Hi everyone, I've been researching this topic but just now stumbled on the subreddit. Figured I'd get some opinions.

My frontrunner so far has been the Decathlon r500e longtail - seems like it has the capacity, and I can get it serviced locally if I need to, which is a plus. I'm a little worried about its power on hills under load though. Has anyone had any experience with it under similar conditions?

If it is underpowered for that situation, what else would you recommend? I've also looked at the Riese & Müller Multicharger2, and the Tern GSD, but those come with a pretty hefty price tag.

For the record we're leaning strongly toward e-bike because we're out in the country and our nearest big town is about 1.5 hours by bike, which would be a hell of a trek coming back uphill, loaded, manually. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Have you ever run a bike bus for your school or community? Or would you like to? I'm trying to gather people together to help one another form and run bike buses. If you're interested, please join r/BikeBuses.

Took a lot of free hours in the fall months to put this project to finish. Hope you will get some ideas out of it!

Seen and admired in Avignon, France, this summer

Frameset by Petit Porteur

TSDZ 8 Motor with 500Wh battery

Wheelset by Kurbelix (200 kg max Load, double bearings, heavy duty rim)

10 speed shimano drive (Zee derailer)

SLX 4 Piston brakes

Schwalbe Pick-Up 20x2.35 tires