RadCity vs Surface 604 Colt/Rook

[littlebuddha]

Hi guys, my wife and I are looking for a second ebike to compliment our radwagon. The two that we have seen are the Radcity and the Surface 604 Rook. The pricing is actually not too different once you factor in that the shipping is free for the Surface 604 (+5% discount code) so I did some research on the features - here is what I found for a short comparison since I have not found one online. Not sure if I am missing anything crucial but despite the slightly higher price point - the Surface 604 models seem like better value despite the 130 dollar price difference once the various discounts have been applied due to the slightly higher quality components- especially the hydraulic brakes, the torque sensors and step through frame/color options?

Surface 604:
Frame -
comes in step through configuration + color options - which is great.
more of an integrated battery into the frame which I love
has chain guard + more reflective accents
integrated front and rear lights, compared to just the front for the RadCity
hydraulic 160mm brakes vs 180mm mechanical discs on the RadCity (has regen braking)
10 Speed 1x10 SRAM X5 vs 7 speed shimano on the Radcity
Slightly lighter at 57.5 vs 60.5lb weight for the RadCity
rear rack may not be compatible with easyfit yepp child seat like th RadCity which is a direct fit.

Electronics
3 year warranty on the frame, 1 year electronic vs 1 year warranty for the RadCity
500w (peak 750w) Geared Hub motor vs the more powerful 750w Direct Drive Hub motor on the RadCity
torque sensing setup vs cadence setup for the Radcity
Does not have throttle override (thumb) compared to the twist throttle for the RadCity
Has a smaller 10.6ah Samsung lipo vs 11.6ah Panasonic lipos for the RadCity
has higher (thinner) wheels - 15g front and 13g rear - compared to 12 gauge for Radcity
single button to turn everything on - auto shut off.

Other Considerations
Surface 604 website has 0% APR financing and can use Paypal + the 5% EBR discount
Radrover are having a 100 off promo for the first 75 orders of the Radcity.

Anything else important that I'm missing? The only other bike I am looking forward to is the Mate on indiegogo - seems like a cool little bike but not much in terms of details so keeping an eye on that one as well.

 

[Amanda]

The escort would be perfect for me of it wasn't a 750w. I need something less juiced to be legal. but the Rook is now the top pick, and I love both for their torque sensors!

 

[Jaladhi]

Staying with RadPower bikes will give you a second battery for a longer range

 

[soupy]

I think the Surface has a throttle, but speed is limited or set by your assist level. That's seems really inconvenient, if you want to "punch the gas" on short notice.

The RadCity has regenerative braking, which is often useful just for improving your braking power on long downhill runs.

I've heard you can get the Rad bikes up to 25 mph or so, but the assist on the Surface has a hard cutoff at 20.

The RadCity looks like it uses a standard "dolphin" type battery which you can buy lots of places. The external controller and relatively standard e-bike parts should mean better supportability a few years down the line, even if Rad ceases to exist. This by itself was enough to push me to the Rad City over the Colt.

 

[Dennis Reid]

Hi guys, my wife and I are looking for a second ebike to compliment our radwagon. The two that we have seen are the Radcity and the Surface 604 Rook. The pricing is actually not too different once you factor in that the shipping is free for the Surface 604 (+5% discount code) so I did some research on the features - here is what I found for a short comparison since I have not found one online. Not sure if I am missing anything crucial but despite the slightly higher price point - the Surface 604 models seem like better value despite the 130 dollar price difference once the various discounts have been applied due to the slightly higher quality components- especially the hydraulic brakes, the torque sensors and step through frame/color options?

Surface 604:
Frame -
comes in step through configuration + color options - which is great.
more of an integrated battery into the frame which I love
has chain guard + more reflective accents
integrated front and rear lights, compared to just the front for the RadCity
hydraulic 160mm brakes vs 180mm mechanical discs on the RadCity (has regen braking)
10 Speed 1x10 SRAM X5 vs 7 speed shimano on the Radcity
Slightly lighter at 57.5 vs 60.5lb weight for the RadCity
rear rack may not be compatible with easyfit yepp child seat like th RadCity which is a direct fit.

Electronics
3 year warranty on the frame, 1 year electronic vs 1 year warranty for the RadCity
500w (peak 750w) Geared Hub motor vs the more powerful 750w Direct Drive Hub motor on the RadCity
torque sensing setup vs cadence setup for the Radcity
Does not have throttle override (thumb) compared to the twist throttle for the RadCity
Has a smaller 10.6ah Samsung lipo vs 11.6ah Panasonic lipos for the RadCity
has higher (thinner) wheels - 15g front and 13g rear - compared to 12 gauge for Radcity
single button to turn everything on - auto shut off.

Other Considerations
Surface 604 website has 0% APR financing and can use Paypal + the 5% EBR discount
Radrover are having a 100 off promo for the first 75 orders of the Radcity.

Anything else important that I'm missing? The only other bike I am looking forward to is the Mate on indiegogo - seems like a cool little bike but not much in terms of details so keeping an eye on that one as well.

RadPower is having an Internet Monday Sale on Nov.21. No $175 shipping cost.

That being said, the Surface 604 Colt has more extended fenders and an enclosed chain guard that would be better for wet weather. I also like the adjustable handlebars for longer trips and carpel tunnel wrist issues.

Because I live in a hilly area, I think the 750w hub motor and 7 gears is a better way to go with the Rad City. I don't want to have to be changing gears all the time to get the equivalent with the 500w and 10 gears on the 604.

There is also a USB port on the left side of the Rad Display Monitor.

I was one of the first 75 pre-orders for the Rad City.

 

[NateM]

What is the 5% EBR discount for the surface 604 colt? Also did you end up getting the Radcity or the Colt? If you have gotten one, let me know what you think! I'm leaning toward the Colt because of the torque sensing and the hydraulic breaks.
Thanks!

 

[Dunbar]

I'm leaning toward the Colt because of the torque sensing and the hydraulic breaks.

I have a Colt as a loaner right now. It's a nice bike for the money. Geometry is pretty upright so make sure that's what you want. While it has a torque sensor it honestly feels more like a cadence sensing PAS. I can max out the assistance with very little pressure on the pedals. IMO it's not as much of an issue on bikes limited to 20mph as get up to top speed very quickly. The motor accelerates really strong from a stop and it tops out about 21mph on the highest assistance level. I'd try to ride the one you're going to buy first. The battery seems to rattle on my loaner. I know that can be a problem on this style of battery. My Cross Current the same type of battery and it has always been quiet but I've heard other owners complain of rattling.

 

[NateM]

I have a Colt as a loaner right now. It's a nice bike for the money. Geometry is pretty upright so make sure that's what you want. While it has a torque sensor it honestly feels more like a cadence sensing PAS. I can max out the assistance with very little pressure on the pedals. IMO it's not as much of an issue on bikes limited to 20mph as get up to top speed very quickly. The motor accelerates really strong from a stop and it tops out about 21mph on the highest assistance level. I'd try to ride the one you're going to buy first. The battery seems to rattle on my loaner. I know that can be a problem on this style of battery. My Cross Current the same type of battery and it has always been quiet but I've heard other owners complain of rattling.

Interesting. Thanks for the info. Still hunting for a commuter under $2000. Do you think I would be better off adding a rack, fenders, and a throttle to a Cross Current?

 

[WilliamT]

I also have a radwagon and one of the things I don't like about it is the odd rear tubing size. At roughly 3/4 inch (19 mm), its slightly too big to hold any of my panniers which is widest at 16 mm.

I'm hoping the RadCity isn't the same way. If so, that would be enough for me to consider the Surface

 

[Dunbar]

Still hunting for a commuter under $2000. Do you think I would be better off adding a rack, fenders, and a throttle to a Cross Current?

I went to a local e-bike expo this weekend and rode a bunch of e-bikes. The Cross Current is hard to beat for <$2k. I would highly recommend spending the extra $300 to get the 500wH battery. The throttle is nice for climbing and maxing out the power from low speeds. The one complaint I have about the Cross Current is the low end responsiveness. It feels pretty flat below 15mph but it's a rocket ship above that speed. If you deal with a lot of stop and go traffic you might want to go with something else. If you can increase your budget I was very impressed with the Smart Motion Pacer and Catalyst. They are more responsive down low, peak at an impressive 900w, and come very well equipped. The Pacer with the bigger battery reminds me a lot of the Stromer ST2 at half the price. I would probably add a suspension fork (which Smart Motion says they can do) and the optional Body Float seat post (which comes with the bigger battery) if I was commuting on it.

 

[NateM]

I went to a local e-bike expo this weekend and rode a bunch of e-bikes. The Cross Current is hard to beat for <$2k. I would highly recommend spending the extra $300 to get the 500wH battery. The throttle is nice for climbing and maxing out the power from low speeds. The one complaint I have about the Cross Current is the low end responsiveness. It feels pretty flat below 15mph but it's a rocket ship above that speed. If you deal with a lot of stop and go traffic you might want to go with something else. If you can increase your budget I was very impressed with the Smart Motion Pacer and Catalyst. They are more responsive down low, peak at an impressive 900w, and come very well equipped. The Pacer with the bigger battery reminds me a lot of the Stromer ST2 at half the price. I would probably add a suspension fork (which Smart Motion says they can do) and the optional Body Float seat post (which comes with the bigger battery) if I was commuting on it.

The Smart Motion Pacer looks incredible! I wish I could justify paying that much for a bike! Any suggestions on how I could land a deal on one of those before next summer? I'll probably end up with a Crosscurrent which I'm sure I'll be satisfied with as my first ebike!

 

[Dunbar]

The Smart Motion Pacer looks incredible! I wish I could justify paying that much for a bike! Any suggestions on how I could land a deal on one of those before next summer?

I have a 10% off coupon that they gave me that I could send you. You might be able to get the same deal on their website. If you go to the Smart Motion forum here on this site the USA distributor can tell you who the dealers are in your area. I don't think they have a dealer locator section yet for the US.

 

[Jose Manuel]

You mention the Direct Drive is more powerful, but wouldn't the geared hub work better for hills? Is my understanding correct?

 

[Duncan O]

i was curious as to what you ended up buying
and if your happy with it
has anyone else tried the surface 604 as I'm having the same debate with myself now.

 

[ArmyHokie]

2016 IZIP E3 Dash's are on sale for less than $2K.

 

[Dunbar]

Also, consider a refurbished Cross Current with the 10.4aH battery plus the optional thorttle kit. That will leave plenty of money for a rack, fenders and lights.

 

[Richard Alan Dow]

Just found this thread. I was almost sold on the pre-2018 RADCity until I read that the step-over height was a bit more than my inseam. The big problem in that regard is that I had a stroke a couple of years ago which has left my right foot partially paralyzed. I subsequently learned about Surface 604 and the Rook seemed to fit my needs. I like the trigger throttle, torque sensor, and hydraulic brakes. I wish it had the motor inhibitors like the RADCity and the throttle on demand. I put a deposit on a Rook with a bike shop/rental company and I expected delivery in mid-November 2017. Since then, it has been backordered, first to mid-December, and then to mid-January. Has anyone else had this experience? It is particularly difficult for me as I do not currently drive and am looking at the bike as a means of independent transportation as well as therapy/exercise.