Looking for city e-bike advice — go budget or invest more?
Hey everyone, looking for some outside perspective here.
I'm based in Italy (Viterbo area) and I'm in the market for an e-bike for everyday use — commuting, errands, grocery runs. Ideally something with cargo capability, either a built-in rack or at least a solid aftermarket option. I'm 193 cm tall so frame size is actually a real constraint for me.
My current budget cap is around €2,000, but I'm genuinely torn: there seem to be decent options in the €1,300–1,500 range (mostly Chinese brands like Engwe) and then a noticeable quality jump around €2,200–2,500 with European brands and Bosch motors (Cube, Focus, Kalkhoff).
A few things I've noticed from my own research:
- The Italian market is a bit limited compared to Germany/Netherlands
- Bosch motors seem to be the consensus recommendation but push the price up
- Hub motors at this budget feel like a compromise, especially on hills
- 130 km real range would be nice but isn't a dealbreaker
My actual questions:
- Is the Bosch mid-drive worth the extra €700–1,000 over a decent hub motor for city use?
- Any experience with Engwe or similar brands for daily urban riding? Reliability long-term?
- For cargo specifically — rack compatibility seems inconsistent across brands. Any brands you'd highlight?
Happy to hear from anyone who's been through this decision. Thanks!