Originally Posted by
2old
There's no comparison between a mid-drive and a hub system for ascending. The mid will climb hills easily that will fry the hub IMO. The only way a hub system can be effective is if it's a powerful motor (2Kw, maybe more) and/or you have good fitness. If you're interested in building a powerful hub, go to endless sphere or you can build an effective mid with a BBS02 (or equivalent) and a mid-90's or so MTB.
Knowing how to shift, using the right gearing to climb hills is essential riding skill for any cyclist.
Using the proper gearing on your ebike can allow even the hub-drive ebike to climb just as well as any mid-drive ebike.
IME of owning multiple mid-drive & hub-drive ebikes, conversions & complete ebikes; there is no significant advantage to spending extra money for a mid-drive ebike for general cycling.
Mid-drive ebikes are always limited by the weakest link in the chain, cost more than hub-drive ebikes and the motor causes extra stress & wear on the chain.
Once the weakest link on the chain gives way, you're limited to pushing the bike home or fix the chain on the ride.
At least with a hub-drive ebike you can still throttle your way home without the chain.
Cost wise, complete, capable 750w hub-drive ebike (under $1.5K) are available at the cost of some mid-drive motor conversion kits, without the hassle of trying to mount a motor/battery onto your existing bicycle.
Unless you're an experienced mechanic with proper tools, spending the time to convert a regular bicycle to a mid-drive ebike,
you'll still have a ebike that not designed for the extra power output & weight of a motor plus battery.
You better make sure that the frame can handle the extra weight & brakes are sufficient for the extra speed.