2022 Surface604 V Rook Review

Video Review

Written Review

The Surface604 V Rook is the result of form meeting function. This electric bike combines the approachability that comes with a step-through frame, while retaining that classic Surface604 ruggedness. You want to use the V Rook to commute to work? Great. It can do that. Need to carry cargo? No problem. Oh, did you just spot a really cool trail on your way to store? Sweet. Take that trail and see where it leads. The V Rook is prepared to take on the unexpected. 

But let’s talk about price. The Surface604 V Rook comes in with a starting price of $2,599 USD. Add on the 20 amp hour battery upgrade for $300 and we’re looking at $2,899. Of course, Surface604 has quite a few other accessories worth a look like their leather pannier bags, which look super groovy, and their seat post suspension.

Surface604 offers free shipping and a whopping 3-year frame warranty, plus a one-year comprehensive warranty. Good stuff… and that’s exactly what we’ve come to expect from Surfaec604.

Right. Specs. Let’s dive in.

In the rear wheel the Surface 604 V Rook has a Bafang 500 watt motor geared for performance. And with a 25 amp controller, you can feel the boost in torque when punching it off the line and when hill climbing. 

But we’re just getting warmed up. The V Rook also has a torque sensor, which distributes power oh so smoothly, like warmed butter on a slice of French bread. This achievement is possible because the V Rook’s torque sensor takes 1,000 torque samples per second. When comes to determining how hard I’m pedaling, this thing knows me better than my TikTok algorithm. 

This level of precision translates into an incredible riding experience that feels like the V Rook empowers your every crank of the pedals. Jeez. What are we writing a memoir here?

Out of the box the Surface604 V Rook has a top speed of 20 mph, which can be reached using the thumb throttle or pedal assist. In this configuration, the V Rook is a Class 2 e-bike, which means it’s legal to ride in most areas. But let’s be honest, there’s a bit of Speed Racer in all of us, and sometimes you just wanna go faster. Thankfully, the V Rook has an unlocked top speed of 28 mph. 

Now, with that high of speed limit we’re going to need some solid brakes. And, you guessed it, the V Rook delivers. This e-bike is equipped with Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors in the front and rear wheels. There’s mega stopping power. And the motor inhibitors ensure you’re never fighting against the motor when braking. 

When it comes to range, the V Rook has plenty. The stock 48 volt, 14 amp hour locking, removable battery offer a max estimated range of 45 miles, while the upgraded 20 amp hour battery has a max estimated range of 65 miles. Of course, these estimates are for ideal conditions. 

The battery is located low on the main tube, keeping the weight distribution nice and balanced, and one of the cool things about Surface604 batteries is that they can be used on any Surface604 electric bike. Fully cross compatible, my e-bike friends. 

I’m particular to step-through frames because of how easy they are to, well, step through, and then mount the saddle. Of course, without that top bar you lose some of the structural integrity. Thankfully, Surface604 added a gusset to reinforce and stiffen up the frame. You can also use that gusset as a handle if you need to pick and move the V Rook. 

The V Rook’s curb weight is relatively light too, at just 58 pounds. And yet this e-bike still retains an impressive payload capacity of 285 pounds. That’s important if you plan on loading up the rear rack. There’s also an included front rack for the V Rook that attaches directly to the bosses on the head tube. And this is the mounting point you want for a front rack because it helps to minimize the felt weight of whatever you’ve got stowed. It also helps to keep things from falling out. So, definitely a win. 

The V Rook has a super low standover height of just 28.5 inches for the medium frame, which is suited for riders between 5’2” and 5’7, and 30 inches for the large frame, which is suited for riders between 5’8” and 6’6.” 

And since there’s no top tube to deal with, the V Rook’s seat post can be lowered super low. Again, this ride has great approachability.

At the back of the Surface604 V Rook we’ve got a Shimano Alivio 9-speed derailleur paired with trigger shifters. This a great derailleur and I love that Surface604 really swung for the fences with the component choices. 

At the front of the V Rook we’ve got a Suntrou XCM suspension fork with approximately 80 mm of travel. Between the suspension fork and the Surface604 branded 27.5” by 2.4” puncture protection tires, this is a fairly smooth ride. For those that want to live in absolute luxury though, you may want to grab that optional Suntour NCX seat post suspension. Those things are beautiful. 

Wire management on the V Rook is top notch with everything bundled and organized nicely, and of course they’re internally routed as well.

The Buchell integrated headlight is surprisingly bright, enough so, in fact, that it could adequately illuminate your path at night. Between the headlight, integrated tail light and reflective sidewall strips on the tires, the V Rook is a highly visible electric bike. And a highly visible electric bike is a safe electric bike. 

The handlebars on the V Rook are adjustable, so you can raise or lower them depending on what kind of riding posture you prefer. 

And in the middle of these big, beautiful, swept back handlebars we’ve got a bright and shiny full color LCD display that fights back against the cruel, hot sun with a polarized screen. But beware, if you ride with polarized sunglasses the polarizations will interfere with each other, making the screen appear to be completely black. 

On the left side of the handlebars we’ve got the thumb throttle and the independent button pad, and on the right side of the handlebars we’ve got the trigger shifters and a mechanical bell. 

Overall, the Surface 604 V Rook is an absolute bargain buy at $2,599. The components are top tier. There’s two different frame sizes and three different colors to choose from. There’s tons of great upgrade and accessory options. And at the end of the day the V Rook can fill just about any role you need it to.