Total Weight:
57.3 lbs (25.99 kg)
(61.2lbs With Rack, Suspension Seat Post, and Battery Upgrade)Battery Weight:
7.1 lbs (3.22 kg)
Motor Weight:
9 lbs (4.08 kg)
Frame Material:
6061 Aluminum Alloy
Frame Sizes:
17.5 in (44.45 cm)19 in (48.26 cm)Geometry Measurements:
Medium / Large: 19.5" Seat Tube Length, 23.75" Reach, 27.5" Stand Over Height, 33.75" Minimum Saddle Height, 28" Width, 74" Length
Frame Types:
High-Step
Frame Colors:
Satin Black with Grey
Frame Fork Details:
SR Suntour XCM 30 Spring Suspension, 120 mm Travel, Compression Adjust with Lockout, Preload Adjust, 100 mm Hub Spacing, 30 mm Stanchions, 9 mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer
Frame Rear Details:
138 mm Hub Spacing, 12 mm Axle with 10 mm Flats Threaded with Nuts
Attachment Points:
Rear Rack, Bottle Cage Bosses
Gearing Details:
9
Speed 1x9 SRAM X5 Derailleur, 11-34 Tooth CassetteShifter Details:
SRAM Triggers on Right (One-Way High Lever, Three-Shift Low Lever)
Cranks:
Samox, Forged Alloy, Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Hollow Spindle, 170mm Length, 38 Tooth Steel Chainring
Pedals:
Wellgo Aluminum Alloy Platform with Fixed Pins
Headset:
Integrated, Sealed Cartridge, Straight 1-1/8"
Stem:
UNO, Aluminum Alloy, 45° Angle, 90 mm Length, 20mm Stack Height, Two 10mm Spacers, One 5mm Spacer
Handlebar:
Aluminum Alloy, Flat, 700mm Length
Brake Details:
Tektro Dorado HD-E715 Hydraulic Disc with 180mm Rotors, Dual-Piston Calipers, Four-Finger Tektro Levers with Adjustable Reach and Motor Inhibitors
Grips:
Velo, Flat Rubber, Locking, Black
Saddle:
Selle Royal, Royalgel Nebula
Seat Post:
Alloy, Forged Head
Seat Post Length:
300 mm
Seat Post Diameter:
30.4 mm
Rims:
Double Wall, Aluminum Alloy, 35.5mm Outer Width, 36 Hole, Black
Spokes:
Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge Front and 12 Gauge Rear, Black with Nipples
Tire Brand:
CST Patrol, 27.5" x 2.8" (71-584)
Wheel Sizes:
27.5 in (69.85cm)Tire Details:
20 to 35 PSI, 1.4 to 2.4 BAR, 140 to 240 KPa
Tube Details:
Schrader Valve
Accessories:
5 Volt 1 Amp USB Type A Charging Port at Top Right Side of Battery, Integrated Spanninga Axendo LED Headlight (60 LUX), Flick Bell on Right, Rear Mount Adjustable Kickstand, Optional SR Suntour NCX Suspension Post ($99), Optional 14 Amp Hour Battery Upgrade ($199), Free Shipping in Canada and US
Other:
Locking Removable Downtube Mounted Battery Pack, Waterproof Grade IP65 Display Panel, 1.8lb 2 Amp Charger
Steve Mercier
5 years agoLooks like a fun bike at a good price. Welcome to Coquitlam Court. I recognize your location in my neck of the woods. If I see you while riding I will honk my Air Z horn at you!
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHey Steve! I have super sensitive ears, so please just say hi and we can have a chat. Yeah, I love walking to that park and riding around Mundy Park. I’d love to be friends. Feel free to email me using the contact form here on the site or give me a call :D
ReplyStephen Mercier
5 years agoIf you ride down into Colony farms through Riverview Hospital grounds you can make a nice loop on the Treboulay trail or even cross over the Pitt River bridge and make a bigger loop around Pitt Meadows dikes.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoThat sounds awesome! We should go sometime, thanks for the tip, Stephen :)
Replylarry Waggoner
5 years agoDo you have any dealers in the North Texas area? Interested in buying a bike and have limited it down to three different models. Please let me know if there is any in the local area.
Thanks
ReplyLarry
Court
5 years agoHi Larry, good question! I’ve passed it along to the folks at Surface 604 so they can help you get an answer ;)
ReplyTom Franklin
5 years agoCourt, I’ve been reading a lot of your reviews. I am in an area that does not have a lot of bike shops or selection to choose from. I am just a recreational rider, nothing to serious but want the ability to ride on a trail if I want to. Here is the main part of it though. Probably like most I do not want to break the bank for an e-bike until I really know if I am going to enjoy it. I have looked at Trek, Giant, and the Surface 605 Shred. I did speak with Rad bikes and they were very honest with me which I appreciated that their bikes would probably not be the best for me. Here is why, I am an x-athlete that played basketball for most of his life. I am 6’10” and weigh 285lbs. I am pretty much equal from torso to legs. Which bike would you possibly point me towards. Not sure if the mid-drive or the hub-drive makes a difference with my size.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Tom! Well, I’m happy that Rad Power Bikes was honest with you. You’re a tall and heavy dude, which isn’t going to work as well for the “one size fits all” approach that most value priced ebikes go for. I think you’re right to look at Trek, Specialized, Giant and other major brands that offer a range of sizes. I like Bosch motors, but Shimano and Yamaha are good too. The thing is, most of these mainstream brands (which have sizes and shops) don’t offer throttle… just pedal assist. For me, that’s just fine! The highest level of assist is often zippy and fun, and you can go for a trail capable ebike for those occasional mountain rides. For my own very first electric bicycle, I opted for an affordable online product, which I couldn’t test ride or see before purchase… this was way back in 2012, and my experience was disappointing. The bike couldn’t handle trails, it was heavy, and the motor performance was lackluster. So, my buyer’s remorse was more around wishing I had spent more… because I loved riding so much and I knew I was missing out on an even better bike that would be so much more fun and performant. Since it sounds like you’re in an area with few shops, and you’re aiming for a value buy, I recommend reaching out to a shop called Crazy Lenny’s and ask specifically for Len (the owner). Tell him your details, mention EBR, and I’m sure they will be able to find a good product for you. Possibly a BH electric bike (since they have a big sale going). This company has different sizes for some models, they occasionally offer a throttle, and the value is good. However, I think the company is backing off of the North America market because they used to sell more bikes under the name Easy Motion (which I reviewed a bunch) but now are only called BH, and their headquarters moved. So yeah, you might get a great bike but end up with limited support at some point. This is just a possibility, as with any company, but they just aren’t as prevalent these days as Giant, Specialized, or Trek… with Specialized and Trek being my favorites ;) ps. there are many great shops, I don’t get a commission from Crazy Lenny’s and don’t always recommend them, just seemed like a decent fit here. You could also try Propel Bikes in Long Beach or NYC, but they are more premium.
ReplyHeather
5 years agoI am looking for a reliable trail-commuter that can handle single track and double track on the way to work. Looking for a class 1 (I think), but want at least decent-quality components that will work on the single track and the bike lanes. Would help to have the option to mount a rack or panier on the back. I’m new to this market and can’t tell whether I would do better on a Volt Enduro, Volt Outback, or something like this Shred. I am not looking to break the bank, I already have a great Mtn bik and fat bike. Any advice?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Heather! I think you’ll get a slightly more dynamic experience with the Surface 604 Shred because it uses a torque sensor. Since you’re already an active rider, this type of ebike will feel more sporty and responsive. VoltBike has great value products, and Rad Power Bikes is a similar option, but Surface has historically taken things one step up with torque vs. cadence sensors. All of these products have twist throttles to help you get going, take a break from pedaling, or just cruise around for fun and catch up to friends without clicking on the button pad to change assist levels. Also, the Surface 604 Shred has rear rack bosses, so you could add your own rack aftermarket. This platform would be a great “dual sport” setup for you, and is the type of ebike I most enjoy. I hope this helps, and I’d love to hear back someday about how you like the bike. You can also ask around in the Surface 604 forums or the help choosing ebikes forum.
ReplyLouis-Philippe Lalonde
5 years agoHi! Thanks for your great review. I wondering about the torque on this bike. You talk about 50 nM and the company says 65 nM. I have call a resaler and he told me that they choose a higher speed specific Bafang motor who do have 65 nM. Can you tell me what you think about that? Thank you!
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHmm, that’s a great question and I apologize for the inconsistency. I work hard to get the best information here, when doing these reviews, and sometimes the bike manufacturer will say something slightly different from the motor, battery, wheel manufacturer. Sometimes they will actually get a custom version of a part and that will conflict with my research. Other times, they will use the same part, but exaggerate the spec or even have a different spec printed on it to appear better. There are lots of variables to consider, but my experience with Surface 604 is that they are honest, have good products, and I try to show the real world performance by creating videos. I’d take the company and dealer at their word in this case… even 50nM can be good if you have a range of gears to pedal with. I hope the bike works well for you, and apologize that I cannot provide a perfectly clear answer about the actual torque rating, I don’t actually have a way to test it myself independently… and even then, it could be highly variable depending on if it’s measured at the center of the hub, the wheel/tire, or pedal crank going from hub motors to mid-drive motors. For more feedback and insights on this topic, you could ask around in the Surface 604 forums here if you’d like.
ReplyCole
5 years agoThank you for the review, and all the hard work you have done over the years. I bought a Rad Rover gen 1 in 2015 because of your review, so it’s nice to see that you are now well-known as the best reviewer on the internet!
I’m wondering: does the throttle stop at 20mph on the shred? Is it wobbly compared to a Rad Rover? The first time I rode a mountain bike after the Rover, it just felt wobbly on thinner tires.
Also: I’m torn between this and the Rize blade. I noticed in the review of the blade that it looked somewhat awkward to pedal, but I love the style/speed/option to have someone on the back.
Are both of these bikes a big difference in ride quality from a Rad Rover? Which is faster, Blade vs Shred, and finally, does the throttle shut off on either the shred/blade at 20mph like most ebikes?
Thank you so much, hope you are well.
ReplyCole
Court
5 years agoAll great questions, Cole! I’ll do my best to provide some answers real quick, but it has been a while since I looked at the deeper settings and don’t want to guess and set a bad precedent here. I do believe that the default setup on the Shred is 20mph / 32km/h cutoff in throttle mode, and that’s the same for RadRover and most Class 2 and Class 3 ebikes in North America. Yeah, sometimes you can adjust the wheel size to make the bike go slightly faster than 20mph, but that also changes the speedometer readout, so it’s not easy to tell how fast you’re “actually” going. If you want to know more about these settings, I’d suggest calling Surface 604 directly to ask a customer support rep. I think they’re less shy about sharing unlock secrets for individuals and especially if you plan to ride in private settings or off-road.
Your definition of wobbly might be different than mine, but the Shred did NOT feel wobbly to me. I ride a specialized Stumpjumper with 27.5″ x 2.8″ plus sized tires… very similar to the Shred. My personal bike has thru-axles and boost hub spacing, but the actual ride feel and stability of the tires is similar… and the Shred is a LOT more affordable (which is why they didn’t go with boost, I think). Anyway, I prefer the “nimble” feel of plus sized tires vs. full fat tires, which produce more noise and add weight. I’m a sporty 5’9″ 135lb rider, so keep that in mind. Full 4″ fat tires might feel less wobbly in a way, and they will add cushion comfort, but they also create a weird steering feeling at times, like oversteer on a motorcycle where you have to push away from a turn as the bike starts to take a turn. I hope that makes sense, it just has its own trade-offs.
I really liked the RIZE Blade, but yes it can be awkward to pedal. That thing was powerful, had room for a second rider, looked cool, and the company is very responsive and easy to work with (at least for me). The downside is the wider frame and no saddle height adjustment. Rad Power Bikes nailed this with their RadRunner, and is worth considering also… but no suspension there.
My personal favorites are the full sized RadRover and Surface 604 Shred, followed by the RadRunner if you want to pedal, or the RIZE Blade if you are more into scooter throttle action and like the pegs setup. All great bikes! I hope this helps ;)
ReplyChris
4 years agoHi Court, Thanks for the your great, detailed reviews. I am putting my mountain bike aside and trying to decide on my first electric bike. I will be making a daily 20 mile urban round trip commute to work with it and will occasionally use it for casual off-road riding. I am looking at the Shred, Magnum Mi6, and the Aventon Level. I really just like the styling of the mountain bike better than the commuter bikes.
I am 6’3″ so I do want a frame that will fit me. Any advise on these 3 or another that you really like? -Chris
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Chris! I’m with you… I like the mountain bike style, and the comfort of their usually-larger tires. I also occasionally go off road, so it’s nice to be ready for that with sturdier hardware and treaded tires. Some people don’t love the buzzing sound, but I find that it wears down and isn’t so noticeable over time ;)
In any case, I like the order you ranked these in your list. Surface 604 is a favorite of mine, because of the style, torque sensor, and slightly upgraded parts. Magnum is tough to beat, especially in the US with all of their dealers. Aventon is awesome in terms of price, but if you’re ordering direct, I hear it can require more time and energy to build. They also have dealers, so it’s worth looking into in-person if you can. Given your height, it would be great to see and try all of these in person, but that could be difficult depending on your location. The Shred has a nice tall stem, and you could get a longer one if you wanted. You can also slide the saddle back to increase reach, and raise the seat post to the max recommended point (or get a longer seat post, like a Thudbuster ST long version). Honestly, I think all of these bikes are setup as “average size” and you’re towards the upper limit, but they should do alright. The alternative is to incease your budget and get a premium ebike from a big brand like Trek, Specialized, Giant etc. which usually have 4+ frame sizes for each bike model.
I hope this helps! I’d love to hear your thoughts once you choose one, and actually test ride it for a bit :D
ReplyDavid
4 years agoHi Court. I have a new Surface 604 Shred from 2020. The screen is not showing advanced settings anymore. Surface is telling me that it had a hard program and went to the soft program. I told them that the manual is showing how to change the advanced setting. The advance settings were on the screen for about two days, and then gone. I would like to k now if anyone else with this ebike is having the same problems?
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHmm, that’s so interesting David! I wonder if the battery drained completely or something else triggered your display to revert back to a different base version of the software. I have not seen or experienced this sort of situation before, but perhaps someone else on here has and can give you some feedback. You can also post in the Surface 604 ebike forums about it :)
ReplyAudrey
4 years agoHi Court,
You cost me some $$$ with this great review – I have a Shred on order!
I really like that Surface604 offers this somewhat more tame version of an eMTB – It seems most manufacturers push the envelope on the very best mechanicals that many of us will never take advantage of, nor really need.
I strongly believe that a bike built for rough use will also pay off with lasting durability for those of us who only ride the green and blue trails, and use it for everyday riding.
I especially liked your last “Pro” bullet point about the throttle allowing full speed in any assist level on the 2020 model. My current entry-level ebike’s pedal assist doesn’t work well and I’ve gotten used to riding without assist and augmenting my pedaling when needed with a blast from the throttle. I was worried I might lose that fun and battery-saving functionality!
Anyway, thanks for the honest appraisals of all the bikes you review. I thought you might want to know you helped me make a decision.
All the Best,
ReplyAudrey
Court
4 years agoAww, that’s awesome Audrey! Thanks for spending a few minutes to express what you like about the bike, and some appreciation for the site and me! I’m doing my best here, and it definitely feels good to get a comment like yours. Hope you’re having a great week :)
ReplyStacey Codlin
4 years agoHi Court, I’m looking for my first e-bike and I’d like a hard tail MTB mostly for trails but also some light mountain biking as well as flat paved surfaces – with hills. This bike seems to have most of the items on my wish list, but I’m put off a bit by the torque. Honestly, I don’t understand the mechanics very well, but 50 Nm seems low compared to other bikes I’ve been looking at. How does this affect the performance of the bike and is it something I should be concerned about? Thanks!
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Stacey! That’s a great question, and one that I really have difficulty answering. Unfortunately, I don’t have a consistent way to measure torque and it seems like there is no set standard in the industry. Companies just tell me “yeah, 50Nm of torque here” but I think they are getting this from motor manufacturers in Asia. I think it’s wheel size and tire size dependent. The best way I try to demonstrate torque is explaining and showing in my videos, but the terrain is varied, so that’s somewhat misleading as well. In general, I felt that this ebike performed well and at least at the average but maybe even a bit above. Some companies, like Rad Power Bikes, have a controller that ramps into power vs. a real zippy torque feel. I think Surface is a bit more torque vs. the smooth start (specifically when in the higher levels of assist). I hope this helps, maybe watch the video again to see and listen to the motor.
ReplyStacey Codlin
4 years agoThanks so much for your reply Court, you have no idea how helpful it is to read these comments threads after your reviews!! You really had me sold on the Surface Shred after watching the video review… until I discovered the Biktrix Ultra 1000. Most of the specs seem equal (or better) and I can’t get over the mid drive motor, for not a significantly higher price tag. I put a lot of stock into the reviews here though and I can’t seem to find one (anywhere really) for this bike. What’s your opinion of this model? Have you, or anyone at EBR has a chance to ride the Ultra 1000? If not, what are your thoughts on the Biktrix bikes in general? Thanks again for all you do!!
Akbar A Khan
4 years agoTerrible experience with Surface 604. I bought this bike based on the reviews on EBR and it cost me. The bike arrived without the battery and other parts I had ordered. Shipment was delayed by weeks. After I finally received all the parts to use my bike, I came to a quick realization that the pedal assist was NOT working. I took the bike to an ebike shop who requested I order new parts. Surface sent the parts and it didn’t work. Sent more parts and it didn’t work. I was asked to return this defective bike for a full refund of bike and service repair charges. Although I received the refund for the bike, the $350 charge from the repairs were never refunded. I contacted the Account Manager multiple times and called them multiple times. No response… terrible company to deal with. STAY AWAY!
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Akbar, I’m so sorry to hear about this frustrating experience. I always feel bad when someone buys an ebike based on the good experiences I’ve had, or the general information I try to provide. Perhaps they are struggling with inventory or shipping due to the pandemic… but that doesn’t heal your lost time and money. Again, I am so sorry, and I appreciate your comment here to help others. I’d be happy to send you $350 of my own money via PayPal to help make up for this and provide a chance for a better experience with your next ebike. Just email me at electricbikereview@gmail.com with the title “Hi Court, Surface 604 Help”.
ReplyAkbar Khan
4 years agoCourt, I appreciate the generosity but I don’t think its fair for you to be refunding me the money. I would like the “company” Surface 604 that I spent over $2000 with to hold accountability. You simply provide your opinion which im sure helps many people make decisions on which bike to buy. But at the end of the day, the customer experience is delivered by the manufacturer.
Denise
4 years agoHi Court,
I am trying to decide between the Shred and Rook. I will mainly be riding roads, but would like the ability to do a little off road as well – dirt and gravel paths – not full on mountain biking. I am leaning towards the Rook (with addon suspension seat post) because of the step thru frame, but I don’t want to be limited to just roads if the Rook can’t handle anything more. Since you’ve ridden both in different environments, which would you recommend?
Thanks!
ReplyDenise
Court
4 years agoHi Denise! The S604 Rook is going to be more approachable than the Shred for sure. Depending on your balance, hip and leg flexibility, and inseam height… the Rook would be my choice, and I do think it would hold up well with some light off-road use. Both bikes use spring suspensions, so you aren’t getting the lighter and more adjustable air shock. Tires could make a difference for grip, and that should be easy enough to swap if needed for the Rook, but the suspension seatpost will go a long way for comfort and the higher volume stock hybrid tires should do alright if the trails are packed and the gravel isn’t too deep :)
ReplyDenise
4 years agoAwesome, thanks for getting back to me. I really had my heart set on the Rook and I have a local shop that sells them so they can advise on upgrading tires and anything else should I need to go that route. I’ve been watching your videos for a few years and although I don’t understand a lot of the nitty gritty details, I have really learned a lot about e-bikes from you. Keep up the good work!
Thanks again,
Denise