I agree with Russ on this, since one of the Heinzmann kits is geared for hills, though it is slower on the flat as a result. Without big pedal effort, the Torq would most definitely stop completely at an early stage on that 400 metre 1 in 8, I often stand on the pedals to get up my 90 metres of 1 in 8 at enough speed to keep the motor in the power band, and I'm very fit despite my age. It's important to realise that with all electric bikes it's necessary to make a pedalling contribution on hills. The Torq would probably manage about 1 in 20 on it's own, but need help for steeper. The manufacturer specifies it for use with pedalling for up to 1 in 10, hence the large effort needed on 1 in 8.
The Currie motor that's on the low cost IZIP is also available as a kit for fitting to your own bike, and it's quite a good hill climber, certainly better than the Torq on steep hills, so that's a possible alternative to the low gear version of the Heinzmann, but on either, you will have to make a definite effort of your own in pedalling. Ironically, most electric bikes aren't very good at hill climbing on their own, they can only give some help.
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