Road Cycling - Rear View Mirrors?

I'm new at this -- only had my bike about a month. Do any of you guys use a rear view mirror on your bike? If so, what kind? I tried to get one mounted on my bike yesterday but the shop said the mirror they sold me didn't fit my bike. They suggested putting one on the lower part of the bike handle, however, they didn't have one in stock. Overall, though, they didn't seem to keen on using one at all.

I use the blackburn handlebar mirror, just take out the handlebar plug and push the mirror in. I've tried eyeglass mirrors but found I have to close one eye and tilt my head to look in it. I picked up the blackburn from performance for less than $15.

I've never had much success with handlebar-mount mirrors. My current favorite is the Take-a-Look, a brass and acrylic glasses-mount mirror. Extremely effective, versatile, and durable.

It takes a few rides to learn how to use a helmet- or glasses-mount mirror, and some people IMO don't give them enough time. Those that do rarely seem to want to change to anything else.

RichC

Up until I replaced my helmet I used a Blackburn hemet mirror, and I have missed it a few times... must replace it - great for joining fast flowing traffic - not for when to pull out but for when not to bother straining your head.

Richard

I agree on the glasses mount mirror, I use the third-eye. Takes a little getting used to but it's great!

I use the Blackburn handle bar as well. Never tried one that mounted to my helmet or glasses as I thought it might be a distraction in my peripheral vision.

I use the Blackburn hood mirror. just velcros onto your brake hood. It is the best solution for me. I probably would prefer eyeglass mounts in cooler weather and less stoplights (every time I wipe sweat off my brow I goof up the alignment on my third eye mirror, but the handlebar mirror does not have this problem).

I've found ALL rearview mirrors to have some sort of compromise. Here are my observations.

Handlebar mirrors - The constant vibration makes them almost useless as you struggle to see the cars behind you. There are plenty of blind spots and the best you can hope for is seeing some parts of a car. Trying to squeeze between cars often resulted in breaking the mirror. I also hated having to spend the first 5 or ten minutes trying to adjust the mirror. Furthermore, if the sun is behind you, the mirror becomes useless.

I often found myself spending too much time looking into the mirror or trying to get an correct angle so I can see the cars. It really distracted me and took away from the overall ride and enjoyment.

Helmet mirrors - This system (Third Eye) had basically the same problem as the handlebar. The mirror was so small, you had to really concentrate on keeping your head in one position throughout the whole ride. I spent a ton of time trying to find the cars instead of looking ahead of where I was headed. The constant vibration while trying to get the correct angle was a major distraction. In the end, I found the helmet mirror to be more distractive than a handlebar mirror and it made me sick to my stomach as the light was constantly reflecting off the glass and into my eye. If the sun was behind you, it's basically useless.

There is a misconception that using these mirrors makes you safer. I'm not sure about this anymore. The cars often come up on you TOO fast to react as you have only a second or two to make a decision. There is just not enough time between the time you see the car in the mirror for you to jump off the bike. If a car's going to hit you, there's very little a mirror will do to stop him. Since the mirror is so small, all the cars enter at the same angle and you cannot make an educated decision as to which one is going to hit you.

Still. I haven't given up hope yet as I purchased a ReeVu helmet that has a built in mirror. (www.reevu.com) So far my initial impression is not very good. To be totally honest, i'm dissapointed as it could have been made better. After this week, I'll post a review on this helmet as I intend to take out on long ride.

I think that many people fail to understand how to use helmet- or glasses-mount mirrors. They try to position them so they can see behind them without moving their heads. This is a fundamental error.

Imagine the outside rear-view mirror on a car. You angle the mirror so that when you turn your head to look at it you can see behind you. The mirror is not in your field of view when you're looking ahead.

The cycling mirror is the same, except both your head and the mirror move together, until the mirror reaches a point in space where your sightline hits it and you can see behind you.

Setting this up, and then learning the head move, take some practice, but it becomes instinctive in fairly short order.

The advantages are many:

--The image is stable, vibration-free, and covers a wider area without distortion.

-- You can see much more of the road behind you, and you can change what you see just by moving your head a bit (it's easy to see what's on a ramp merging into the road behind you on the right, for example).

-- When you're not using it, you don't know it's there. In your normal riding posture, the mirror is basically pointing at the sky.

-- It's much more effective at night or in the rain.

My biggest problem with it is that I find myself making that little "head move" while I'm walking down the street and hear a noise behind me. :)

RichC

>>>>I think that many people fail to understand how to use helmet- or glasses-mount mirrors. They try to position them so they can see behind them without moving their heads. This is a fundamental error<<<<<<<

Once you move your head, you lose the abilty to see the cars coming from behind. When using a helmet mirror, you have to learn to keep your head in one position which gets tiring in short order. Learning to move your head back into position using a helmet mirror was a lot easier said than done using The Third Eye.

I struggled to find the position necessary to make it useful. Furthermore, helmet mirrors work basically for upright riding positions which basically excludes the roadbiker.

I'm not the type of person who likes to keep my head in one position to use this safty feature. I'm more of a cruiser type who enjoys to look around without the destraction.

Furthermore, anything that approaches you in that mirror will be upon you in less than 1 or 2 seconds. When I wore one, the cars zoomed by me and there was NO way I could make an educated decision on who was going to hit me. Once I came to this conclusion, I removed the device since cars are basically unpredictable and it would not give me enough time to react accordling.

In other words, by the time I figured which car was going to hit me, I'd be a part of his bumper.

Originally posted by Dahon.Steve
Once you move your head, you lose the abilty to see the cars coming from behind. When using a helmet mirror, you have to learn to keep your head in one position which gets tiring in short order. Learning to move your head back into position using a helmet mirror was a lot easier said than done using The Third Eye.

I don't understand what you're saying here. I never have to keep my head in one position. If I want to look behind me, I move my head to glance at the mirror, exactly as I would in a car.


I struggled to find the position necessary to make it useful. Furthermore, helmet mirrors work basically for upright riding positions which basically excludes the roadbiker.

I ride only road bikes.


I'm not the type of person who likes to keep my head in one position to use this safty feature. I'm more of a cruiser type who enjoys to look around without the destraction.

I really don't get this "head in one position" thing you keep referring to. The mirror is attached to your head. You can move your head any way you want to.


Furthermore, anything that approaches you in that mirror will be upon you in less than 1 or 2 seconds. When I wore one, the cars zoomed by me and there was NO way I could make an educated decision on who was going to hit me. Once I came to this conclusion, I removed the device since cars are basically unpredictable and it would not give me enough time to react accordling.

In other words, by the time I figured which car was going to hit me, I'd be a part of his bumper.

Bike mirrors are not for continuous monitoring of traffic approaching from behind, any more than car mirrors are. Nobody can watch in two directions at once.

Bike mirrors are for checking before you make a move. They are invaluable for merging left on multilane roads, when preparing to make a left turn. They're great when you come upon an obstruction, like a car stopped in a bike lane, that will force you to decide quickly whether to move left or stop.

As long as you're positioned properly in your lane and are holding a consistent line, it's the responsibility of overtaking traffic to pass you safely. No cyclist can constantly monitor overtaking traffic, with a mirror or otherwise.

RichC

Thanks Rich, I hadn't thought of using the mirror in the way you specified (I was using it from the keep your head still and move your eyes mentality). I will have to give the Third Eye another try.

As for traffic and Steve's post I find the mirror a great comfort when I need to assess my situation quickly and take the lane. The mirror does this great. I also like to make sure someone is giving me room when I hear their engine noise approaching. I think 1 to 2 seconds is plenty of time to dive into a ditch to avoid a nasty knock on the noggin from a mirror or bumper. If you think about it, if you drive at night all you have is 1 to 2 seconds before objects appearing in your headlight get to your front tire, yet this is usually plenty of time to react. Just a thought.

In the end I think there are two types of cyclists, those who like mirrors and those who don't. Some swear by them and some prefer not to have them.

I concur with Rich C. I've used a glasses-mount mirror for 2 1/2 years now without ever having a problem using it. I wouldn't think of cycling without it any less than I would without my helmet. Honestly, it's just not that complicated! You don't have to be a continuous contortionist. The most I ever move my head to view directly behind me is -what?- maybe an inch or so to the left? That's so inconsequential a movement it's second nature to me, as Rich C attests. That small 1-inch sweep scans my entire left side and rear - no blind spots there - and my forward attention is not compromised either. Sunsets? - but they can blind you whether viewed directly on in a mirror - anyway, I've never had this problem. Yes, I've had cars come up surprisingly fast from behind but why would that be an argument not to use a mirror? If I should be so unfortunate as to crash headfirst onto a boulder, a helmet may not save me but I wear one just the same.

I like the idea of the Reevu helmet, though. Looking forward to Steve's review.

Eddie

Different strokes for different folks :) My 3rd-Eye helmet mirror might as well be a part of my body; I'm so accustomed to being able to see behind me that I've unthinkingly tried to look into it when I'm just walking around! :D

Talk about safety, well I am about 500% certain that I'm safer and better-equipped to deal with traffic by being able to do a sweep-scan of three or four lanes' worth of traffic by turning my head a little. :) I :love: my helmet mirror!

At the same time, having sold them for over ten years, I know they're not everyone's cup of tea, particularly for some riders with corrective lenses. So use what suits you best :)

I use a mirror that is connected to my helmet. It is so easy to use and allows me to scan everything behind me with a small sweep of my head.
I tried one of the mirrors that attach to the top tube and found that if you use a large wedgie pack it renders the mirror almost useless. I found this mirror better suited for keeping tabs on your competition in a road race.

I am in the helmet/eyeglasses mirror camp. I've tried handlebar mounted mirrors with some success but always go back to the helmet mirror.

Rich Clark's thorough explanation covers my thoughts quite well.

For me, it is almost an addiction...riding the trainer on a rainy day I find myself glancing up occasionally to the nonexisting mirror.

Hibiscus, I do not use a rearview mirror. The ones that mount on your helmet or glasses create both a blindspot and a focus point and can actually make it difficult to scan ahead and to the side. Besides, they make you look like a dork. They are totally unnecessary if your neck functions and you know how to look back [turn your head over your left shoulder and rest your chin on your shoulder for a quick look, or take a quick look under either arm]. When people come into the shop looking for one of those things, I always try to discourage them unless they're middle-aged tourers with beards, bellies and birkenstocks.

Never look back!

I'm too sexy for a mirror. Well.... maybe not, but i've learned to look over my shoulder.

Originally posted by Dahon.Steve
There is just not enough time between the time you see the car in the mirror for you to jump off the bike.
So, just how often do you jumped off your bike to avoid being hit by a vehicle from behind? :)

I ride with and without a mirror. My "fast" road bike is not equipped. I don't have too many problems with the quick glances back over my right shoulder, but I do occasionally look down to find a mirror not there.

My touring/randon bike has a mirror which tells me:

1) There is a break in the traffic flow that will enable me to change lanes.

2) If a second vehicle is moving to overtake another as they both go by me.

3) The line that the vehicle behind is taking. If it hasn't started to move out of the lane (or at least my part of the road) by at least 50 metres back (depending on speed) I know I might be in for a white-knuckle moment.

4) Keeping an eye on that pesky rider who is gaining, so I can decide if I have to hammer harder (or so I can outrun the foul-mouthed ratbag on his BMX who wants to literally beat me up!).

5) Watching some lovely female legs after they've gone past (on a bike or walking, makes no difference).

6) Making sure I don't get too far ahead of the riders behind if I happen to be in a paceline.

7) When riding long distances at night, it helps reduce tunnel vision and keeps eyes lubricated because they are moving about and are not fixed ahead.

8) On my cross-Nullarbor ride a few years ago, the mirror kept me informed of passing pilot vehicles and then the huge semis they were leading -- I got off the road quite a few times well before the arrival of boats, mining equipment, and other b-i-g stuff.

Checking mirrors is an important part of car driving, and I have transferred the habit to cycling. It keeps me informed about more of my environment, and therefore I can make more informed decisions about my movements.

I have never tried a helmet/glasses mirror, so I cannot comment on their effectiveness. I have a Rhode Gear (same as Blackburn) mirror that fits in the end of the randon bike's drop bars (like bar-end shifters). It has a good swivel on it that means it won't get broken when knocked against something else. It just folds back. Vibration is not a particular concern (and we have much more rough chipseal than you'll ever see in the US).

Oh, I also reinforce what I see in the mirror by looking back over my shoulder before making a manoeuvre in traffic.

FWIW

R

Originally posted by peloton
When people come into the shop looking for one of those things, I always try to discourage them unless they're middle-aged tourers with beards, bellies and birkenstocks.
Now peloton, which shop is it you work at? Just so the people you so sneeringly refer to know not to go there (and they can spread the word among their associates and on other bike lists).

I've never used a mirror before since I'm pretty much used to glancing over my shoulder before attempting a maneuver. I rarely rely on just my mirrors when I'm driving too... preferring to actually swival my head to get a direct view. I will use them for general traffic monitoring and include them as part of my scan-pattern however. I was wondering if anyone's had any experience with stick-on dot-mirrors like the CycleAware View Point (http://www.cycleaware.com/products/view-point.htm).

Thanks everyone for all your answers -- I'm finding all of your answers very interesting (some funny) and it gives me something to think about. I've only had my bike a month & at first I was scared to look over my shoulder, it had been so long since I'd been on a bike. LOL I'm doing it quite easily now. Anyway, I still will probably get a mirror -- I'm not real worried about looking like a dork as I'm too cute for that (LOL) -- I don't know if I'm a middle-aged tourer (I'm 41) but I don't have a beard, there's no belly - my bodyfat is in the 14% range because I've lifted and done cardio for the last 7 years pretty intensely -- & I don't own birkenstocks yet but wouldn't mind a pair. LOL My husband has a pair & he's hot!! :D

Anyway, all joking aside, I saw a guy at Kiawah wearing a helmet with a rear view mirror attached & I didn't think anything but that I would like to have some kind of rear view mirror. My sweetie already laughed and said I looked like a mushroom in my biking outfit, so a mushroom with an antenna (LOL) is fine with me.

Originally posted by Rowan
Now peloton, which shop is it you work at? Just so the people you so sneeringly refer to know not to go ...
They wouldn't come to our shop, anyway. We don't sell 'bents or tandems... though we do have a nice selection on comfort bikes and hybrids, so you never do know... :)

Originally posted by peloton
Hibiscus, I do not use a rearview mirror. The ones that mount on your helmet or glasses create both a blindspot and a focus point and can actually make it difficult to scan ahead and to the side. Besides, they make you look like a dork. They are totally unnecessary if your neck functions and you know how to look back [turn your head over your left shoulder and rest your chin on your shoulder for a quick look, or take a quick look under either arm]. When people come into the shop looking for one of those things, I always try to discourage them unless they're middle-aged tourers with beards, bellies and birkenstocks.

Sounds like the kind of bike shop that makes people take up skiing.

RichC

Originally posted by Rich Clark
Sounds like the kind of bike shop that makes people take up skiing.

RichC Now there's a sliver lining in the cloud. At the ski area I where I work we are always trying to figure out how to get new skiers, so I will pass your suggestion on to management.

I vote for the Delta Insight Mirror. I hear a lot of people knock them but I think they are great. If nothing else its a great conversation piece. I get alot of questions about it out on rides.
http://www.lickbike.com/i3239050.htm

Originally posted by Rowan
Oh, I also reinforce what I see in the mirror by looking back over my shoulder before making a manoeuvre in traffic. This is crucial. Overreliance on mirrors is a death trap for cyclists, motorized or human-powered, and is one of the things you learn about in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation education program. It might also be on the League of American Bicyclists' safety education program, but I haven't taken their course yet.

I've never seen one of those -- looks interesting -- however, it looks like you would just see -- well, parts of yourself (LOL) with that? Can you see around yourself to see stuff? :D

I definitely would also look for myself -- just as I do in a car -- just thought a mirror would be helpful.

Originally posted by hibiscus09
Can you see around yourself to see stuff? :D
Your view is below the seat annd between your legs so it works as long as you don't have a large seatbag. I have a small seatbag and I can see behind me just fine. Whats great is you can see whats on the left and right of you. Comes in handy on group and charity rides seeing bikes to the right of you.

Cool! That looks neat. :) My seatbag is also very small.

Originally posted by hillyman
I vote for the Delta Insight Mirror...
http://www.lickbike.com/i3239050.htm
Great! An unobstructed view of my crotch. I can really see how that would make cycling safer!

I'm going to add one more log to the fire here, as far as looking over your shoulder.

I wear corrective glasses and my peripheral vision has no correction when I look back sharply. I can actually see clearly using a mirror, but only in a blur outside the range of my corrective lenses. This is something to keep in mind when folks swear by mirrors. ;)

Originally posted by uciflylow
I wear corrective glasses and my peripheral vision has no correction when I look back sharply. I can actually see clearly using a mirror, but only in a blur outside the range of my corrective lenses. This is something to keep in mind when folks swear by mirrors. ;)

Hm. I wear my mirror attached either to my cycling glasses -- which have Rx inserts -- or to my clear Rx glasses, which are progressives. I think I agree that my need for corrective lenses restricts where I can place my mirror -- it needs to be within the zone of corrected vision -- but that's never been an issue for me, probably because my prescription glasses are selected specifically with cycling in mind, and therefore provide the maximum possible peripheral correction.

But because the glasses-mount mirror is pre-positioned to account for my glasses, I never have to think about it when I'm riding.

RichC

Originally posted by peloton
Great! An unobstructed view of my crotch.
peloton, I wouldn't want you to have to look at your shortcomings:D

I've been using a helmet mounted mirror for about a month for commuting through the west side of Chicago and while it has taken some getting used to, I'll keep using it. I still have a fear of being distracted by it - looking in the mirror and not what's ahead and getting in an accident as a result - but with practice this fear will subside.

Originally posted by FOG
This is crucial. Overreliance on mirrors is a death trap for cyclists, motorized or human-powered, and is one of the things you learn about in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation education program. It might also be on the League of American Bicyclists' safety education program, but I haven't taken their course yet.
Looking back over the shoulder is an acquired (trained) movement for most people -- because otherwise they tend veer off in the opposite direction to which they are turning their head. It's as important a part of training as any other, IMO -- to get them looking over their shoulder *and* keeping a straight line, especially in tight on-road conditions.

Peripheral vision is a critical factor, as well. I don't have a problem in that area, even though I wear glasses, but it's been interesting what others have observed, as I need to take that into account with the courses I run.

By the way, there is another set of conditions where I find a helmet can be handy -- into a strong headwind so that all sound coming from behind is obliterated.

R

I'd be lost without my Third Eye eyeglass mirror.

Looking back over the shoulder is an acquired (trained) movement for most people -- because otherwise they tend veer off in the opposite direction to which they are turning their head.

I'm a newbie & that's exactly what I did at first. I seem to be doing better with it now -- thank goodness! :D

Originally posted by pointyhead
I'd be lost without my Third Eye eyeglass mirror.

Literally lost? Is it because the mirror enables you to see the trail of bread crumbs behind you? :D