Update: finally picked up my new bike a couple of days ago from Bicycle World in New Orleans. It's hard to imagine I considered buying online now that I know how helpful the folks at the shop have been! The 70 mile drive home with the bike on my new Kuat rack was totally worry-free, no noise or vibration. So I'm no longer worried about the 8 1/2 hr drive to the mountains. On that note, I have kept the rack on my car for over a week now, and I plan to keep it there until I run into a reason I must remove it. For all you "Sr"riders out there, loading the bike using the ramp is easy, although my hubby has been there to help when I practiced. I play tennis 3-4 times a week, golf twice, and I cook most every night (groceries!). So I'm in and out of the back of my car (an SUV) all the time. Being able to raise and lower the car rack easily has become a VERY big deal. As to my new Vida E+, I believe it will be a good choice for me. Riding it is so intuitive and quiet, it's easy to forget there is actually a motor (until you increase the pedal assist and your pedaling gets easier as you go faster!). It's been cold and rainy here since I got the bike, so my rides have been short and primarily to try out the PA and shifting. I'm very pleased all around. That said, the real test for me will be when I ride in NC!