Buying guide for best bicycle mirrors
If you love to bike and you spend any time doing it on a road shared with cars and trucks, you really need to invest in a bike mirror. Statistics show that hundreds of cyclists are injured or killed each year in accidents involving vehicles, and a sizable percentage of these are the fault of the vehicle operator. You can’t guarantee drivers are keeping an eye on you, so you should do everything you can to keep an eye on them. This is where a quality bike mirror can help.
Bike mirrors are sold in a variety of types and with different safety features designed to protect you on the road. This guide can steer you through the bicycle mirror options available to you, and highlight those features to look for when shopping.
We also point out some of our favorites and give you an idea of the price you can expect to pay.
Key considerations
Types
When shopping for a bicycle mirror, you will find four basic types to choose from that differ based on how they mount: handlebar, helmet, eyeglass, and micro. What you choose largely depends on personal preference, but there are some factors to consider with all of them.
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Handlebar: This type of bicycle mirror mounts on the end of your handlebars, either by inserting into the hole at the end of the grip or mounting in some other way. While this mirror is out of the way while you’re riding, it can shake when you’re on the move and break easily if the bike falls over.
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Helmet: This type of bicycle mirror attaches to your helmet with some form of glue patch or clamp. Because your helmet moves in concert with your eyes, some riders find that a helmet mirror offers improved stability. However, removing your helmet can easily knock this type of mirror out of alignment.
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Eyeglass: Similar to helmet mirrors, these attach to your eyeglasses or sunglasses. They have less surface area than handlebar or helmet mirrors, and may not fit all eyewear, such as some sports sunglasses. Lightweight is always preferable in a bike mirror, but it’s especially so if you’re mounting it to your helmet or sunglasses.
- Micro: You place this type of bicycle mirror on the lens of your sunglasses. It can be difficult to adjust, but once you find the angle and placement sweet spot, it is convenient and won’t interfere with your riding experience. The image on this type of mirror shows less of the visual field, and it won’t work with wraparound sunglasses.
Durability
Bicycle mirrors are largely constructed of plastic and glass, although some housings are reinforced nylon. They’re built to take some abuse, but you should try to buy the sturdiest one you can afford. The housing should be able to stand up to occasional bumps and other rigors of the road. Any attachment or adjustment points should also be strong, with pop-away joints for safety in the event of a crash.
The lens is usually the weak link here, but a strong housing can protect it from much abuse. If there’s an adhesive holding the lens in place, it should be strong enough to keep it secure over time. Some lenses are made of stainless steel, which resists breaking and scratching but may provide less clarity.
Bicycle mirror features
Mount
Each type of bicycle mirror has its own mounting considerations, and the ease of installation varies from model to model. If you decide on a handlebar mirror, does it fit your particular handlebars, and do the handlebars obstruct your view of the mirror? If you prefer a helmet or eyeglass mirror, does it attach easily to your helmet or eyewear? Most mirrors don’t require you to drill holes in your bike, but some may. The mirror should also be secure enough that when it’s on, it stays on and won’t fall off when you’re on the road or trail.
Image
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Clarity: How easy is it to recognize approaching vehicles in the mirror? Because this is why you buy a bicycle mirror, it’s an important question. Glass provides the best image quality at the expense of durability, particularly compared to something like highly polished stainless steel. A curved or convex mirror shows a wider field of view.
- Stability: This is related to image clarity. The clearest image in the world won’t do you any good if the mirror is shaking so much that you can’t see anything in it. This is one area where micro mirrors mounted on your glasses have an edge.
Size
The larger the mirror, the wider your field of view, particularly if the mirror is convex. However, a mirror that’s too large can be heavy, bulky, and more of a hindrance than a help.
Adjustability
Can you adjust the angle of the mirror so you can easily see what’s behind you? Some are fairly limited in adjustability, while others provide you with a sizable range of viewing options. Also check to see how easy it is to adjust the mirror while you’re riding.
Hardware
The mirror should come with all the hardware you need to attach it to different types of handlebars, helmets, or sunglasses. Also check what tools you need and whether said tools ship with the mirror or you need to supply them yourself.
Bicycle mirror prices
Regardless of what type of bicycle mirror you buy, there isn’t a huge range in price. Most cost $20 or less, with some mirrors selling for under $10. A few cost $30 to $40, but these are rare. At the higher price you can expect more durability and higher quality. Expensive mirrors are also easier to adjust and offer a larger and more stable field of vision, and some offer a limited warranty.
Tips
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Use a mirror if you bike to work. If you regularly ride in heavy traffic, a bicycle mirror is a necessity.
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Find a mirror with an adaptable mount. If you ride several different bikes and love handlebar mirrors, find one that mounts using hook-and-loop fasteners so you can easily move it from bike to bike. Or if you plan to ride a bike in a foreign country, buy a mirror that works on either the right or left side of your helmet, sunglasses, or bike.
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Try a permanent mirror. One benefit of a mirror that permanently mounts is that you won’t run the risk of wearing down the joints or adjustment points by constantly mounting and unmounting it. And the more securely a handlebar mirror is attached to your bike, the less risk that it will be stolen.
- Decide if you even need a mirror. Mountain bikers may wish to avoid using a bicycle mirror at all. These riders face little risk of vehicles behind them, and any mirror mounted to the bike could snag on branches along the trail.
Other products we considered
With the large number of quality bicycle mirrors out there, we wanted to touch on a few more that caught our eye. The first is the durable, handlebar-mounted LX LERMX Bike Mirror, which is easy to adjust and rotates 360°. You also get two for a good price. The ultra-lightweight PChero Bike Helmet Mirror features an electroplated convex mirror, also with 360° adjustability, that attaches quickly to your helmet. Finally, the MEACHOW Handlebar Bike Mirror stands out for its attractive design, fiber-reinforced nylon housing, and anti-glare, scratch-resistant safety glass.
FAQ
Q. Do these mirrors stay on, or do I take it off when not in use?
A. This varies by model. Some handlebar-mounted mirrors are firmly secured, while others can be removed to protect it in case the bike tips over or to guard against theft. The majority of helmet and eyeglass mirrors are easy to take off, and some fold up so they take up less space in storage.
Q. Do I need a mirror for each side of the bike?
A. No, only the side on which cars will be passing you. This is usually the left-hand side because bicyclists are required to ride on the right side of the road (this differs depending on the country you’re riding in).
Q. Which is a better surface for a bicycle mirror: glass or metal?
A. This largely depends on you. While glass usually provides a clearer view, it’s also much more susceptible to breaking or scratching, neither of which is really a problem with metal. If you frequently break glass bicycle mirrors, try a metal mirror.
