What is the best rear view mirror out there?
 

Helmet mirror? Handle bar mirror?

One that you'll use.

Some folks swear by helmet mirrors... others by handle bar mirrors.

Hate to say it, but spend some money and see what works for you.

This is not the Droid I was looking for.

OK, I like my handle bar mirror... Mirrycle. Try that.

I use the Take-a-Look mirror attached to my sunglasses.

Don't leave home without it.

Second this. The Mountain Mirrycle rocks; if you want to try a handlebar mirror, you won't find a better one.

I use a handle bar mirror, but even if I wanted to change, I am forced into it. I have limited vision in my left eye, so mounting a mirror where I rely exclusively on my left eye doesn't do the job for me... I can look at the handlebar mounted mirror and get a better view.

This is the best i have found. I have used it for over 10,000 miles and would be lost without it. It is very rugged and looks better than most.

http://www.rei.com/product/2382.htm?

http://images.rei.com/media/605686Lrg.jpg

same here. I just got it cuz the bike shop that shipped my bike up to school broke my other mirror (got it at Wal-Mart). The MM seems to be pretty good.

I will second the Take-a-Look mirror recommendation and I'll tell you why. It stays relatively steady in relation to your eye. Both helmet and bar mounted mirrors vibrated and moved around too much. Other glasses mounted mirrors weighed too much. The Take-a-Look gives a wide field of view also.

The glasses mounted mirrors provide a wider field of view because slight movement of the head allows you to scan a wide angle behind you.

One more vote for Take-a-Look. Mine is helmet mounted.

I tried the helmet mounted mirrors, but just couldn't get used to them. They never worked for me.

There are quite a number of good and affordable mirrors for mountain bikes these days, but less for road bikes. I think that is ironic - mirrors for mountain bikes (watch out for that squirrel behind you).

Of course, road bike mirrors exist, but the selection is limited.

I've tried the Blackburn mirror that attaches to the brake hood and it vibrates too much to be usefull, tried the helmet mirror but my bifocals just can't focus fast enough with it even though I use the same mirror on a cap for running just fine. The bar end mirror mounted on the left works great on my road bike.

I have Zefal Spy mirrors on each of my bar extensions and a Chuck Harris Ultralite mirror on my helmet. None of them vibrate and all give me a good look behind. What I miss with one I can see with another.

Tried the Take-a-Look after reading numerous reviews here on the forums. Hated it. When positioned so that I could see behind me,it partially blocked my view when I would look back over my left shoulder. Plus I had to concentrate too much on that little spot and take my eyes off the road ahead for too long.

I'm looking into a bar-end mirror. I've used mirrors for years on motorcycles,so that's pretty much what I'm used to.

Depends. I bought a take-a-look mirror on recommendations here. However, for me it is so bouncy it's basically unusable. I wear eyeglasses with Flexon frames, the arms are almost round, very tiny and flexible. The mirror doesn't grab it well at all. I tried the helmet adaptor, but the mirror doesn't stay on well for me, plus in the winter the adaptor plastic gets too hard and the mirror keeps falling off. And the helmet positioning is too close, and my goggles hit it.

I've got a CycleAware Reflex coming tomorrow, I'm going to give that a try. It seems well liked as well.

I have a bar end mirror on as well; that way I always have a mirror on, even if I forget the top mirror, or if I just want to buzz down the neighborhood without having to go inside and find my mirror.

There are two versions of this mirror: regular and compact. The regular one is a little bigger in terms of mirror size and the "boom" length; it works well with helmet mounts; the compact works well with glasses and has a smaller mirror. I have had both of them mounted on my helmet visor and have had no issues in terms of rear visibility or blocked view. It takes a couple of days to get used to it though.

Nice to agree with Helmet Head wholeheartedly for once. ;) Seriously, I'm a Take-a-Look convert. I originally got it to keep track of my better half during a recent century and took out commuting a couple of times for practice using it. I can't say that I've used it on rides with my road bike, but I take it every day for commuting, for sure!

Have not found a good only one mirror.

I use the mirror imaged by Ranger but it has problems: 1. hard to use when right eye dominant, 2. often needs adjustment during ride. It just doesn't hold position. I think it's the pop up option that is causing the slip. And 3, there are many blind spots. It is good for showing you how far away something is.

The second mirror I use is the ultra light from performance. It is great in mounting and no vibration. It gives you a view of the entire road. Disadvantage: it's a curved mirror instead of flat so distances are distorted.

Still looking for the perfect one mirror. It's fall now, one of my riding guys has take a look mirror, and looks ok, at least better than the one referenced by Ranger. But in fall I don't wear glasses, so no place to attach it.

And the search goes on.....

I use the Take-A-Look and think its great. However, you're right, it doesn't attach well if you have wire rim glasses. I use the adapter. Had to eventually glue it to the side of the helmet shell using gorilla glue (the little glue tabs don't grip that well). This seems to work very well. I'm thinking that you may have to tweak the gripping elements for a tighter fit to accomodate those ultra cold Michigan winters.

Another thing is, that when properly adjusted, these mirrors (and the 3rd eyes) will show part of your face (usually an earlobe or sideburn). I think a lot of people using these expect to see completely around their head somehow. With just a slight head movement you can scan everything behind you.

What brand of goggles are you using? Where did you get them? Do they work well? Sometimes it seems like if you bike you're expected to have perfect vision or something.

The Take-A-Look pretty much lives with my helmet. And I don't leave home without the helmet

I also have the Zefal Spy Mirror on my road bike. It's on the frame under the handlebars - all I do is look down and I get a view between my legs. I like it becasue it doesn't stick out far and gives me a good view behind. There is a blind spot, but it's about where my peripheal vision picks up.

Maybe because the roadies are obsessed with weight?? Like spending $20 extra for a carbon bottle cage that weighs 20 grams less. I haven't figured that one out yet.

I use VisorGogs from Lab Safety Supply. $7.50 each. They go over glasses well and don't steam up too badly.

www.labsafety.com - they have a bunch of goggles for cheap, including tinted versions.

Hey boozergut... see why I said "one you'll use?" The opinions vary widely here, but the bottom line is that a mirror you are comfortable with and will use, is the "best" mirror for you.