Ebikes allow you to venture further and ride longer than you ever would on a traditional bike. One of the single biggest advantages of riding an electric bike is that it levels the terrain so you can ride wherever you want without fear of exhausting yourself.
Here we tell you the Top 6 accessories we think you need for your bike
Your bike is safe when you are riding it but it's inevitable either during a ride or when you are storing the bike at home it will be left unattended. We recommend you always lock your bike up to something immobile and may even be a requirement if you have it insured.
The type of lock will depend on whether you are going to carry it or not. In general terms, locks are more expensive and heavier the more secure they are. They are also graded based on how secure or resistant to attack they are (Sold Secure). We have a whole page dedicated to locks in our Ebike Buyers Guide which will explain Sold Secure and the different types.
Paul says: If you insure your bike, a lock is a must. If you don't leave your bike unattended for too long while out in a shop or a café for example, a lightweight chain is the best compromise between security and weight as cables are cut more easily by thieves.
Times have changed. Helmets are no longer ugly 'lids' they are a fashionable accessory to complement you and your bike. There is a massive range of helmets available in different styles. We break them down into Kids, Leisure, Urban, MTB and Road based on the type of riding you may do. It's not set in stone though so if you have a Road helmet, it's perfectly fine to use it offroad for example and vice versa. We have a great article which explains How to choose the right helmet which walks you through the different styles, key features and how to measure yourself and select the right size.
Paul says: Getting the fit is more important than style or colour. All helmets meet the same safety standard.
This is a given for utility cyclists but if you are a riding for leisure or commuting, it’s inevitable you will want to carry something on your bike. It could be spares, tools, clothing or a packed lunch. You need something to put these in. Rucksacks work but they will make your back sweaty and can be painful if too heavy.
Working out what type of bag depends on what you want to carry, how much and how quickly you want access to them. For space and convenience, consider pannier bags or a trunk bag. TIP: If you are considering a trunk bag on top of your rack, make sure you can get your leg over it as they are quite tall when fitted. If you need quick access to your phone, cash or some ride food consider a frame bag that sits on your cross bar or between your bars. If you don’t have a rack but need to carry very small items then a saddlebag may be the answer or a seat post mounted rack + bag.
Paul says: Don’t worry about weight. Let your ebike take care of that for you.
It may seem counter-intuitive but using lights during daylight hours is a thing. Its simply to make yourself more visible particularly in bright sunshine or dim conditions. A lot of our leisure and commute ebikes have lights pre-installed but a lot of our bikes don't either. Lights can be fitted independent of the battery. These are usually USB rechargeable although some cheaper models may still use traditional batteries. You fit them to your bars and seatpost. Alternatively you can retrospectively fit ebike lights that will plug into your motor and be powered by your battery. Lights are not expensive on the whole. A decent set can start at around £20.
Paul says: It is important to point out that lights fall into two categories. Lights to be seen and lights that will let you see. The latter are much more powerful and expensive and will light up a dark, unlit roads in front of you. Lights to be seen do just that, allow you to be seen by others but will not be powerful enough on unlit roads and trails
These are connected to an app on your phone and will alert you if your bike moved or stolen. The actual GPS tracker is clever bit of tech hidden on the bike, normally in the bars (requires periodic charging) or in the motor casing (powered by the battery). They won't prevent a theft but give you a very good chance of retrieving your stolen bike via the Police. Some are insurance backed too for complete peace of mind.
Paul says: GPS trackers on cars are common now, these do the same job.
You've invested a lot of money in your electric bike so it's really important you look after it between services. Regular cleaning, particularly the drivetrain and gears, can double it's lifespan for example. Cleaning your bike inevitably involves water and some customers are unsure what to do being electric so we have put together a guide on How to clean your ebike which will walk you through the main steps.
Paul says: How often you clean your bike will depend on how often you ride it and how dirty it gets. The more you ride in dirty, wet conditions, the more often you should try to clean it
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About the Author
Paul is our IT & Technical Operations Manager and has been cycling for over 35 years with over a decade of industry experience as well.
Paul started racing when he was 16 years old and has raced all over the UK on the road, track and offroad. In 2009 he opened his own cycle shop and ran that for six years until he took a brief break from the industry before returning in 2017.
He has hung his racing wheels up now preferring to ride socially with the odd event. Touring is a new passion. He likes to pack up his panniers and go on a short tour and write about it on his blog.
Paul lives in North Worcestershire and has worked for The Electric Bike Shop since 2020. He is one our most experienced cyclists and industry professionals.
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