What mschwett said is true. There are four major factors that are responsible for long range of an e-bike:
- Air drag: high speed and upright riding position eat the battery tremendously
- Elevation gain: the more climbs on the trip and the heavier bike/rider/cargo, the faster the battery is eaten
- The battery capacity (you need electrons to be assisted!)
- The rider's own input. Give more yourself and you'll ride farther.
(Other factors are not
that critical).
@mschwett is an example of a healthy, strong person who can ride his lightweight, low power, and small battery road e-bike in aero position for long miles virtually unassisted. I am on the other end of the spectrum: my state of health requires me to use a lot of assistance to complete a long journey in reasonable time (as if I were a sporty and younger traditional cyclist). That calls for the spare battery on any ride longer than 40-50 miles
for me. Now, can the spare battery be easily obtained? Can you afford it? Are you ready to carry it in a pannier on your rides,
@e-boy?
Of your list, the Trek Allant+ 8S is what I call "a capable quality e-bike" that could be a long range steed, especially with a spare battery. I don't want to be an advocate for any brand but here are my example ride data (bear in mind e-bike is something to turn me from an unhealthy elder into a fit 40-yo person):
- Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0: 168 km (104 mi) elevation gain 588 m (1,930 ft). 1,061 Wh used (two 600 W batteries, 6.05 Wh/km, 9.73 Wh/mi). Average speed of 22.9 km/h (14.2 mph), moving time 7 hours 20 minutes. Rider's own contribution 29.3%
- Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 EQ: 116 km (72 mi) elevation gain 244m (800 ft). 436 Wh used (main 320 Wh battery and a 160 Wh Range Extender. 3.75 Wh/km, 6.03 Wh/mi). Average speed 20.4 km/h (12.7 mph), moving time 5 hour 41 min. Rider's own contribution 50.4%
Both rides were taken under ideal cycling conditions (pleasant temperature, moderate wind).
Note that the SL e-bike, which is a lightweight, low power, and small battery ride allowed me a 70 mile trip without carrying a heavy spare battery, and a small Range Extender carried as if it were a water bottle was enough.
