Reviews of Ortlieb UltraLight BarEnd Bike Mirror

This is the first time in a long time that I haven't had a mirror on my helmet. I got a new helmet and decided to try and find another option. That is when I ordered this. I really like it and I have it mounted on the bar hood just before the shifters. It moves from time to time but is easy to adjust.

Pros

Works well on the Elliptigo

Cons

Didn't find it first!

Pros

Easy to find a location and install. Good rear view.

Cons

The worm tightening screw needs careful adjustment. Not too tight that the plastic worm gear strips. Not really a con, but a heads up. Hasn't happened to me, but I'm used to working with things like this.

Pros

I purchased the Ortlieb Mirror as an adjunct to an EVT Safe Zone Bike Helmet Mirror I have attached to my cycling helmet. I wanted an additional mirror make up for some of EVT's short comings but I wanted something a little larger than the most of the bar end mirrors I saw online at other sites like Amazon. REI had the same Ortlieb mirror but shipping with Modern Bike was less$$ unless you spend at least $50 with REI in order to get free shipping. The mirror was easy to attach to the handle bar and it can be set along the handle bar where you prefer. I get a larger and better view with the EVT helmet mirror because it sits higher up (your head) than the handle bar mirror and the mirror is flat but the handler bar mirror is a good additional check for on coming traffic behind you.

Cons

Small view, the mirror is curved so it doesn't pick up the cars until it they are getting close and it needs some adjustment each time you go out to ride.

Other Thoughts

It is a good adjunct. If you ride in traffic much I feel safer having multiple mirrors for multiple looks behind you.

Pros

Easy and flexible mounting. Very good visibility. Easy to adjust and re-adjust if needed.

Cons

Can get Wacked while parking or transporting but it’s easy to adjust.

Other Thoughts

I mount these on my left fork stanchion to give me good visibility of the road behind me. I have used this mirror for several years and own more than one.

This mirror remains stable while riding. My other mirror required constant adjustments.

Pros

Easy installation, lightweight, good field of vision considering the size.

Cons

The mirror is not as effective on my Jones H-bars as it is on my drop bar bike. The only useful position on flat bars appears to be under the bars, which requires a longer look away from the road. Despite this circumstance, I wouldn’t ride without this mirror or something similar.

Pros

Huge field of view. Mounts out of the way on the drops. Adjusts well

Cons

Little bit worried about the cheesy plastic hose lamp attachment. Had to shim it a couple ways before I got it to hold tight enough to not rattles loose. Afraid it will break after un/remounting it several more times but think I could sub a steel hoseclamp.

Other Thoughts

Very hard to find the right mounting spot with a good view and out of the way. Eventually I did so no points lost. I tried real hard to mount it horizontally, eventually decided it cant be done and gave up. No worries, it works great vertically. I’ve used helmet mount and bar end mount mirrors, but my new bike has garçons and I think the helmet mount is awkward. This gives the best view by far. But it!

Pros

Attaches easily, well made, adjusts easily with a great view.

Cons

none

Pros

Solid mirror easy to install . The mirror is the best solution for my e bike since the handle bar mirrors did not fit. I can see behind me well but my body and arm do block vision somewhat. I can't make a hole and still peddle . I still can see the left lane and some rear behind me and that helps. It is a keeper.

Cons

My body blocks vision no matter where it's placed but I can still see.

Pros

I love this mirror. My first one was purchased two years ago when I converted my touring bike with drop-down bars to bar-end shifters. This is NOT a "bar end" shifter as the name implies. Rather, it can be placed most anywhere on the drops of a drop-down bar. It is very light; offers an excellent field of view; and is easy to mount. Mine is mounted right in the curve of my drops and does not interfere with riding on the brake hoods or on the flat part of the drops. I used the mirror on my 4,226 mile across the nation in 2018 and it never failed me. Well, it did suffer a break when I dropped the bike as I pushed it into the forest for a night of camping, but it wasn't the mirror's fault. I just taped up it's stem and didn't have another problem with it. I just bought another one to replace it.

Cons

This mirror is perfect for the touring cyclist, and I enjoy having it when riding locally, both on road and on our converted rail trail. It sticks out from the bike somewhat......a plus for the touring cyclist for sure.....so it might not be the best choice for someone who considers him or herself to be a racer or who is riding trails with a lot of tree branches that stick out.

Other Thoughts

For many years I've used a true bar-end mirror. That worked well with my Shimano brifters. This Ortlieb mirror, however, has perfectly met my needs after my switch to bar-end shifters. This mirror doesn't look cool. To me it looks sort of chunky and as though it would be heavy.....it's not; it's light as a feather. If you want to be safe and value having the best rear view possible, then this is the mirror for you.

Been using these mirrors for over ten years on my road bikes. Great field of vision, they don’t vibrate or bounce around.

Pros

Mounting options.
Field of view.

Cons

If mount on road drops it does get in the way a little.

Other Thoughts

Got this because my new bike has bar end shifters ... which precluded a bar end mirror.
Saw this mirror had flexible mounting options so gave it try.
Tried a few spots on my drop bars and settled on about 4" below the brake levers. Just enough room for my hands to fit below the brakes and still grab them. Its a tiny bit inconvenient avoiding the mirror but it works well enough.

I love the field of view that the elongated mirror provides vs the round mirror I had. Also because the mirror mount is more to the side it does provide an excellent unobstructed view of the rear. Very nice mirror!

This is one of my favorite handle bar mirrors. The Ortlieb UltraLight BarEnd Bike mirror is getting really hard to find. I was very happy to find it for sale here. I like my helmet mirror, but the handle bar mirror gives me an important view of cars to my left and close behind me

Pros

snug fit

Cons

doesn't line up on the drop down handlebars so as to be useful

Pros

Although there is little room for a mirror on the drop handlebars of a road bike, I consider a rear view mirror essential for safe urban bicycle riding. My previous mirror mounted on the brake hood and provided a good view but continually moved and often interfered with the motion of the shifter. I've tried the mirrors that mount on the end of the handlebar but find them too small, too far away and badly positioned in my field of vision.
I used the strap clamp to attach this mirror underneath the left Shimano 105 brake/shifters, just beneath the brake hood. It looks good but I will need to try this position for a few weeks.

Cons

I ride 100 miles/week so it won't be long before I identify any problems

Other Thoughts

The unique shape appears well designed with excellent mirror reflection.

Pros

Versatile; multiple mounting options.

Cons

None

Other Thoughts

I mounted this on my Nitto Noodle drop bar......rear view is excellent.

Pros

It is the only mirror that I could find that would work on my Trek 520 with drop bars and bar-end shifters.
Easy to install.
Sporty looking
Durable

Cons

The wide angle view is so wide that it is difficult to identify objects that are any distance away. If I am in any sort of traffic I always shoulder check before changing lanes just to be sure.

Other Thoughts

The mounting clamp is a serrated nylon strap with a metal tightening screw, kind of like a automotive hose clamp. I worry that if I over tighten a bit I will strip the serrations and will not be able to attach the mirror. Having said that, the mirror is tight and I haven't had a problem so far. Also the strap is replaceable.

Pros

I have been riding with this mirror for a couple of years. Just took out an old bike and rode without it and felt naked. I have tried EVERY SINGLE MIRROR out there and they all move and give a much more limited field of view. This is the ONLY ONE that is worth buying. I know- I tried about 10 before this one (incl helmet and glasses mirrors).

Am I excited abut this product- Yes! Is this a fake review- NO!

Cons

none

Easily adjustable, little to no vibration, provides excellent view behind

Pros

Great flexibility and clarity

Cons

Get out your crazy glue and put it on the edges of the Mirror. The first one I bought they replaced for free when the Mirror popped out of the casing.

Other Thoughts

Worth the money and effort

Pros

It fit to my road bike bars and offers a good view. There seem to be few options for mirrors on road bike bars and this one worked.

Cons

the tightening/adjusting mechanism just barely tightens enough. I need to find a filler piece (rubber tubing) and re install.

I wish I could position it farther outboard and rotate the mirror 180 degrees from where it is--but I can't.

For those who don't like a helmet mirror or glasses add-on mirror, this is a good option

Pros

well made

Cons

If mounted under handlebar my arm blocks view. If mounted above, have a limited view because I can only see traffic on the narrow side of the mirror.

Pros

Many options for installation using drop bars. It took a bit of experimenting finding the spot I liked the best, but I'm already used to having it installed. It's nice seeing cars coming up on me without having to turn my head around.

Other Thoughts

Feel safer riding having this mirror installed.

Pros

Haven't ever been able to get it attached right to enjoy

Cons

Haven't ever been able to get it attached right to enjoy.

Other Thoughts

Don't bother.

Pros

Stays where you put it.
Easily adjustable.
Easily removable.
Being convex, field of view is good.
Price

Cons

Being convex, images are small.

Other Thoughts

This is the second of these mirrors I own. I haven't actually installed the new one on my new bike yet. However, I can say that I feel more comfortable (safety-wise) with this mirror on my old bike. It's not as good as a car mirror, but not as big and heavy either. The images are small and you can't make out details, but you can certainly tell a car is coming up behind you. Since I tend to rarely use my handlebar drops, that is where I have it mounted on the left side.

Pros

You can always find a spot that the mirror will attach to on the bike. Nice field of vision.

Cons

None

Other Thoughts

Easy to attach

Pros

It's all good

Cons

None

Pros

Easy to install anywhere on your bar. Lightweight, secure, does not vibrate.

Cons

Odd shape, but not a factor. Slightly convex which is the reason for 4 stars. At highway speeds, cars are hard to spot at a safe distance to cross the road/left turn. With practice I am comfortable with the view.

Pros

Light, yet sturdy and it doesn't shake while riding.
It's out of the way of my hands on the handlebar.
I don't have to move my body to get a good view of oncoming traffic.
Super easy to install.

Other Thoughts

I love this bike mirror.

Pros

Lightweight
Easy to change from one bike to another
Clear view
Folds in when bikes are locked

Other Thoughts

This would make a great gift for any steet rider.

Very good mirror, as all Ortlieb product's.
Easy to install, adjust and see behind.
I never used a mirror in the past because most of them don't hold solid.
This miror I would recommend to any cyclist especially to those who are touring.
Happy Cycling!

Pros

Love it. This mirror is a huge help when riding especially in traffic, attaches securely to bike.

Cons

None

Pros

Easy to mount, even on a road bike
Does not vibrate - fabulously steady
Extremely lightweight
Wide angle

Cons

This mirror is so convex that items which are actually very close appear to be very far away. This means that cars approaching from the rear are very hard to see in the distance - they are right on my tail before I can see them clearly. I hear them long before I see them in the mirror Unfortunately, the mirror does not serve its purpose so I have replaced it with another model.

Other Thoughts

If the manufacturer used a different optical mirror, this would be a fabulous mirror for road cyclists.

Pros

very stable, no shaking. easy to attach. well made.

Cons

had a hard time finding a place to put it where my own self wasn't blocking my view. Finally had to settle on the middle of my handle grip with the mirror hanging down. Still see a good portion of my thigh, blocking my view of what's behind me. I wish it were possible to put it in the end of my handle grip. That would give me a good view. May have to put this mirror on the shelf, even though I really like the fact that it does not shake.

Pros

Durable. Survived crash. Great rear view of traffic. Good nighttime visibility of traffic (only because headlights are on).

Cons

Mirror is too convex. Convexivity should be reduced. Objects in mirror are way too small to figure out distance.

Pros

Light weight,great rear view vision,easy to install

Cons

May seem flimsy because it's plastic and light weight but very effective.

Other Thoughts

I would buy it again