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Jan 31, 2024

20 best e

So you’ve bought a new e-bike and are ready to put its power and range to the

So you’ve bought a new e-bike and are ready to put its power and range to the test.

But before you set off, here's our pick of the e-bike accessories worth considering, ranging from helmets to anti-theft GPS devices. Before parting with money, it's best to check with the manufacturer if the part is compatible with your e-bike.

If you’re planning on leaving your pricey e-bike in a city centre, it's worth securing it to a fixed point with a decent bike lock. While there are a variety of bike locks on the marketplace, consider spending that little bit extra and buying something that has a Sold Secure Approved rating as it shows the lock has been put through vigorous testing.

The Hiplock Gold lock can act as a belt when not in use and has padding to protect the bike frame. Prices for the Hiplock Gold start from £75.99 or $93 for US buyers.

No matter how big the journey, it's always worth carrying a bike pump as tyres can deflate rapidly. There is a variety of pumps available such as a clip-on, foot pump, a basic hand pump and a powered pump — the latter usually costs more.

Although most pumps come with interchangeable valves, it's worth checking if your e-bike's tyres have a Presta or Schrader valve set up. Bike pumps start from around £6, with US prices around the same value, and can fetch as much as £400.

Sometimes a bike pump just can't save you from Britain's potholes and in some severe cases it may mean a new tyre is needed. As a ‘get you home’ solution, it's worth packing a puncture repair kit. Inside these kits, you often get a copious number of patches, adhesive tubes, tyre levers, sandpaper and some chalk to get the job done.

Tyre repair kits can be picked up for as little as £3 (and $2.99 for US buyers), and depending on the tyre damage, the repair can last for years.

Whether you’re planning on commuting through a busy town or city or venturing into the open for a country ride, being able to observe your surroundings using mirrors can keep both you and others safe.

There are several attachable mirror options available such as those that clip onto each handlebar and those that plug into the end of a handlebar. Hafny is a recognised e-bike mirror brand and offers anti-glare options. Prices start from around £16 or $15 for US buyers.

A lot of e-bikes come fitted with both front and rear LED lights but these may need to be retrofitted on cheaper bikes. It's important not only to see during darker nights but also to be seen by motorists and other riders. Lights are often rechargeable and can provide 2400 lumens.

Front lights can be attached to the handlebars and back lights can be attached to the rear like deflectors. Prices start as low as £8 (or $10 for the US) for both front and rear lights and can demand as much as £200 (or $250).

For those who run errands or even like to get last-minute shopping on their e-bike, having a front basket could take the load from wearing a backpack. A lot of e-bikes can be specced with a front one, but these can also be purchased through online marketplaces and are available in different sizes. They attach to the handlebars and prices start from around £10 (similar value in $).

Cargo bags come in different sizes ranging from two litres to 26 litres, giving the rider ample amounts of options when buying shopping or carrying an extra battery.

Topeak is amongst the most recognised brands when it comes to bike storage and its bags are designed to slide onto most e-bikes’ rear luggage racks — it also offers a frame if your bike isn't compatible. General prices for smaller cargo bags start from £8 (but $18 in the US) and can fetch up to £130 for larger ones.

Although most e-bikes come with mudguards, there are still some that don't, and as simple as it may seem, these can keep you and your luggage clean from any road grime and protect your bike's paintwork. Mudguards can be easily fitted to your bike's down tube and seat tube using clamps, or attached to the front fork or seat stay. Prices start from as low as £3 ($5)

While e-bikes have suspension, bumps and jolts can often be hard on the rider — especially in smaller folding bikes. Spending a bit of money on a suspension seat post can provide maximum comfort, especially if you cover a lot of miles.

Cane Creek offers the Thudbuster, a seat post that delivers 90mm of travel, which will reduce any riding pain. Prices start from £60 (or $65 for US buyers) for something decent; Thudbuster models start from £179, but some are offered for $163 in the US.

Pop-off pedals have plenty of purposes such as: security (it's harder to steal an e-bike with no pedals), shin protection (when walking your bike), and they give the bike a narrower footprint for storage. Pop-off pedals also allow the rider to customise their pedals and easily fit shinier ones. A recognised company for pop-off pedals is Shimano, and pedals start from $68 or £50.

You don't need to carry a full Snap-on kit to maintain your bike, but instead, a tool kit that carries the basics such as tyre levers, Allen keys, screwdrivers or even a multi-tool. This will allow you to sort out any chain woes, remove a flat tyre or adjust your e-bike's saddle on the road. Multitools can be picked up for around £5 ($7) online with complete kits coming in at around £20 ($25).

If you’re planning on working on your e-bike yourself, a multimeter is a tool you should have in your arsenal as it can diagnose any battery or motor faults and ensure your e-bike runs as it should. They come with an array of functions such as measuring voltage, DC current, resistance and continuity. Multimeters can be picked up for around £10 (similar value in $).

Investing in a decent bike lock is a must, but for complete peace of mind, an anti-theft GPS system will help you keep track of your e-bike via a mobile app and alert you of any tampering. There are a few GPS trackers available on the market such as the Apple AirTag, Tile Sticker, Invoxia Bike Tracker, Spytec GL300 and the Powunity Bike Trax. Prices range from £25 to £170 or $29 to $299 for the US.

Whether you need to keep in touch with the world on the move, look at GPS or flick through your music playlist, a phone mount will prove valuable. Not only will it provide ease of access for a mobile phone, but will also allow you to keep both hands on the handlebars. There are various options on the market and some even offer a built-in charger that can be plugged directly into your e-bike's power. Prices range from £13 to £50 ($8 to $80 in US platforms).

Like lights, there are a few e-bikes that now come with built-in horns. In busy town centres and cities, horns can be useful to alert larger vehicles of your presence and potentially save your life. Horns can be either hooked up to the e-bike's power, be rechargeable or have changeable batteries. Prices start from around £7 ($9) with more expensive options costing closer to £50.

Most e-bikes have interchangeable batteries and some bikes even offer a dual-battery set-up to increase range. If you find yourself often on large journeys or commuting to somewhere that doesn't offer charging, a secondary battery is worth considering.

Many e-bike cargo bags have a battery compartment making them easier to transport. Additional power packs can be expensive, however - expect to pay between £300 - £500, or $350-$1000 for US buyers, depending on the battery size.

Many e-bikes come with telematics that can be read from a mobile app but there's also the option to connect an LCD. This will allow for readouts such as speed in both mph and kph, distance travelled, battery range, the ability to change the assistance level, and in some cases, GPS. Basic displays can be had for around £25 or $20 while more advanced displays can come in at £240 or $250.

Hopefully, this is an accessory that you’ll never need to use but it can come in handy. In the event of an accident, involving you or someone else, a first aid kit can provide basic medical assistance. The contents usually include bandages, dressings, plasters, cleansing wipes, a foil blanket, clothing cutters and a resuscitation face shield. These kits can be stowed in cargo bags and usually cost around £13 or $17.

Trailers come in all different shapes or sizes; parents can have child trailers; travellers can have small caravan trailers and those who deliver items or food can opt for a flatbed trailer. Of course, towing heavy loads will affect your e-bike's range but can also make transporting items more fun and a lot easier. Prices start from around £80 ($100) and can stretch to £1400.

Before setting off, the most important thing is to be safe and investing in a durable helmet should be the first accessory you buy. There is a plethora of helmets available on the market with some having additional features such as reflectors and built-in rechargeable lights.

Helmet prices can vary from £50 ($50) to over £300 ($300), and although these can be purchased online, it's sometimes good to visit a bike shop and try the helmet on to avoid any sizing or comfort issues.

BY MATT MACCONNELL