Surface 604 YunBike C1 Review

The YunBike C1 is a dainty little electric bike from Surface 604 that leans more towards human powered cycling than zippy moped or gocart feel. Weighing in at roughly 35 lbs with the battery attached, it’s one of the lightest weight electric bikes I’ve ever tested… and yet it’s also one of the most affordable. The bike keeps things very simple with just one gear (making it a single speed) but doesn’t compromise on safety or utility with integrated LED lights and a plastic chain guard. It’s also no slouch in the style department, coming in four different colors and two frame designs. You can choose from either the traditional high-step diamond frame or a unique angled top tube mid-step that might be easier to stand over for petite riders. They’re clearly going for a his and hers dynamic with the colors and frame differences but in practice, the two are basically the same size. The biggest difference I noticed is that the mid-step “hers” frame comes with a swept-back handle bar that will be easier to reach.

If you’re venturing outside of the neighborhood, keep in mind the YunBike has a more limited top speed of just 20 Kilometers per hour (15.5 mph) vs. the more traditional US top speed of 20 mph. Given the smaller 20″ wheel diameter and narrow tires, I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable going too much faster than 20 anyway. The brakes are sort of average; cable actuated linear pull design with old-school rubber pads, but they get the job done. Both brake levers send a signal to cut motor power for safety. I did notice a wheel release lever on the brakes that helps them spread wider and get around the tires which was nice. Again, lots of the details on this bike have been scrutinized and optimized. That includes the threaded bosses on the downtube meant for adding a water bottle cage. Believe it or not, many e-bikes forego this sort of thing. The bike has a QR code printed on the stem that you can scan with your smart phone to download their app (or search for UMA Bike) but it freaked me out at first being all in Chinese in the screenshots. I took the risk, downloaded it and explored the different settings. Basically, you choose your type of bike and can then connect with other riders in a social area, see a map with points of interest or read your ride stats. Sadly, despite having a newer phone and trying my best to pair via Bluetooth I was unable to actually get the app going.

In terms of drive system performance and layout, I feel that the YunBike makes a couple of good compromises. First, because it has such a small capacity battery pack, the YunBike has opted for a pedal-assist only drive mode configuration. This is a mixed blessing because remember, it’s a single speed bike. By making you work a little harder, the motor can operate more efficiently and thus provide a decent range per charge. The downside is that struggling feeling of starting out from zero. Yes, the assist does kick in and help you but it’s not as much as other ebikes. Frustratingly, there is a trigger throttle sitting RIGHT THERE begging to be pressed… but when you do, it only gets you going a couple miles per hour as it is set to be a walk mode trigger. Maybe they will change this in the future but at least it does something. And, hidden just below the display panel is one of two USB charging ports! This could be used for additional lights like string-lights for the holidays, keeping your phone topped off (especially useful if you’ve got the app running) or perhaps powering portable speakers. The second USB port is built right into the battery pack and is designed to be used separately from the bike… like a backup power bank. Very cool little additions here in my opinion.

Overall, the bike is easy to use and understand. It’s a bit rear-heavy given the motor and battery are both at the back and there’s more effort involved with pedaling but it’s still easier than a non-electric bike. They felt moderately comfortable but clearly aren’t designed for touring or off road riding. Surface 604 does sell optional front and rear racks as well as fenders for people who want to commute or have to endure inclement weather. The bike isn’t perfect but the price is inspiring and I could see myself hopping aboard for quick neighborhood errands and simple enjoyment. Not a lot can go wrong if you just top the battery off now and again and keep those tires from getting too low. Seriously, because they are so narrow, it will be easier to get pinch flats by jumping curbs or just letting them go soft so check regularly. And that’s one of the little bummers here, the tires on the mid-step model didn’t say how full to inflate them? I was guessing upwards of 50 PSI depending on your weight, similar to road bike tires and then discovered that the Kenda Kwest model tires on the high step model do say 40 to 65 PSI. Big thanks to Surface 604 for partnering with me for this review.

Pros:

• Even though this ebike just looks like a cute getaround type product it can actually become quite practical if you purchase the optional front or rear racks and fender set… it’s neat that it comes stock with a plastic chain cover to keep you clean and all of the accessories are priced well and fit perfectly vs. trying to find something yourself aftermarket for such a unique sized bike
• I was impressed with the little kickstand, funny as that might sound, because it’s sturdy and mounted far back – out of the way of your crank and pedal so you can oil the chain or walk the bike backwards without colliding
• The four color options are really fun and the little style enhancements like a single red spoke and the unique tire tread add a bit of charm
• I love the mid-step frame, it is still sturdy and basically the same dimensions as the high-step but makes mounting and standing over the bike easier for shorter riders, it also has a curved back handlebar to shorten the reach :)
• Both models have comfortable ergonomic grips and come with basic flick bells so you can signal to other pedestrians or your friends in a cheerful way
• I absolutely love that they included two USB charging ports! The first one is easy to reach and use while riding (mounted just below the display panel near the right grip) and the other one is on the protected end of the battery pack meant to be used when you aren’t riding… like a backup power source for your portable electronics!
• Whether you’re riding for fun around the block or using this as a compact light weight commuter the integrated LED lights improve safety and keep you seen by cars
• This ebike is very affordable at just under $1k but doesn’t compromise on style or warranty, you get one year comprehensive coverage from Surface 604, a company that has been around for several years as of this review in 2016
• Being a single speed, the bike isn’t going to get out of true as easily… you won’t have to worry so much about dropping the chain or dealing with a derailleur and shifters that might otherwise crowd the cockpit bar area
• I love that the battery can be removed to reduce the weight of the bike and that you can charge it on or off the frame… sort of, the plug at the base can be a little tricky to reach and plug/unplug as a result
• The gearless motor is very durable and quiet, it should hold up well with lots of use but does weigh a bit more than geared motors, though it’s so small that the weight isn’t so bad
• I love that they were able to fit bottle cage bosses on both frame types! This makes it easier to bring along hydration (note that it’s a tight fit on the step-thru, consider a side-mount cage like this), a mini-pump with Presta interface or something like a folding lock for security

Cons:

• Try as I might, I was unable to figure out how to change the display panel or the smart phone app from Kilometers per hour to Miles per hours… perhaps they’re trying to help America finally convert to metric ;)
• The app is shown with Chinese characters when you search for it in the app store or scan the QR code on the stem and it’s rated 17+ age strangely… but once downloaded it is in English and allows you to search for points of interest, get feedback about your ride and connect with other riders
• My heart was broken when I discovered that the trigger throttle only activates a walk mode… not a throttle mode (meaning you can only go a few miles per hour with it vs. top speed), this would have been very useful for getting up to speed after stop signs and lights considering the bike only has one gear
• Because the YunBike uses a torque sensor for pedal assist I felt like I had to push harder and work more than with other “neighborhood” electric bikes, that’s not something I always want, especially since there are multiple levels of assist and sometimes my commute is short so I’m not worried about conserving power
• The ride isn’t super comfortable given the super skinny tires… they are efficient and light but the bike doesn’t have any sort of suspension so this is really your only shock absorber aside from the saddle, consider swapping the rigid seat post with a 31.6 mm suspension post like this Thudbuster short travel model but note that it will raise the minimum saddle height a bit
• The battery isn’t especially large, nor is the motor especially powerful at 180 watts nominal, thankfully the top speed is lower at ~20 km/h (that’s 15.5 mph) and you have to pedal to get the bike going so range doesn’t suffer quite as much as with comparable bikes
• Overall, this electric bike is more like a bicycle than an ebike and for someone like me who rides a LOT of ebikes for reviews, that was a bit disappointing at first… but then I came around and enjoyed the simplicity of it
• The narrow tires could get pinch flats more easily so keep them full… unfortunately they don’t have a recommended PSI range printed on them so I’m guessing 50? And, the narrow 20″ tubes to replace them might be difficult or expensive
• The brake lines are reversed from what I am used to in America… the right lever activates the front brake vs. the rear and this was confusing at first, I have heard about some people having an instinct for which lever to pull and ending up feeling uncomfortable when it isn’t set up their way, perhaps this could be adjusted by your local shop?

Resources:

• Official Site: https://surface604bikes.com/
• More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/7tAH9cHWcmbenMEN8