Locks, lights, panniers and crates. The accessories that genuinely upgrade your e-bike — and the ones you can skip.
A new e-bike is 90% of the experience. The other 10% is the kit you bolt to it. Skip the gimmicks — these are the accessories we actually use, in the order most riders should buy them.
1. A proper lock
If it cost more than a phone, lock it like one. The RatKat Anti-theft Chain Lock is hardened steel with a sleeve to protect your paint — lock through the frame and a fixed object, never just the wheel.
2. A cargo crate or pannier
The single biggest quality-of-life upgrade. The Basil 29L or 40L crate turns your bike into a grocery run, a beach trip or a coffee delivery. Backpacks make you sweaty — crates don't.
3. A real helmet
AS/NZS 2063 certified, MIPS if your budget stretches. Replace any helmet after a single impact, no matter how light.
4. Front and rear lights
Most RatKat bikes ship with integrated lighting, but a backup blinker on the seatpost is cheap insurance for low light and tunnels.
5. Mudguards
Sydney rain is short and savage. Mudguards keep your back dry and your drivetrain alive twice as long.
6. A phone mount
Hands-free navigation. Pick a quarter-turn mount with a silicone backstop — the cheap clamp ones eventually launch your phone.
7. A track pump with a gauge
Once a week, 30 seconds. Correct pressure makes the bike feel faster, ride safer and last longer.
8. A spare tube + multitool
Even tubeless e-bike tyres puncture. A tube, two levers and a multitool live permanently under the saddle. You'll need them once and be glad forever.
9. Hi-vis or reflective layer
A reflective ankle band does more for driver visibility than an entire hi-vis vest — the movement catches the eye.
10. A cover for storage
If your bike lives on a balcony or under a carport, a breathable cover stops UV from killing tyres and saddle plastics — and rain from finding your charging port.
What you can skip
- Cheap eBay range extenders — they void warranty and fry controllers.
- Aero anything — at 25 km/h legal assist, drag isn't your problem.
- Generic chargers — single biggest cause of e-bike fires. Use the one we ship.
FAQ
- What accessories do I need for a new e-bike?
- A certified helmet, a hardened chain or D-lock, front and rear lights, and a cargo crate or pannier cover 90% of daily use. Add a track pump and a spare tube for self-sufficiency.
- Are aftermarket batteries safe for RatKat e-bikes?
- No. Always use the supplied RatKat battery and charger. Third-party batteries void warranty and are the leading cause of e-bike fires.
Keep reading
