>>750 W motor minimum and biggest battery possible assumes that the rider doesn't want to provide a significant proportion of the power.
Not trying to be facetious here but I have not come across anybody yet who has complained their e-bike has too much power. My friends are mostly coming off dirt bikes (both gas and electric) and not touring bicycles though. It could be the company I keep.
We may differ on opinion but I think the purest form of a commuter bike is all about getting to work. 100% getting there and 0% recreation and exercise. The pedals are a compromise on the ideal commuter bike. They exist to make it look like your riding a bicycle or to get you moving much like your moped analogy implies. Its just a different take on it when compared to riding for recreation or exercise and what I think you are suggesting is that you can do both at the same time, and I agree with that concept as well. But that makes it more of a hybrid and that's not what I was recommending for dedicated commuting.
>>You're wrong about them all using the same parts.
I'm specifically talking about cheap, low-end e-bikes. If you’re willing to spend 50% to 100% more on a high-quality e-bike with proprietary parts, you’ll likely get your money’s worth. I should probably clarify that I mean "interchangeable parts." My advice is focused on inexpensive e-bikes, based on my own research.
Most cheap hub motors are nearly identical in design, with only minor variations. You’ll often find the same suspension forks, low-end Shimano shifters, wheels, tires, and other common components across many low quality bikes. In my opinion, these bikes are anything but proprietary, making it easy to source inexpensive (though still low-quality) replacement parts that fit just like the originals. In many cases, you can even upgrade the bike by swapping parts for ones with better performance characteristics, all while keeping costs surprisingly low.
>>Saying the bike weight doesn't matter unless you'll be lifting it is not quite right either, since at some point, maybe you'll be pushing it. (unplanned)
I have a different take on this. If my bike breaks down unexpectedly, I’m not pushing it any farther than the nearest thing to lock it to. It’s similar to what we do with dirt bikes—when they break down miles from the truck, we don’t push them; we bring the truck to them. The same logic applies to e-bikes, especially on the street, where it’s even easier to manage. That said, if you need to carry your bike up three flights of stairs to your apartment, weight is definitely something to keep in mind.
>>What you're proposing is more of an under-the-radar moped rather than a bicycle with electric assist when wanted.
Yes, that is a good way to put it and I think that thought aligns well with what a pure commuter is after. A moped you can ride on bike paths without issues. None of my crew are what you would call enthusiasts. These bikes are for transportation, not recreation. The fact that they are a hoot to ride around on is just a happy bonus, but what they really are, is incredibly convenient.
When it comes to power on low end bikes... I recommend buyers look up the specs of the motor itself to confirm what they are actually getting. It's not always listed in postings or advertisements but you can often determine the motor manufacturer and even the model number of hub motors from pictures and video reviews of an e-bike. I also believe that the motor manufacturer is less likely to get creative with the specs.
From there I think you should focus on the base platform and determine the voltage of the battery, the AH of the battery, and the rated wattage of the motor. We may disagree on this but I still think peak wattage is a fickle thing to determine, and I wouldn't trust any bottom end e-bike manufacturers statements on the subject. They will say what they want because they won't care if buyers lose confidence in a brand that may only be around for 2 or 3 years. They aren't looking for repeat buyers.
And its not a blanket statement... This is for cheap bikes. Well known manufactures are less likely to fabricate truly absurd claims of power and speed because they have a reputation to maintain.
