Cyclist husband that I'm looking to keep up with-- help choosing!

[PedalUma]

it compares well with my Yamaha PW-SE powered gravel bike

The 48V 'B' version is super smooth and if mounted well, very quiet. Anyone handy can do it. That Breezer has an 8-speed internal hub with an extra-strong E1 chain. It cost $240 and sold the next day before it was even finished. Yes, you can have a better bike, save the planet, while saving money.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Just curious, have you ridden a Trek, Specialized, Giant, or similar mid-drive for comparison?

No, and I'm sure they're superior to my middle-tier hub-drive in many ways. But the OP has a very specific use case and a budget, and a less expensive torque-sensing hub-drive of decent quality may well meet her needs within her budget.

Have you tried a good torque-sensing hub-drive?

Not pushing a torque-sensing hub-drive — especially if the OP rides big hills. But given the totality of the OP's comments, she might do well to test one.

 

[McCorby]

No, and I'm sure they're superior to my middle-tier hub-drive in many ways. But the OP has a very specific use case and a budget, and a less expensive torque-sensing hub-drive of decent quality may well meet her needs within her budget.

Have you tried a good torque-sensing hub-drive?

Not pushing a torque-sensing hub-drive — especially if the OP rides big hills. But given the totality of the OP's comments, she might do well to test one.

Yes I have. The last one was actually a Surface 604 Rook! A decent bike for the $$$, but the response and feel of the hub drive even with the torque sensor isn’t as natural to me as the mid-drives I have owned/ridden. There’s still a notable delay when starting and stopping pedaling similar to other hub drives I have ridden. That’s personally a showstopper for me.

As far as cost, my Serial 1 with a Brose mid-drive was less than the retail price of the Rook….just have to keep a lookout for the deals!