Advocacy & Safety - What is a good mirror to buy

I need to buy a mirror for ridding. bought one from my LBS but I don't like it. It is a helmet mirror and I don't seem to be using it right or something. I set it before I ride but all it seems to p/u when I rode is my back pack. I think since I was trying to save a buck it just maybe that it is cheap. I own more than one bike so I would prefer a helmet or glasses mount style. Which do you all find better? Can the glasses mount be interchanged?I own more than one set of specs. And finally is there a peticular brand that is better?
:confused:

I ride road and on the roads. And I use one of those larges oval shaped mirrors that fit in the end of the handlebar. I like it a lot better than the helmet type. It doesn't viberate as much and I can actually see what is behind me.

With my helmet mirror, I set it so it sees outwards at about a 10-degree angle, and when I want to see directly to the rear I just turn my head the 10 degrees. What I like about the helmet mirror is its flatness (gives accurate distances) and its aimability. Vibration isn't too bad on mine... on a coarse road surface it may be hard to cound the riders in a group at several hundred feet, but I can see the group and cars. I use a 3rd Eye model. They have a glasses mount model too.

You might try the 10-degree trick before giving up on your existing one... good luck :)

I use the third eye glasses mirror, and while it takes a bit of getting used to, it works great. I have mine adjusted so I have to turn my head slightly to see behind me, you just have to experiment to see what is best for you.

I know what you mean about the back pack. I think it depends on how big or high the backpack is and your riding position, if it appears in the mirror.

The mirror is interchangeable between glasses quite easily, however it doesn't fit quite as well on glasses with very thin temples.

I have a 3rd eye Pro Model (Pro means it cost more - I paid $25 Cdn) helmet mirror and I love it. I can see behind me quickly from any riding position and never experienced vibration problems (maybe I don't go fast enough).
I had a bar end mirror before, but found that by the time I've looked down, focused on the mirror and figured out what was behind me, I was no longer travelling in the direction I wanted to go. - this gets dangerous!!. :eek:
I have noticed a problem seeing behind with a full backpack though. You just have to tilt your head a little differently when the backpack is full. :roflmao:
Depending on how I store my helmet, sometimes I have to readjust the mirror (only takes a second) when I get back on the bike

I have had the bar end mirror in the past, but for the last year or so, I have used the Third Eye glasses mount mirror. It works very welll. I like that I can easily view behind me on curves or whatever, with a quick pan view. Also, you don't have to have this appendage on your handlebar...You do however resemble Inspector Gadget. :( But hey, what do I care I'm AlphaGeek! :D

I have a helmet mirror on both helmets and a handlebar mirror on my commuter. Never had a problem with the helmet mirrors.

When riding the commuter I find I use the helmet mirror most of the time (use the handlebar mirror less than 20% of the time).

I think the helmet mirrors are made by Rhode Gear.

A backpack blocks your rear view so you may have to get a handlebar mounted mirror or get used to tilting your head way up to see behind you.
Or you could get panniers. ;)

If you always wear eye protection (and you should!) an eyeglass mirror can be more stable and easier to use than a helmet mirror. I use the "Take-a-look," which I highly recommend. It's all metal and acrylic, easy to mount and adapt and orient to your particular glasses and head.

But any head-mount mirror takes practice to use.

People often don't understand that with these mirrors you still have to turn your head, just as in a car you have to turn your head to see the outside rear-view mirror.

You set the mirror while you're in riding position, so that you look sort of left and up (if you're in a keep-right country, anyway). With the mirror properly set, you'll find there's a point where the angle of your glance intersects with the angle of the mirror to give you a view of the street behind you. Once set, it will take a couple of rides for the glance to become natural and automatic, but it will.

If you're just seeing your shoulder, you're probably not glancing far enough left. For most people it requires a definite head-turn.

I find the Take-a-look to be an indispensible aid to merging left across city traffic, particularly when approaching a left turn on a multi-lane street. And the glance has become so natural that I find myself constantly trying to do it when just walking down the street.

RichC

My helmet mounted mirror was very good, indeed. Eventually, it couldn't stay straight in the wind. It would not maintain its position.

I may go back to the mirror, as it worked well at first. But I've depended on looking back for quite a while, now.

I use a Blackburn helmet mirror which works well for me.

Richard

Thats what I like about this site, very helpful fellow pedalers with good advice. Thanks for all the help I think I am going to switch to an eyewear mount mirror it seems to make more sense for me. And yes Rich Clark I agree always wear eye protection. A hint if you do not already know, I buy inexpensive safety glasses some are actually semi stylish, that way when I leave them some place or lose them I am not out a bunch of money and they hold up to my abuse better than anything else I have found.

I feel much more secure with my mirror. Would not ride without it.. I suggest a rectangular mirror that attaches to your sunglasses. That way when you move your head about you see a greater percentage of what is behind you.. The mirror I use brand name is "Take A Look," you see far more than the little circular mirror..

ok, questions for all you helmet and glasses mirror users:

i used a handle-bar mounted mirror for touring and found it pretty good, but my biggest complaint was it always got knocked around when i was parking the bike -- i basically could only lean it on the right side -- so i eventually took it off after my tour for commuting and such.

now, i've never tried a helmet or glasses mirror, but it seems to me like it would be really easy to destroy it -- i take my glasses off and stuff them into my backpack or panniers when i get somewhere and then they go onto a desktop or into a drawer at home -- and my helmet gets leashed to my backpack and thrown around or in a pile of clothes and panniers at home... anyway, do you guys break or loose mirrors often? can they take this kind of for me "normal" beating?

on the helmet mirrors - are they easy to take on and off? b/c i use the same helmet for off-road mountain biking and one tree branch would kill it i think...

My helmet mirror is tucked up under the visor, so it doesn't get knocked around much. I store the helmet upside down, so the mirror doesn't really get in the way.
The mirror can be partially disassembled, but not totaly removed. There is a large mounting pad with sticky stuff that stays on the helmet. You can always fold it out of the way if you're not going to use the mirror.
I keep the mirror on for mountain biking, haven't noticed any problems. I think a branch heading for the mirror would likely poke you in the eye anyway.

Originally posted by nathank
on the helmet mirrors - are they easy to take on and off? b/c i use the same helmet for off-road mountain biking and one tree branch would kill it i think...

The Blackburn clips into a base that is afixed to the helmet. It will come out relatively easily if knocked but it doesn't break and clips in easily enough. I've never lost the mirror riding, but I've knocked it out of the base when shoving my helmet in a cupboard or pannier. Another minor problem is I find the position of the mirror needs adjusting before each ride, but then it only takes a few seconds...

Anyone have luck with mirror that attaches to inside of glasses? Do they work..?

I don't wear glasses so can't comment, I ride using the Bike-Eye rear view mirror, once you get used to it it's ideal on the mountain bike or racing bike either sitting up or down on the bars, It doesn't work if your riding with panniers or anything that blocks the viewing angle on the side the mirrors mounted, It,s an alternative if you can't get on with other mirrors. For more info search for bike-eye on google.

I like the one from Bike Peddler. It's mainly glasses mount, but comes with a little plastic tab to convert it to helmet mount. I wear it on the glasses in summer, just switched it to helmet because I'm wearing goggles over my glasses for winter. Works great on glasses, OK on helmet (might be better but it's fighting with my goggles).

I have this and it works well. Pretty easy to adjust, so I don't mind doing it everyday. Pretty good visibility. Doesn't shake excessively. All in all useful, as I rarely do shoulder checks now.

http://www.mirrycle.com/default.htm

Personal experience:
Handle bar mirrors:
vibrate and are not effective on curvy roads.
Helmet mirrors:
have a tendancy to shake (although minor) and shift as the helmet does on bumpy roads.
Eyglass mirrors:
light and located at the point of use and do not seem to shake or shift (assuming your glasses are snug)
The elongated oval variety seem to offer a larger view but I am comfortable with small round ones as well.
Enjoy

I tried three types of mirrors (two for handlebars, one for helmet). First was end of bar mounted. I found that certain hand positions would cause my arm to block the line of sight to the mirror. Second mirror mounted on the brake bump. Had to adjust the mirror to it's limits to get close to seeing what needed to be seen. It would readjust itself due to road vibrations. Both these mirrors vibrated and made blurry views.
I finally ended with a helmet mount. I too had to figure out the knack of seeing behind me. I had to raise my head slightly above normal and turn my head to the side about 10 degrees. Once you catch on, you'll find you can really look all over the place behind you just by turning your head a little. And your body dampens the road vibrations so the view is surprisingly clear.
The only minus I've found is this mirror type forms a small blind spot in your forward peripheral vision. Just remember to check the blind spot regularly for cars, kids, etc.
tippy (newbie)

I found a helmet with a built in mirror. It looks directly behind me. All I need to do is glance up and I can see whatever is behind me. They advertise it as 363 degree view technology. If I want to look at something that is more to the left or right and behind me I just turn my head a little either way. I think this is great and I never have a problem with it breaking or getting knocked out of true because it is on top of my head not on a side. I cannot think of riding without it.

Another vote for the Take a look mirror. I took me over a week to really get used to it. Did you go back to the bike shop and have them show you how to adjust it? This mirror will mount on the helmet or the glasses. I found my glasses were less vibration.

The problem with handlebar mirrors is that you have to have your head in the same place for the mirror to work. Also when you get used to a glasses or helmet mirror you can look all around behind you. I think you just have an adjustment problem. My LBS sells a lot of the Take a look mirror, there are many of them around.

I like the one from Bike Peddler. It's mainly glasses mount, but comes with a little plastic tab to convert it to helmet mount. I wear it on the glasses in summer, just switched it to helmet because I'm wearing goggles over my glasses for winter. Works great on glasses, OK on helmet (might be better but it's fighting with my goggles).

I drilled holes in the plastic piece and riveted it to the strap on my goggles for winter. It works well.
I always mount it on my glasses in the summer.

A good mirror is one that you personally get on with, and the environment you are using it in. I ride using the Bike-Eye rear view mirror it suits my needs, it fits into the head and down tube, a great awareness aid on group rides and racing. to get more of an idea of how it works have a look on the web site Bike-Eye.com

get a take-a-look. rei has them. they are the best. the best. oh yes! the best!

I also use a Take-A-Look mirror on my sunglasses, got it for $15 at REI, and concur with what everyone says about them.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?vcat=REI_SEARCH&stat=7889&langId=-1&storeId=8000&textQuery=take-a-look&x=0&y=0

I will add that I exclusively use the same pair of YELLOW sunglasses. They have a UV coating. But since they're yellow, I use them at night as well as in the day. But I never felt the need to have dark sunglasses anyway.

I always store them inside my helmet when I'm not riding, so the mirror hanging off isn't a problem.

I tried to find an angle so that I wouldn't have to turn my head to look back - to no avail. It doesn't matter, though, since having to turn your head a few degrees to the left to "take a look" is not a problem that needs solving.

Serge

Here is a helmet with a built in mirror:
www.reevu.com

The reevu.com website has been up for years. I have yet to figure out where I could see or buy one of these things.

Anyone know?

I use the Take-a-Look mirror. It's a very sturdy (read - not plastic) mirror that mounts either on your glasses or a hard-shell helmet. I'd recommend getting the one with the longer 'stem'; i find it easier to focus on than their short-stem mirror. It is metal so it can be bent some for a better view. It's also not convex, so distance isn't distorted. I typically adjust mine so I just see my helmet strap in the edge of the view. Here's a review from Ice Bike, see the link, they discuss other makes, as well. About $15 at your LBS.

Take A Look:
Manufactured by Bicycle Peddler of Greeley Colorado, these are the finest bike mirrors I have run into. Impervious to the cold, all of the critical parts are metal.

The three point mount is a single piece of metal and is designed to be bent at specific places to accommodate wide or narrow glasses bows.

The mirror can be rotated on three axis, and the entire assembly can be flipped upside down and mounted on a helmet shell. The un-framed mirror is acrylic. They are unconditionally guaranteed by the manufacturer.

These are very clear, with hardly any vibration, and far more adjustable than other eyeglass mirrors I have run into. They provide a larger field of view than most other helmet or eyeglass mirrors, and require less head movement than any other mirror I have tried.

The mirror, being plastic can be scratched with rough handling, but it survives drops well.

This company does not appear to have a web page but the phone number is 1-800-832-2453. Their fax number is 1-970-330-0757 and the address is 3820 W. 10th St. Greeley CO 80634. Ask your local bike store to carry them. Contact Bill Waller via Email.

http://www.icebike.org/Equipment/cyclingmirrors.htm

Third Eye helmet-mounted mirror is my choice. Usually works great, but, gets loose at the joints when aged.

I got my reevu helmet from e-bay. A friend of mine got hers from another on-line retailer, though I do not know which one.

I like the one from Bike Peddler. It's mainly glasses mount, but comes with a little plastic tab to convert it to helmet mount. I wear it on the glasses in summer, just switched it to helmet because I'm wearing goggles over my glasses for winter. Works great on glasses, OK on helmet (might be better but it's fighting with my goggles).

Follow-up. If you're going to wear goggles in the winter, the Bike Peddler mirror is pretty useless. It's fallen off my helmet 3 times so far this winter, and even when it's on, the goggles push it nearly up out of vision.

I'm going to stop off at the LBS and get a helmet mirror this afternoon. There's just not enough room between the goggles and the bottom of the helmet for a mirror, so the mirror will have to go on the helmet.

The BP mirror is very nice on the glasses in warmer weather though.

These are very clear, with hardly any vibration

Note: this depends on your glasses. I have very thin, flexible "Flexon" frames. The BP mirror vibrates like hell on bad roads, but so does everything else. On good roads it's OK. My bar-end mirror vibrates less but the visibility out of the Take-A-Look (BP) mirror is superior.

Also see my followup on using them in the winter with goggles. :-(

"Take a look" mirror on goggles. The plastic helmet mounting plate is rivited to the inside of the strap. Two years so far. Worked ok last night.

"Take a look" mirror on goggles. The plastic helmet mounting plate is rivited to the inside of the strap. Two years so far. Worked ok last night.

That looks good. Won't work on my goggles (the visorgogs recommended on icebike) but if I get different goggles someday I'll keep it in mind. In the mean time I bought a new bar-end to use for the rest of the winter. Broke my last one a few months ago when the bike tipped off the kick stand in the garage.

I have used a few different mirrors, helmet mounted and bar end. I never got used to helmet mounted one. I use third eye bar end mirror on my drop bar handle, at least for now. Once I got used to having a mirror, I feel insecure without one. One disadvatage of bar end mirror is you have to change the position of the mirror each time you change the riding position. Advantage is it has much clearer view, you can see it with two eyes. Even with helmet mounted mirror, you still have to move around your head when you change the riding osition, but not as much as bar mounted version.

ok...so I don't have to start a new thread...

Anyone try this mirror from ebay?
Italian Road Bike Mirror (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7134349701&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT)

I have been unable to find "real world" reviews on this one (other than anonymous ones provided in a link by the vendor). Curious to know how well it works. It certainly seems like a good idea, but good ideas don't always translate into "good working". The angle of the mirror looks pretty steep - thus, you might need to move forward to obtain the correct angle of view to see traffic behind you - i don't know. Any personal experiences?

What Rich said. But...

I tried the take-a-look for ~2wks daily but could not get used to it unfortunately. I found the mirror and the flickering image in my peripheral vision to be a constant distraction. I was able to set it up to get a nice glance back with a twist of the head. I didn't like having to take it off and set it up before/after each ride. (I wear perscription glasses/sun glasses)

Of course one should still look over shoulder before merging.

And this is why a mirror is so useful. I find that looking over shoulder often gives motorist a signal that you plan to turn, even if you are not. This can lead to situation where a motorist will slow to let you merge when in fact it would be better if they passed and then you merged. With a mirror you can glance back, check where the right place to merge is, then look over shoulder before the merge.

At some point I want to re-try take-a-look.

Al

I use a bar end mirror myself... I have flat bars, so this works well, much like a motorcycle mirror.

I have tried some convex mirrors (objects may be closer... etc) and could not stand 'em. I got this at my LBS.

I just looked on line and could not find it. The highly touted Mirrycle mirror looks a lot like mine, but the Mirrycle is a convex mirror.

I need to buy a mirror for ridding. bought one from my LBS but I don't like it. It is a helmet mirror and I don't seem to be using it right or something. I set it before I ride but all it seems to p/u when I rode is my back pack. I think since I was trying to save a buck it just maybe that it is cheap. I own more than one bike so I would prefer a helmet or glasses mount style. Which do you all find better? Can the glasses mount be interchanged?I own more than one set of specs. And finally is there a peticular brand that is better?
:confused:
buy the kind that you can see yourself in

Anyone try this mirror from ebay? Italian Road Bike Mirror (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7134349701&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT)

Found an answer to my question here (http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=7816&highlight=mirror) regarding the ebay mirror...for anyone who is interested.

On a side note, I recently ordered the Zefal Spy...hopefully it will be a decent option for on-the-bike-rear-viewing. The mounting possibilities seem rather infinite.

http://www.zefal.com/AAA/BASES/PRODUIT/imgHR/prod472imgHR.jpg
Photo from the Zefal website.

I use a bar end mirror myself... I have flat bars, so this works well, much like a motorcycle mirror.

I have tried some convex mirrors (objects may be closer... etc) and could not stand 'em. I got this at my LBS.

I just looked on line and could not find it. The highly touted Mirrycle mirror looks a lot like mine, but the Mirrycle is a convex mirror.

Well I'll be darned... no wonder it looks like a Mirrycle, it is one. I just found the logo on the back and sure enough it is a convex mirror... but just slightly, unlike a different brand I tried.

Highly recommended. Love the adjustability of the thing.

On three bikes, I have installed a parabolic variant of Bell's (flexible) Kids' Mirror (sold by REI) http://www.rei.com/product/12117558.htm?vcat=REI_SEARCH
onto Cane Creek Control Ergo II bar ends http://www.canecreek.com/site/product/contact/01_ergo.html.

Actually, Bell's Kids' Mirror may be parabolic, but the image on the the REI page may very well have been photoshopped. (If we can google and froogle, we can photoshop ;-) This mirror works very well. Now I have a clear, vibration-free. wide-angle rear view of Boston's manic drivers. ;-(

I'm so enthused that I plan to install the REI/Cane Creek Ergo II combo on a Dahon Matrix folder. This will be a real test of Bell's "shatter-resistant" claim since during Spring Break the Matrix will be shipped in a Dahon bag to Denver, cocooned in a TempurPedic mattress. Since I use Hollywood gaffer tape to attach the mirror assembly to the bar ends, the mirror will become an integral part of the Matrix ;-)

Sorry, no pix yet. I have to get a 128 or 256 memory stick for my new Sony 5 Mpix camera ;-)

:roflmao: :roflmao:

I'll be getting a mirror from a guy in my club that makes them. They are exactly like the Take A Look mirrors. When we stop on rides, people set their glasses down carefully so the mirror isn't affected. It looks like the mirror would also go inside a case for glasses if you put your glasses away.

The reevu.com website has been up for years. I have yet to figure out where I could see or buy one of these things.

Anyone know?

I did a search for them once, and the best prices were at a place out of Singapore or Maylasia. I don't think they're marketed here yet because of all the "litigation" or safety product standards. The cheaper one was $350 USD.

Here is a helmet with a built in mirror:
www.reevu.com
They are heavy, the optics are terrible (polished metal), and you have to close one eye in order to see the mirror panel clearly. The last thing I would want in the event of a crash is a helmet with pieces of thin polished steel coming in contact with my head.
On a scale of 1 - 10, I give them the finger...

Powers2b,

Not sure if you had a production Reevu as mine uses plastic 'mirrors'. In short I find it the ideal flat bar winter commute helmet. Not just for the mirror, also the rain protection from the 'forward in rear out' ventilation, plus long peak. You do need to set the straps up fairly tight (not as easy as it should be) , but then that is recommended for all helmet use, so I think of that as a check.

On the other hand on a hot day ride using a drop bar bike this lid would be an annoyance. But I find that with all helmets, though to a leeser degree than the slightly heavier, less vented ReeVu. But I do find I miss monitoring the traffic to the rear a little. To be honest it has never changed my course of action , but I am surprised how a car on trailing throttle can sneak up behind , especially when the is a lot of wind noise. So I may try one of the take-a-looks that get so many votes for my summer cycling.
BTW Seems like they have sold out in the UKwww.wiggle.co.uk/v2_product_detail.asp?ProdID=5300004521

Thank you, Rich Clark! I used to have a helmet mirror, then bought a cheap eyeglass mount. I couldn't find the really good eyeglass mirror that I saw other cyclists using.

I ride with a mirror all the time. It became such a part of me, that a few times when I didn't have it, I still kept looking for it! It really helps in this awful L.A. traffic.

The Take-A-Look. You rock, Rich! Thanks!

-- Don

I ride with a mirror at All times...Would feel uncomfortable without..I prefer 'take a look ' mirors...But, my best set of sunglasses , they will not mount...When out wearing those sunglasses, I have a handlebar mounted mirror is what I have to resort to...Works ok, but the vibration is a little annoying..
I find for the best all around view, Take a Look is best.