General Cycling Discussion - Rear view mirrors

Who's using rear view mirrors?
If so, what type?
Handle bar mount? Helmet mount?
Did near misses convince you to use them?
How many of us know their value but do not use them?
Just curious, I have started using the handle bar mounted type on my mule. Now I wonder how I went so long without it.
Comments...

I have a mirror on my road helmet and my commuter helmet.
I also have a handle bar mounted mirror on my commuter bike.
I want to know who or what is behind me.

Yep, I find it really useful. I got a new handle bar mirror, lost the old one. A few near misses with 4 wheelers gave me the inspiration to keep an occasional eye behind me.

For your reading pleasure:
http://users.rcn.com/icebike/Equipment/cyclingmirrors.htm

Not when riding off-road or in a competitive event; however, when riding on the open road.....

I use a slighly modified "Take a Look" model.
http://www.yuccadune.com/product952.html
http://home.att.net/~mark.livingood/BikeImages/Livingood.jpg

It's physically attached to my helmet.

Riding with my wife on the back of the tandem motivated me to take a greater interest in what was coming up behind us -- motor vehicle AND bicycles -- since I was now responsible for her safety as well as my own.

Mirrors are a personal decision for adults, much like helmets, clipless pedals, cycling gloves and socks. If you like 'em or think they're important by all means use them. If not, it's nobody else's business -- thank you very much.

P.S. It also lets me sneak-a-peek at my beloved to see what the heck she's doing back there....

Handle bar mirrors have been a disapointment because the minute the bike shakes you can barely see what's behind. Trying to squeeze through cars breaks the mirror more often than not. I hate having to take the thing off and on every day (on my commuter) to keep people from stealing it off the bike. I would always spend the first few minutes of each ride trying to fix the device to get a good angle. Futhermore, if the sun is behind you, it makes the device useless.

I tried the "Third Eye" and was let down big time. The mirror is not big enough and I was constantly trying to keep my head in a position that enabled me see ANYTHING! It tends to distract you after a while and just seemed like a lot of work to make it functional. I also could not get used to it reflecting light in your eyes at you all the time

I'm going to order Reevu. (www.reevu.com) There's no US distributor but I'm getting mine from the UK. I have my fingers crossed on this one. I'll give a review later.

Steve.

I experimented with a mirror about three years ago. To be honest I found it the next best thing to completely useless. I spent so much time fiddling with it to get a better view of what was behind me that it turned out to be easier just to turn my head and see for myself. About the only time I noticed it was when the sun was directly behind me and the damn thing near blinded me.

I use a bar-end mirror, which works fairly well, but I really need one with a better reach. At the same time, I am always worried about snapping it off the end of the bar. I used a helment mounted one for awhile, didn't care for it. I'm a big believer in mirrors, I just haven't got the right solution yet.

I use a "Third Eye Eyeglass Mirror" available from Performance. I'm sure there are similar mirrors out there from others. I had used a handle bar mount and helmet mount with success prior to that. When I went from straight bars to turn downs the handle bar mount wasn't particularly appealing. Pretty much the same when I bought a 'good' helmet. The eyeglass mirror took some getting used to. I swear by it now and use it religiously on the road and frequently on rail trail

I wear glasses and use either a Take-a-look (in addition to livengood's links, it's available from the Terry Bicycle web-site) or a Third Eye. Which one I use depends on the glasses I'm wearing. The TAL bends the earpiece on my Ti frames (good glasses that I wear when commuting to/from work), but works great on some older specs I wear on other rides.

I had asked about this in my post. Looks like I'm definately getting one, it's just a question of which type.

Originally posted by livngood


I use a slighly modified "Take a Look" model.
http://www.yuccadune.com/product952.html
http://home.att.net/~mark.livingood/BikeImages/Livingood.jpg

It's physically attached to my helmet.



How do you attach the take a look to your helmet? I have one and have been wondering how to do that.

Thanks,
Dave

I use a bar end mirror which can fold out of the way.

It doesn't vibrate much at all, & I find it very useful. In heavy traffic of course, there's ALWAYS something behind you, but its handy out in the country, and very easy at night because a car's lights are easy to spot

Stew

On my road bike I have a handlebar mounted mirror (where a bar end shifter would go). I recommend this one, it does not shake and does not move. Once adjusted it stays put.

On my touring bike I cannot use the same mirror (bar end shifters) so I have to use one of those that mount on the brake hood. NEVER mount it on the brake hood. It moves when you brake. Instead I mount it on the...lower bar just behind the drops. This means I cannot place my hands there, but I never do anyway. I don't like this mirror as much as it shakes as you ride. But not too bad.

On my commuter (mtb handlebars) I have a handlebar mounted that fits inside the bar. Does not move.

I have never had a mirror stolen, so I leave them on. Broke one or 2, but that is when I let go of the bike and gravity took over.

I never ride without a mirror - its an early warning for me. I don't care how it looks on my racing road bike either.

Digger

I used a Blackburn bar end mirror for a year or two and was quite satisfied. I think it actually works better on a road bar because you point it down and slightly out. It really doesn't stick out more than a couple of inches. The Blackburn is oval-shaped and provides a good view. Yes, occasionally there was a little vibration, but not all the time. Even when there is vibration, you can still see whether there is a car right behind you. When I got a second and third bike I didn't put mirrors on them but trained myself to look over my shoulder. I found that once I got used to that I never used the mirror even when riding the bike that had it. When it got broken one day I just didn't replace it and haven't missed it. I have also tried the Take A Look clipped to my glasses and found it worked fine, too.

If you go read a post or two of mine from a couple of years ago I might have said I would never ride without one. I still think mirrors are very useful for riders of all levels and would definitely encourage new riders to use them. I guess I have developed a very cautious and defensive riding style, habitually checking my back well before approaching touchy spots. Also, although we don't have any bike-friendly facilities most of the streets I take are lightly trafficked and/or have extra space. I keep thinking I should put on another Blackburn, but then I know I will never put mirrors on all 5 of my bikes anyway.

I have a Third Eye. All I see in it in my normal riding position is the side of my head and my shoulder. I only have to move my head a few degrees to get a good view of the road behind me, which is much the same as looking in the door-mounted mirror on the car. This type of mirror does not limit the field of view if the road behind you is curved. I can even see if cars are approaching down an expressway exit on my RH side.

Originally posted by livngood

P.S. It also lets me sneak-a-peek at my beloved to see what the heck she's doing back there....

She's checkin' out the hot guys duh......:crash: :eek: :confused: :mad: :beer:

I have a Blackburn mirror on both road and commuter bikes. I tried a glasses-mounted mirror, but on my road bike, the only thing I could see was my own shoulder. When riding alone, I can just look over my shoulder, but if I am at the tail-end of a paceline, I don't like to do that. A quick glance down at the mirror is less likely to put me into someones wheel. Some stretches of road make it pretty hard to see. I really like the emergence of daytime running lights on cars because it makes it easier to spot overtaking cars in the mirror. Saturn started putting them on in 1996 and I am starting to see a lot more cars with this feature just in the last year or two.

I also use the Third Eye eyeglass mounted mirror, and swear by it. As Andrew said you can have a full view behind you just by moving your head a bit, otherwise you never notice it's on. It does take a bit of getting used to and you have to experiment a bit with it. Just remember, whichever mirror you get, it doesn't take the place of a good shoulder check.

I have always had a mirror on my commuter. The latest was a replace ment bought at the lbs. It is one of those that goes in the end of the handlebar.

Originally posted by hayneda
How do you attach the take a look to your helmet? I have one and have been wondering how to do that.

You need to be creative, think out of the box and be willing to do nasty things to your helmet that void the warranty and potentially degrades it's ability to fully absorb a sharp, side impact the way it was intended.

Here's a hint, it involves driving a long, thin gauge wire into the core of the helmet that's glued in-place and to which the "take a look" is attached.

I ride using the Bike-Eye mirror it really suits my riding environment I commute and train mainly on country roads, I can see vehicles approaching from a distance and am pre warned, without having to constantly turn my head when I need to manouver. When I'm out riding or training with friends I like to stay as a group, should anyone drop off the pack I's easy to inform others in the group, pace ourselves untill the straglers get back in the bunch, all without turning around and totaly loosing our own pace or rythem.

take a looks rule! mine got stolen though... i feel more vulnerable now. :(

I use a little Rhode Gear helmet mirror. It sits close to my left eye, and gives me a wide, steady, view of the road behind. I like how it turns with my head. If something or someone is going to pass, I'd rather know well in advance so I can prepare (move further to the right, etc.).

Who's using rear view mirrors?
If so, what type?
Handle bar mount? Helmet mount?
Did near misses convince you to use them?
How many of us know their value but do not use them?
Just curious, I have started using the handle bar mounted type on my mule. Now I wonder how I went so long without it.
Comments...


Look here! You’re pedaling. You’re sweating. You’re moving from side to side. Is it really that hard to turn around and see what’s up? Unless you have neck/back problems that is……

I used a helmet mirror when I first started riding, but stopped using it after a year or so because:

It became a distraction.
It was also dorky looking.
I learned to keep my line while looking behind me.
I read that getting hit from behind is actually pretty rare.
I always do a head check before changing lanes anyway.

Javaman's Law of Information:
If you receive infomation that does not cause you to change your behavior, you did not need that information.

Nothing I ever saw behind me was useful information. I've been riding the last 16 years without one.

Tom

Take-a-Look is the best that I've used. Great, easy rearward visibility.

For those who say a rear view mirror is a "distraction" or not important...have you removed the mirrors in your car? Seriously, a good mirror like the Take-a-Look allows you to easily monitor your backside every few seconds without having to turn around. Modern cars with aero designs, and quiet engines and tires can easily sneak up on you unless you use a mirror.

Here's a site that has a pretty good discussion of various mirror styles, and the pluses and minuses of each:

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

Nothing I ever saw behind me was useful information.

Tom

I call macho baloney on that. You've certainly missed a lot of useful rearward information because you didn't have a mirror; the most common I can think of is overtaking cars that aren't leaving sufficient leeway. All it takes is one of those to bunt you into the hereafter. By the time you receive the information in that fashion, it's too late to be very useful.

And it's a lot easier to learn to use your peripheral vision to scan the mirror than to keep your line while you're not looking where you're going.

I call macho baloney on that. You've certainly missed a lot of useful rearward information because you didn't have a mirror; the most common I can think of is overtaking cars that aren't leaving sufficient leeway. All it takes is one of those to bunt you into the hereafter. By the time you receive the information in that fashion, it's too late to be very useful.

And it's a lot easier to learn to use your peripheral vision to scan the mirror than to keep your line while you're not looking where you're going.

Gee, are you a little sensitive about using a mirror?

By my definition, the information you get from a mirror while cycling is not useful. For the last 16 years I have ridden thousands and thousands of miles without the information you claim is useful.

So tell us, what do you use the information for? Do you like to make sure you haven't dropped the rest of the paceline? Do you stop and get off when you think a car is coming too close? Can you even tell whether a car is going to hit you versus just coming close?

Tom

Take-a-Look is the best that I've used. Great, easy rearward visibility.

For those who say a rear view mirror is a "distraction" or not important...have you removed the mirrors in your car? Seriously, a good mirror like the Take-a-Look allows you to easily monitor your backside every few seconds without having to turn around. Modern cars with aero designs, and quiet engines and tires can easily sneak up on you unless you use a mirror.

Here's a site that has a pretty good discussion of various mirror styles, and the pluses and minuses of each:

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

The faster you drive, the less you need a rear view mirror. I actually have removed the rear view mirror in my car, but not because it was a distraction. I am tall and it obstructs my vision, especially when turning right. Two properly adjusted side mirrors is all you need for changing lanes.

By the way, if I always drove my car in the far right hand lane at the absolute minimum safe speed, why would I even need a rear view mirror? What would I be missing?

On a bike, why do you feel a need to monitor your backside? Have you ever changed your line based on what you saw in the mirror? I never did. That's why I say the information is useless.
Tom

On a bike, why do you feel a need to monitor your backside? Have you ever changed your line based on what you saw in the mirror? I never did. That's why I say the information is useless.
Tom

I monitor my backside because a lot more cars pass me than vice versa, and I like to know what the overtaking traffic is doing.

Of course I've changed my line based on what I see in the mirror...I do it all the time, but not like you think.

I typically ride on roads with no shoulders, and speed limits of 35-50 mph. If I see a vehicle coming up from behind and there's another car approaching from the front, I shift LEFT to take up the lane. I maintain this position until the car coming from the front is by, then move back to the right and wave the overtaking driver around. This manuever ensures that I don't get into a "three abreast" scenario on a narrow road. Using the mirror makes this easy, and if the overtaking driver persists in trying to pass, I still have room to my right to escape.

I also use the mirror to see if an overtaking driver is swinging left far enough for a safe pass. If it looks like they're going to give me a "brush by", I intentionally drift to the left and/or wobble the bike a bit. With the mirror, it's easy to do this when they're still far enough behind me, and 99% of the time it results in the overtaking driver moving left. As they get closer, I then drift back to the right, resulting in maximum separation between us.

In my opinion, riding assertively like this, instead of hugging the right edge, prevents a lot of problems from happening. Elderly drivers, in particular, seem to respect this - they often wave back at me when I signal them to pass (with all five fingers!).

Of course, if you mostly ride where there are big wide shoulders, or on bike paths, this is a non-issue. Likewise, if you have faith that all overtaking drivers will do the right thing, I guess you wouldn't need to keep track of them. But, I'd rather keep my eye on them and force them to do what's right, when I can.



The faster you drive, the less you need a rear view mirror.
So, the slower I drive (or ride), then the more I need a rear view mirror...makes sense to me!

Two properly adjusted side mirrors is all you need for changing lanes. Tom

Why you even need them then? From the way you explained, you don't need any mirror at all. You can turn your head in the car much easier than on bike, can't you?

Look here! You’re pedaling. You’re sweating. You’re moving from side to side. Is it really that hard to turn around and see what’s up? Unless you have neck/back problems that is……

I read your comment this morning. On the commute home I did a little experiment. It takes about 5 times as long to look back then to breifly glance at your mirror to check if that SUV is coming up on you really fast. To look back you need to take your eyes off the road in front of you, with all the tram tracks, potholes and other assorted holes on the road, it seems rather dangerious. If we were too lazy to look back we wouldn't be riding bikes in the first place.

As for viberation, I use a CatEye mirror mounted on the end of my handle bars, it's not a problem at all. I want to see what is behind me, not read it's number plate.

As for viberation, I use a CatEye mirror mounted on the end of my handle bars, it's not a problem at all. I want to see what is behind me, not read it's number plate.

Of the mirrors I've ridden with, that one is my second favorite (behind the Take-a-Look). It's very inexpensive (around $5, if I recall), and does a very good job for bar-mounted mirror.

...Of course, if you mostly ride where there are big wide shoulders, or on bike paths, this is a non-issue. Likewise, if you have faith that all overtaking drivers will do the right thing, I guess you wouldn't need to keep track of them. But, I'd rather keep my eye on them and force them to do what's right, when I can.

So, the slower I drive (or ride), then the more I need a rear view mirror...makes sense to me!

Looks like you have a well-developed system that works for you, SSP.

Where I ride the roads are wide and bike lanes are plentiful. Maybe that's the difference. There are undoubtedly many more cyclists here year round as well, so drivers are in general more aware of us.

Nice try with the last comment! Of course, the logic isn't there.

Tom

Why you even need them then? From the way you explained, you don't need any mirror at all. You can turn your head in the car much easier than on bike, can't you?

I'll assume you are being serious and not just sarcastic.

I don't really need them. If all the mirrors on my car suddenly disappeared, it would not have that great an impact on my driving. Years of commuting by motorcycle taught me the value of a head check. Years of commuting by bicycle eliminated any stress-related neck pain, so I can turn my head freely.

When driving a car, there are often other cars on both sides of you, as well as in front of you. I change lanes frequently when I drive and need to be sure there is an opening. I could turn my head, and sometimes do, but it's important to keep your eyes looking in front of you in traffic all the time, or you are liable to run into the car in front of you. The traffic is pretty heavy in Southern California. If I never changed lanes, I don't think I would need the mirrors at all. What would I want to see with them?

On a bike, there are cars on one side of you only, you do not change lanes regularly, and you certainly won't run into another vehicle in front of you!

Tom

JavaMan,

The car mirrors IMHO are for monitoring traffic flow before changing lanes. This makes the head-check a fraction of a second blind spot glance, reducing the amount of time you are moving forward blindly. Without a mirror, you have to spend a second or longer actually 'looking' at upcoming traffic.

I don't use a bicycle mirror. Overtake collisions are the smallest statistical segment of bicycle accidents; I have a multi-blinkie setup and a lime green safety vest so I figure I'm doing what I can making myself visible. Like you I learned to hold the line while glancing back.

Novices, like student drivers, don't know a lot about good use of mirrors, they don't trust mirrors. As driving skills develop, the drivers come up with their own unique use of mirrors more and more. What you think those 18 wheeler drivers pull their trailer between two other parked trailers, by turning their head back? Of course, I'm not pointing to any particular members, drivers, here. ;)

By the way, Javaman, haven't I seen you on Alicia Pkwy by the lake?

Novices, like student drivers, don't know a lot about good use of mirrors, they don't trust mirrors. As driving skills develop, the drivers come up with their own unique use of mirrors more and more. What you think those 18 wheeler drivers pull their trailer between two other parked trailers, by turning their head back? Of course, I'm not pointing to any particular members, drivers, here. ;)

By the way, Javaman, haven't I seen you on Alicia Pkwy by the lake?

Why don't you try contributing something useful to this thread?

For instance, do you even ride a bike? Do you use a rear view mirror? Get the idea?

Tom

my friend karl was killed by a dump truck a month ago! he didn't have a mirror, he was bumped, lost control and fell beneath the pup trailer the truck was pulling, his partner, who was behind karl, who was wearing a helmet mounted mirror, saw the truck wasn't going to give them room was able to get off the road.i use a mirror, i ride around 3000-4000 mi. a year and have been able to get out of the way several times. one particular time, is when a fellow was hauling a 2x4 sticking out the passenger side window almost took my head off! so it's like riding with a seat belt in a car, after a while it's second nature, especially with all these drivers on the phone, or watching movies, or drunk!

I use a Take-a-Look on my glasses. I prefer eyeglass mirrors to bike mounted ones because I can adjust my head to focus the mirror wherever I want to see. I've used Third Eye and I like them when they are new, but they loosen up over time and won't stay adjusted.

One more vote for Take-a-Look. Since I wear glasses, the eyeglass model is a natural. I ride a lowracer, and looking behind me is somewhere between inconvenient and impossible. I use the mirror mostly to check on the other riders in my group - when their tongues start dragging on the pavement it's time to back off. ;)

One more vote for Take-a-Look, I have mine mounted to the helmet. Third eye is a lesser, but acceptable choice. These threads always crack me up, last one I remember someone said they never look at the mirrors in their car unless they are changing lanes... :eek:

Rear view mirrors are like bike shoes. Sure you canget along without them, but once you try them and you realize how helpful they are, you won't ever want to ride without one again.

Here in Germany, the majority of bikes have them, and for good reason!

Becnal

I ride a high-racer recumbent and it's hard to turn around in the seat or turn your neck. A mirror is a must. I've used helmet mirrors with good success, but have occasionally got to a ride and found that I forgot my mirror. Now, I'm using a B&M CycleStar that comes in short or long length and mounts to the handlebar via a clamp. Vibration is minimal and optical quality is very good.

The attached pic shows a mirror mounted to special bars that accept the mirror but it comes with a clamp. The pic was taken with my right hand while riding down the paved shoulder of a blacktop road. Vibration is so light that you can clearly see that there is a car approaching.

I am so sorry to hear about losing your friend. My heartfelt condolences. Was any action taken against the truck driver?

Lance


my friend karl was killed by a dump truck a month ago! he didn't have a mirror, he was bumped, lost control and fell beneath the pup trailer the truck was pulling, his partner, who was behind karl, who was wearing a helmet mounted mirror, saw the truck wasn't going to give them room was able to get off the road.i use a mirror, i ride around 3000-4000 mi. a year and have been able to get out of the way several times. one particular time, is when a fellow was hauling a 2x4 sticking out the passenger side window almost took my head off! so it's like riding with a seat belt in a car, after a while it's second nature, especially with all these drivers on the phone, or watching movies, or drunk!

i don´t wear helmets(i´m not posting in the wrong thread!),

but i do am very curious about the Reevu dahon mentioned earlier(last year...) and wonder how it works now.

The attached pic shows a mirror mounted to special bars that accept the mirror but it comes with a clamp. The pic was taken with my right hand while riding down the paved shoulder of a blacktop road. Vibration is so light that you can clearly see that there is a car approaching.

Great pic!!!!!!!! :)

I've used a mirror for a couple years now, since I gave up the POS car and used the bike for recreation AND transportation. I've gotten to where I feel uncomfortable without it. I turn my head around in heavy traffic, too, but the mirror is really helpful when you need to keep eyes forward. I realize that a mirror would ruin the aesthetic of a Trek Madone, but on my older bike, it actually makes the bike look cooler!

Will NOT ride without one.
I want to know everything around me and what's it doing.
Major safety device for me.

I'll assume you are being serious and not just sarcastic.

I don't really need them. If all the mirrors on my car suddenly disappeared, it would not have that great an impact on my driving. Years of commuting by motorcycle taught me the value of a head check. Years of commuting by bicycle eliminated any stress-related neck pain, so I can turn my head freely.

When driving a car, there are often other cars on both sides of you, as well as in front of you. I change lanes frequently when I drive and need to be sure there is an opening. I could turn my head, and sometimes do, but it's important to keep your eyes looking in front of you in traffic all the time, or you are liable to run into the car in front of you. The traffic is pretty heavy in Southern California. If I never changed lanes, I don't think I would need the mirrors at all. What would I want to see with them?

On a bike, there are cars on one side of you only, you do not change lanes regularly, and you certainly won't run into another vehicle in front of you!

Tom


did you ever go to driving school? did they not instruct you to check yo mirrors every 20 seconds?