I must admit, I am not averse to the Torq, in fact it was the one I was going to go for until I read the problems on the hills, which to be honest, is the one of the main reasons for getting an electric bike.
As an overweight (16st) and unfit 38 yr old living in Hazel Grove (on the route between Stockport and Buxton), it would frankly be impossible for me to cycle up some of the hills in my immediate vicinity (even my 14 yr gets of and walks up some of them). There is one 200m from my front door and on my route which is a 400m 1 in 8.
But an electric bike that didnt stop completely, well then that means you arent having a coronary when you get to the top (always a good thing).
The route I would like to take to work is back roads from Hazel Grove to Stockport, and then along the Pennine Trail from Stockport to Sale Water Park, which I am told isnt the best of surfaces, and has sty's along it (should I stick to roads then??). I got my route from the newly published cycle maps on the
www.cyclegm.co.uk website (very good!!).
I have always owned MTBs, and I must admit, anything else does look a bit odd to me, a bit like the old 'doctors' bike. But I realise that that is just what I am used to seeing, and once I am regularly commuting to and from work, then the 3 main reasons why an electric bike is such a good idea will take over (1 - gets you fit(er) 2 - saves you money, 3 - good for the environment).
I have contacted 50cycles, nearest 'trial' owner is in Bolton, over 20 miles away. They said they only have a Torq, and know of no Sprints or Cadences anywhere near.