Vehicles could easily sneak up just outside the range of the mirror and therefore relying on a small mirror could be riskier than double-checking over your shoulder.Ī mirror that can be easily adjusted is useful for making quick changes as you ride along and also when setting up the mirror in an optimal position. To see clearly what's behind, the size of the mirror is not the only factor in the optimal position, a mirror with a smaller diameter can be sufficient and ideal for staying safe while riding.Īlthough this doesn't mean the smallest mirrors are the best either: too small and you really won't have a large enough field of vision. Read on for all the details!Ī larger mirror is not always preferable as the increased size could result in glare and take up a lot of space at the front end of your bike, which is often cluttered with other useful bolt-ons. These include the mirror size, the adjustability, the compatibility, side specificity and the alternatives and additions in our guide to the best bike mirrors.
There are many design aspects to look out for when buying a road bike mirror to suit your individual needs. Also some riders find the mirror distracting as it’s always in view. On the downside they can be awkward to adjust and get a view that isn’t blocked by your shoulder. These mirrors are best for those who just want a quick glance behind.Īs they’re not on your bike they also get around the problem of catching your mirror as you lean your bike up against something or go through a gate or door (although you’ll need to be careful when taking off your helmet not to do the same), and can be with you whatever bike you ride. What are helmet and sunglasses mirrors?Īs these are mounted directly to your helmet or sunglasses they can be much smaller and neater than bar-mounted versions. This fitting gives a lot of flexibility but you might find it difficult to get a clear view past your body and that there’s little room for them amongst the front lights, a bell and cycling computer or smartphone holder. Other versions can fix anywhere on your bars using a strap or clamp. However, these larger mirrors are vulnerable to being knocked when you’re parking up and also may be uncomfortable for your hands if you ride on the hoods a lot. If you’re riding with drop bars then there are brake mounted hoods which give the best un-obscured view, and the easiest to view with a quick glance – very much like a car wing mirror. This style of mirror tends to be the largest and the sturdiest and the best for riders who want a large uninterrupted view. These mirrors mount somewhere on your bars with options for flat or drop bars. If you want to run on a flat bar bike you’ll need a grip that has a removable end or do a little DIY trimming so you can slot the mirror into the bar. Road bike bars will have a small plug that can easily be removed and replaced with the mirror.
On the downside you do need to move your focus more to see what’s in the mirror compared with those that are higher up on your bars. Our drop bar testers tended to prefer the long and low down view that they could get with these mirrors. The smaller mirrors mean that you don’t always have a big view but those with a good curvature will still give you a good field of vision which is unobstructed by your arm / shoulder. They’re best for riders who want to see a bit more behind but are willing to sacrifice a big view for a less obtrusive mirror. There are a few different designs but generally they are on the smaller side and so more discrete than those which mount on lever hoods. These mirrors fit into the end of your bars and can be fitted to both drop handlebars and flat bars. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose.
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