Surface604 Werk Review 2022

As you may expect from a bike with an upgraded 20Ah battery, range is one of the Werk’s strongest subjects.

Not only did it break one of our distance record’s, the Werk nearly broke another record for the highest average speed in a low-power range test. In PAS 1

We did two range tests on the Werk, one in PAS 1, the bike’s lowest assist setting, and another in PAS 5, the highest assist setting. In PAS 1, the Werk went for an impressive 61.31 miles at an astonishingly quick average speed of 15.07 mph (the second highest average speed we’ve recorded). On PAS 5, it went for a record-setting 45.88 miles before dying at an average speed of 17.2 mph.

Both of the Werk’s range test results are impressive on face value, but the fact that it broke a distance record and nearly broke a speed record really is astonishing. Not only does it have endurance, but this bike has speed — a combination that together makes the Werk quite a formidable long-distance commuter. It’s refreshing to see an affordable e-bike with a PAS 1 that doles out a useful amount of power, as most bikes we’ve reviewed like it do not.

Uphill, the Surface604 Werk climbs nicely. The 60Nm of torque made by the Bafang 500W rear hub motor is higher than many of the 500W e-bikes we’ve reviewed recently, and you can feel the difference.

We took the Werk for two laps up our test hill Hell Hole, a third-of-a-mile long climb with an average gradient of 12 percent. On the first lap we only used the throttle and on the second we put the bike in PAS 5.

In the throttle only lap, the bike cleared the top of Hell Hole in 1:53.00 with an average speed of 9.6 mph. In PAS 5, the Werk considerably improved its time and got to the top in 1:11.00 with an average speed of 15.3 mph.

While the throttle-only time ranks about in the middle of all the other 500W e-bikes we’ve tested on Hell Hole, the PAS 5 time is among the best. Aside from the torquey motor, I think that result is mostly to the credit of the torque sensor. It’s remarkable how well that sensor matched my pedaling.

The 9-speed SRAM X5 groupset was also hugely helpful on the hill, especially since the torque sensor entirely relies on how much force you’re creating with your legs. The broad gear range helped me fine tune my cadence and really stay on top of the Werk’s power.

The Werk’s cockpit is fairly typical of what we’d expect at this category and price point. It has a set of alloy riser bars and the nicely-appointed full color Bafang LCD display. There’s also a thumb throttle and a small touchpad that allows you to select PAS level, control the headlight and turn the bike on and off.

Braking is handled by a set of Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors front and rear. These brakes performed well in our braking test, coming to a stop from 20 mph in an average distance of 16-feet-11-inches. That’s a little further than our current average braking distance of 16-feet-2-inches, but not enough to be concerned.

The brakes themselves are plenty strong, but we found the Werk had a tendency to skid under hard braking, causing the slightly longer stopping distance. This is something we see common in commuter bikes with powerful brakes and semi-slick tires.

The handling works well, too. I’m a growing fan of 27.5-inch tires on commuter bikes, as they make the handling feel a little snappier in tight situations. Overall the Werk is a good handling e-bike that’s stable at speed and in corners, but my one caveat to this is in very tight low-speed corners such as u-turns and switchbacks. In those situations I noticed the front tire had a tendency to want to slip or push through the corner unless I applied some body english to get the front end around — a tendency otherwise known as understeer.

It’s not a massive problem, nor is it something you’re likely going to notice unless you’re really having to turn the bars hard, but it is there and it’s something to note.

The Surface604 Werk is a physically large electric bike. It’s only sold in a 19 inch M/L frame for riders between 5-foot-8-inches and 6-foot-6-inches tall.

That’s perfect for my lanky self, but smaller riders beware: This probably isn’t the bike for you. If you do fall inside the Werk’s relatively tall height envelope, you’ll likely find it to be a pretty comfortable e-bike. The cockpit is spacious and, unlike some of the smaller step-through style e-bikes I’ve reviewed recently, I didn’t have to absolutely max out the seatpost to get a full leg extension (I’m 6-foot-1-inches tall with long legs).

The Werk’s welded rear rack is a big pro for me, which Surface604 says can easily handle 50 lbs before the bike’s performance is affected. This should be plenty for everyday use, and it’s likely a rack this sturdy can handle more weight, though the heavier you go the more you’ll strain the motor and feel it in corners.

Surface 604 also specs the bike with front and rear lights, full coverage fenders and our review bike came with a front tray rack.

If you’re looking for a slightly higher-end yet still affordable commuter bike, the Surface604 Werk is one I’d highly suggest taking a closer look at.

Over the course of our testing we’ve been very impressed with the bike’s ultra-responsive motor and torque sensor, it’s nicely utilitarian rear rack and its category-leading range, at least if you choose to add the upgraded 20Ah battery we reviewed — which I’d highly recommend.

Though it’s still affordable, the Surface 604 Werk is a handful of hundreds more than some of its competitors, but if you can swing that price step it really does offer a component package and ride characteristic that’s worth the extra investment. It’s hard to undersell the difference a torque sensor can make; add that in with the nicely appointed 9-speed Shimano drivetrain and you’ve got one helluva electric commuter.

The Surface604 Werk is sold online and can be shipped directly to your door. Or, if you prefer to buy in person, the Werk is sold at dozens of Surface604 dealerships spread across the U.S., Canada and even Australia.

‘Happy Riding, make sure to let us know if you have any questions down in our comments section or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Surface604 Werk.