Let's talk accessories! What things are useful? what things turned out useless? what are your favorites?

Posted by Glowingtomato@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 12 comments

My Xpress 2 is packed and ready to ship. It'll be my first e bike and I'm looking forwards to getting out and exploring my area with it, getting in shape, and going to work and back a few days a week (I plan on using my car still for bad weather and hauling my work shirts back and forth).

- I ordered it with a bag for holding my phone by the handlebars, a bike lock, and water bottle holder.

- I heard the Lectric bike lock wasn't great so I got a Hiplock DX and a chain from Kryptonite.

- I also ordered a motion alarm.

- I got a bar end mirror

- I decided to get a small bike pump

- I got a bag for the included rear rack thats insulated. I plan on having lunch at one of my cities many parks. I think it'll also be a nice place to keep my locks and potentially a second water bottle

- I used to ride my now busted analog bike and have some basic tools and and under saddle bag I may put on. I also might bring the lights I had on it. I get off work from like 10pm-12am often and figure some extra lights might not be bad.

I feel I should be pretty set but since I don't have the bike yet I'm just curious what kind of things you guys have on your bike? or what things you thought would be great but aren't worth the hassle.

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Odd-Lime-2738@reddit

If you’re planning on riding at night, a roll of SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) tape should be on your list. It’s that retroreflective tape that stands out whenever a headlight hits it. They use it on lifejackets and emergency dinghies, sticks to anything, is easily cut to size and isn’t that expensive.

As a lot of bikes are “safety black” in colour, it really helps. Stick a few strips here and there, like on your lid or the forks.

Glowingtomato@reddit (OP)

Thanks that does sound a good idea. I will be riding at night for sure

Taiyoryu@reddit

Helmet-mounted rearview mirror
Removable, collapsible, grocery panniers. Very versatile. Next step up from that are drybag panniers (e.g., Ortliebs)
Removable trunk bag to complement or to use instead of panniers
Secure phone mount. I like Peak Design. Quad Lock is also highly rated.
Bike bell. I like Crane, but you can get by with a cheap Rockbros.
A frame bag. Pick the size and placement that works best for you. Some attach to the seatpost, others on the top tube, others within the front triangle.
Bungie cords and/or Voile straps. Useful for securing items to your bike

LeighofMar@reddit

I got a collapsible basket for the rear with removable liner bag and cargo net. Holds my library books or a bag of groceries. I put on a small strap wicker basket in front for my water bottle or something small. I'm planning on getting mirrors and some panniers (sp?) for extra grocery space. Between my XP4 and husband's e-scooter, we could probably get our Aldi haul comfortably.

nomadrone@reddit

For me a frame bag, good front light/ any back light, small repair kit. I like to keep my bike light.

MickyBee73@reddit

Lightweight, is always the best way. 👍

Glasses-mounted mirror, emergency tool kit and lid are non-optional. Lock, lights and luggage are almost always with me. Everything else is nice-to-have.

Glasses mounted mirror! That sounds pretty useful, got a link or brand you suggest?

I like the Thirdeye ones as they’re shatterproof, light and fairly cheap. Take A Look ones are good too. There’s some more suggestions in the other accessories thread too.

HG1998@reddit

If that small pump is your only pump, get a big one too. You don't want to rely on what's supposed to be only used in an emergency.

MobileAware2933@reddit

Front and rear racks, milk crate strapped to the front rack, water bottle cages, I like the bike packing style feedbags for holding my phone/keys/sunglasses/banana, this stem if you like to chillchill, and added reflective tape to improve the side visibility of the bike. https://www.statebicycle.com/products/state-bicycle-co-x-iozzio-4-20-shotgun

BadgersAndJam77@reddit

I have an off-roadish trike, so I have a Garmin Montana and Gregory Alpaca 50l Camp Tote strapped to the basket.

The one purchase that has absolutely exceeded my expectations was a simple set of color coded hex keys. I'm Super-ADD (and so where in the spectrum) so having the colored keys makes tighting things up before (or during) a ride a breeze. You'll quickly learn what colors go to what hex nuts, so you don't have to guess or go through different options. My mirrors are Yellow. The Handlebar Extention and most of the random mounts are Blue, the underseat is Red, etc, etc.