I've had this a few days now and got my first decent ride in yesterday.
Thoughts, in no particular order. For context I'm 56, a regular cyclist, but very definitely not fast! Bear in mind I have almost no previous experience of ebikes, so I can't compare this to anything else:
It's a big bike, even allowing for the XL frame size. The extended wheelbase and size of the battery / downtube make it look and feel huge when stationary.
It's heavy, but not ridiculously so. Specialized quote a weight of 25kg. I can move it around, turn it upside down (to get the wheels out) and so on without too much difficulty.
It's easy to ride, with neutral handling.
Getting up to 15mph is very quick and easy. Initially it almost felt as if the bike was running away with me as the acceleration from a standing start is so much faster than normal.
Cruising at 15mph is very easy on the flat and only slightly less easy up fairly steep hills.
Anything over 15mph (unless freewheeling downhill) is quite hard work. I'm not sure if there is some resistance due to the motor, or if this is just down to the weight / tyres / non-aerodynamic position?
There are 3 power settings - the lowest is enough to maintain 15mph on the flat, medium is good for gentle hills, high is good for a very quick getaway from the traffic lights or steeper / longer hills.
With a pannier and a few bits (total weight would be about 90kg) I did 28 fairly flat miles yesterday yesterday on about 50% of the battery.
The gearing is very low. I doubt I'll ever use the 3 or 4 lowest gears - interesting that the gearing on the 2020 model is higher.
It almost doesn't feel like cycling! You obviously still get the fresh air / wind in the hair type of benefits, but the physical effort involved is *much* less than riding a non ebike.
After decades of riding non ebikes I haven't yet made up my mind if I really like it or not. As a car alternative (for commuting / general utility biking) it would be fantastic, but getting home after 28 miles and only feeling as if I'd done a very small amount of exercise felt very odd!
I'll keep using it (as well as my other bikes) and see how it goes.
(
@Pale Rider - the rack is rated at 22kg, much to my surprise).