So, you've made the leap and picked up a new e-bike. Whether you're zooming past gridlocked traffic on your daily commute or embarking on weekend adventures, electric bikes open up a world of speed, freedom, and effortless riding.
Getting the most out of your ride isn't just about rolling off the shop floor—it's about gearing up with the right essentials. This guide covers exactly what to look for and why it matters more on an e-bike than a standard bike, from protecting your head at higher speeds to keeping your investment secure outside the coffee shop.
In Summary
- A helmet with rotational impact protection (MIPS, KinetiCore or equivalent) matters more on an e-bike, since higher sustained speeds mean more angled impacts.
- E-bikes are heavier and more expensive than standard bikes, so match your lock to where you actually park, not just your budget.
- A rear radar and daylight-visible lights genuinely help at e-bike speeds, since drivers have less time to react as your closing speed increases.
- A bike computer that tracks battery range is worth having—running low on charge mid-ride changes your options in a way it never does on a standard bike.
- Open-ear headphones let you stay aware of traffic, which matters even more when you're moving faster.
- E-bikes are heavier and often run higher tyre pressures, so a pump rated for the job is worth having on hand.
In This Article
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
| Best For... | Our Pick: | Key Highlight: |
|---|---|---|
| Safety & Head Protection | Fox Speedframe Solid MIPS Helmet | Advanced MIPS rotational protection, dial-fit system, and optimal airflow. |
| Convenient Security | Magnum X2P U-Lock + Cable | Heavy-duty hardened steel U-lock bundled with a cable for securing both wheels. |
| Rearward Awareness | Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar with Tail-light | Detects vehicles up to 140m behind with high-visibility daylight tail light. |
| Navigation & Tracking | Garmin Edge 850 GPS Bike Computer | Premium touchscreen GPS with bike-specific turn-by-turn routing. |
| On-the-Move Audio | Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Bluetooth Open-Ear Headphones | Open-ear, bone-conduction design keeps your ears unblocked so you can hear traffic while you ride. |
| Tyre Top-Ups | Topeak E-Booster Digital Electric Bike Tyre Pump | Digital, rechargeable pump built to handle higher e-bike tyre pressures with zero pumping effort. |
What to Consider When Gearing Up
An e-bike's extra speed and weight change what actually matters in your gear—here's why each of these is worth prioritising.
1. Head Protection
Because e-bikes effortlessly sustain higher cruising speeds than standard bicycles, head protection matters more here than on a regular bike. Most crash impacts aren't perfectly straight-on—they come in at an angle, creating rotational forces that a standard foam liner doesn't fully absorb. A helmet with rotational impact protection (MIPS, KinetiCore or an equivalent system) is a genuine upgrade over one without, and it's worth prioritising given how much more ground you cover at speed.
- What to Look For: Rotational impact protection (such as MIPS or Kineticore), extended coverage around the sides and back of the head, a dial-fit retention system, and deep ventilation channels.
- Popular Styles & Options: Lightweight urban commuter helmets with integrated visors and rear light mounts, or versatile mountain bike helmets offering maximum ventilation and deeper coverage.
- Explore the Range: Browse our complete range of e-bike ready bicycle helmets to find the ideal fit.
2. E-Bike Security
Electric bikes represent a significant investment, and the extra motor and battery weight makes them a bigger target than a standard bike in the eyes of an opportunistic thief. Choosing security that matches your actual parking environment—not just your budget—is what genuinely reduces your risk.
- What to Look For: Match your lock style to your risk level. Hardened steel shackles suit high-risk city parking, while thick braided steel cables offer quicker, more convenient protection for short coffee stops and errands.
- Popular Styles & Options: Heavy-duty U-Locks (D-Locks) for maximum leverage resistance, flexible folding locks for compact frame mounting, or high-convenience cable locks for quick multi-wheel locking.
- Explore the Range: Check out our full selection of bike locks and security accessories, or add an extra layer of protection with a bike tracker that helps you locate your e-bike if it's ever moved or stolen.
3. Smart Visibility & Safety Tech
E-bikes mix with urban traffic at higher speeds than a standard bike, which means the closing speed between you and an approaching vehicle is greater—giving a driver less time to react if they haven't spotted you. Genuine visibility and awareness tech matters more here, not less.
- What to Look For: High-lumen headlights for night riding, daylight-visible flashing rear lights, and smart rearview radar sensors that detect approaching vehicles behind you.
- Popular Styles & Options: Powerful front headlights for path illumination, high-visibility rear tail lights, or complete front and rear light sets.
- Explore the Range: Browse our broad collection of rechargeable bike lights and safety tech.
4. Navigation & Ride Tracking
A dedicated handlebar display earns its keep on an e-bike in a way it doesn't on a standard bike—running low on battery mid-route genuinely changes your options, so tracking remaining range alongside your navigation and fitness metrics is worth having front and centre.
- What to Look For: A clear outdoor display, turn-by-turn map navigation, long battery endurance, and seamless smartphone sync.
- Popular Styles & Options: Full-featured GPS cycling computers with turn-by-turn map routing, or simple wireless cyclocomputers focused purely on speed, distance, and trip time.
- Explore the Range: See all available options in our cycling computers and GPS technology range.
5. On-the-Move Audio
Whether it's music on your commute or turn-by-turn cues on a longer ride, the right pair of headphones lets you stay connected without tuning out the road—especially important at the higher speeds an e-bike can reach.
- What to Look For: Open-ear or bone-conduction designs that leave your ear canal free, so you can still hear traffic and pedestrians, along with sweat resistance and a secure, stay-put fit for bumpy rides.
-
Popular Styles & Options:
- Open-ear, bone-conduction headphones for maximum road awareness, which often feature a band that sits around the back of your neck.
- If you prefer a lower profile fit, there are also true wireless open-ear earbuds which have separate Left/Ri.ght ear buds
- Explore the Range: Browse our full range of cycling-friendly headphones to find your fit.
6. Tyre Top-Ups
E-bikes are heavier than standard bicycles and often run at higher tyre pressures, so keeping on top of your tyre pressure matters more than ever—both for ride comfort and for protecting your wheels and motor from unnecessary strain.
- What to Look For: A pump rated for higher pressures if you're topping up e-bike tyres, an accurate gauge so you're not over or under-inflating, and a form factor that matches how you'll use it—compact for on-the-go top-ups, or sturdy and fast for use at home.
- Popular Styles & Options: Take the effort out of it with a rechargeable electric bike pump for quick, tool-free top-ups on the go, or keep a reliable floor pump at home for regular maintenance.
- Explore the Range: Browse our complete range of bike pumps and inflation accessories to find the right fit for home or on the go.
