I tend to agree with you on the Bosch option. We sell Trek, Specialized, and Santa Cruz at the shop I work part time at in my retired years. The Bosch motors have been the most trouble free overall. I've owned pedal-only Spec and SC bikes over the years, so I don't have any animosity toward...
OP, I'm from a similar background as you coming from the dirt motor category but enduro competition instead of trials. I still ride dirt motor, just don't compete/race anymore. Three years ago I tested the waters with my old 2003 Santa Cruz Bullit with a home built Bafang BBSHD mid-drive motor...
LOL!...well, notice I did say "XC". 😄 I believe my Maxxis Minion 2.6/29 DHRII is the one that weighs 1050g. It's been bulletproof. I think the only step above that one is the DD/Double Down DH version at neary 1500g. I haven't had to go that route yet...LOL! We did just put one of those...
Truth...or a motor oil debate. 😄 The places I ride my Rail 7 are full of rocks, drops, cactus, and mesquite thorns. I ride fairly aggressively, and I have to use what basically comes down to a DH level tire. Even on my 2009 pedal-only SC Nomad I had to run a DH tire on the rear to get it to...
But certainly not new to mountain biking. Started mountain biking on a Trek Y33 in the mid-90's, but 3 years ago I built a mid-drive, 2003, Santa Cruz Bullit with a Bafang BBSHD. I've ridden the wheels off that bike on our local trails, and to my surprise it worked really well. I've worked...