Originally Posted by chvid

I think a recumbent is the way to go, if you could only choose one. I have six ebikes, one 16" folder, one 20" Giant Revive, one Walmart Mongoose MTB, one beach cruiser Nexus, a 20/16 recumbent and and a 26/20 EZ sport CX recumbent. For comfort and range and efficiency the big recumbent wins hands down. The others are better in town. The nice thing with the recumbent is that I can put dual Ping batteries 48/15Ahr directly under the seat, very low down on the bike, and still use my rear rack and basket combo for two panniers and a basket on top. The aero definitely makes a meaningful efficiency difference. With a big Apple tire on the back it is very comfortable as well. I'm good now for 70 miles of range averaging 20mph with moderate pedalling in moderately hilly terrain, in total comfort. The MTB is nice with dual suspension as well and front disk brake. I have an assortment of Crystalyte and Nine continent motors. The Nine C is more waterproof which is thus better with Halls - start immediate is better on recumbents to get help moving when they are a bit wobbly - otherwise I would go sensorless/pedal-first for better reliability/no Halls. I have a geared brushed on the Revive - it is my best urban shopper bike I would say. The small folder is good when I go to Arizona in my van. So each bike has a niche. I am awed by the big recumbent though, and can load up dual pings and 40 pounds of gear on to the chromolly frame and head out of town. Or attach a Bob trailer to it and haul the batteries on there. I love my lithium iron phosphate Pings running in parallel through a diode. At one C on them each, with 48 volts, I can pull about 1100 watts and go easy on them.