A Bicycle Rearview Mirror is Much More Important Than You Think
What is the most anxious moment when you ride a bike on the road? For me, it’s definitely when checking behind me. Especially while working as a delivery person with an electric bike, where road riding is often unavoidable, the brief moment of turning my head to check for oncoming traffic often felt dangerous.
I realized I needed a bike rearview mirror during these very moments. I would often lose track of the situation ahead or lose my balance and risk an accident while turning my head to check for vehicles approaching from behind.
Today, I want to share my honest review of the bicycle rearview mirror I recently purchased and am currently using. I’ll also share my past failure experience, hoping it can help you when choosing your own bike mirror.
Failure of the First Mirror, and Lessons Learned
This is actually the second bicycle rearview mirror I’ve purchased. The first purchase was… frankly, a failure.
Initially, I bought a mirror that attaches to the end of the handlebar. The design looked sleek and the installation seemed simple, so I ordered it without much thought. The price was also low.
However, a problem arose when I received it: the mirror size. It was much smaller than I expected. It looked decent in the advertisement photos, but when I actually installed it on my bike and rode, I couldn’t clearly see the situation behind me.
With the small mirror, it was difficult to accurately determine how close a vehicle was or how the lanes were laid out. Eventually, after using it a few times, it ended up in a drawer. The lesson learned from the first purchase failure was clear:
Mirror size is critical for a bicycle rearview mirror!
This Time It’s Different: The Arrival of the Large Mirror
After the first failure, I went without a rearview mirror for a while. Having been burned once, I was skeptical about buying again. But as dangerous moments continued during my delivery work, I decided to give it another try.
This time, I chose carefully. The most important factor was, of course, the size of the mirror. And robust fixation that wouldn’t shake with vibrations during riding was also a key condition.
The mirror I chose this time has a diameter of XX cm and a length of approximately XX cm. You can clearly see the size when compared to my hand. This size is sufficient to fully grasp the situation behind me.
To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations when ordering, as I was cautious from my previous failure. But when I received it, this one was different.
The Sturdiness of the Clamp Mechanism, Much More Stable Than Expected
The fixing mechanism of this mirror is a clamp type. Since it’s hand-tightened, I was initially doubtful, thinking, ‘Will this really be strong enough?’ I worried if it could withstand riding vibrations since it wasn’t tightened with power tools, only by hand.
[Image insertion request: Close-up photo of the clamp fixing part]
However, my worries were unfounded. After tightening the clamp firmly by hand and using it, it didn’t shake at all, even during aggressive riding. The mirror held its position firmly, even when riding at speed or over bumpy roads.
Another advantage of the clamp mechanism is the freedom of angle adjustment. I could finely adjust the angle to my line of sight, allowing me to secure it in the most comfortable position. I also liked that it maintained that angle once set.
The installation position is also flexible; it can be placed anywhere you want on the handlebar. You can install it on the left or the right. I installed it on the left, which is the optimal position for checking vehicles approaching from behind when riding on the road.
Real-World Review: Feeling the Safety in the Delivery Field
When doing deliveries on an electric bike, there are many moments when riding on the road is unavoidable. We encounter various situations: sections where bike paths end, narrow alleys, and roads shared with vehicles.
Before, I always had to turn my head to check if a car was coming. The anxiety and danger I felt each time were considerable. Turning my head for a brief moment could make me lose track of the situation ahead or cause me to wobble.
However, after installing the rearview mirror, these worries have significantly decreased. I can check the situation behind me just by slightly shifting my gaze to the mirror. Since I don’t need to turn my head much, I can ride much more safely.
The mirror is especially helpful in these moments:
When a lane change is necessary
The mirror is truly useful when I need to avoid a parked car on a narrow road or when preparing for a left turn. I can assess the speed and distance of the vehicle behind me to safely change lanes.
When merging from an alley onto a main road
The mirror is also a great help when exiting an alley onto a main road. I can check for vehicles approaching from the side in advance, allowing me to merge at the right time.
When waiting at a traffic light
It’s also important to check for vehicles approaching from behind while waiting at a light. I can be safe by knowing in advance if a motorcycle or another bicycle is approaching quickly.
Because the mirror is large, visibility is excellent. I can clearly identify the type of vehicle (sedan, truck, or motorcycle) approaching from behind and its distance. This was absolutely impossible with a small mirror.
A Perfect Choice for Value
The quality is good, but what about the price? This part is also truly satisfying. The price is very affordable at about $2.8.
Of course, it’s not made of the highest-grade materials, but in terms of practicality, there are no issues. It performs the function I need it to, and the durability seems decent.
At this price point and quality, I believe it’s a truly sensible choice.
Who Needs a Bicycle Rearview Mirror?
Based on my experience, I strongly recommend a bicycle rearview mirror to the following people:
Those who use electric or regular bikes for delivery
If you work in delivery, a bicycle rearview mirror is a necessity, not an option. I highly recommend installing one for your safety.
Frequent road riders
This is an essential item for those who use their bikes for commuting or daily travel and frequently have to ride on the road.
Those who ride at high speeds on bike paths
Even on a bike path, it’s important to check for other bikes or electric scooters approaching quickly from behind. A rearview mirror helps ensure safe riding.
Cons
Due to its long neck structure, the shaking can be somewhat severe.
The material covering the neck is a bit flimsy, showing the inside if bent too much, but this shouldn’t pose a practical problem.
If you are considering buying a bicycle rearview mirror and need a large mirror, remember this: small mirrors are impractical. I especially recommend this to delivery workers or those who frequently ride on the road. Since the price is low, feel free to give it a try.
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Tags: #BicycleRearviewMirror #ElectricBike #BikeGear #Delivery #BikeSafety #RidingEssential #MirrorRecommendation #BikeSafetyGear