One of the most important accessories to have for trail bicycle riders is a bike mirror. If this sounds like you, then we’re happy to present the following article on the best bike mirrors on the market.
The great thing about mirrors is that they help to increase your safety while riding your bike no matter what kind of terrain you’re in. It’ll also help to keep the people driving and walking all around you safe as well. You’ll find that it’s so much easier to navigate through the traffic when you’ve got a mirror too.
Now, these mirrors come in all types of different types and styles. Many of them offer bespoke adjustable features for a truly enjoyable riding experience.
Read on to find the best bike mirror for your needs.
Best Bicycle Mirrors
The thing about bike mirrors is that most of the time you don’t know you need one until you have one.
Fortunately for you, we’ve made the selection process easy by doing most of the research and legwork required to come up with a review of the best options available on the market.
Thereafter, we’re going to give you pointers on what to look out for.
1. LX LERMX Bike Mirrors
First on our list of the best bike mirrors, we have the LX LERMX which provides cyclists with optimal visibility and a vast view of the road behind and around you. It’s a great way to keep safe and avoid accidents when you’re riding trails and on the road. This is all thanks to its unique 360-angle design which is completely rotational.
The arm of the mirror is constructed from an aluminum alloy. This is a sturdy material that also happens to be eco-friendly. It’s definitely suitable for windy conditions which is great news for cyclists that enjoy going out at different seasons. It has a diagonal measurement of 4.7 inches and the package comes with two identical units. This screams “value for money.”
For best results, be sure to install the mirror close to the grips in order to ensure that you get a wide view of the back so you don’t get surprised when seeing a car running up on you.
Now, you don’t have to install both of the mirrors that can come with this pack. But the second one can really come in handy and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you have mirrors for both the right and left bike handles. For the sake of safety, it’s important to ensure that you’ve tightened the screws and attached the clamps firmly in place. This way, the mirror doesn’t cause any vibrations while cycling.
2. Venzo Handlebar Mount Mirrors Set
The Venzo mirror is one of the best bike mirrors and also one of the most unique. It comes with a handlebar which necessitates that you purchase another mirror for the other side of your bicycle. This is because you can only use it on one side.
Otherwise, this manufacturer offers you different mirror options including one made from anti-glare glass and another one from stainless steel. The lens itself is stainless steel which is a durable material that’s hard to break.
Not only is this mirror safe but it offers 360-degree angle rotation. Eco-friendly shoppers will be happy to learn that this company offers fiber and nylon options as well. The arm included in the mirror to hold it up measures just 5 inches in length.
Don’t forget your Allen wrench when installing the best bike rear view mirror. You can even spruce it up with a shiny spray wax to give it a nice polished look.
3. Bike Peddler Eyeglass Mirror
No bike mirror review would be complete without the Eyeglass Mirror from Bike Peddler. This one is a great helmet and handlebar mirror. It’s totally adjustable and comes with three pivot points for your convenience. This means that it offers a wide field of view from the back and the sides.
It also ensures vibration-free and versatile cycling. You can mount it on your helmet visor or your eyeglasses depending on your preferences. Want to cross lanes? Just look at your mirror – no head-turning needed! This bike will make your road cycling journey so much easier.
When it comes to focus, this mirror takes care of it by allowing adjustability for both sides. You can adjust it to either side or up and down to find the best view for your needs at that moment. Just be sure to test it out a few times before you take it on the road. This way, you can make sure that you know how to use this great feature properly.
We’re glad to say that this Eyeglass Mirror is proudly made in the US. It comes with an unconditional guarantee from the manufacturer. Thanks to its versatility and ease of use, this is truly the best road bike mirror available out there.
4. CycleAware Reflex Bicycle Helmet Mirror
The CycleAware Reflex mirror is a modular model that’s mounted with a helmet to provide optimal visual acuity.
It’s incredibly easy to use and you can attach the base on the base of your helmet permanently and detach it whenever you want.
It’s constructed from Kraton-coated and wire-based plastic with a durable stem that you can adjust. It allows you to cycle according to your unique needs.
Comes with a unique elongated lens that’s vertically positioned so that you can enjoy a wider depth of field while you’re on the go.
5. Mirrycle Mountain Bike Mirror
To mount the Mirrycle Mountain Mirror, simply place it at the end of the handlebar and you’ll be able to see objects reflected on it without straining your eyes or craning your neck. It also offers an optimal view of the path ahead thanks to the adjustable hard pivots and convex shape.
It’s fairly easy to install as most bike mirrors in its category are, and it’s compatible with handlebars that have dimensions of 13.75 to 22.5mm.
But, what makes this one of the best sport bike mirrors on the market is the fact that it comes with tight pivot connections. This is to ensure that the adjustments don’t move no matter how many sharp turns you make. The fold-back design is great for protecting the mirror when traveling in enclosed and tight spaces.
Now, there’s no shortage of good things to say about this mirror. But we’d be remiss not to mention some of the caveats that it comes with as well. For example, it’s not compatible with certain handlebars such as the Xiaomi M365. It has also been shown to elongate the size of bike handlebars to the point where you have to acclimate yourself to their new size whether you like it or not.
6. EVT Safe Zone Bicycle Helmet Mirror for Bike Riding
This stylish option is considered by many to be the best cycling mirror available. It has a 2.25-inch diagonal measurement which translates to a very accurate and comfortable view.
This mirror is compatible with any helmet but you will get the most of it if you attach it to a visor-enabled one.
You’ll be glad to know that it comes with a generous 5-year warranty as well just in case you receive it with unexpected manufacturing defects.
What makes this mirror so awesome is the fact that you can check it out consistently without straining your eyes. It’s positioned about 5 inches away from the eyes. This makes it a really safe and easy-to-use option plus it’s fully adjustable on the go using just one hand.
7. Sprintech Road Drop Bar Rearview Bike Mirror
Although small, adding this mirror to your setup can do wonders for your riding style and safety. It comes with features like a curved handlebar which you can use to improve your rear view so you can see traffic that’s coming from a mile away. The mounting bracket is only 30 grams light and makes it easy to attach the mirror to your bicycle hassle-free.
This is one of the most well-made bike mirrors out there and can really take your bike riding experience to the next level by making it easy for you to see what’s around and behind you when riding your bike.
It has a unique convex shape which further improves your vision. To mount this bicycle mirror, simply remove the handlebar car and place the cap included with this mirror instead.
However, due to its small size and compact shape, this mirror often makes things look smaller than they actually are in reality. It actually distorts reality in this way much more than most bike mirrors. The viewing area itself is rather small and it’s not ideal for use with straight handlebars, so keep that in mind also.
8. Hafny Bar End Bike Mirror
The Hafny Bike Mirror is arguably the best bicycle mirror for drop handlebars because it offers a far superior field of vision than before.
Instead of the traditional glass lens, it’s made from recyclable and eco-friendly stainless steel which is durable as it’s sustainable. Of course, there’s a convex surface to widen your field of vision.
The versatile and flexible design allows you to use this with any handlebar so long as it measures 17 to 21mm in diameter. This includes e-bikes, mountain bikes, and road bikes. You can rotate this mirror according to your adjusting preferences. It promises not to wobble around thanks to the fact that you install it right onto the handlebars.
However, this one needs to be handled with care because it’s not scratch resistant. Plus, you can only fit it on the handlebar sizes mentioned. There have been a few comments about the fact that it can cause a slight vibration effect depending on the texture of the road surface you’re riding on. Keep in mind that you may have to tighten this one after every ride just to be on the safe side.
How to Choose the Best Bike Mirror
Now that we’ve gone through the list of the best bike mirrors on the market, here’s the criteria we used to reach our list of reviews:
Material
Most bike mirrors are constructed from either acrylic or glass.
Glass mirrors are known for having the most glare issues compared to acrylic types unless they’ve been treated with anti-glare coating, for example.
But, glass is most widely used because of its durability as well as the fact that it’s scratch and scuff-resistant.
Size
When it comes to bike mirrors, bigger isn’t always better. In fact, there are several downsides to having a large mirror that might cause you to rethink your decision.
For one, it tends to offer more glare and the bigger the glass, the more likely it is to break at the first accident.
Smaller mirrors, on the other hand, don’t offer the best depth of field. But they’re usually sturdier.
At the end of the day, it’s all about individual preferences and what you as a person are comfortable with.
It’s worth noting that most people go for the medium-sized model.
Left vs. Right
Where you mount your mirror wholly depends on your unique preferences. You can mount it on either side of your helmet or your handlebars.
Most cyclists in the US mount it on the left-hand side because you’re required to drive on the right-hand side of the road there.
That’s why most bike riders prefer to be on the left-hand side of the road no matter where they are. As a result, mostly look to the left when checking the rearview mirror.
However, if you feel like having a second mirror, then by all means you can mount one on either side just to be on the safe side. Otherwise, most people are comfortable just mounting one on the side that they’re most used to checking for traffic.
Adjusting
Because you won’t always be in the same position, you should invest in an adjustable mirror for good measure.
Handlebar-mounted mirrors are known for offering up quite a bit of vibration. So if you do opt for one, then it’s best to make sure that you can keep it mounted tightly in place to guarantee a focused view.
Should you opt for a permanent solution like IRBM make sure that it’s perfectly positioned in the right angle.
Compatibility
Compatibility is also important because not all bike mirrors are created equal. Some are more appropriate than others for different bike styles.
For instance, you have lightweight bar-end mirrors that don’t work well for mountain bikes at all because they’re most likely to crash or get scraped. A thinner handlebar, on the other hand, isn’t the best option for high-speed road racing either.
The good news is that most manufacturers offer a clear description of what types of handlebars and frames their mirrors are compatible with.
Types of Bicycle Mirror Reviewed
Bike mirrors come in the following types:
Helmet Mount
Helmet mirrors are designed to attach to visors or bike helmets.
They usually come with an adjustable pole which enables you to replace the mirror back to where you want it every single time.
They’re also quite versatile and convenient in that you can attach them to pretty much any type of bike helmet.
Handlebar Mount
Most bike mirrors work in a similar manner with the main difference being in how you attach them to your bicycle.
You can install some onto the bike’s frame or handlebars so that you can easily look down at them to view traffic coming up behind you.
Sunglass Mount
Sunglass bike mirror mounts are clipped onto your sunglasses which is why they’re usually small in size and are conveniently lightweight.
You can use them to view your rear traffic without so much as craning your neck and adjust them in either direction whenever you want.
Benefits of Bike Mirrors
Here are some of the benefits of using the best bike mirrors.
Improves Safety
Bike mirrors help to improve the safety of your daily commute or leisurely ride.
You’re able to see what’s coming behind you with looking away from the traffic ahead.
Wider Range of Vision
Bike mirrors give you a complete view of the world around you.
They’re almost like a car’s side mirror or blind spot mirror that allows you to focus on the traffic ahead of you while remaining cognizant of what’s in front of you.
They offer a wide range of vision especially since you can attach them straight to your bicycle.
Boosts Visual Focus
Bike mirrors help to improve your visual focus so you can enjoy a safer ride.
Extra Tips
- Adjust your mirror regularly to ensure that you’re always able to see the traffic behind and in front of you.
- Some mirrors work specifically for certain types of bikes. Make sure that the bicycle mirror you’ve bought is suitable for your particular bicycle. You can do this by looking at the specifications, which might include recumbent, road bike, BMX bike or mountain bike for example.
- Do your research by measuring your bike handlebar’s diameter to ensure that you get the right size mirror that’ll attach easily.
Conclusion
If you’re still reading, then you’re probably looking for an extra tip on which option to choose. After all, there’s just so much to choose from and so much information to absorb.
In our opinion, the LX LERMX bike mirrors are the best e-bike mirrors around, which also cater for other applications.
They’re stylish, easy to install, durable, safe and they come in pairs! What’s not to like? This is great value for money and they’re made to last as well.