Lower geared stats were nerfed in a way that buffed patches and rams. If not dealing with higher gear, surges would and should be less effective here in BC than they were in BOTS, as evade has been effectively nerfed so even the higher levels are on par with the original BOTS, and lower gear's speed has been nerfed to minimally balance higher gear. Bladess +7 body gives only 20 more speed than bladium+5 in BOTS, while bladess +7 head gives less evade than even +3 from BOTS.
Put a speed, or half-speed, half-td set on a ram and it can almost match surges speed while maintaining its buffed trans duration and buffed trans damage.