The purchase changed everything: traffic jams got shorter, hills lost their bite, and my commute became the best part of the day. Then there were flat tires, stolen lights, a close call in the rain, and a walk home with a dead battery that I’ll never forget. That’s when I understood that the e-bike is only half of the story.
The secret kit that makes an e-bike useful
An electric bike changes the way you get around, but the accessories you use can make that change easy or hard. Some things are for safety, some are for comfort, and a few are just for peace of mind.
You can think of an e-bike as a car without seatbelts, locks, or a spare wheel. It’s technically usable, but one problem away from a bad day.
After driving thousands of miles in cities and suburbs, these are the accessories I can’t live without. If I had to do it all over again, these are the mistakes I would avoid.
A small pump so you won’t be stuck again
Why a mini pump is better than hoping for the best
The first month with my e-bike was great, but one night on a dark side street, a piece of glass ruined the ride. The tire is flat, the nearest station is far away, and there is no pump. I walked home for an hour, pushing my bike and cursing that I would never ride without a pump again.
A small pump stays quietly in your bag or attached to the frame until you really need it. You don’t need a fancy track pump for e-bikes because their tires are usually wider and their pressures are lower than those of road bikes. Just something that can get you going again will do.
- Pick a model that works with both Presta and Schrader valves.
- Choose a strong metal body over plastic that is very cheap.
- To avoid breaking fragile valve stems, look for a hose that bends.
Electric mini compressors: more comfort than luxury
High-end features like small electric compressors are becoming more popular among e-bike users. They fit in your pocket and are about the size of a deck of cards. You can inflate a tire with the push of a button.
An electric mini pump not only makes things easier, but it also takes away the reason to ride on tires that are too flat, which wear out faster and get punctured more easily.
A regular hand pump works perfectly if you don’t have a lot of money. It just needs a little more work on a cold, wet morning.
A good phone mount for safe navigation
Electric bikes are great for getting around because they are fast enough to get across a city quickly but still flexible enough to fit into bike lanes and side streets. But that only works if you can see where you’re going.
It makes sense to keep your phone in your pocket and check it at red lights, but if you miss a turn or, worse, look down while driving and drift toward traffic, it doesn’t.
What to look for in a phone stand
Your phone mount should be able to do three simple things well: hold on, stay readable, and last through bad weather.
- Grip: A clamp that goes around the bars and a safe place for the phone to sit
- Visibility: Place it close to eye level so you can quickly check the routes.
- Weatherproof: A case or cover for when you ride in the rain
A lot of riders don’t think vibration is a big deal. Cheap mounts can loosen, twist, or even drop the phone on cobblestones. It’s cheaper to spend a little more up front on a strong system than to buy one with a broken screen.
A strong lock, since e-bikes are easy to steal
Why a simple cable lock doesn’t do much
E-bikes are costly, easy to sell, and very appealing to thieves. A thin cable lock only stops someone with basic tools for a few seconds. It’s more like decoration than protection.
Learning about high-security U-locks and certificates
Locks with an SRA label are tested in France for at least ten minutes against saws, bolt cutters, and other common tools. There are similar programs in other places, like Sold Secure Gold or Diamond in the UK and ART ratings in some parts of Europe.
Insurance companies often won’t pay out if your stolen e-bike wasn’t locked with a certified high-security lock.
That’s why I now use a U-lock that has been certified. It weighs more than a cable, but that weight buys time, and thieves hate time.
Type of lock Level of securityBest use
| Lock type | Security level | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Thin cable | Very low | Quick café stop in sight of the bike |
| Chain (mid‑range) | Medium | Short stops in busy areas |
| Certified U‑lock | High | Daily commuting and overnight storage |
A helmet that you really want to wear
Connected helmets: safety and ease of use
There are a lot of arguments about helmets, but electric bikes go fast enough that a crash feels less like “falling off a bike” and more like a car crash in slow motion. I used to say, “I’ll only wear it on long rides,” but now I clip mine on for every trip.
Newer “smart” helmets have built-in lights, indicators, speakers, and microphones, just like cars do. Some of them work with your phone so you can answer calls or use voice navigation without having to touch the handlebars.
A helmet that handles lights and signals cuts down on cable clutter on the bars and makes you easier to see from a distance.
Weight, ventilation, and fit are still the most important things. You won’t want to wear the helmet if it pinches, rattles, or feels like a sweatbox. Before you buy, try out a few shapes.
Classic helmets still make sense
Not everyone wants to have music or phone calls on their head. A basic helmet with a good safety rating, a dial to change the fit, and plenty of vents is still a very good choice.
If you ride an e-bike to work, look for a helmet that covers the back of your head a little more and has reflective details. Some models look good with winter hats or thin beanies for rides in the cold.
A repair kit that gives you freedom
It’s hard to load an e-bike into a taxi and push it. Most problems can be fixed with a small repair kit.
A good kit usually has:
- Small pump or electric air compressor
Tire levers - Puncture patches that stick to themselves
Multi-tool that has screwdrivers and Allen keys
Extra valve cores or caps
It all fits in one small pouch under the saddle. You’ll understand why experienced riders never leave home without theirs when you fix a flat on a rainy Tuesday and still get there only ten minutes late.
How to pick out accessories that really work for you
Make sure your kit fits your riding style.
A person who rides short, flat distances every day has different needs than someone who goes on long weekend trips. Before you fill your basket with gadgets, think about how often you ride, where you ride, and what the weather is like.
Buying fewer, better-quality things that fit your real habits is usually better than buying a bunch of cheap gadgets that you don’t use very often.
City e-bike riders usually get the most out of strong locks, a bright front light, an upgrade for the mudguard, and a sturdy phone mount. Touring riders care more about comfort, so they want padded gloves, better saddles, and a more complete toolkit.
Before you click “buy,” make sure it works with your system.
Different e-bikes have different sizes of handlebars, brakes, and tires. Things that fit a slim road bike might not work at all on a big city e-bike.
Before you buy a phone or light mount, measure the diameter of your handlebars.
Check the type of valve (Presta or Schrader) for pumps and tubes.
Look for places on the frame where you can put racks or bottle cages.
If you read the manual for your bike once, you won’t lose a whole drawer full of parts later.
A few examples of why this gear is important
Imagine a November night that is wet. The battery is low, the traffic is impatient, and your back tire suddenly feels like it’s full of air. That means a long walk in the dark without a pump or repair kit. You just keep going home with a mini pump, a patch, and five extra minutes under a bus shelter.
Or picture a busy city center at lunch. You lock your e-bike outside a store with a pretty cable lock and go inside “for just two minutes.” For someone with bolt cutters, those two minutes are more than enough. A certified U-lock doesn’t stop theft, but it does make the thief look for easier targets.
There’s also the quieter risk of slow damage, like riding with tires that aren’t fully inflated because it’s too much work to pump them up, or riding without a helmet because the old one is too tight. Little things that bother you build up until something goes wrong at the worst time.
On the plus side, the right gear can help you ride for longer. A good phone mount and helmet lights make short winter days less scary. With a repair kit and a pump, it’s less scary to take detours in the country. A strong lock lets you park outside a café without having to look at the window all the time.
My e-bike looks almost nothing like the sleek, bare machine I bought three years ago. With a lock, it’s heavier; with mounts, it’s busier; and there’s a small pouch under the saddle. But it’s not just a gadget anymore; it’s a reliable way to get around every day. The accessories made that happen.
