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Electric Bike Accessories

The Coolest New E-Bikes We Saw at Sea Otter Classic 2022

The arrival of the Sea Otter Classic each year means it’s new bike time, as many major brands use the annual mass gathering of racers, enthusiasts and industry folk as a great opportunity for a high-visibility bike release.

This year proved no different, and the event’s massive expo area was crammed with new releases (and even a few new brands) showing off the latest and greatest offerings in their lineups. We saw several new and newly-refreshed eMTBs and a not necessarily brand new (but new to us) electric commuter bike with one of the most interesting suspension designs we’ve ever seen.

This isn’t an exhaustive list of the new e-bikes rolled out at Sea Otter this year, but these are the bikes that caught the Electric Bike Report team’s eye the most .

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The Coolest Electric Cargo Bikes at Sea Otter Classic 2022

Electric bikes are great for lots of things, but perhaps where they shine the most (aside from zipping effortlessly up hills) is in their ability to haul heavy loads.

Be it people, groceries or even the components of a rolling small business, electric cargo bikes have become critical tools for those who wish to pedal lots of weight from one place to the next. Whatever they’re being used for, they’ve become wickedly popular.

At this year’s Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, electric cargo bikes had a notably increased presence in the event’s expo area. There weren’t tons of them on show, but the fact they were being featured at all at the traditionally racing and high-performance oriented event made us perk up.

Electric Bike Report scoured the expo area for the coolest electric cargo bikes we could find, here’s what we came up with:

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Sea Otter Classic 2022: E-Bike Accessories You Should Buy Right Now

Electric bikes are a gateway drug. The e-bike purchase itself is easy to plan and budget for, but it’s all the little items — the gloves, the lights, the bags — that get you.

Suddenly, before you know it, your garage will likely be flush with not just the e-bike you saved for, but with a host of other unplanned purchases you quickly realized you didn’t just simply want, you needed. If you’ve managed to fight the urge to buy a bunch of accessories alongside your bike, I commend you and highly suggest you move on from this post, because the 2022 Sea Otter Classic was chock-full of drool worthy items.

There are an innumerable number of cool trinkets on show at this year’s Sea Otter, including a big armful of items being designed specifically for the special use case of e-bikes. We saw saddles that push the limits of design and materials, super secure locks that yell when they’re tampered with and can be unlocked with your phone, we even saw specially-designed chain lube (because yes, e-bikes even need special maintenance).

Here’s our picks of some of the most exciting e-bike specific accessories that the Electric Bike Report staff saw on show this year.

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Wahoo KICKR Smart Trainer Review 2022

Wahoo Kickr Bike Written Review

Like the U.S. Postal Service, neither rain, snow, sleet or a demanding 9-to-5 work schedule can stand between you and your training with the Wahoo KICKR smart trainer.

In this Wahoo KICKR smart trainer review, we dive into the specs and features of this top-of-the-line home trainer and talk a little about my real world experience integrating this training tool into my regimine ahead of the 2022 mountain bike season.

Wahoo’s KICKR has long dominated the direct drive home trainer market and has been heralded as the gold standard tool for those who wish to make their outside bike an inside bike. Controlled by a smart device via bluetooth, the Wahoo KICKR pairs with the virtual cycling app of your choice — among the most popular are Wahoo’s SYSTM app, Zwift, TrainerRoad and many others — and automatically adjusts resistance based on whether your going uphill, downhill or are partaking in a structured workout. This makes for an incredibly realistic indoor riding experience that’s engaging, fun and incredibly effective for those looking to gain fitness in a short amount of time.

I used the KICKR to fit structured interval training around my 9-5 duties at Electric Bike Report and saw considerable results. It’s now my favorite training tool, and one I’d recommend to anyone who wants to ride well but doesn’t have a ton of time.


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Best Car Racks For Electric Bikes – 2022

Yakima Stage Two e-bike Car Rack - best car racks

*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike car rack for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.

So, you’ve found an electric bike that you love and you’re ready to explore with it; now it’s time to look at finding the best e-bike car rack for your situation.

The market for car bike racks is not lacking in options, but it is important to find one that can handle the extra weight and bulk that comes with e-bikes. Many bike racks were built with carrying traditional bikes in mind, which seldomly ever meant accommodating more than 50 lbs worth of bike. That can pose a problem for many e-bikes, which often tip the scales at 50 lbs or more. Heck, we have plenty at Electric Bike Report HQ that weigh over 70 lbs.

Beyond weight, there are many other important variables you’ll want to consider depending on the style of e-bike you own. Did you buy an electric fat bike? Make sure your bike rack can secure those massive tires. Did you invest in a cargo e-bike that can tote you and the kids? Make sure you look at a rack that’s long enough to fit that.

Always carefully consider your e-bike’s unique features when shopping for an e-bike car rack, but perhaps the most important electric-specific feature is a rack’s carrying capacity.

There likely will never be one car rack that does it all, but there are several car racks for electric bikes that will likely work best for your style of bike and where you plan on taking it. Listed below are our picks for the best car racks for carrying e-bikes.

The Best Bike Racks For E-Bikes, 2022

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Burley D’Lite X Review 2022

Burley D'Lite Bike Trailer Review

Burley D’Lite X Review: Overview

Burley has been around since the ‘70s making bike trailers. Why is that worth noting? Because 40+ years of experience means they’ve been around the block a few times and learned quite a lot.

The Burley D’Lite X we reviewed is the culmination of all those years of experience resulting in a premium bike trailer/stroller combo that has thought through just about every detail.

The standard features that come on this trailer offer great comfort and versatility. The optional accessories available make it so this might be the only stroller you ever need too.

While the D’Lite X is great for getting around on your bike with your little ones in tow, its versatility extends to even being a great cargo hauler as well.

You definitely pay a premium for this experience, so the price tag won’t be for everybody. But for those looking at the best of the bike trailer world there is plenty to discover and love after reading through our Burley D’Lite X bike trailer review.

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Zipchock E13 e-bike stand review

Zipchock Bike Stand

The Zipchock stand for electric bikes is an easy to assemble, high quality e-bike stand that allows riders to keep their e-bikes upright without a kickstand. The Zipchock design allows riders to clean, service and store their bicycles without needing to lift them into a clamp-stand or fit them with a kickstand. In this Zipchock e-bike stand review, we reviewed the Zipchock Model E13 designed for tire widths between 1 inches and 3-inches.

The Zipchock also comes in the E255 model which fits tires from 2.5-inches up to 5-inches. Between the two models there isn’t a bike we have at our Electric Bike Report headquarters that won’t be able to fit into one stand or the other.

Both these Zipchock stands bridge the gap between smaller, lighter bicycle stands and heavier, bulkier motorbike stands. The Zipchock is designed to have the best of both worlds between the two stand styles.

Zipchock stands are currently being crowdfunded on Indiegogo, with deals on the stands for those that back the campaign. The E13 we reviewed is marked down 19 percent from about $200 USD to about $165 USD.

Zipchock stand for e-bikes review: Impressions

The Zipchock isn’t a bike stand that’s a pain to put together. It only took us a couple of minutes to fully assemble the E13, the instructions were straightforward and the process was quite easy. There are only five steps needed to fully assemble the Zipchock E13 stand, none of which involve tools.

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One of the most unique features of the Zipchock is its ability to adjust its width relative to tire size. Even if you have two bikes with radically different tire sizes the stand will be able to house both snuggly.

Keep in mind that the E255 is going to be a better option for those with mountain bikes and fat tire bikes (anything above 2.5 inches). The E13 will be good for anything with a tire below 3-inches wide. The E13 and E255 both can fit both front and rear wheels with equal capability.

Zipchock Bike Stand

The Zipchock E13 is a burley bike stand built to easily support the weight of a modern e-bike without contacting the frame.

The Zipchock also comes with ground stakes for keeping the rack in place on grass and other uneven/off road surfaces. Those who go to lots of trade shows and those looking for a high quality bike stand to match their high quality bike will find a lot of value within the Zipchock. On flat ground the rack was plenty stable without the stakes, however they may be a good idea if you don’t want your stand walking off.

The E13 is a very stable stand regardless of the weight of the bike. The design uses gravity to its advantage with its down sloped ramp which cradles any wheel between 20 and 30 inches. Between the stable side plates, adjustable width and easy assembly/disassembly the Zipchock stand for e-bikes simply makes a lot of sense.

Zipchock Bike Stand

The e-bike in this photo is equipped with 2.8-inch tires, which fit easily into the E13 stand.

Zipchock Bike Stand

The stand uses an adjustable screw to manipulate how much tension is being applied to the tire.

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Hiplok D1000 Bike Lock Review

Hiplok D1000 review

Call this Hiplok D1000 bicycle lock review tempting providence, but this hunk of angle grinder-repelling, Ferosafe-reinforced metal is the closest to theft proof of any D-lock we’ve ever tested, researched or heard of.

If there’s anything bicycle commuting has taught us it’s that the above statement is probably bad karma, but we’ve got good reason to tempt the fates with this one. Why? Because Hiplok designed the D1000 specifically to ward off the bike thief’s weapon of choice: The high powered angle grinder.

Hiplok D1000 review - stamps

At first glance it looks like an average D-lock, but this one turns angle grinder blades to dust.

Angle grinders are the Achilles heel of traditional bike locks. Bike thieves use the high power tools to grind through the shackle of most traditional bike locks — or really any lock, for that matter — in just a few seconds. Hiplok’s answer to the angle grinder is a material called Ferosafe, a graphene reinforced ceramic composite that effectively disintegrates angle grinder cutting blades and carbide drill tips.

So naturally, when Hiplok sent us a media sample of the D1000 the Electric Bike Report’s first instinct was to do what any other reasonable person would: Let’s bust out the angle grinder and try to cut it.

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Fox Mainframe MIPS Helmet Review

Fox Mainframe MIPS Helmet Review

The Fox Mainframe MIPS helmet is a fairly priced, eye-catching mountain bike helmet that includes MIPS technology, optimized venting and extended impact coverage all while still being under $100 USD. In this Fox Mainframe MIPS review we’ll get into the fit and form of the budget-priced helmet from one of the most recognizable names in the cycling industry.

The Mainframe has fast become one of the Electric Bike Report team’s go-to helmets for e-bike reviewing, and in total we’ve racked up close to 150 miles wearing the Mainframe. Thankfully, we haven’t had to put its impact protection to the test (yet), but it’s arguably one of the most affordable MIPS-equipped lids on the market.

Fox Mainframe MIPS Helmet Review - side angle

At less than $100, the Fox Mainframe is one of the cheapest MIPS-equipped lids on the market.

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Burley Honey Bee Review 2022

Burley Honeybee Bike Trailer Review

Burley Honey Bee Review: Overview

Whether you have a deep passion for cycling or just enjoy a casual weekend cruise, sharing that experience with your kids compounds the joy you get from riding a bike. That’s why I looked forward to this Burley Honey Bee review as it gave me opportunities for quality time with my own child — as this trailer would for any parent who uses it.

Boasting a mixture of versatility, portability, and construction quality, the Burley Honey Bee competes in the ultra-competitive “budget” class of bike trailers (although on the high-end of that spectrum). Translation: Haul it behind your bike, detach it for walks in the park and feel at ease knowing it’s safe for your kids and should be able to withstand the harshest of punishments bike trailers typically experience – the kids themselves.

Overall the Burley Honey Bee trailer Electric Bike Report reviewed taught us one thing in particular: This trailer is a great option to look at for those wanting a simple, yet versatile bike trailer that performs as expected on each ride.

So is this the bike trailer for you? Head further below and we’ll dive into all the details you need to know.

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