Every e-bike purchase comes with a list of accessories you probably need. Some are genuinely essential — without them you are taking unnecessary risk or will have a miserable first wet commute. Others are nice-to-haves. This guide covers what VOLTARC customers actually buy alongside their bikes, and which items we think are worth it.
Non-Negotiable: Safety and Security
Lock (Most Important Single Purchase)
An e-bike left unattended without a quality lock is a bike that will be stolen. The UK has significant e-bike theft — particularly in cities. The minimum: a Sold Secure Silver-rated lock. For any bike above £800: Sold Secure Gold. Our recommendations: Hiplok D1000 (Gold, angle-grinder resistant), Abus Granit X-Plus 540 (Gold), Kryptonite New York Lock. Always lock through the frame and rear wheel to a fixed object. A D-lock through the wheel alone can be defeated in seconds by removing the wheel.
Budget: £50-100 for a quality lock. Do not spend more on a coffee than on a lock for a £2,000 bike.
Helmet
Not legally required but strongly recommended. See our full helmet buying guide for specific recommendations by use. For off-road electric bikes: a full-face MX helmet (ECE 22.06 rated) is the only appropriate choice, not a cycling helmet.
Lights
Legally required when riding in darkness. If your e-bike does not include integrated lights: fit independent front and rear lights before your first evening ride. For commuting: 400+ lumens front, 75+ lumens rear. See our e-bike lights guide for specific recommendations.
Highly Recommended: Practical Riding
Mudguards (Commuters)
UK commuting without mudguards means arriving damp from spray on any surface, in any weather, at any speed. Many commuter e-bikes include mudguards — if yours does not, add them. Full-length mudguards (SKS Raceblade Pro, Topeak Defender) provide better coverage than clip-on versions. For trail e-MTBs: a short rear mudguard (the “ass-saver” style) prevents the worst of the spray without adding significant weight or getting in the way off-road.
Pump and Tyre Repair Kit
Punctures happen. A quality floor pump (Topeak JoeBlow, Lezyne Steel Floor Drive) for home use ensures tyres are always at the correct pressure. A portable pump and tyre levers for rides. Tubeless tyres (increasingly standard on e-MTBs) need sealant rather than a spare tube — carry a syringe of compatible sealant and a plug repair kit.
Secure Storage at Home
Where does the bike live? An unlocked shed or a garage with a standard padlock is not adequate security for a £1,000+ e-bike. Floor anchors (Abus WBA100), quality shed locks, and alarmed ground anchors all significantly improve home security. An indoor wall mount is both secure and practical if you have indoor space.
Useful for Specific Uses
Panniers (Commuters and Tourers)
A quality rear pannier (Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic is the standard against which others are measured) carries more than most backpacks, stays waterproof, and puts the weight low rather than on your back. Essential for grocery shopping runs or longer commutes where you carry work clothing. Requires a rack — check whether your e-bike frame has rack mounts before purchasing.
Action Camera (Off-Road Riders)
Sur-Ron and e-MTB riding produces excellent footage. GoPro Hero 13 Black and DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro are the current best options for outdoor sports. Helmet mounting produces the most natural POV footage. Handlebar mounting is simpler but picks up more vibration. A microSD card (at least 128GB V30 rated) and spare batteries are worth having from day one.
GPS Tracker (Higher-Value Bikes)
A concealed GPS tracker (Apple AirTag in a hidden compartment, or a dedicated cycling tracker like Boomerang CycloTrac) significantly improves theft recovery chances for bikes over £1,500. Not a substitute for a quality lock — a tracker tells you where a stolen bike is, not where it went in the first place. Combine with quality locks and a Sold Secure Gold approval.