johns wrote:

Before I start building my ebike, I'm reading everything I can find
on what is available. So far, I'm learning more about what not to
get ..

Similar thing to what I keep telling people when they ponder the idea of hub
motors for assistance.

If you take the typical weight of a hub motor, batteries, and control
assembly, and lose that weight from around your now massive arse, you would
more than make up for it, and it cost a whole lot less than the asking price.

And I want to dispute the saving of $20K over three years. Against what? A
car? You can't compare apples and oranges you know.

Want to compare against another bike? Sure, take that $14K price tag,
donate it, buy Enron shares, burn it, whatever, and you'll save more than that
60 pounds in bike weight in body weight loss, and improvment in health over
the next few years, AND save that in healthcare costs.

Hub motors have their place, but not for those who have functional legs,
heck, even ONE functional leg is enough (seen a fellow commuter amputee who
did it without a damn motor).
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