Mid-drive is a good consideration for hills, but the BionX 500 that I rode pulled them easily too. I don't think the Lectric BBS is worth more than any other that's programmed correctly at about half the price. Also, I think the BionX battery is superior to those you'll procure from garden variety vendors. It's partially proven by the warranties --- BionX, three years; some others, three months. As a famous poster says, JMO. This may be more of a pain than it's worth, but you can travel by air (AFAIK) with 100 w/h batteries in your carry on luggage and string them together when you arrive.