Bobo12345

Hi all, I'm hoping to get some advice about a good e-bike for commuting purposes in Bristol at the lower end of the price spectrum. I'm planning to use Cyclescheme for the first £1000 and am willing to add around £300 more on top of that. My key criteria are: 15 mile round-trip commute with the steepest incline I'd encounter around 21%, although only that severe for short sections I'd like to buy it from a local shop in Bristol which can also service it, so probably limited to what's available at Atmosphere (www.electricbikes.org.uk), Electric Bike Sales (www.electricbikesales.co.uk) or The Electric Bike Shop (www.theelectricbikeshop.co.uk) unless there are other shops I don't know about? I'd prefer a brand that is likely to still be around in 5 years' time (my wife bought a Freego about a year ago which has recently gone under, so worried about parts etc. in future) Disk brakes A smooth ride over bumpy roads and small potholes (it will never go off-road but might go on the occasional footpath) Comfy saddle Would like mud guards and a rack Relatively conventional looks - I'm in my mid-thirties and not looking to make a fashion statement with my bike! One shop I went to advised that I really should spend a little extra and go for a crank motor over a hub motor as hubs were "yesterday's technology", but I'm aware that cranks are more expensive. How much of a difference does the crank motor make? Is it really that much better? Here's the list of bikes I've been suggested so far: Wisper 905 SE Batribike Alpha Gazelle Orange C7 Raleigh Captus Cube Town/Touring Hybrid One 400 (but might be too dear at £1500) Lapierre Overvolt Urban 100 Would welcome any advice/comments/suggestions you'd be able to provide!