An Introduction to Surly E-Bikes
If you're in the market for a Surly electric bike, you're probably wanting something more than just regular transportation. You are about to embark on an experience that revels in raw utility, no-nonsense functional design, and a home-grown 'can do' attitude. A Surly is more than a bike; it’s a stance. It says you care about function over fly-by-night fads and that what you need is a machine built to take the abuse of punishing use, heavy loads, and ambitious adventures. This review was engineered to release you from the ether, from the messiness of endless information, and to answer the most important question: Are you and a Surly e-bike a good match—a good long-term partner for the biking you want to do? We'll let you know what sets these bikes apart, gain insight on the user experience, and give you all the info you'll need to determine whether they are a good fit for you.
Surly's E-Bike Lineup and Riding Experience
Surly's e-bike offering is slim, and deliberately so: it hones in on the niche market of e-cargo. They don’t have a big shopping basket of different styles to browse, but they have honed a couple of versions that were made for it.
Their current electric bike lineup is as follows:
- Surly Skid Loader
- Surly Big Easy
Let's get on the road to experience riding Surly’s top electric bikes. These aren't bicycles you just pedal; they're machines you ride, and their personality reveals itself the second you push that 'engage' button.
Riding the Surly Big Easy
Riding the Surly Big Easy, for example, is like being king of the road. The Chromoly steel frame on this long-tail cargo bike makes it feel really dialed, with a length that keeps it completely planted. The first thing you notice is its confidence. With the Bosch Performance Line CX motor in action, even a big load of groceries, camping gear, or a friend on the back feels manageable. The delivery of power is buttery and intuitive, never lurchy—essential when piloting a loaded bike through urban clutter. You don’t feel fast so much as unstoppably capable. The view from the saddle is almost pure utility: the broad rear rack will swallow anything you throw at it, big frame tubes promise strength without compromise, and the wide, grippy tires look like they're ready to taunt potholes. That's a bike that makes you think about how much is possible, turning a simple trip to the store into a lesson in cargo-carrying capacity.
Riding the Surly Skid Loader
As a front-loader, or in the 'bakfiets' style, you have a big tub in front of you for your stuff. The first thing you notice is the exceptional way it handles. It takes a little time to get used to 'steering' what feels like this bike’s rear wheel, but I soon got the hang of it. A huge bonus is that the load is right in your line of sight. This is great for transporting delicate items such as your routine shopping, or the dog who is hitching a ride. It is a sense of total control and supervision. A low center of gravity of the load keeps the Skid Loader incredibly stable, especially when loading or navigating tight, curving urban environments. Just like the Big Easy, it's equipped with a solid Bosch motor system that will see you up that hill even when the front tub is loaded to the brim. It rides like you'd expect a Surly to: The steel frame soaks up road chatter for a fairly cushy ride. It’s more like a human-powered, personal, light, and eco-friendly utility transport device, ready to take on anything you can dish out.
The Surly Philosophy: Built for a Lifetime
So in order to actually determine if a Surly is the right bike for you, you must go beyond just looking at reviews of individual models and understand the underlying philosophy of the brand, and what that means for you as an owner. Surly e-bikes are designed and manufactured around the motto “Steel is Real” and are constructed using Surly’s own ‘Natch’ Chromoly tubing. This is not a decision to save money; this is a conscious choice for longevity, ride quality, and serviceability. The steel frame provides a distinctive ride quality that is suited for long days in the saddle and can carry a lot of weight without becoming too jarring or rough on your body over the course of a long ride. Not least important to mention is that even in the throw-away society in which we currently reside, a steel frame can be repaired by a good welder should it ever be damaged, which means that your investment is not only a long-term commitment to style, but also to a product that will last a lot longer than many others. It’s this dedication to longevity which is really at the heart of the Surly value proposition. They are making bikes for a lifetime, not just a season. This also means Surly bikes are heavier than a lot of the competition, a concession most Surly riders are happy to make in return for unmatched durability.
Additionally, all of its e-bikes are configurable as highly capable platforms. Their frames are uncommonly blessed with a plethora of braze-ons (those little holes where things are tapped in), where you attach racks, fenders, bottles, and more. This makes the bike a blank canvas for personalization. You're not locked into a walled garden of proprietary parts. You can set your Surly up for anything from grocery getting to a world tour. This is music to the ears of the tinkerer and the pragmatist who wants their bike to grow with their needs. Lastly, their decision to include industry-standard, non-proprietary components like Bosch e-bike systems and standard open-size parts means maintenance and servicing is a breeze. Help is available at almost every quality bike shop, too, so your bike can spend more time on the road and less time waiting for special-order parts. A Surly of any kind is buying into a tough, versatile, and crazy practical e-bike system.
Considering an Alternative: The ENGWE EP-2 Boost
Sure, Surly's at the top in the world of heavy-duty, steel-framed cargo bikes—machines capable of transporting both you and most of your earthly possessions, but what if you want an even more-rounded assortment of boxes to check on your dream 2-wheeled cargo mover? For such riders, a name like ENGWE is a very interesting choice, especially given its EP-2 Boost Fat Tire Foldable Electric E-Bike we are reviewing. This design is versatile. Its most prominent feature is that it can be folded into a compact shape, making it very friendly for anyone who has restricted storage space or has to take their bike on public transportation. Made for all sorts of conditions with rugged 20 x 4.0-inch fat tires and a front suspension fork that can help to smooth out the bumps, the ENGWE EP-2 Boost can hit the pavement, gravel trails, and dirt roads. What makes it stand out, however, is the addition of a torque sensor, which, combined with an overall natural pedal assist, is buttery smooth and intuitive. During those occasions when you require an extra push, the Boost button provides that extra power with the full 55Nm of torque offered by the motor, and steep hills really start to feel like flat terrain! Safety and convenience are also the order of the day thanks to front and rear 180mm hydraulic disc brakes, a long-range 48V 13Ah detachable battery provides you with a fantastic range of up to 120km, and long-lasting one-piece wheels that are not only strong, but are also low maintenance. The ENGWE EP-2 Boost folding electric bike is ideal for the rider looking for a heavy-duty all-terrain electric bike that's a breeze to put away.
Surly E-Bike Product Comparison
| Feature | Surly Big Easy | Surly Skid-Loader |
|---|---|---|
| Intended Use | Long-tail electric cargo hauling, touring | Front-loading "bakfiets" style electric cargo hauling |
| Frame Material | Surly 'Natch' Chromoly Steel | Surly 'Natch' Chromoly Steel |
| Drive System | Bosch Performance Line CX | Bosch Cargo Line |
| Cargo Capacity | High on long rear deck | Very High with Large Front Cargo Bay |
| Wheel Size | 26-inch | 20-inch (Front), 26-inch (Rear) |
| Key Feature | Super stable with long loads, very adjustable | Great load visibility, low to the ground |
| Handling | Solid and predictable, like a truck | Nimble (for its size), takes some getting used to |
Frequently Asked Questions
So, why are they so heavy?
Surly e-bikes are specifically made to be heavy-duty, not ultra-lightweight. The main factor contributing to their weight is the frame, which is made of Chromoly steel. While not as light as aluminum or as stiff as carbon fiber, steel excels in impact resistance, ride quality, and its ability to handle a lifetime of heavy use and abuse. Throw in a powerful motor, a generous battery, and components made to haul cargo, and the weight is bound to add up. For the intended user, this weight is the embodiment of the bike's sturdy and dependable character.
Are Surly e-bikes good for commuting daily?
Definitely, if your commute matches what they offer. If you have a commute that requires lugging a lot of weight—a laptop bag, gym clothes, a full bag of groceries, even a kid—a Surly e-bike is wonderful. It turns the bicycle into a car alternative. You don't feel the weight at all on the ride, and the battery gives you an electric assist when you need it. But if you need to carry the bike up a few flights of stairs during your commute, you might be better off with a lighter, more portable solution.
What are the pros of the Surly Bosch motor system?
Surly built these bikes around Bosch eBike systems for a really simple reason: rider benefit. Bosch is the leading global supplier of e-bike systems and drivetrain components and is known for its precision and consistent performance. Their systems have been tried and tested under rigorous conditions and have been designed to withstand rough outdoor environments. Motors like the Performance Line CX and Cargo Line are designed to power heavy loads up the most challenging of inclines. Additionally, Bosch has a worldwide network of trained service locations, so diagnostics, software updates, and repairs are simple with minimal disruption. A good choice that is guaranteed to be secure.
Can I customize a Surly e-bike?
Yes, Surly believes in flexibility and customization. Their e-bike frames come as a "blank canvas" with dozens of mounting points (braze-ons). This means you can install countless front and rear racks, fenders, bags, and accessories to outfit the bike perfectly for your specific needs. They feature standard component sizing, so you can easily hop up the bicycle with upgraded handlebars, saddles, and wheels without fear of incompatibility.
Are they worth the investment?
For the right person, a Surly e-bike is a great long-term investment. You are not buying bells and whistles or ultralight materials; you are buying rugged, bombproof gear that will not fail you in the field and that will be a pleasure to use for a lifetime. It's a car replacement on many trips, built to last for many years and be repairable rather than disposable. If you're more concerned with function over form, and want to ride the thing to work loaded up with groceries and still have a workhorse that can carry you to the moon, Surly provides the best value that will eventually be judged by future generations as producing the best bikes for life.
In the final analysis, with a Surly e-bike, you’re making an investment in pure utility and endless fun for a lifetime.
