The best bike mirrors for cycling in safety. Handlebar, bar end, helmet
The top side mirrors for road bike, mountain bike, e-bike, and bikepacking
Cycling safety is paramount, and having the best bike mirror for your setup can make all the difference. Since we began our world cycling journey in 2014, we always considered a bike mirror an essential piece of equipment for riding safely, especially when on busy roads.
It’s not easy though to find the best bike mirror, the choice will depend on the type of handlebar you have, either a road bike drop-bar, a mountain bike flat bar, or some different type – the width of the bars is another factor, bar end mirrors might be best for a narrow handlebar, while bar top are a good choice if your bars are wide enough so not to impede the visual with your body.
Also the direction of traffic matters, if you’ll be using your bike in countries with different driving sides (let’s say UK and Italy for example), then you need a mirror that can be switched on the opposite side, or maybe two mirrors. Bike helmet mirrors are also an option, although some riders hate them.
In this post, we’ll delve into the world of bike mirrors, drawing from personal experience and expertise to help you find the best fit for your ride.
We’ll discuss the critical reasons why having a rearview mirror can save your life, explore the compatibility issues you might encounter, and dive into the various options available, from handlebar-mounted mirrors to helmet and bar-end mirrors.
Whether you’re a road cyclist, mountain biker, e-bike enthusiast, or bikepacking adventurer, we’ve got you covered with the best side mirrors to keep you safe on your cycling journey.
check also
> The Best and Safest Bike Helmets in 2023 – Scientifically Tested
> Best Bone Conduction Headphones for Cycling – Open Ear Design for Biking Awareness
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How we compile our gear guides: during the almost 10 years of cycloscope.net our team personally tested dozens of similar pieces of gear. For what we can't test personally, we involve other people in the cycling community to give their feedback and opinion about gear they have used. Our decade-long experience in bicycle touring enables us to find the key cons and pros of every product we mention.
Top 9 Best Bike Mirrors in a Nutshell
- Zefal Spin 15 – Best Bike Mirror for All Cyclists
- D+D Oberlauda UltraLite Mirror – Best Bike Mirror for Ultralite Bikepacking
- Third Eye Pro Helmet Mirror – Best Bike Helmet Mirror
- Cateye BM 500G – Budget-friendly Mountain Bike Mirror
- Zefal Spy Bike Mirror – Most Versatile Bike Mirror
- Topeak Bar N Barend Mirror – Best 2-in-1 Bike Mirror and Bar Ends (mountain bike mirror)
- Sprintech Dropbar Mirror – Best Road Bike Mirror for Dropbars
- MSW Flat Bar Mirror – Best e-Bike Mirror for High-definition Reflection
- Mirrycle Mirror – Best Bike Mirror for City Commuting
Top 9 Best Bike Mirrors for Bikepacking
Zefal Spin 15 [~ 14$]
Best Bike Mirror for All Cyclists
The durability and versatility of the Zefal Spin make it the perfect mirror for all types of cyclists.
This simple bar end mirror connects easily to any straight or drop handlebars with a diameter between 16mm to 22mm, featuring triple-adjustment orientation to get the perfect angle from any position.
The manufacturers claim it’s built from ‘unbreakable’ chrome-plated plastic, which might be a stretch, but it certainly feels tough enough to survive a hard knock.
The compact convex mirror provides a small but clear rear view and can be easily tucked away when not in use. A great mirror for e-bikes.
- Dimensions: 2.36 x 0.39 x 1.57 inches
- Mirror size: 15cm²
- Weight: 45g
D+D Oberlauda UltraLite Bike Mirror [~ 30$]
Best Bike Mirror for Ultralite Bikepacking
This ultralight mirror from German designer D+D Oberlauda is surprisingly large and durable for its weight, coming in at an incredible 56 grams.
It features a standard adjustable handlebar strap for mounting with a ball-and-socket design for angle adjustment.
The parabolic-shaped mirror provides excellent wide-angle viewing and is wrapped in high-impact molded plastic, making this the ideal mirror for ultralight bikepacking and cycle touring.
The price is slightly higher than some other similarly-sized mirrors but is a small cost for those who want to cut down on weight without sacrificing quality.
- Dimensions: 9.25 x 5 x 1.75 inches
- Mirror Size: 12cm diameter
- Weight: 56g
Third Eye Pro Helmet Mirror [~ 19$]
Best Bike Helmet Mirror
Don’t let the flimsy appearance of Third Eye’s Pro Helmet Mirror fool you – this ultra-light, durable mirror is made from real shatterproof glass and locks onto your helmet with an incredibly strong adhesive.
The adjustable arm is quite short, which can take some getting used to, but the mirror becomes easier to see once you’re accustomed to it.
The best part is that it folds away against your helmet for easy storage when not in use. At only 50g, it’s the perfect choice for bikepackers that don’t want a lot of extra items adding weight and taking up space on their handlebars.
- Mirror size: 2.8cm diameter.
- Dimensions: 5.4 x 2.5 x 1.4 inches.
- Weight: 50g
Cateye BM 500G Side Mirror [~ 12$]
Budget-friendly Mountain Bike Mirror
Sometimes, the best solution is the simplest. The BM 500G from Cat Eye is just that – a simple yet durable glass mirror that slots easily into any straight handlebars with an internal diameter between 16-22mm.
Perfect for commuters or mountain bikers, the BM 500G features a large, scratch-resistant, convex mirror.
The angled mirror arm ensures the mirror doesn’t stick out too far into the road, helping to avoid any nasty knocks or pumps by passing cars.
However, be careful when parking your bike in busy stations or storage areas as these mirrors don’t fold away and could get damaged by other bicycles.
- Mirror size: 7 cm diameter.
- Dimensions: 11.81 x 7.87 x 17.72 inches
- Weight: 80g
Zefal Spy Bike Mirror [~ 15$]
Most Versatile Bike Mirror
This highly versatile design from Zefal features a wide adjustable strap that makes it easy to attach to almost anywhere on various bicycle types, from road rigs to electric bikes.
Made from near-indestructible chrome-plated ABS plastic, the convex mirror can twist up, down, left, and right to ensure you get the perfect view.
The Zefla Spy is suitable for both drop-bar and straight handlebars and attaches to any sized tube between 22-60 mm (0.9″ – 2.4″) in diameter.
It isn’t the lightest mirror on our list but it’s one of the cheapest, making it great value for money if you’re not a weight weenie!
- Mirror size: 20 cm²
- Dimensions: 6.25 x 2.5 x 1.3 inches
- Weight: 25g
Topeak Barend Bar N Mirror [~ 45$ pair]
Best 2-in-1 Bike Mirror and Bar Ends (mountain bike mirror)
Double up your value with this 2-in-1 set of bar ends and mirrors, a great addition to any MTB, commuter, or hybrid bike with straight handlebars.
Slot the mirrors away neatly into the bar ends when you’re grinding down the trail and then pop them out again whenever you find yourself in traffic.
Bar ends give your hands more flexibility when riding, taking the pressure off one single spot to avoid cramps and numbness.
This makes the Topeak Bar N the ideal solution for long-distance tourers who often cycle for long periods in heavy traffic, requiring both mirrors and multiple hand positions.
- Mirror size: 22 cm²
- Dimensions: 5.12 x 1.3 x 1.42 inches
- Weight: 22g (each)
Sprintech Dropbar Mirror [~ 26$]
Best Road Bike Mirror for Dropbars
Road racers will appreciate these tiny convex mirrors that fit inconspicuously into the bottom of any standard drop bars, allowing a sneak peek at the road behind you without compromising ride quality or hand positioning.
At only 19 grams, you’ll barely notice the weight difference but get the advantage of a pre-warning before a truck rumbles past you at full speed.
Installation requires no tools – simply remove your bar ends and pop the retro bike mounting plug into the handlebar.
Bikepackers that use drop bars will find these particularly convenient as they don’t take up valuable real estate in your cockpit, and can easily be swapped from left to right depending on which country you’re in.
- Mirror size: 7 cm2
- Dimensions: 0.79 x 1.77 x 2.76 inches
- Weight: 19g
MSW Flat Bar Mirror with High Definition Glass [~ 30$]
Best eBike Mirror for High-definition Reflection
This bike mirror from MSW features a high-definition glass lens to provide a superior view of vehicles approaching from behind.
With 360 degrees of rotation on the mirror and an adjustable arm, all different types of riders can be sure to get the best possible viewing angle no matter their height. The arm also folds away conveniently for safe storage and parking.
Attaching the mirror requires only an Allen key, using a simple bolt-on clamp that fits any handlebar with a diameter between 21 to 26mm.
It’s the perfect mirror for commuters in large cities where traffic is busy and an excellent rear view is critical, which makes it probably the best mirror for e-bikes in this list. However, ultralight bikepackers or road racers will probably find this mirror a bit too heavy.
- Mirror size: 10cm
- Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 10 cm
- Weight: 178g
Mirrycle Mirror [20$]
Best Bike Mirror for City Commuting
This Mirrycle bike mirror is a quick and easy solution for any flat bar hybrid commuter or MTB rider who needs an easy, clear rear view.
The large 3” convex glass mirror provides a wide field of view and is adjustable to any viewing angle.
To attach, simply remove your bar end plugs and pop the mirror arm in, securing it with an included wrench.
Constructed from lightweight but durable polycarbonate, the Mirrycle Mirror fits any handlebars with an inside diameter between 13.75mm – 22.5mm (.54″ to .875″).
- Mirror size: 7.6cm
- Dimensions: 19.5 x 10.6 x 3.3 centimeters
- Weight: 136g
What You Should Look for in a Bike Mirror
Compatibility
Several of our bike mirrors listed here will fit both straight and drop handlebars but it’s important to check first, as not all mirrors are compatible with any bar type. Furthermore, certain mirrors provide a better view when used with specific bars so take some time to consider how the mirror will attach to your bars. Straight handlebars tend to stick out further than drop bars, requiring a mirror with a better angle to see around your arms, whereas drop bars can work well with very small, compact mirrors.
Mount Location
The two most common mount locations are on the handlebars or helmets. Obviously, if you don’t typically wear a helmet you’ll want to get a mirror for your handlebars. Some mirrors also come with a large adjustable clamp that can fit anywhere on a bike, which is useful for unusual bicycle designs like a recumbent.
Maneuverability
Depending on your riding style and road conditions, certain mirrors may be more suitable for you. If you’re a city commuter who spends a lot of time in busy traffic, you’ll want a large mirror that can be easily adjusted to always provide a clear, consistent rear view. However, bikepackers who are often on long empty roads may be happy with a static mirror that just requires a quick glance now and then.
Mirror quality
If your cycling environment means your bike is likely to take some knocks, you’ll want to get the toughest mirror you can find. In most instances, this means a heavier mirror, so ultralight bikepackers may need to sacrifice quality in exchange for weight savings. However, a mirror can’t be easily fixed or replaced in the wild so you’ll still want something quite durable.
The quality of the glass is also important – if you’re often in busy traffic you’ll want the clearest possible view available so you don’t miss anything critical.
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