Salsa  Confluence CUES 11 Electric Bike

Note that I've owned (one very briefly) two versions of the prior Confluence with the x35 system. This one is just better (after some fit modifications because I'm getting older and can't do any kind of aggressive position any more). I preordered it well in advance and finally have it in hand and have taken it for one long test ride. As far as comfort, in its original state, I mostly test rode it around the REI parking lot. But with 700 x 50 tires set up tubeless, a suspension dropper post, and a Redshift ShockStop stem, it was a comfortable ride, even over bumps and gravel, where my "acoustic" bike does not fare so well. To me, the ride feel is better than the previous Confluence that had the x35 system, perhaps because, from what I understand, this one has a torque sensor rather than a cadence sensor. I generally like the feel of a mid-drive motor more than a hub motor, but after looking at all my options, the Confluence seems like it had more of the features I wanted (low weight, cargo mounts, being able to accommodate my 100mm dropper post) than other options that I considered. Additionally, it is a class 1 bike. For some people that might be a downside, but I don't need to go over 20mph on an e-bike and it is actually legal on the trails where I ride and on some events that limit class 3 bikes because of trail laws (though I have ridden class 3 bikes and realize that unless you ride like a maniac nobody really notices). In addition, some improvements over the prior Confluence: this drop bar model comes with e-shifters on the handlebars, if you have a range extender and, for some reason you've drained the main bike battery, it will run the bike off the range extender...and I found that it had a kickstand mount, where the prior frame did not. I wish REI sold the range extenders for the bike, too.