If you spend time out on the road or trail, you’re sure to see people with all sorts of accessories on their eBikes. These range from the practical - like fenders and mirrors - to more stylistic add-ons, such as tassels on the end of your handlebars (sure, they’re mainly for children, but it's only the "Fun Police" who say adults can’t have them!).
But we're not here to talk about tassels. In this guide, we'll go over the eBike accessories that will actually improve your riding experience. These include add-ons to keep you clean, comfortable, and, most importantly, safe. We’ve split the most popular eBike upgrades, add-ons, and accessories into three categories: safety, practicality, and comfort.
Safety eBike Accessories
Without a doubt, these eBike accessories are a necessity for every rider, no matter when they ride, how they ride, or how experienced they are.
Helmet
The number one eBike accessory required by everyone (no exceptions) is a helmet. Whether you’re commuting, riding the boardwalks, exploring mountain trails, or just pottering about in a field, the contents of your skull are incredibly fragile. After all, they are what make you, you! Protect yourself with a good helmet and hope that you’ll never need it.
It's not just important for safety; it's also the law in many locations, depending on your age and the type of eBike you're riding. However, we strongly advise that you wear a helmet whenever you ride, regardless of the requirement to do so.
Lights
See and be seen. No eBike should be without lights. They are a necessity for anyone who is riding in the early or late hours of the day, but should be a requirement for everyone. Many modern bicycle lights are actually designed for "daytime visibility," so you can use them 24 hours a day. Lights that take disposable batteries are available, which is fine for occasional use, but you can also purchase rechargeable systems for repeated, daily use.
Many people make a point of turning their lights on every time they ride their eBike, regardless of the time of day, as it enhances how visible they are to others.
Reflectors
Many eBike tires, like those on the Denago City 1, have reflective strips on their sidewalls. For those that don’t, and even for those that do, it is beneficial to get spoke reflectors; reflectors that fit onto the spokes of your wheel. Many newer eBikes include a full set of reflectors by law, and you should install them on your bike. These make you much more visible from the side, the direction in which your light doesn’t shine. Some people will go a step further and put cool, multi or single-colored lights in their spokes or on the tire rims, adding safety alongside customization!
Bells
Bells are one of the oldest bicycle accessories, and they’re still around because of how useful they are! Bells are highly practical and allow you to alert others of your presence. Some will say that you can use your voice; however, a bell is much more efficient because everyone who hears the ring of an eBike bell knows exactly what it represents. It's good courtesy to ring your bell when passing others.
Practical eBike Accessories
These eBike accessories will enhance your riding experience in many ways. While they may not be for everyone, most people will find most of them very helpful.
Fenders
Fenders protect both you and your bike from road spray when you're riding in wet conditions. They stop your clothes from getting dirty, on both the front and the back, and they help keep your eBike clean with less road grime. If you ride in groups, fenders are also courteous, as they prevent your tires from throwing road spray onto riders behind you.
It's advised that you buy fenders made specifically for your eBike, but generic models do exist. Fenders don’t have to be just black, bland, and boring; they can come in a range of styles and finishes to suit your personal style.
eBike Repair Kit
Unfortunately, there’s no "AAA" road service for eBikes, but most incidents that occur can be fixed by the side of the trail using a repair kit. These kits often come in small bags that can be Velcro-ed to the frame of your eBike, meaning that you’ll never forget to take it with you. A good kit will contain: an eBike multitool, a puncture repair kit, tire levers, and a pump. The pump can be bought separately, but many ebike tool kits already contain them.
Pump
Some people like to have two bicycle pumps: a small one to take with them when they go cycling and another larger pump to keep at home. The small pumps are for emergencies, since they are less efficient and take longer to inflate a tire. Larger floor pumps are designed to stay in your home or garage, but they can pump faster due to their larger size. Ideally, you'll have one of each type. Make sure to top off your tires regularly to keep them at the proper pressure.
First Aid Kit
Nobody anticipates an accident. If anything happens to you or a riding buddy while you’re out and about, you will be glad that you came equipped with a first aid kit. First aid kits are available in many forms, so choose whichever one best suits your needs. Some people recommend a trauma kit over a first aid kit, so that you’re prepared for even the worst situation.
Lock
Most quality eBikes cost well over $1000, so it makes sense to secure your investment when you’re leaving it in public. A wide variety of eBike locks are available on the market with a wide range of prices. While it may be tempting to get a cheaper one, the more expensive ones act as a much better thief deterrent. Denago has some ideas on how to lock your eBike effectively, plus some tracking and location services that can help you find lost bikes.
Water Bottle Holder
Water bottle holders are not just for racers and elite cyclists. Even if you don’t want to drink while you’re riding, a water bottle holder clears up space in your bag and allows you to have your water easily accessible when you stop for a drink. Water is an essential accessory when you’re exercising, and you'll need to replenish your hydration frequently.
Mirror
Mirrors on an eBike usually go on your left side because we ride on the right-hand side of the road and trail (at least in the USA), and they allow you to see what’s coming up behind you. They can be attached to your helmet or to the end of your handlebars and are especially helpful to commuters and road riders. Some riders may install mirrors on both sides of their handlebar for additional safety.
Racks
Racks can be purchased for the front and back of your eBike, and eBike manufacturers will often make racks specific to each model of eBike they produce. Needless to say, these are the most suitable racks for your eBike, but there are generic racks out there that fit most eBikes.
Adding a rack to your eBike allows you to expand your carrying capacity by attaching bags, panniers, or baskets to carry equipment, tools, groceries, or food. You can even carry camping gear for a "bikepacking" trip on your eBike.
Bags
There are many bag options available for purchase. While you can definitely carry a backpack, having bags that attach to your eBike itself makes your riding experience much more comfortable. Some bags are designed to attach to front or rear racks. Other styles attach directly to your eBike using velcro straps. One of the most popular types of bags, especially for commuters, is panniers. These attach neatly to either side of your tire. Just make sure to properly balance out your weight when packing them.
Extra Battery
You can, and should, carry your battery charger with you, but you can’t charge your eBike from a tree. Having an extra battery handy means that you are always safe in the knowledge that you’re not going to run out of juice and can get yourself home.
Cell Phone Mount
If you use your phone for directions when riding, a cell phone mount is an excellent tool to securely store your phone in an easily visible spot. There are many options available, from low-profile mounts to small bags where your phone slips into a clear pouch on the top. Don't forget to load your mobile phone up with some of the various bike mapping tool apps available before you go!
Trailer
Trailers for your eBike are available in many forms and can be used for countless things: transporting children, carrying goods, packing hunting or fishing gear, and more! There are a variety of styles with different methods for attaching them to your eBike, so do some research to find out which eBike trailer is the right one for you. A trailer can turn your eBike from a recreation device to a tool for work!
Comfort eBike Accessories
Saddle
While every eBike comes pre-fitted with a saddle, what works for one may not work for another. There are countless saddles on the market, aimed at people of all shapes and sizes, genders, and riding styles. You can swap out the saddle for one that perfectly matches your needs. Talking to an expert at your local eBike shop can help to set you on the right path to finding a saddle that suits you!
Gloves
Gloves increase your grip and ride comfort, especially if you’re a mountain eBiker or are riding over rough terrain. They’re also a necessary accessory for anyone riding in the winter, as they will stop the cold biting your hands and greatly increase your comfort whilst riding, along with the amount of time you can ride for. We hope you never crash, but if you do, gloves can provide an additional measure of protection for your hands, too.
Suspension Seatposts
Aftermarket seatposts are available to replace the post that comes with your eBike. These add a small shock absorber between you and your eBike and are available in many forms, with each one having its own group of advocates. If your eBike is a "pain in the rear," a suspension seatpost can take away road shock and make it more comfortable.
A Final Word
Not all eBike accessories are for everyone, and there’s no need to rush and purchase all the accessories available for your eBike. However, those that do fit your eBiking needs will enhance your experience and encourage you to get out on your eBike more often, which is only ever a good thing!