Relating to e-bike gear, most of us have been burned earlier than. That “waterproof” pannier that began leaking after the primary storm, the multitool that rounded out on its tenth bolt, the lights that light sooner than a dying AA battery. I’ve had my share of disappointments. However over the previous decade of almost day by day using, there’s a small handful of e-bike instruments and equipment which have stood the check of time. I’m speaking half a decade or extra of fixed use, surviving rain, mud, solar, and the occasional crash, and nonetheless going robust.
As an e-bike reviewer who checks an untold variety of new, shiny bikes and devices every year, I usually share my early experiences with a brand new product. However hardly ever do I get to do a long-term evaluation – and I imply years. So right here’s an opportunity for me to look again on the gear I’ve included into my car-free life for over half a decade.
These aren’t simply “fairly good” merchandise. These are the items of substances which have earned a everlasting spot on my bike or in my toolkit. They’ve been with me by numerous commutes, late-night rides, weekend excursions, worldwide journeys, and sufficient roadside repairs to fill a small pocket book. And even after years of abuse, they nonetheless do their job with out grievance.
So, whether or not you’re constructing your first e-bike setup or changing gear that gave up the ghost too quickly, right here’s my long-term, battle-tested listing of e-bike merchandise which have survived 5 years of heavy use and are nonetheless price each penny.
Topeak Ratchet Stick
The Topeak Ratchet Stick would possibly simply be my all-time favourite bike instrument.
It doesn’t cowl each potential restore, nevertheless it contains the hex driver sizes you’ll use for many routine jobs, like adjusting brakes, saddles, racks, and so forth. There’s additionally a second plastic holder with further bits, principally Torx drivers, however I hardly ever want them. In actual fact, I’m not even positive the place that holder is anymore. I haven’t seen it in years and I’d guess it’s most likely buried someplace in my components bin. The 5 bits saved within the deal with of the instrument are all I take advantage of usually (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6mm).
Even with out the extras, the core instrument is a game-changer. All of your most-used bits are proper there, able to pop into the compact ratchet, which makes tightening bolts far sooner than fidgeting with a regular Allen key. No extra lifting and resetting each partial flip – the ratchet allows you to work constantly, and the fast course lever flips between tightening and loosening immediately. Particularly for bolts with Loctite that require spending a minute or two to slowly drive down a dozen threads a half flip at a time with an Allen key, the ratchet stick takes care of it in 10 seconds.
And for instances the place you don’t need the ratchet half, the top of the instrument holds the bits like a typical Allen key, so that you get the fast turning characteristic for quick bolt driving, then the ratchet motion for fast tightening.
At $45, it’s not low cost, and is in reality fairly a bit dearer than the free set of Allen wrenches that got here together with your bike. However for those who work on bikes as a lot as I do, it’s price each penny. Saving the pores and skin in your knuckles is price it, alone.
This instrument isn’t as good and time-saving because the Topeak Ratchet Stick above, however it’s considerably cheaper at $12, and it has some benefits. Whilst you nonetheless need to take it out, flip it 180 levels, put it again in, tighten, and repeat, it’s additionally loads shorter which make it higher for carrying.
My go-to instrument for using, this one slips simply in my denims pocket-watch pocket and that additionally retains it using larger so it doesn’t drop down close to my thigh. As a lot as I like my Topeak Ratchet Stick, that one is awkward to hold in a pocket due to its size, so I discover it spends extra time on my instrument shelf for stationary work like repairs and bike constructing than cellular work like trail-side changes.
The AWS instrument, alternatively, is the proper grab-and-go Allen key set. It’s small, it’s well-made, and it simply merely works.
I’ve bought just a few of those, however the longest-lived one has been with me for over 5 years. It’s the instrument I attain for first once I’m heading out on a experience and wish to ensure I’ve a instrument in my hand.
AfterShockz Trekz Air bone conduction headphones
I refuse to put on earbuds or “regular” headphones on a motorcycle underneath principally any state of affairs. It began within the navy once we weren’t allowed to put on earbuds when off-base for situational consciousness causes, and the sensibility caught with me.
There’s no state of affairs the place I’d be on a motorcycle and assume, “ what would make this expertise higher? Not having the ability to hear risks round me.” Whether or not commuting within the metropolis or having fun with a nature experience, I both want to listen to potential threats or I simply need to have the ability to take within the sounds of my setting.
And but, it will possibly nonetheless be good to hearken to a podcast or music on an extended health experience or run. So I want bone conduction headphones. These go away your ears open for ambient noises, and as an alternative conduct the sound correct by your cranium. Is the audio high quality nearly as good as over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones? After all not. However I’d somewhat be alive whereas listening to reasonable high quality audio than get these deep bases proper up-to-the-minute I’m being pancaked by an Isuzu.
I’ve had these headphones since 2019, and they’re nonetheless going robust. I don’t solely use them for using – in reality I take advantage of them much more usually for working. I can get round 5 or 6 45-minute working periods in earlier than they want a cost, so the battery is clearly worn down from after they have been new, however the darn issues simply proceed to work. Apart from needing to cost extra continuously, they’re nearly as good as new.
I’m unsure they even make this precise mannequin anymore, however Aftershockz appears to have many various fashions now, and this one appears shut.
Cotopaxi Allpa 35 backpack
If I might have just one backpack in my life (I shudder on the thought), it will be this one. Cotopaxi is a good model for lots of causes, chief amongst them the construct high quality and their dedication to sustainability, however the Allpa 35L is the creme de la creme for me.
That is extra of a journey bag, and I’ve used it a ton that method. I’ve had this factor on numerous journeys to numerous international locations (I misplaced observe at round 11 or 12) and I’ve overwhelmed the hell out of it. I’ve taken it on jarring bikes rides, I’ve lashed it to the pillion seat on 100 MPH electrical bikes, I’ve dragged it throughout airport flooring, I’ve tossed it by the zipper pulls on the uncommon event that I’m in a rush and that’s the closest factor I can seize… Mainly, it’s lived a tough life with me stuffed with use and abuse. And but, right here we’re, six years later.
The one put on it’s actually exhibiting is the rubberized coating on the entrance (and I’d even suggest getting the model with out the rubberized entrance for that cause), nevertheless it’s merely aesthetic put on that doesn’t impression its performance. The bag nonetheless works in addition to the day I bought it, which was almost 2,000 days in the past. Over $200 isn’t low cost for a bag, however when it lasts so long as this one, it’s loads cheaper than shopping for a $45 bag yearly.
This massive boy most likely isn’t the bag you need for a fast bike experience, however for longer journeys like bikepacking and journey, it’s the one bag I take. Plus it additionally is available in smaller sizes for those who don’t carry as a lot gear as I generally do.
See it in motion on a motorbike journey I took just a few years in the past, beneath.
Elite Borson bicycle journey bag
This Elite Borson bike bag has carried bikes internationally for me since 2020. It’s gotten tossed round. It’s gotten beat up. A couple of years in the past it arrived at one worldwide airport with one in every of its 4 wheels mysteriously lacking. And but, right here we’re. It retains on trucking, and so I hold abusing it.
I’ve by no means as soon as had a motorcycle that I shipped in it arrive broken. It’s onerous the place it must be, smooth the place it must be, and simply will get the job completed.
I like that regardless of all of its safety, it additionally packs all the way down to round 1/4 of its measurement when not in use (which is sweet since this bag is HUGE). The one massive draw back to it’s having to at all times go to the oversize bag drop/baggage declare belt at airports, however such is the lifetime of a vacation spot bike rider.
I’ve seen a lot of cheaper bicycle baggage on the market, however for those who’re going to journey with a heavy e-bike and also you don’t need it getting broken, this beast of a motorcycle bag will get it there.
Oh yea, and about that wheel. It’s a bummer that I misplaced a caster wheel someplace alongside the way in which. However the bag is so robust and the underside of the bag is so robust that I’ve used it for years now with simply three wheels. That nook of the bag merely drags alongside the bottom.
I assume ultimately it would put on down there, however who is aware of how lengthy that may take. Possibly we could have hoverbikes by then.
Mirrycle bar-end mirror
There are a variety of bicycle mirrors on the market, however the Mirrycle bar finish mirror has lengthy been a favourite of mine. I’ve bought a number of, however the oldest is from round 2013. That’s a darn very long time!
These are no-nonsense mirrors that don’t shake, don’t vibrate, and lock in strongly to simply about any bike handlebar.
I can’t cease wobbly mirrors or fashions that it’s a must to readjust after each massive bump. The Mirrycle bar finish mirror at all times stays the place I put it until I smack it into one thing, and I can’t actually blame it in that case.
There’s not a lot else to say about it. It simply works. It exhibits you what’s behind you. And it’s been doing so for me over the past 12 years. I’d say that’s a stable worth for $15.
The takeaway
In a world the place most merchandise appear designed to fail simply after the guarantee expires, discovering gear that lasts this lengthy seems like discovering a secret. These instruments and equipment are past dependable; they’ve develop into trusted companions on lots of my day by day rides.
After all, nothing lasts endlessly. But when these things can survive my day by day abuse for over half a decade, they’ve bought a preventing probability of lasting by no matter you throw at them. And in my e-book, that makes them price not simply shopping for, however protecting for the lengthy haul.
Right here’s to fewer damaged components, fewer replacements, and extra gear that’s constructed to experience as far and so long as we do.
