Much like when driving a car, when you are riding a bike it’s important to make sure that you have full visibility of your surroundings.
You may think that a bike mirror is somewhat pointless, but it’s useful even if you are a racing or mountain biker.
Being able to see the things coming behind you without changing your posture is incredibly important.
A bike mirror is a wise purchase for any cyclist. There are a whole bunch of fantastic options out on the market to suit your individual needs, but the only question is how exactly do you choose the best option for you?
To save you the effort of doing any extra research, we’ve compiled a list of the best bike mirrors here. We’ve also written a handy buyer’s guide to help you to narrow down your decision.
OUR TOP PICK
If you’re looking for a high quality bike mirror, you certainly have it with the Hafny Bar End Bike Mirror.
This mirror is incredibly easy to use, not to mention that it’s durable. You have all that and more with this product.
To begin with, the mirror has been mounted onto a rod that’s pretty flexible.
This is ideal as it means that you can move it to pretty much any angle that you wish.
Thanks to this, you have an extensive field of vision, and ample visibility to keep you safe while you get your cycling done.
You can even rotate the mirror if you wish to, so it’s possible to adjust it however you need to.
The rod also isn’t particularly long which means that you don’t need to worry about it wobbling as you are cycling.
The mirror features a polished stainless steel lens and the frame is very durable, which means that you can easily use this mirror for many years without worrying about it breaking.
It can be used both with flat bars and drops too, so it’s ideal no matter what kind of bike you have. It is somewhat expensive, however, but we say that it’s more than worth the money.
Pros
- Lots of adjustbility
- Stainless steel lens
- Durable
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
EDITORS CHOICE
It’s a miracle! Or a Mirrycle in this case! The Mirrycle Mountain Bike Mirror is a great choice if you want a mirror that will mount onto the end of your handlebars.
It’s incredibly useful, giving you plenty of visibility all around you.
The mirror is a convex shape, and it can move to pretty much any angle that you can think of for lots of versatility.
It’s also really simple to install it. So long as your handlebars measure 13.75 to 22.5 mm in diameter, you can use this mirror on your bike.
It also has a fold back design which means that you can keep the mirror protected if you need to move through an enclosed or tight space.
The mirror also comes with an installation tool to help you install it even easier.
It’s durable, and the arm mount is very sturdy so it doesn’t break easily.
Of course, the most obvious downside of this mirror is that it may not work with every kind of bike, so you will need to check if your handlebars are compatible with it first.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Wide field of view
- Fold back design
Cons
- Not compatible with all bike handlebars
BEST VALUE
Everyone wants a bike mirror that they can rely upon.
You’ll certainly get that and more with the Hafny New Handlebar Bike Mirror.
This mirror is positioned on the side, which means that it’s easier to see behind you.
Better yet is that they’re positioned right in front of you, so you don’t need to strain your neck to see behind you.
The mirror is very flexible - you can pivot it to any angle as needed.
It also has an automobile grade HD lens, which means that you have a better view no matter where you are riding.
The glass construction is also eco friendly, so you can recycle it after use. Saving the world while you ride - what more could you want?
The glass is also anti glare, so your visuals will always be crystal clear.
It eve has a printed reflector on the bake so you can be seen by other motorists while you are riding.
It cannot fit onto drop bars though.
Pros
- Anti distortion
- Printed reflector for extra visibility
- Eco friendly
Cons
- Doesn’t fit onto drop bars
RUNNER UP
Zefal is a pretty well known name in the cycling world.
The Zefal Spy Bicycle Mirror is just one example of the company’s great products.
There are a lot of things to love about this mirror!
To start with, the mirror features a rubber attachment system, and this means that you can mount the mirror pretty fast no matter where you want to put it on your bike.
It also has a chrome plated mirror flex that is ultra durable,
This lens is in a convex shape, which means that you can see all around you with ease.
What’s even better about this mirror is that it doesn’t come at an incredibly high price.
This is perfect for cyclists on a budget who want high quality at an affordable price.
You should be careful when using this mirror though, as the image is somewhat distorted around the edges of the mirror.
Pros
- Can fit anywhere
- Easy installation
- Lightweight
- Durable
Cons
- The image is a little distorted on the edges of the mirror
RUNNER UP
Nobody wants to be spending copious hours trying to assemble their bike mirror.
That’s why the Cat Eye BM 500 G Bike Mirror is so useful.
With this mirror, set up is a breeze, giving you more time to ride your bike.
The mirror is incredibly durable.
It features scratch resistant glass, and you can position it wherever you want to on your handlebars.
It doesn’t get in the way either while you are cycling.
The mirror is perfect for seeing both from the left or the right, so if you choose to go traveling with your bike you can simple switch the side the mirror is positioned on.
The mirror is easy to see over your arm thanks to its height.
You can also adjust it however you see fit, and there’s plenty visibility.
The mirror isn’t quite stiff enough for you to keep it in the same position long term though.
Pros
- Durable
- Lots of asjutability
- Easy set up
Cons
- The mirror attachments aren’t particularly stiff, which means it can be difficult to keep them in one position after you’ve used it for a while
Best Bike Mirror Buyer’s Guide
Why Should You Get a Bike Mirror?
There are a number of big reasons as to why you should get a bike mirror. The biggest reason of all comes down to mere safety.
When you are riding on your own it’s vital that you are cautious of what’s around you. Having a bike mirror installed can help you to be more aware of your surroundings.
You can keep an eye out of any drivers that may be distracted or driving recklessly when you are riding in an area with a lot of vehicle traffic. This means you will be able to switch lanes if you need to.
It’s also pretty handy if you’re in a group. Having a decent rearview bike mirror means that you can navigate newer roads much more easily.
If just one person looks at their mirror and warns everyone else of a hazard, it can save a lot of accidents for the entire group.
It also means that you can all stay in formation much more easily, and you are less likely to bump into one another.
If you cycle competitively it’s also helpful as you can keep track of where your competitors are.
Mirrors are also handy for staying aware of traffic. There are a lot of things to heed when you are cycling.
You need to make sure that you are aware of any car doors opened at the last minute, or any particularly crowded streets.
Bike mirrors can give you a little extra peace of mind when in new territory, and it means you can easily assess what’s going on behind you, reacting as needed.
You also don’t need to strain your neck or eyes by trying to look behind you to check.
Things to Look For
When buying a bike mirror, you should try not to buy the first thing you see. After all, what is right for someone else may not be right for you.
There are a few things that you should consider when you are in the market for a bike mirror to ensure that you are making the best possible decision for you.
Adjustability
You should always think about how much you can adjust your bike mirror.
The more you are able to adjust your bike mirror, the more you can change the positioning so that it can best suit you and your particular style of riding.
In an ideal world, you should be looking for mirrors that have two different adjustment points, one that’s positioned on the mounting mechanism and one that’s on the base of the lens frame.
This means that you will get the best possible adjustment for your needs. If you pay less money for your bike mirror then you may find that you don’t have as many adjustment options.
It’s also pretty common to find hinges on mirrors that are mounted on bar ends, and this means that you can push the mirrors in and out depending on your needs. This is ideal for safety if you find yourself falling over on accident.
Type of Mounting
There are two main types of bike mirrors: mid bar mounted and bar end mounted mirrors. There are reasons to buy each of these, and reasons to avoid them.
What you choose is largely going to depend on the cockpit set up that you have and the way that you ride.
For instance, if your mid section has a lot going on, then you should probably opt for a bar end mirror.
Bar end mirrors usually tend to resist vibration a lot better, so it’s a better choice for gravel riders and mountain bikers who are frequently riding through bumpy terrain.
Installation Direction
Where you live comes into play with this particular consideration. Think about the place where you live and which side of the road is used.
For instance, if you are living in Europe or the USA then a mirror on the left side is exactly the thing you need for you to see what’s happening behind you.
On the other hand, if you are based in the UK for instance you will need a mirror on the right side to see behind you.
Or, you could just avoid this entire problem and buy two different cycle mirrors so you can see every single angle, but as you can imagine this does cost more money.
Construction
What’s the point in buying a product that just isn’t going to last? When you’re buying a bike mirror you should try to buy a product that has been well constructed out of high quality materials.
If you look online you can see other user reviews to gauge this, but it’s also really important to look at the specifications laid out by the manufacturer.
If you’re looking for an eyeglass mounted mirror then you will need to check for a mirror with materials that are lightweight in the arm area and the mirror itself.
Some examples of this include titanium and steel for the mounting arms, and lightweight acrylics for the lens.
If your mirror is mounted on your handlebar, then you should also be thinking about the mounting mechanisms and the pivots.
You should try to get ones that have stainless steel for the pivots, polished steel lenses and lightweight resins for the arms.
Compatibility
If you’re buying handlebar bike mirrors, you need to check that the mirrors will work with your particular bike cockpit.
If you have some really large or really small handlebars, you may not be able to use a particular mirror with your bike so you have to check how much leniency there is in terms of the fit.
If the mirror is somewhat loose then you can probably use a little bit of electrical tape to fix things, but this isn’t always an option.
You should also think about whether the mounting system is going to work.
If you are using a racing bike then a drop bar mirror is likely best, whereas a bar end mount may be much better if you have a mountain or commuting bike.
You also need to make sure that you have enough space for your new mirrors on the handlebars.
Mirror Size
You may be inclined to think that getting a huge mirror is your best bet, but this is not always the case.
Sure, you will be able to see more, but it also means that you may get more glare, and if the mirror is made out of glass it may end up shattering more quickly.
A smaller mirror also has problems as you can’t see as much.
A middle ground is usually the best choice, but it depends on what you like the best.
Price
Setting a budget is a good idea when it comes to buying a mirror for a bike. After all, there are products out there that can cost excessive amounts of money, but there are also some that are way too cheap.
It’s important to make sure that you get a high quality mirror, but you don’t need to spend the most money possible.
Checking a reasonable budget can be helpful for choosing a high quality product that isn’t going to break the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to have two mirrors on my bicycle?
Really, you only need to have a mirror on your left side if you are from the USA.
This will allow you to see the vehicles and any other cyclists that are coming up behind you. It is certainly beneficial to have two mirrors, but you don’t have to.
How do I properly maintain my bike mirror?
It doesn’t need to be difficult to maintain your bike mirror. All you need to do is clean the lens every now and then with some lens or glass cleaner and a cloth that’s fairly soft.
If you need to clean the frame of the mirror you can just use a little mild soap and some water. On occasion you should also check if you have to retighten the clamps that will hold the mirror into place, and you may end up needing to alter the mirror placement on the bars if it has moved while you were riding.