Reviews and recommendations for essential eBike accessories, upgrades, and gear
A handlebar-end bike mirror with HD convex glass at budget pricing. We tested it for 30 days on a daily commuter.
The Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 has been the default urban bike lock for over a decade. We tested it for 35 days to see if it still earns that reputation.
Waterproof 34L bike panniers at budget pricing. We hauled laptops, groceries, and weekend gear for 50 days to see if the KEMIMOTO holds up.
A 4-digit combination U-lock with a hardened shackle — we tested it for 30 days and destructively tested a sacrificial unit.
A 17mm U-lock with a legit 5-foot cable at budget pricing. We tested it for 35 days and put a sacrificial unit through destructive testing.
We commuted for 45 days with the Cygolite Metro 800 lumen front light. Here's how the 800-lumen output and hard mount held up to daily use.
30 days of daily commuter use plus destructive testing on a sacrificial unit. How the NDakter 18mm stacks up.
We spent 60 days commuting with the ILM adult bike helmet with integrated USB-rechargeable LED light. Here's what we found.
A 5-digit combination chain lock at budget pricing — we tested it for 30 days across real-world parking environments.
A 20mm combination U-lock at budget pricing — we tested it for 45 days and put a sacrificial unit through destructive testing.
The SKS Raceblade Pro XL fits road bikes without mount holes — clip on for rain, remove for dry days. After 2 winters of commuting + group ride use, here is whether $65 beats drilling your frame for full fenders.
The AW 26" Fat Tire Electric Bike Conversion Kit converts any standard fat-tire bike to electric for $450-550. After DIY installing it + 400 miles riding, here is whether conversion beats buying a complete ebike.
Generic 36V 10Ah ebike batteries flood Amazon at $150-250. Here is what to check before buying — certification, BMS, cell quality — and whether $200 budgets actually deliver 1,000 charge cycles.
The Gotrax 20" Folding Ebike delivers 55-mile range + 500W motor + 20 mph for $800 — $300 less than Heybike Mars. After 2 months of commuting, here is where the budget shows and where it surprisingly doesn't.
The ILM Smart Adult Bike Helmet has LED turn signals + automatic G-sensor brake warning + remote control — for $80. After 5 months of NYC commuting, here is whether tech-first helmets beat traditional MIPS.
Dreamoon packs 50L capacity + rain cover + reflective panels into a $50 pannier pair. After 4 months of commuting + one weekend trip, here is where the budget shows — and where it surprisingly doesn't.
The Saris Bones 2-Bike version is the 3-bike rack's lighter sibling at $50 less. After 14 months of couple-car trail trips, here is whether the 2-bike version makes sense vs the 3-bike for future flexibility.
Rhinowalk's waterproof pannier set claims IP66 waterproofing + 40L capacity at $80 — $140 less than Ortlieb. After 5 months of commuter use + one rainy ride, here is where the budget price shows and where it doesn't.
The Topeak MTX TrunkBag DXP expands from 12.3L to 22.6L, snaps on/off Topeak MTX racks in seconds, and doubles as panniers. After 11 months of commuter use, here is whether $100 beats dedicated panniers.
The Giro Fixture II MIPS hits MIPS + universal fit + 18 vents at $60 — the cheapest Giro MIPS helmet. After 6 months of commuter + light MTB testing, here is whether it beats the $50 Specialized Align II.
The Bontrager Ion Pro RT offers 1,300 lumens + native Garmin Varia radar pairing at $150. After 7 months of commuting + road riding, here is whether the Trek-ecosystem integration justifies skipping the NiteRider Lumina 1200.
The Ergon GP1 Evo uses a wing-shaped palm rest to eliminate hand fatigue on flat-bar bikes. After 9 months of commuting + a 4-hour gravel ride, here is whether $40 grips are worth it vs $8 generic rubber.
Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic panniers carry a 20-year warranty and are the standard across serious bike tourers worldwide. After 4,000 miles including rain, mud, and one catastrophic drop, here is whether German over-engineering justifies the $220.
The Garmin Edge 130 Plus is the last sub-$200 Garmin with useful turn-by-turn navigation. After 8 months testing, here is whether it still makes sense in 2026 next to the $349 Wahoo Bolt V3.
The NiteRider Lumina 1200 Boost puts out 1,200 lumens with a 1,500-lumen burst mode at $140. After 10 months of dark-winter commuting + a 6-hour unlit road ride, here is whether it replaces dedicated daytime + night lights.
The Garmin Varia RTL515 combines a tail light with rear-approaching-vehicle radar. After 12 months of road commuting + ebike traffic testing, here is whether the $200 price tag earns its place in cycling safety.
Thousand built a brand on commuter helmets that don't look like cycling helmets. The Heritage 2.0 has a hidden PopLock anti-theft feature, magnetic side clips, and zero MIPS. After 6 months of NYC commuting, here is whether style-first is style-only.
The Topeak Super Tourist DX rates 55-lb capacity, MTX QuickTrack mounting, integrated tail light bracket — for $80. After 18 months hauling commute loads + a self-supported tour, here is the verdict.
The Giro Syntax MIPS sits at the $100 sweet spot — 25 vents, MIPS standard, 285g — undercutting POC by $30 with comparable safety. After 7 months of mixed road + commute use, here is the verdict.
The Tile Pro is the most popular Bluetooth tracker for bike anti-theft, but it's not actually GPS. After 6 months hiding one in a saddle bag + a real recovery test, here is what Tile actually does for bike owners — and what AirTag does better.
The Saris Bones 3-Bike Trunk Rack has been the default trunk rack for 25 years. After 18 months hauling 3 ebikes across 4,000 miles, here is whether the curved-arm design still beats hitch racks for the right buyer.
The Topeak Mini 20 Pro packs 20 functions into a 178g pocket-sized tool. After 14 months of trail-side fixes and shop comparisons, here is whether the $40 premium over generic multi-tools is justified.
POC's Omne Air MIPS is the all-rounder helmet that road cyclists, commuters, and ebike riders all converge on. After 9 months of daily use, here is whether the Swedish design premium justifies the $130 price.
The Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit chain is the gold-standard for overnight outdoor bike storage — 14mm hexagonal links, Sold Secure Gold rated. After 12 months locking ebikes in shared courtyards, here is whether $150 is justified.
The ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 carries Sold Secure Gold + a 15-rated security score. After 6 months of NYC bike commuting and a deliberate angle-grinder test, here is whether the $115 premium over a $40 Kryptonite is justified.
Heybike's Mars 2.0/3.0 has become the default-recommended folding fat-tire ebike under $1,200. After 8 weeks of commuting, beach cruising, and storing it under a desk, here is the honest verdict on whether the price justifies the limitations.
The Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt V3 is the first bike computer to treat e-bike riders as a first-class audience. After 800 miles across three mid-drive platforms, here is whether it justifies $349.
A quarter-century after launch, the SHIMANO PD-M520 remains the default answer for riders wanting clipless reliability without premium prices. We tested it on three e-bikes over 1,200 miles.
Best phone mounts and handlebar accessories for e-bikes in 2026. Quad Lock vs Peak Design vs budget options. Plus mirrors, bells, and cockpit setup tips.
The complete e-bike accessory starter kit for new riders. Organized by priority: safety essentials, comfort upgrades, and quality-of-life additions. Budget and premium picks for each.
Best GPS trackers for e-bikes in 2026. From $29 AirTags to dedicated cellular trackers. Recovery rates jump from 5% to 40% with GPS tracking.
A comprehensive guide to the best e-bike locks for 2026. U-locks, chain locks, and smart locks tested. Plus the two-lock strategy pros use.
After testing 12 light combos across 200+ miles of night riding, here are the best e-bike lights for 2026 — from budget picks to premium road illumination.
