I've been fooling with both, and agree with you that the hub is as good (maybe better) in most road applications. Off road the primary problem is the hub motors are somewhat limiting in rough terrain since (for me) they magnify the bumps (this was on a couple of hardtails). The mid-drive was much more comfortable when riding on rough terrain. There are mid-drives with multiple chainrings, and mine with one pedals fine without the motor probably because the motor is geared. Haven't had significant wear problems with either type of setup, but anticipate the hub will be more frugal than the mid.