Further reading has me eyeing geared hub motors now - not because they provide more torque at low speeds, but because they're supposed to be more efficient, and thus give a bit more range from the same watt-hours. They also allow (almost) resistance-free freewheeling, and are lighter and have a greater portion of their rotating mass closer to the hub.
The downside seems to be that I will eventually wear and destroy the (replaceable) nylon gears, especially if I am going to be carrying much weight.
I'm looking at these kits:
2014 New 36V 500W Geared Front Wheel EBike Conversion Kits Water Proof Cables | eBay
36V 350W Geared 26" Front Rear Ebikeling Electric Bicycle Conversion Kit EBike | eBay
24V 500W Geared 26" Front Rear Ebikeling Electric Bicycle Conversion Kit EBike | eBay
EDIT: This is the cheapest option, might try it out. I wonder, 36v or 48v though?
http://www.elifebike.com/peng/iview....-5S-Q4CQ.2MJWP