you ‘tune’ the torque sensing such that the motor doesn’t do too much of the work. Hub drives with torque sensing like this, and the great quality of the other components, including the super smooth 9 Speed Shimano Alivio Derailleur should make it very difficult for people to justify spending $3000 to $4000 for a mid drive ebike, for those previously thinking that the mid drive was the only way to get that ‘natural’ feel more typically associated with the ‘torque sensing’. Now you can have your torque sensing ‘cake’ and make others ‘eat’ your dust too ! (raw power of 48volts and 500 watts, that most mid drives simply dont have)

  Reply
Court
5 months ago

Great feedback Mike, it sounds like you’ve got a lot of experience with Surface 604. Have you purchased one or do you work at or own an ebike dealership? Thanks for making the point about how torque sensing assist gets improved range… and that there are so many great settings available for adjustment in the display by holding + and -.

  Reply
Lanny
4 months ago

Very Interesting & I’m interested

  Reply

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.