The two Faraday Porteurs I rode didn't have a noticeable front hub drag. I found it nice that I could easily ride the Porteur without any assist on level ground. The 40# weight is a good thing here. My two Ohm e-bikes with Bionx rear hub motors don't ride as easily on level ground without assist. They weigh near 60# each, so that contributes to the effort. But, with their 4 levels of assist, the first level pretty much negates the heavier weight of the bike.

What I will miss riding the new Faraday Cortland is the brake regeneration that the 557wH Bionx battery gives on my 2012 Ohm Urban 700. That's solid braking power down steeper hills AND energy back into the battery.