Corey - I wanted to like the mid-drives. I rode the Trek with the Shimano mid-drive. It was under powered and way too noisy (think of a mechanical gear sound much like a child's wind-up toy robot would make...a disappointing effort by Shimano). I rode the new I-Zip E3 dash mid-drive and thought it was MUCH better than the Trek (quieter and more torque and power - a great value bike). But in the end I settled on a few conclusions: 1) mid-drives may be popular in Europe because riders use them for shorter commutes instead of cars or public transit and want the lowest cost/best value for their short commuting needs, 2) European riders may encounter hilly streets (mid-drives have mechanical advantage over rear hub motors), and 3) bike shops and DIYers like mid-drives because they are easier to service/replace. One bike shop sales person told me their mechanics would rather work on a mid-drive rather than taking apart a wheel to remove a bad motor. I don't fault any of these motives. I'll also accept that mid-drives are better balanced and it's easier to fix a flat tire (though Specialized has made it really easy on the Turbo...and the Kevlar-lined tires are a nice bit of puncture protection). I was also concerned that the extra torque a mid-drive puts on the chain would lead to early wear and possibly premature chain failure on the trail.
Rear hub-motors are PERFECT for the W&OD. The best way I can describe it is to say rear hub-motors are for absolutely silent Autobahn cruising - for this type of riding a relatively flat ride is ideal (I should note the Turbo does well on steep hills, but this isn't its strong point). So buying the Turbo X with hub motor and suspension was the BEST option for a 30 mile (one-way) commute on a smooth old railroad bed. I would not want a Turbo without suspension for this distance. The X is perfect for long distances...very smooth.
I ride a 2015 Trek Domane 4.5 one the weekends and all summer for fitness (I'm a teacher). For awhile I did a hybrid commute with the Trek. I'd load it in the car the night before, with all my stuff. I used the same ToPeak seat post beam rack I use on the Turbo. In the morning I'd put on my bike clothing and drive to Ashburn and park at the old train station (the popular BBQ joint). The distance was perfect...12 miles one-way. BUT...it was a complicated and time-wasting process in total (loading, unloading, putting gear on, taking it off..etc.). I never got to the point where it felt efficient (I like getting on the Turbo in the garage, and getting off the Turbo in the garage...simple...efficient). If my commute was just 12-15 miles one-way I would not buy a Turbo or any e-bike. I do 20 to 30 miles whenever I ride my Domane, so 12-15 miles each way isn't far enough for me to feel spending $4500 on a Turbo to be necessary. I wouldn't mind having it - but I couldn't financially justify a Turbo if I wasn't realizing significant fuel savings and also getting a good bit of exercise (no need to go for a ride after work if I ride 60 miles to work and back). This leads me to the one more rationalization I used to justify the Turbo purchase.
I would love to own a Tesla Model X. But I can't afford one and really I wouldn't buy one even if I could - I'm too practical. But I would buy the upcoming Tesla Model 3 or possibly the new Chevy Bolt EV. But here's why I chose the Turbo instead (at least until I retire 7 years from now): Even if I bought an electric car I'd still have to sit in traffic on Route 7 or the Greenway/Dulles toll roads (and pay tolls). The time sitting in the car at the peak of rush hour makes my commute about an 1 hr 10 min. Riding the Turbo ANYTIME takes 1 hr 30-40 min. So the choice was easy... Turbo X is expensive, but way less than a Tesla or the Bolt. Instead of dealing with people texting and driving I deal with rabbits and deer. Instead of sitting in stop-n-go traffic I cruise on what often feels like a natural world miles away from the actual urban rat race just beyond the trees that buffer the trail. I get to work/home in relatively little additional time and get my daily exercise (not to mention the mental health benefits of cruising through green space almost the entire way). Oh...and eventually the fuel savings, oil change savings, tire wear savings, and increased value of my car with lower miles on the odometer, will more than pay for the Turbo X
People often say "$4,500!!! You could buy a motorcycle!" I say "Yeah...and I'd be way more vulnerable among those texting while driving, still have pay for license and registration, insurance, gas, oil, etc." They still don't get it...and this is fine. Part of the pleasure and reward of being an early adopter is having the trail almost to myself in the morning and lightly traveled in the afternoon. Now I avoid the W&OD on the weekends...too crowded.
