Bike mirrors are not the most essential accessory a biker will need, in fact, most bikers will not even consider this to be an essential part of riding. Bike mirrors are more exciting for people who commute in the city, and it is definitely possible to stay safe without compromising your riding experience.
Here we are going to discuss deeper on the importance of bike mirrors, and key features you need to know before getting your own.
Table of Contents
TLDR – Top Pick For Bike Mirrors
The best bike mirror we recommend is the Hafny Bar End Bike Mirror.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 13:16 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What to Consider Before Buying a Bike Mirror
We can say it right now, if you only ride in tracks and trails, you may not even need a bike mirror. Bike mirrors are more useful for people who ride in the city. Many people are now adopting a healthier lifestyle and commuting to work on bicycles. Especially people who live close by to where they work. But even so, it’s still important to stay safe.
You can always ring and look over your shoulders, but a bike mirror will increase your visual capabilities during your ride. I repeat, it’s always better to be safer, whatever the means. A bike mirror will increase safety for you, as well as other bikers or drivers around you. It easily increases your traffic awareness.
If you are now interested in a bike mirror, we are here to help you understand the most prominent features you want in a bike mirror.
Type of Bike Mirror
The first thing you need to know is the different types of bike mirrors out there. Bike mirrors are identified by how they attach to you or your bike during your ride. Here are three types of bike mirrors.
Handle Bar Mirror: These mirrors will attach on your handlebars. Their arms will support the mirror upright, or hang underneath your handlebars, and the mirror is often adjustable. This type is very similar to a motorcycle mirror. This mirror is usually bigger. But may disturb your steering.
Bar End Mirror: This type of mirror attaches to the end of your handle bar. It’s often shorter as you don’t want your handles to be longer just because of a mirror. This mirror is smaller than a handle bar mirror.
Helmet Mirror: The last type is a helmet mirror. This one attaches to, that’s right, your helmet. It attaches with an arm that’s rigid or adjustable. Another option is a glasses mirror, which attaches to your glasses. A helmet mirror is smaller than the two types mentioned earlier, and a glasses mirror is even smaller.
Durability
Even though a bike mirror is a small accessory for your ride, you want to buy one that will last a long time. Nobody wants to keep on buying the same thing, whatever it is. You want to look for materials such as stainless steel and acrylic. Those are what makes a sturdy bike mirror. You want something that doesn’t break easily.
Even though you already got the best material, you still have to take care of it. Careful not to crash it against poles, or walls.
Aside from the key components, an enormous factor that contributes to durability is the attachment. You want something that attaches properly so that your mirror doesn’t fall off. And you want it to be easily removed too. You want to avoid glue attachment.
Mirror Size
The size of the mirror itself is also important. But you need to consider other things. So the primary reason you want a good size is so that you are able to easily see what you need to see to stay safe.
Some mirrors may be smaller, but they are adjustable and it will still give you decent visuals of the road.
It really depends on your needs. A mountain cyclist may benefit more from a smaller mirror that can help them see other cyclists. But a road commuter may need a bigger adjustable mirror to see as much of the traffic as possible.
Placement Side
Every bike has two handlebars. If you choose a helmet mirror, you really don’t need to worry too much on placement sides. But otherwise, you need to know where to put it. Most US cyclists will prefer to attach their mirror on the left because they’re on the right-hand side of the road.
But this really comes down to preference. Both sides are fine as long as you’re able to see what you need to see.
Adjustability & Compatibility
Compatibility comes down to the attachment methods. Most bike mirrors will be attached with an arm and a clamp, and they should be compatible with all bikes. It’s always better if you can be certain that the mirror will be compatible with your bike’s handlebars.
Adjustability is useful for many things, as was mentioned earlier. It always comes back to your needs and how you ride. You want maximum visuals during your ride, especially now that you have a bike mirror.
Material
As was mentioned earlier, you want your bike mirror to be made of materials which will make it last longer. But other than that, you also want it to be made of materials which will maximize its visual capabilities. You want a clear view, so you should avoid materials which show a blurry reflection.
7 Best Bike Mirrors Reviewed
Now that you’ve got an overview of what to look for, it’s time to do the actual shopping.
Here are some bike mirrors we’ve selected to help you choose the one you want and need.
1. Hafny Bar End Bike Mirror
Key Features:
- Material: Stainless steel and plastic
- Fits 14.8 – 23 mm handlebars
- Durable
- Fully recyclable
- Adjustable
The Hafny Bar End Bike Mirror is a decent sized handlebar mirror which can fit a variety of handlebar sizes. This particular mirror is compatible with handle bars ranging from 14.8 mm up to 23 mm. It’s made of stainless steel and plastic, which makes it a durable accessory. This time, it’s not the arms that are stainless steel, it’s actually the mirror. It is still very clear and is definitely stronger than other mirrors. Not just that, the material is fully recyclable, choosing this mirror is a great way to stay environmentally friendly.
It works with all kinds of bikes, from mountain bikes, road bikes, and even e bikes. All you need is a 5 mm hex key to help you install it. You can position it on top of your handlebar, or hang it below your handlebar. Whatever works best for you. Be careful when tightening it, because you want it to be stable, but you don’t want to tighten it too much either.
It is adjustable, so you can find the optimal angle. It is also foldable for convenient storage.
Pros:
- Clear reflection
- The plastic is tough
- Easy to adjust
Cons:
- Heavy
- Requires tightening
- Mirror is small
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 13:16 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Hafny NEW Handlebar Bike Mirror
Key Features:
- 6 options available
- Material: aluminum and glass
- Eco friendly
- Weight: 5.6 ounces
- Compatible with 21 mm – 26 mm handlebars
The Hafny New Handlebar Bike Mirror offers a clamp that can easily attach on your handlebars. This bike mirror is made of aluminum and glass. It is eco-friendly and sturdy. It has a printed reflector on the back to stay safe during night rides. All you need is a 5 mm Allen Key to assemble it. The new clamp is compatible with 21 mm and 26 mm handlebars. It is not compatible with a drop bar.
There is a specific mirror for each side, on the right or on the left. You can also get a pair. A neat trick you could do is get the left for the right and attach it upside down. It works perfectly. The mirror is made from automotive grade glass. It’s crystal clear for you to check out surrounding traffic. The lens is also anti glare, which makes it an obviously excellent choice for city commuters. You can choose between their silver lens and their anti glare blue lens.
All you need to do is decide what you want, where you want to position it and get it. Remember to check your handlebar diameter.
Pros:
- You can position the mirror upside down
- Re tightening will fix any wobbling issues
- Mirror offers great wide view
- Anti glare feature
Cons:
- Not compatible with all handlebars
- May arrived incomplete/damaged
- Difficult to install
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 12:15 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Mirrycle MTB Bar End Mountain Bicycle Mirror
Key Features:
- Material: plastic resin
- Shape: round
- Size: 3”
- Compatible with 13.75 mm – 22.5 mm inside diameters
- Easy to mount
The Mirrycle MTB Bar End Mountain Bicycle Mirror is made of plastic resin. The shape is round, and it’s 3 inches. It’s not a flat mirror, so it offers a larger view, but it’s not as precise. Even with its decent size, it’s still fully adjustable. You can rotate it to find its optimal visual coverage.
This mirror attaches to the end of handle bars. The package includes a wrench which you can use to assemble it. Even though the mirror is easy to attach this mirror has mounting issues. If you can overcome it and attach it properly, then it’ll be easy to love.
This mirror has a few parts you need to put together. Remember to check that you have all the parts, otherwise it might not stay on properly. Once you have assembled it, it is 18 cm in height. It’s a suitable length, but not the most compact mirror out there.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Can adjust to different angles easily
- Reflections are clear
- Excellent visual coverage
Cons:
- May arrive defective
- Mirror may shatter
- Mounting issues
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 13:16 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Sprintech Road Drop Bar Rearview Bike Mirror
Key Features:
- 6 color available
- Shape: oval
- Type: bar end mirror
- Weight: 30g
- Easy to install
The Sprintech Road Drop Bar Rearview Bike Mirror is a bar end mirror, which easily helps you monitor the traffic behind you. There are 6 available colors for you to choose from. It’s an oval shape that’s not too large since it has to attach to the end of your handle bar. It’s easy to install. Once installed, it stays in place better than handlebar mirrors.
The mirror is light, as was mentioned, it only weighs 30g. The mirror is durable and will not easily shatter if it falls out. Be warned, it can fall out if you did not install it properly. It is a great option for road bikers and is compatible with drop bars.
If you want a smaller and more compact mirror on your handlebars, this is a great option for you. Even though it’s smaller, it offers a clear reflection and you can easily adjust it to get the best angled view of your surroundings.
Pros:
- Easy to adjust
- Great integration with handlebars
- Durable
- Clear reflection
Cons:
- Mirro can fall off if its not attached properly
- Mirror is small
- May vibrate and cause a blurry visual
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 13:16 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. EVT Safe Zone Bicycle Helmet Mirror
Key Features:
- 5 year warranty
- Weights: 0.1 pounds
- Outer material: plastic
- Easy to adjust
- Sturdy and does not vibrate
The EVT Safe Zone Bicycle Helmet Mirror is the best bike helmet mirror out there. It is made of plastic and weights only 0.1 pounds. You need a lighter mirror because it attaches to your helmet, and you don’t want anything weighing your head down. It’s considerably large, when compared with other bike helmet mirrors, it measures 2 and ¼ inches wide.
Even though it’s lightweight, it’s very durable and sturdy and will not vibrate even when you go over bumpy roads. The arms allow for easy adjustments and it will stay in place once you’ve adjusted it. It also comes with a 5 year warranty, so there’s really nothing to worry about.
A bike helmet mirror may be attractive to some people, but not all. It really comes down to your preference and how you like to ride. It’s important that you choose the accessory that will keep you and your neighborhood safe.
Pros:
- Clear reflection
- Does not require too much adjustments
- Will not vibrate over bumps
- Has a 5 year warranty
Cons:
- Difficult to attach
- Velcro has issues
- A smaller sized mirror
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 06:22 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Bike Peddler Take A Look Cycling Eyeglass Mirror
Key Features:
- Material: Acrylic
- Shape: Rectangular
- Compatible with glasses and helmet
- Two sizes available
- Adjustable – can rotate 90 degrees
The Bike Peddler Take A Look Cycling Eyeglass Mirror is compatible with your helmet as well as your glasses. Because it’s made to be compatible with your glasses, it’s smaller than both helmet mirrors and handlebars mirrors. It attaches with a clamp that can connect with your helmet and glasses. Even though it’s made for glasses, it is not compatible with all types of glasses.
The shape of the mirror is rectangular, and it is adjustable. It can rotate 90 degrees so you can try to find the best angle to view the traffic behind you. Being so close to your face, you only need to peak at it and you can get an excellent view to ensure your safety. It has three pivot points to support adjustments.
It is versatile, as it can attach to either the left or right side. The two sizes available are compact and normal. The compact mirror measures 20 by 37 mm and the arms extend up to 50 mm. While the normal version measures 28 by 37 mm and the arms can extend up to 85 mm.
Pros:
- Foldable, very compact
- Clear reflection
- Easily adjustable
- The metal allows the mirror to bend
Cons:
- Short arms
- May arrive defective
- Not compatible with all glasses
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 12:15 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7. MEACHOW New Scratch Resistant Glass Lens
Key Features:
- 4 options available
- Made of aluminum and glass
- Eco friendly
- Compatible with 22.2 mm handlebar
- Weight: 8 ounces
The Meachow New Scratch Resistant Glass Lens is a great handlebar bike mirror for you. There are 4 options, right left, and two types of lenses for you to choose from. It’s made from aluminum and glass, which is durable and lightweight. It only weighs 8 ounces. It is compatible with a 22.2 mm handlebar.
This mirror attaches to your handle bar with a clamp made of aluminum alloy. The entire body of the mirror is eco-friendly. The lens is coated with anti glare for extra safe commuting. You can choose between a silver and blue anti glare. The silver is 50% anti glare, and the blue is 75% anti glare. You can easily attach it with the help of a 4 mm hex key.
The Meachow is also stylish and foldable. It is compatible with many bikes, although not all. If it fits your bike, you’ll have a glorious experience using it. It can rotate 360 degrees for comfortable viewing, and it is completely foldable during parking.
Pros:
- Steady and not blurry
- Easily adjusted to find the best angle
- Durable & easy maintenance
- Can be installed on both sides of the handlebar
Cons:
- Arm is short
- Not compatible with all handlebars
- Difficult to install
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 13:16 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Which is The Best Mirror For Your Bike?
After checking out all the options, the Hafny Bar End Bike Mirror truly stands out. It is versatile and is compatible with many bikes. It is durable, made of stainless steel and plastic, it offers a clear reflection and is adjustable. The material is also fully recyclable so you can accessorize and stay eco-friendly at the same time.
Even though our top pick is the Hafny Bar End Bike Mirror, you might be more comfortable with the EVT or the Bike Peddler, if you want a helmet or glasses bike mirror. At the end of the day, it really comes back to what excites you. Because an accessory, even though it’s meant to keep you safe, is also responsible to improve your riding experience in other ways. It should make you happier.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 13:16 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
