Strong, smooth, quick. I can take my partner and son on the back and still go anywhere and up any hill. If only it had a center stand, it'd be perfect in my estimate. Do plan on a second battery of you regularly travel more than 30mi in a day with a load or with hills and don't want to charge midday. Oregon e-bikes had been a pleasure to work with. A part on my bike was machined incorrectly at the surly factory. They worked with an LBS of my choice and got the part quickly replaced at no cost to me. Delivery to Seattle was painless and the bike came fully assembled. I can't recommend the bike or the shop highly enough. Except that damned kick stand...