I agree with you that if you are just consider the bike alone that they are not close and that 30 nm of extra torque is more power than a 10lb difference... to our collective point the weight of the rider and the shape of the rider have a lot to do with it?I’m fitter than most guys I ride with, certainly a higher percentage of those on ebikes. They want to boost around all day, and I need to be in boost to keep up. Range on a full boost day is only like 3600 feet, which is only an hour and a half where I’m riding. They’re good for another 2k after my battery is toast. Unless I’m on a time crunch ride, I generally don’t bother riding E unless I’m gonna go 5k+.
I didn’t buy the Rise to ride with that crowd, knowing full well that a smaller battery and a detuned motor means that they either have to chill or I’m riding solo or with SL friends. I guess YMMV, but in my experience, 25nm does not equal 10lbs.
For reference, I’m 170lb with gear, and my M10 weighs about 43lb. Pretty much stock except for tires and Cush Core rear. Probably about 600g over the stock build.