Some ebikes are expensive and others target value but all can be customized to offer a more comfortable, useful experience. Here are the top five electric bike accessories according to Sam Townsend from Myron’s Extreme Machines in Fullerton California. Sam has been in the ebike business for over a decade and carries a wide range of products. He has observed trends and come up with a general list of the top 5 most popular extras.
- The saddle (the bike seat), pedals, handlebars and grips are very popular upgrades. These are the parts of the ebike that people interface with directly and can be dialed in for comfort, light weight or some combination of the two.
- A bell, horn or electronic beep can improve safety by alerting other riders of your presence but choose something friendly and not so loud that it will startle people or hurt your own ears when used repeatedly
- To carry extra gear (say, for commuting) and improve the utility of an e-bike many owners will add a rear carry rack. These are usually compatible with trunk bags and panniers or even bottle cages. Consider beam racks, under-seat bags, frame bags (that use straps or velcro to secure to the frame structure) and front racks if you need even more space or have a full suspension bike that isn’t compatible with rear racks. Many times you can bring along a charger or extra battery to extend your range.
- For extended use (be it commuting or cross-country riding) you may need a tool kit for moments when parts on the bike come loose or fail. Flat tires, loose spokes and dropped chains are common when going off-road and having the proper tools can keep you going. Consider taking your cell phone along so you can call for help if needed.
- To secure your bike bring a lock and consider adding a seat leash and longer cable so that wheels won’t be removed. There are a wide range of options here and the trade off seems to be in weight and price. Some link-locks now fold to become super compact. You can also buy bicycle insurance which not only covers the bike but also accessories and injuries (much like car insurance).
- For even more visibility, consider adding a set of lights. This is especially important if you ride at night. As seasons change the morning commute or evening rides may get dark and catch you off guard. In some places it is illegal to ride at night without lights. Many lights are now USB powered or rechargeable and some ebikes have USB outlets so you can charge your lights as you ride.
- Consider upgrading your tires to avoid flats or improve efficiency. There are other products out there such as Slime or tire liners that can reduce or help to deal with flats but tires can make a big difference. EBR was paid to perform this review #Sponsored We try to be honest, thorough, and fun! Comparison tools, shop directory, and forums at: ElectricBikeReview.com