The ability of the hub motor to spin unpowered isn't going to be much of an issue. I have bikes with both a G060 in the rear, and a DT350 hub w/a mid drive. Yeah sure there's a difference but its not meaningful. The G060 freewheels forward after all as noted in an earlier post above. If you have a direct drive that has regen enabled - well thats a whole different world and I'd rather walk that bike than try to ride it unpowered.
The real weakness of the hub motor is its inherent nature: Its single speed, powering the bike thru the axle. Going up a hill - even a rolling one - with a 135 lb payload plus the rider who weighs at least as much will not be a pretty picture. Same with starting from a dead stop. Assuming a 165 lb rider... thats 300 lbs not counting the bike. You want the mechanical advantage of gears. Period. Even on flat ground when you are at that level of payload we are well past a few bags of groceries here, or even most of a shopping cart.
There's a reason all quality cargo bikes that are not 'starters' or bottom of the line have mid drives. And at this kind of low budget, you have few if any choices that are worth considering. Expect *everything* to be a low-cost part on such a bike.
Ordinarily I'd say if you want a lower cost cargo solution and higher quality parts, you have to build your own and there is only one platform well suited to a budget. But the 135-lb payload means you have to upgrade the wheels so you can upgrade the size of the tires to carry that payload. You MIGHT be able to get there for $2500. But its still over the carry limit for the frame and 'close enough' is not going to cut it when you fold up a wheel after hitting a bump. I have been north of 400 lbs on mine with 30mm width rims and 2.8" tires inflated to full capacity.
Introduction: The Mongoose Envoy Project (You Are Here) Chapter 1: The Raised Rear Deck Chapter 2: Better Brakes Chapter 3: What kind of Motor? Chapter 4: Motor Choice Chapter 5: Motor Instal…
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In discussions elsewhere on this sort of thing, when an adult rider wants to carry another adult passenger, the limits on payload usually end the discussion. Only one I know of that is often used this way with upgraded wheels is the Bullitt without side panels and thats
miles outside of your budget.
On the hub thing, in addition to bikes that use it on the back, I have another with a G060, a DT 350 AND a mid drive
all on the same bike. Rode it yesterday for errands in the rain, no less. I can ride with some - or no - power on the front wheel and its not a big deal. I usually just reduce power to '1' on flat ground (about 50-90w) because there's no reason not to take advantage of 2wd when you have it.
