I must stay as close to 1k for the cost of the bike. I will be using the bike to get from home to work, from work to lunch, from work to home. The trip to work in about 10 miles, most of it flat. I will use the bike for about 30 mins at lunch, and then back home at 5 p.m. I will need to average about 20-25 mph on the bike to make it to work on time.

I have 2 road bikes and 1 29" mountain bike w/ disk brks. I'd like to use the mountain bike and put a kit on it or the road bike... I could sell one of the bikes (not for much tho) and get a new e-bike.

What should I be looking at? Seems like the batteries are the real hidden cost...not sure. Oh, and I am handy w/ bikes and build em when I can.

Thank YOU!!!

Check out these guys. I just ordered one. Shipping in June/July. Motor goes 25mph (limited). Range is 45 miles. Reasonable price. When I was looking this thing seemed like the best of most worlds for the price. I also wanted something that was mid-motor so that I could easily pop the wheels for travel. https://igg.me/at/fluxbike/x/13548539

For that kind of range and speed at anything remotely close to your goal price, you're looking at DIY. Take a look at the BBSHD (1000W nominal) and Cyclone (3000W nominal) mid-drives with a 52V, 20-plus Ah pack (with an emphasis on the "plus"). The BBSHD will be easier to install, the Cyclone will be cheaper and can run at a higher power. Lunacycle is a pretty good go-to for purchasing: Luna Cycle LLC

Be highly suspicious of battery packs sold directly from China on eBay, Alibaba, etc.

https://electricbike-blog.com/ and Electric Bike Reviews and Reports / ELECTRICBIKE.COM have a lot of good information.

Be aware of local and state laws regarding ebike power levels and speeds.

Since you're in SoCal, Luna Cycle is convenient. A BBS02 should incorporate with your 29er well and provide the speed you require. Very intuitive to assemble, and leaves enough for you to combine it with a battery.

Motor does NOT go 25mph.. motor goes 20mph and YOU supply whatever power above 20mph.. it says it right on their site.. range is only remotely achievable with their optional battery.. not the stock one supplied with the bike .. shipping is a projection.. no buyer has a bike yet ..

I'd second the BBS02 kit .. I have three of them.. two in road bikes and one on a MTB .. on my road bikes, I achieve 25mph fairly easily with moderate pedaling.. mostly to conserve battery .. I get 40 to 50 miles with the road bikes using 8 or 9ah of a 13ah 52v battery.. one thing, the BBSHD is also a great kit, able to handle more power easier, but, 3 lbs heavier due to the additional copper and heavier finned case, and the motor's happy rpm is over 160rpm .. the BBS02's is closer to 100 rpm.. meaning, if you want to be able to pedal the bike with an, albeit, high 90 to 100 rpm cadence, I think the BBS02 is a better choice.. when I ride assisted, I try to keep my cadence in the 85+ zone.. unassisted it is in the 70 to 90 range..

What watt and what kind of Battery would match my needs best?

This is my trip to and from work.

48 or 52V, 10-15 a/h battery --- 15 a/h would surely be enough, but 10 should suffice.

Thank you!

Anyone have an idea how long these systems will last with regular use?

WAG --- batteries - 300-600 cycles, but can achieve higher number by charging to 90% and not discharging past 20%;
motors --- a couple of years then replace inner "plastic" gears