For anyone considering this hub system*, here’s what I’ve experienced. As I expected [and wanted], a 350-watt geared hub ‘augments' pedaling—the bicycle remains a bicycle. Up 4% grades that are normally ridden at a slow but manageable pace, the motor can double my road speed and greatly reduce the applied effort. On level ground, the hub makes pedaling optional. When the panniers are loaded with groceries, steeper hills of 7% or more that typically have me working hard and sweating in granny gear become much less challenging. I do need to approach these inclines at about 10 mph and then maintain a steady cadence to keep the motor in its happy rpm zone. On a long climb I'm still working, but generally not enough to need a shower at the top.
There is no LCD multiple-choice carousel display to toy with [which I find refreshing]. The main power switch is on the battery bag, and speed is controlled by a thumb throttle which can be mounted on either side of the bars. CR recommends a steel fork for the hub, but there is no requirement for a torque arm. The 36 volt battery is LiFePO4 chemistry.
Obviously, 350 watts routed through a mid-drive and rear cluster would be a much stronger hill climber. For my applications, though, the upside to this CR hub system is its simplicity. I carry my bike in a hatchback when traveling to distant ride sites. To get the bike into the small car, the front wheel always needs to come off. Doing that, and unstrapping CR’s battery/bms/controller bag from the rack makes the bike just as lightweight and easy to load as when it was unmotorized. At the site, it goes back together in minutes. That versatility doesn’t exist with a rear hub or mid-drive, the batteries can come off but the motor assembly weight and bulk is always there.
* I bought CR's 350w ProPack kit and had a wheel laced that matched the rear.
[update: I've been asked about the weight of the bike. As shown with motor and battery, rack and bags, some tools w/CO2 inflator, but minus the full water bottle, it all weighs 46 lbs.]