Accessories

Mirrors

Bar-end and handlebar mirrors for traffic awareness.

At pedal-bike speeds you can turn your head and check traffic without much drama. At 20 to 28 mph on a heavier bike, looking back for two seconds means covering sixty to eighty feet blind, often with a throttle under your thumb. That is the case for a mirror on an e-bike. Mirrors do not replace a shoulder check before a lane change, but they let you track a car closing from behind on roads like Legacy Drive or Coit Road without constantly turning away from what is ahead.

Bar-end mirrors plug into the end of the handlebar and are the most stable and most popular choice on flat and riser bars. Handlebar-clamp mirrors sit on a stalk above the bar; they offer a wider, higher view but vibrate more and can interfere with a throttle or display. Helmet and eyeglass mirrors are small and take practice but move with your head and work on any bike. For most e-bike commuters, a bar-end mirror with a glass or high-quality acrylic lens is the best starting point.

Vibration is the enemy. Cheap mirrors with flimsy stalks turn into a blur above 15 mph, especially on hub-motor bikes without suspension. Look for a short, stiff arm, a solid ball joint, and a lens large enough to be useful. Grips that have a closed end need to be trimmed or swapped for bar-end mirrors, and twist throttles limit where a mirror can go on that side; plan the mount before you buy. A few minutes with a tape measure saves a return.

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Mirrors

Hafny Bar End Mirror (HF-MR095)

Hafny's bar-end mirror is a slimmer, more modern take than the Mirrycle, with a stainless lens option, a compact round housing and an expander plug that locks into the bar. It tucks in closer to the grip, which e-bike owners who park in tight garages appreciate. The image is good, the mount is secure, and the price is friendly. Because the mirror body is small, the field of view is narrower than larger mirrors, so you will be turning your head a bit more. Like all bar-end mirrors, it needs the bar end open and will be the first thing to hit the ground in a tip-over.

Best for: Riders who want a low-profile mirror · Folding e-bikes (check fold clearance) · Commuters in tight storage spaces

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Mirrors

Mirrycle MTB Bar End Mirror

The Mirrycle has been the default flat-bar mirror for decades because it simply works: a glass convex lens on a ball-joint arm that plugs into the bar end and stays where you aim it. On an e-bike doing 20 mph with traffic behind you, a mirror you trust is worth more than most gadgets. The convex shape gives a wide view at the cost of making cars look farther away, which you get used to quickly. Installation requires removing or trimming the bar plug and grip end. It is a bit bulky, and the arm sticks out enough to catch on door frames.

Best for: Commuters riding with traffic · Flat-bar e-bikes and cruisers · Riders who found stick-on mirrors useless

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How to choose mirrors

Mount style

Bar-end mirrors are the most stable for flat and riser bars. Clamp-on stalk mirrors give a higher view but shake more. Helmet and glasses mirrors are universal and light but have a learning curve. Match the mount to your bar and grip setup.

Vibration stability

Short, stiff arms and a firm ball joint keep the image usable at e-bike speeds. Long flexible stalks look convenient but blur on rough pavement. If you have a rigid fork and a hub motor, prioritize stiffness.

Lens size and quality

A larger lens is easier to use; a slightly convex lens widens the view at the cost of making objects look farther away. Real glass resists scratching better than acrylic but is heavier and can shatter in a crash.

Cockpit fit

Check clearance with your throttle, display, brake lever and grips. Some bar-end mirrors need open-ended grips or a grip cut. Clamp mirrors need a section of bare bar or a suitable diameter.

Installation considerations

For bar-end mirrors, remove or trim the grip end cap, seat the expander plug fully, and tighten until the mirror holds position on a test ride.
Set the angle while sitting in your normal riding posture, not standing over the bike.
Fold the mirror in when wheeling the bike through doorways to avoid knocking it out of alignment.

Best E-Bikes for Neighborhood Riding

Frequently asked questions

Which side should a bike mirror go on?

In the U.S. the left side, facing traffic overtaking you. Riders who frequently use two-way trails sometimes add a right mirror as well. If a twist throttle occupies one side, a bar-end mirror on the other side is usually still fine.

Do bar-end mirrors work with lock-on grips?

Usually, but you may need to remove the grip's plastic end cap or cut the closed end. Some mirrors are designed to clamp over the grip instead. Check the mount type before ordering.

Why does my mirror image vibrate so much?

Long arms, loose joints, and rigid bikes amplify buzz. Shorten the arm, tighten the joint, and make sure the bar-end plug is fully expanded. Lower tire pressure within the range on the sidewall also calms things down.

Can I rely on a mirror instead of shoulder checking?

No. Mirrors help you monitor what is behind you, but you should still shoulder check before lane changes and turns. Mirrors have blind spots and convex lenses distort distance.