Bicycle mirrors are the kind of biking accessory that can become so ingrained into your consciousness that you automatically glance to the upper left whenever you hear sounds behind you, and that is not an exaggeration. People who use them swear by them, and if you’re someone who loves commuting to work on your bike, you will certainly want to have the safety benefits offered by bicycle mirrors.
Mountain bikers on the other hand, tend to break mirrors with regularity, so a very sturdy mirror is a necessity. Here are some things to consider when you’re ready to make a bicycle mirror purchase.
Handlebar Vs. Helmet Vs. Eyeglass Mirrors
There are several types of bicycle mirrors, and the one you purchase will depend on what you feel comfortable with and what is convenient for you. Handlebar mirrors attach to your bicycle handlebars and stick out further than the widest part of the cyclist on the left side. The major downfall is that there is a chance they will break away easily if the bike falls. That being said, as long as you’re not bouncing a lot, they give you a clear picture of what’s coming behind you.
Helmet mirrors are cheap, easy to attach to your biking helmet, and have the added appeal of not jutting out into traffic. Eyeglass mirrors are smaller and conveniently attach to either your prescription glasses or your biking glasses to give you a look at the world behind you.
Mirror Accessibility
A big consideration with bicycle mirrors is how much your mirror forces your head to turn in order to see traffic in the rear. With handlebar mirrors, you’ll have to turn your head a little more than if you had a helmet-mounted mirror or an eyeglass-mounted mirror.
This is important because the more you turn your head to see what’s behind you, the more you lose touch of what’s in front of you. If you commute through any busy traffic sections, this could be a major issue that’s worth thinking about.
Handlebar Positioning
Another thing to think about is how your choice of bicycle mirrors impacts the positioning of your handlebars. If you have a handlebar mirror installed, what you see behind you will depend to some extent on how your handlebars are positioned, and you may not always be able to safely position them so that you can see traffic behind you. With both helmet and eyeglass mirrors, this isn’t as much of a factor because it’s only your head positioning that affects what you see in the rear.
The Best Bicycle Mirrors On Amazon
Bike Peddler Take-A-Look Cycling Eyeglass Mirror
Ranging between $10 and $50, this cycling mirror attaches to your biking glasses and is virtually vibration-free so you can get a clear look at what’s coming behind you.
It can be used on both the left and right sides and has three adjustment points to provide maximum flexibility of placement and field of vision.
The mirror itself is made of frameless acrylic, so it will survive any kind of fall without shattering.
Mirrycle MTB Bar End Mountain Bicycle Mirror
This is an extremely durable handlebar-mounted mountain bike mirror.
It has an ultra-wide convex mirror which can be pivoted to any viewing angle desired.
This mirror fits inside the handlebar itself, providing a secure connection that will prevent the mirror from bouncing off when the terrain gets a little rough. This is an extremely affordable model, available for around $15.
Race Icon Bike Helmet Mirror
As the name suggests, this rugged bicycle mirror attaches to the biking helmet and provides a clear, undistorted view of trailing traffic with its flat mirror surface.
Mounted on a ball hinge, this mirror can be adjusted to any viewing angle desired, and since it’s made of super-strong polymers and aluminum, it is virtually indestructible.
Offered at a price of less than $20, this is a bargain for anyone seeking a rugged yet versatile bicycle mirror.
Sprintech Roadbike Review Mirrors
For around $30, you can get this pair of top-of-the-line bicycle mirrors, which are intended to integrate with racing drop bars for a great all-around vision behind.
They are very light and aerodynamic to accommodate the requirements of racing, and they require very little head movement, allowing the rider to focus on the road ahead.
2-pack Adjustable Rotatable Handlebar Glass Mirror
This 2-pack glass mirror system is built for mountain biking, which means they are extremely tough and durable in difficult terrain.
They have a 360-degree rotation capability, for seeing rear traffic at all angles, and can be rotated so the rider can see himself/herself to check on facial gear.
Sold for less than $20, this mirror can be installed without the use of any tools at all and is made of ABS material that can stand up well to the rigors of mountain biking.