Little is known about TST Ebike except that they make attractive-looking electric bicycles. Like many eBike retailers, they sell different styles of eBike, including fat tire, commuter, step-throughs, and full-suspension folding bikes—about 6 categories or styles in all. When they offered to send me the Surfer Commuter 27.5″ electric bike to try out, I agreed to test it out. Similar to the HOVSCO HovRanger I reviewed recently, the TST Surfer Commuter houses the battery within its frame. I prefer this design best. Electric bicycles weigh a lot more than traditional bikes, so hiding the battery at least allows the physical design to fall more in line with the look of a more traditional bike frame.
TST Surfer Commuter Electric Bike Overview
Aside from offering their bikes in an assortment of colors, TST sells a wide variety of eBikes to meet various needs and styles. While I prefer Commuter bikes in either step-through or step-over, some may prefer the convenience of a folding bike for portability and downtown use. You can also easily find fat tire bikes for more off-road applications, as well as tons of pairings where you can get discounts for buying more than one bike at a time. As I rarely ride alone, this kind of makes sense.
The TST Surfer Commuter appeals to adults looking for a bike that most closely resembles a traditional bicycle. It features a 1000W (peak) brushless rear hub motor with up to 65 miles of range for those looking to use it as a true daily commuter. The step-through design appeals to both male and female riders and seems to be a great compromise for a universal eBike solution.
As with most eBikes I’ve reviewed, the TST Surfer came almost fully assembled. I just had to attach the handlebars, front wheel, pedals, and some accessories. Then, I just adjusted the height of the seat and fully charged the battery (without having to remove it!).
TST Surfer Commuter e-Bike Design
TST doesn’t offer sizes, and you can only choose light green (my selection) or red. You can also get it with or without a front rack. I’m 5-ft 9-inches and weigh 150 pounds, and the bike fit me well and had plenty of adjustment left for taller or shorter riders. Case in point: It had no problems adjusting to my 6-foot-tall son.
The tires are 27.5 x 2.25″ and require a tube with a Schrader valve. The tires give it a much more “commuter” look than models like the Dreamer or Buddy Pro, which feature fat tires, but you’ll also have to stay on the streets. TST also includes a front suspension with 80 mm (over 3 inches) of travel.
Overall, this electric bike provides a comfortable experience for extended street riding. It includes both front and rear fenders as well as a rear shelf. You can order it with a front basket if you want more utility. The bike comes equipped with a front LED headlight but no rear light. The front light can be controlled via a button next to the LCD display.
Integrated Technology
The TST Surfer Commuter electric bike ships with a Shimano 7-speed derailleur that uses a rotary shifter to advance and reverse through the gears. TST set these near-perfectly at the factory—something I appreciated and which is not always the case with eBikes.
The Shimano derailleur provided plenty of options when using the TST Surfer without its hub motor engaged. The hydraulic disc brakes use 180mm rotors. These stopped the bike quickly.
LED Mode Display and Pedal Modes
The LCD display uses a reverse white-on-black display that makes it easy to read—even during the noonday sun. It lets you access the ebike speed, battery charge level, odometer, various statuses, and the current pedal-assist (PAS) mode. You can also download an app that interfaces with the system to give you access to items like the remaining battery, total ride time, ride mileage, and total mileage.
Speaking of the app, it lets you “unlock” Level 3 (28mph maximum) pedal-assist speeds and tracks travel time, speed, trip, and odometer readings. It also has some cool trip recording features that I didn’t have time to fully test.
Hop right on the Surfer, and you can start riding immediately. You can activate the 1000W brushless hub motor with the left-hand throttle in addition to using any of the five pedal-assist modes. The mode you select determines how much power the e-bike adds when you pedal.
Maximum speed and power is a factor of both the 1000W hub motor, your gearing, and the removable in-frame 48V 720Wh (15Ah) battery. TST claims up to 65 miles of range per charge when using pedal-assist mode. I would expect between 30 and 40 miles of range when using just the battery on flat paved roads.
Riding the TST Surfer Commuter Electric Bike
The TST Surfer Commuter eBike has a nice ride, and I found it easy to shift through the gears and use the various pedal-assist modes to accomplish my riding goals. The front suspension is adjustable, which is great for switching between city and track riding. The TST Surfer has a maximum rider capacity (load) of four hundred pounds.
Discovering the optimal combinations of gearing and pedal assist over time made using the bike extremely enjoyable. I was always able to find settings that either fulfilled my need for speed or provided a more relaxed experience after hard pedaling. Although there aren’t many hills here in Central Florida, the assisted modes and sufficient gearing guarantee that I can handle any incline I encounter.
How Fast is the TST Surfer Electric Bike?
Placing the TST Surfer into 7th gear, I got the bike up to a respectable 24 mph on a flat paved street in my neighborhood in PAS 5 while pedaling. It will do 21 mph without any pedaling. This is slightly under the TST-claimed maximum speed of 28 mph—per the app. However, I’m certain someone could coax that additional mph from the bike! It also achieves its top speed quickly with fast acceleration, which makes this a fun bike to ride. It also makes it safer if you plan to ride it around town using the hub motor to help you merge into traffic.
The hydraulic brakes stopped the bike quickly and smoothly—and hard braking didn’t produce excessive vibration or wobbling.
720Wh Locking Removable Battery
TST offers a convenient way to charge the battery either while it’s in the bike or by removing it to bring indoors. Bringing the battery inside, especially out of the heat, can significantly extend its lifespan. The frame’s charging port is protected from water and debris by a rubber cover, and a keyed lock secures the battery when the bike is left in public spaces. The 54.6V 3A charger requires about 4-5 hours to fully recharge a depleted battery.
The 48V, 15Ah battery is replaceable for $199—a bargain price compared to other eBike manufacturers I’ve seen. Typically, I anticipate a lifespan of around 3 years for any lithium-ion battery, particularly one using LG or Samsung cells like this one. If you ride frequently, it might be worth considering ordering a spare battery in advance.
TST Surfer Commuter vs HOVSCO HovRanger
It’s always fun to compare eBikes, so we pitted the TST Surfer against the HOVSCO HovRanger. Both bikes match up pretty well—from features to price. Most notably, the motor is larger on the HovRanger, but that doesn’t seem to affect either top speed or range. The big deal here is that the HovRanger has electric-only mode while the Coco HD functions in pedal assist only.
| HOVSCO HovRanger | TST Surfer Commuter | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Speed (motor only) | 19.9 mph | 23 mph |
| Max Speed (pedal assist) | 28 mph (unlocked) | 28 mph (unlocked) |
| Max range | 40-60 miles | 65 miles |
| Battery | 48V 15 Ah (~648Wh) | 48V 15 Ah (~648Wh) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Charge Time | 7 hours | 4–5 hours |
| Brushless Motor | 500W | 1000W (peak) |
| Wheels | 27.5 x 2.25 in. | 27.5 x 2.25 in. |
| Derailleur | Shimano 7-Speed | Shimano 7-Speed |
| Braking | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
| Max Load | 300 lbs. | 400 lbs. |
| Weight | 55.8 lbs. | 58.9 lbs. |
| Price | $1599 | $989 |
Conclusion
The TST Surfer Commuter electric bike combines the classic aesthetics of a traditional bike with the power and assistance of an electric motor. It’s designed for a comfortable ride and provides ample acceleration for navigating through traffic. We appreciate TST’s integration of the battery into the frame and the highly visible LCD screen. Overall, this e-bike presents an above-average value, given its very reasonable price.
TST Surfer Commuter Electric Bike Specs
- Tires: 27.5 x 2.25 in. tubed pneumatic w/Schrader valve
- Motor: 1000W (peak) 48V brushless
- Battery: 48V 648 Wh removable
- Charge time: 4–5 hours
- 7-speed Shimano derailleur
- Braking: Hydraulic
- Price: $989
