Accessories: Have you just bought a new e-bike and want to start your first bike tour right away? Although e-bikes do not differ that much from classic bicycles in terms of use, there are important points to consider, especially for beginners and those returning to the sport, before they can get started. Is my e-bike perfectly prepared? What additional equipment do I need as an e-bike rider? We'll show you which accessories you need to make your first e-bike ride - and all those to come - a safe and comfortable experience.
E-bikes are more popular than ever because of the corona pandemic. But thanks to the motor support, less trained cyclists can also go on longer tours and reach more remote places in the mountains or across the country. But you also have to get used to the increased speed and the greater weight of the e-bikes. To ensure that your bike tours with the new e-bike are a safe pleasure and that no nasty surprises await you, our experts have compiled a list of 10 things that every e-bike rider owns and has with them should. The Velomotion editorial team immediately makes a suitable product recommendation. Whereby we necessarily refer to the countless tests and performances Velomotion.de refer - of course there are many more recommended product tips for each category.
1. Helmet
"Never without!" is the slogan of a Velomotion campaign in recent years. Ultimately, the following applies: safety first – buying a suitable helmet is extremely important and absolutely essential. The increased speed of e-bikes in particular can lead to serious falls and accidents. Even if helmets are not compulsory for bicycles in Germany, a bicycle helmet is a must for every e-biker.
In addition to ventilation and comfort, important criteria that should be considered when buying a bicycle helmet are the right fit. For example, the manufacturer Uvex convinces with light and individually adjustable bicycle helmets that offer safety paired with comfort. The UVEX i-vo cc MIPS is the all-round solution among bike helmets. It impresses with first-class ventilation and, in the event of an accident, the MIPS system also protects against rotational forces.
Price: € 109,99
Product Details: www.uvex-sports.com
2. Glasses
In addition to the helmet, every e-biker should also have suitable goggles to protect their eyes from wind, dust and insects. Due to the high speed and the strong headwind, even very small grains of sand can be enough to damage the eye in the long term. Cycling goggles also protect your eyes from drying out and fatigue, so that you can stay focused on traffic for longer. In addition, the glasses can offer protection from the sun's UV rays with tinted lenses and thus increase driving comfort.
When buying cycling goggles, in addition to the fit and the low weight, you should make sure that the goggles are made of shatterproof plastic to prevent injuries from glass splinters in the event of a fall. We recommend an all-round model, such as the Twist Five HR V sports glasses of Alpine. In addition to the individually adjustable temples, these glasses also impress with lenses that adapt optimally to the light conditions.
Price: € 99,99
Product Details: www.alpina-sports.com
3. Clothing
The basic equipment of every e-biker definitely includes one cycling shorts with seat pads, although many e-mountain bikers now also use a combination of padded underpants and wide overpants with pockets. There is also a breathable one cycling jersey made of quick-drying material to guarantee the transport of sweat to the outside and the body does not overheat. For longer journeys, it is also advisable to wear well-padded ones bike gloves. The brand offers sustainable and innovative cycling clothing, for example VAUDE.
As an e-bike beginner, you are even less concerned when choosing shoes Shoes set with clicker function. Therefore, a light low shoe with a firm sole is recommended for the beginning. Choosing the right one is also important sports socks. To avoid blisters, the socks should fit snugly and not wrinkle while driving.
To be on the safe side, there should always be one on every bike tour Rain jacket Be sure to carry it in your backpack, as the weather can change quickly on longer trips. Rain jackets for cycling are characterized by the fact that they are slightly longer at the back and are usually very light and breathable. Rain jackets with integrated reflectors are ideal for increasing the driver's visibility and thus safety. You can find the right rain jacket for your needs in our Rain jacket leaderboard.
4. Bike lock
Another security tool that should not be missing on any e-bike tour is a bike lock. Since e-bikes are usually very expensive, you should not save on theft protection and a heavy and high-quality lock should be purchased. You can get good bike locks from around 50 euros and it goes up to 200 euros for app-controlled alarm locks. There are basically three types of bicycle locks, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. U-locks are considered the most stable and secure, but they also prove to be heavy and bulky. Chain locks are similarly heavy, which is reflected not only in transport but also in handling. However, they can be used more flexibly than U-locks, especially if you also want to chain the e-bike to a bracket. Folding locks are not necessarily lighter, but have a smaller pack size, which means that they can also be attached to the bike itself. In terms of safety, they cannot quite keep up with the heavier versions, since the folding joints in particular are considered weak points.
Our recommendation in the padlock segment is the model GRANITE XPlus 540 of the ABUS brand. It is very easy to use, is not too heavy for its generous size and offers maximum protection against theft. A bracket for the bicycle frame is recommended and can be purchased separately.
Price: € 104,95
Product Details: www.abus.com
5. Backpack
A suitable bicycle backpack is the simplest solution for safely storing the necessary accessories. In addition to a change of clothes and food, more and more e-bikers are packing a spare battery or charger, especially for longer tours. Backpacks with an integrated protector are ideal to ensure that the hard objects do not lead to serious injuries on the back in the event of a fall. Since the protectors are now very light and flexible, these protector backpacks offer maximum protection and at the same time optimal wearing comfort. Backpacks with protectors are therefore definitely recommended, but since they are also significantly more expensive than normal bike backpacks for beginners, they are only optional.
What size is right for my e-bike rides? A backpack with a volume of 14 to 20 liters - so-called daypacks - is completely sufficient for the one-day tour. The best e-bike backpacks with back protector can be found in our detailed backpack test.
6. Bicycle Lamps
Thanks to the motor support, the e-bike tours are usually much longer than we were used to with a normal bike. Therefore, the danger of being surprised by the darkness increases. However, visibility can also be impaired as soon as twilight sets in. In order to arrive safely late in the evening after a long e-bike ride, it is advisable to carry a bicycle lamp with you - not only to have a better view yourself, but also to be seen better by other road users.
A really innovative way of lighting on the bike is the Monkey Link System possible. The lamps can be easily connected to the existing e-bike battery mounted on the e-bike. The Money Link lamps can also be switched on and off via the e-bike display and still work when the battery is already too weak for the motor support. The cheapest set with 50 lux/130 lumens is currently available from €79,99.
Product Details: www.monkey-link.com
7. First Aid Pack
An absolute must on every e-bike tour is a first-aid kit with the necessary basic equipment to treat injuries on the spot. In most cases, the kit will help clean and bandage scrapes and abrasions, but at worst it can even save lives in very remote areas.
This is precisely tailored to the needs of cyclists First Aid Kit Bike by Ortlieb. In addition to the extensive basic first-aid equipment in a waterproof case, this set impresses above all with the special extensions for cycling. In addition, the bag can be easily attached to the bag, bike or belt using the fastening straps included in the delivery.
Price: € 49,95
Zun product: www.ortlieb.com
8. Air pump
Flat tires are a major annoyance for any cyclist. A special bicycle air pump is therefore an absolute must as an e-bike accessory. In fact, we recommend buying two different types of air pumps- a large floor pump for use at home and a small hand pump to take along for emergencies. Our expert tip: Check tire pressure before every tour to avoid nasty surprises.
So that you can find exactly the right air pumps for your individual needs, we have both floor pumps, as well as most mini pumps examined more closely in a separate series of tests.
9. Bike repair kit
It gets really annoying on e-bike tours when the bike is damaged. The most common breakdown is still a flat tire, but the chain is also exposed to strong forces, especially on e-bikes, and can tear. But with the right additional equipment, in most cases you can repair the damage directly on site.
In your emergency repair kit, you should definitely have a replacement hose and additional tire patches be available so that a "flat tire" can be quickly repaired. One is also recommended tire iron, to get the tire off the rim and then back on as easily as possible.
One is also very useful multi-tool to take with you on your tour. Depending on the equipment, these contain almost all the necessary tools that you need for repairs on the go. Some multitools even already include one chain lock and one chain pin. If this is not the case with your multitool, you should also pack it in your repair kit so that you can repair a broken chain. In our Bike Multitool Leaderboard you will find the advantages and disadvantages of each model.
10. Route app
Before you start your first e-bike ride, you should definitely think about the choice of your route. How many kilometers do I want to drive? How many vertical meters does my route contain? And how is the ground like on my way? With all of these questions, one can help you route app help perfectly.
Most providers like Komoot or Bikemap already offer many useful features in the free version. The paid premium versions with worldwide offline maps are definitely worthwhile for active cyclists. You can plan and save your tour from the comfort of your own home and use it in nature even without an internet connection. In addition, many new and interesting routes are suggested to you by other athletes through the community function.
We have shown which one E bike accessories every driver needs to get to their destination safely and stress-free. Once the equipment is complete, nothing stands in the way of having fun on the new e-bike. Get on the bike, explore new paths and enjoy the beauty of nature.