Advice and tutorials

How to choose your mirror?

The use of bicycles as a means of transportation or as a sport is constantly increasing, bringing with it a co-existence between road users that is not without risk. To ride safely, and if you don't have eyes in the back of your head, it is important to equip your bike with mirrors adapted to your practice and with a fixation adapted to your handlebars.

Why install a mirror?

One of the main reasons for using a rearview mirror is safety, especially when traveling in the city. It is important to have a clear view when turning or changing lanes. A simple glance in your mirror and it can help you avoid hazards, such as pedestrians, other cyclists or cars.

Which mirror to choose for which mounting?

The best way to use a rear-view mirror is to choose the best possible attachment to your bike. The first step is to determine where you can mount the mirror on your bike.

+ Handlebar mounting: once you've checked the diameter of your handlebars, you can mount a mirror such as the Espion E80. This mirror features a long, vibration-filtering arm and an extra-large mirror to help you anticipate nearby dangers. It's particularly useful for electric-assist bikes!

+ Mounted on the rider's helmet: the helmet-mounted bike mirror is lightweight and easy to adjust thanks to its adjustable stem.

+ Mounted on the handlebar ends: this allows the handlebar to be freely accessible. The mirror can be mounted on the left or right side of your bike.

+ Other mountings: some mirrors, like the Spy 15 can be mounted almost anywhere on your bike, as they can be rotated through 360°.

Espion E80

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Une publication partagée par Zéfal (@zefalbike)

Which mirror to choose according to your practice?

To help you make the best choice for your rearview mirror, here are a few scenarios:

Julie is 36 years old and rides her bike to work in the city center every day. She needs a rear-view mirror to give her better visibility and make her feel safer. She chose a large-diameter, handlebar-mounted mirror such as the Espion Z56, or one fitted inside the handlebars like the Espion E80, which, with its vibration-filtering stem, ensures good visibility on all surfaces (paved roads, paths, etc.).

If Julie's priority is high visibility and safety, the Espion E100 Cargo will be the best solution, with its 80cm2 surface area and additional mirror to limit blind spots, perfect for Longtail and Cargo bikes.

These three recommended mirrors feature a large-diameter mirror, for good visibility and greater safety when you're riding around town.

Julien, 35, a mountain biker, would like a rear-view mirror to reassure him when he leaves the trails for a road section. He also wants to know where his partner and children are during family outings. A rear-view mirror like the Spy 15 is perfectly adapted to the constraints of this type of riding. Its elastic strap allows it to be fixed to the centerline of the bike, giving a perfect view of the rear. This discreet positioning prevents breakage and maladjustment, and protects it from splashing.

Mounting at the ends of the handlebars is not recommended for mountain biking.

Patrick is 52 years old. He's just started road biking and is looking to equip his bike with the right accessories. A small-diameter rear-view mirror is advisable, so as not to get in the way when riding. Zéfal recommends the Spin 15 and its big brother the Spin 25. These mirrors will let him know at a glance whether his training companions are still on his wheel.

You now have all the information you need to choose your mirror!