Originally Posted by
2old
Yuba, as well as many others, has cargo bikes that might suffice if R & M's prices are too steep.
Originally Posted by
Smaug1
It can look different than an acoustic touring bike.
The main thing you want to look for is decent rolling & pedaling efficiency.
I would tour on my Aventon Level.2, which is an urban utility/commuter type eBike:
- Tires are 27.5 x 2.4" with a street tread
- I added a suspension seatpost
- I replaced the stock rack with a Topeak MTX rack and bought their trunk bag with fold-down panniers
I pedal it on flat ground at around 13 mph unpowered, normally at 18 mph powered. If I were touring, I'd withhold electric for help uphill and into stiff headwind.
If you're after something that looks like an acoustic touring bike, with the drop bars, probably an electric gravel bike is the best starting point. Ride1UP makes one for not a ton of money and they're a stand-up company.
Regardless of the bike, I would never opt for drop bars for long rides. I like being in an upright position with different hand positions and even have a Jones bar on my Talon. it seems like the advantage of an e-bike is negated by their weight, if the bike is loaded ? I wonder if trailers make more sense for touring with an ebike?