For those of you who read my stuff, it’ll come as no surprise that Bend, Oregon’s Spurcycle is one of my favorite brands in the biz. They make the best bar-mounted bell on the market, in my opinion. And today, continuing to redefine the humble, often forgotten about bike parts, they’ve just launched their new Pro Mirror.
And, it’s really nice.
Spurcycle Pro Mirror drop-bar bicycle mirror
Spurcycle’s new Pro Mirror is a drop-bar bicycle mirror designed specifically for gravel and road riding. The mirror comes in two sizes: R35 (35mm diameter) and R50 (50mm diameter). I received the R50 for my tester. Both mirrors mount to drop handlebars without requiring any tools for installation or adjustment.
The company developed the product with input from cyclists who ride in fast-paced environments where quick awareness of surrounding traffic and riders is essential.
Don’t Turn Your Head
The Pro Mirror addresses situations where turning your head to check behind may not be practical or safe. This can be the case during high-speed riding or in heavy traffic. The Pro Mirror would work awesomely alongside rear-facing radar systems by providing some visual context to complement the beeps and flashy lights of radar’s detection.
For your Saturday group rides, the Pro Mirror helps riders track the positioning and movements of other cyclists without disrupting their focus on the road or the wheel ahead. The continuous rearview eliminates the brief blind moments that occur during traditional over-the-shoulder checks.
One of the best parts of the new Pro Mirror is its all-aluminum construction. The mirror housing is machined from 6061-T6 aluminum. It uses a classy minimal design. So it fits perfectly into modern bike cockpits, like my Wilde Rambler SL, without looking out of place.
My Install & First Impressions
I received the R50 mirror just a few weeks ago. And I was actually excited to give it a try. Motorists seem to be getting a lot worse out there lately, so I was very open to trying a handsome rearview like the Pro Mirror.
I immediately installed it on my Wilde Rambler SL gravel bike. It literally took seconds to install and required zero tools to get the job done. The tool-free twist-to-install setup, combined with the stout double-axis pivot, makes adjusting the mirror on the fly an absurdly easy process.
You simply mount it and adjust the angle as needed. The way the Pro Mirror is designed minimizes vibration a lot.
I mean, I didn’t notice vibrations that were enough to disrupt my rear view. And the Pro Mirror kept the reflected image stable, whether I rode on smooth pavement or rough gravel surfaces. So, the reflection was always clear as a bell.
I don’t have a road bike anymore, so the mirror will stay on my gravel bike for the near future and beyond. But, that being said, the easy-to-install Pro Mirror would work well for cyclists who travel with their bikes or want to swap the mirror between steeds.
I Really Like My Spurcycle Pro Mirror
I didn’t think I was going to care for a mirror mounted on my gravel bike. I’ve never really liked the aesthetics of a rear-view mirror on a bike, not even on a commuter bike. I mean, I know installing a mirror on any bike adds safety. But man, I never liked the way they looked. And most of the mirrors I’ve seen in the past were cheap, plastic versions, with mounting options that were “meh” at best.
Not Spurcycle’s Pro Mirror!
Nope, this mirror stays true to the Spurcycle way of doing things; it is designed, machined, and made very well. It sits in my bars and doesn’t look out of place to me. Just looks like it belongs there.
Look, I know that mirrors have always been one of the last things cyclists think of when it comes to spec’ing out their cockpit. But maybe it shouldn’t be. Maybe the Spurcycle Pro Mirror will be the mirror that tips popular opinion towards being both safe and stylish. Time will tell. But, I’m on board.
Pro Mirror – Retail & Detail
Retail: $69 for the R50 (tested), or the R35
Colors: Silver (tested), Black
- Premium Construction: Machined from 6061-T6 aluminum for a streamlined aesthetic.
- Optical Clarity: Tempered glass mirror provides an optimized field of view and superior, vibration-free clarity on all road surfaces.
- Tool-Free Installation: Engineered for tool-free installation and adjustment, mounting in less than 60 seconds, and is quickly removable.
- Universal Drop Bar Fit: Compatible with handlebars featuring an internal diameter (ID) of 14-20mm.
- Two Mirror Sizes:
- R35 (35mm): A compact option for maximum utility in streamlined, minimalist form.
- R50 (50mm): A larger format that prioritizes ease of use and a wider field of view.
- Guaranteed Durability: Fully rebuildable with a lifetime warranty.
Parting Thoughts, Looking Forward (and Backwards!)
The Spurcycle Pro Mirror, like all of their products, is extremely well thought out, with the end result being a very high-quality product. For me, being able to see what’s happening behind me in an instant is proving to be very useful. I mean, without effort, and without turning my head, I just dart my eyes down to the left, and I get a quick glimpse of the happenings behind me.
So, thank you to Spurcycle for sending me a mirror to try out. And, thanks for making it the perfect mirror to help banish the negative stigma that a bicycle mirror can sometimes bring. The Spurcycle Pro Mirror is fully rebuildable and carries a Lifetime Warranty, so give it a try; you have nothing to lose.
