Thanks
This was a deliberately open question. As d8veh has seen I have a bike just now. But what should be the deciding factors in choosing?
Max power is one thing. Range is another.
Me I am stuck with a recumbent now due to injury.
Your first decision you need to make is whether your choice of transport can be accommodated by the purchase of a legal pedal assisted bicycle to fulfill your personal requirements, if not then you should look at the alternative modes of transport.
Unfortunately it is difficult for a consumer to decide at the moment whether a legal pedal assisted bicycle would be the best for your personal requirements due to the conflicting perception of the industry what constitutes a legal bicycle. Previously described 500W motors are now being fitted to legal bicycles.
The current UK law provides for limited 200W safe assistance for the rider with a concession that the conflicting EU 250W will be exempt from prosecution by means of not being in the public interest - i.e. it would cause a public embarrassment for the government should it be laid before the courts.
If all legal bicycle motor systems were equal powered then the decision would be easy you just choose the specific bicycle design that fits your need.
Top assisted speed is fixed by regulation.
Climbing ability within the imposed power limits can be maximised with careful design but will have a natural limitation that will not fulfill extreme conditions. New motors are now available with better mechanical advantage to help climbing ability but it comes with a price of reduced speed while climbing.
Required range has been improved by the recent advances in battery technology it just needs your choice of bicycle to accommodate the required size of battery - you would only be limited by the all up weight of the bicycle to the amount of battery power you can carry.
Off-roading and competitive cycling ,I believe, was not a consideration when the UK law was being drafted as the speed and power requirements would have be outside the legislation.