I'm the guy who has built them both, also.
I've converted regular bicycle into ebikes with (direct drive & geared) hub motor, BBSHD & BBSO2 motors since 2003; ridden thousands of miles on each type of motor.
IME, majority of riders don't need to spend the extra money for mid-drive ebikes.
Maybe in a few years the cost for mid-drive would come down to the level of geared hub-drive (very doubtful that will occur) and your riding involves climbing steep hills with a heavy load on most (or every) ride you take.
How often do you have to carry 100 lb. of gravel up a hill anyway? 3 times a week? Is it really worth the hundreds if not thousands more in cost?
Until then, hub motors are plenty capable for majority of cyclists out there.
Hub motor ebikes cost hundreds of not thousands less than mid-drive ebikes, they require less maintenance, and less dependent on drivetrain for overall mobility; that's just simple reality.
Last edited by cat0020; 04-30-23 at 05:25 AM.