Mirror choices

[JIB]

I have decided that I really need a mirror and I am trying to make a decision. I like the looks and unobtrusiveness of the Italian road bike mirror that fits in place of a bar plug. However, it doesn't look as if it's big enough to really be effective. I also like the Blackburn road bike mirror, but haven't actually seen it on a bike. Any personal experiences with these mirrors or pictures would be greatly appreciated.

[gregam]

I am interested also, however as I have bar end shifters, it limits my choices.

[-=£em in Pa=-]

Im skeptcal of Blackburn stuff as of late.
My favorite mirror of all is a big, round, bar-end
Third Eye unit. I have a similar CatEye one on
another bike but the plug is a weird size (fitment probs)
and it is not real glass. Cheepo--
Whatever you decide on, get real glass !!!
The other stuff eventually becomes too dull to see out of.
A mirror will make riding sooo much easier for you from a
situational awareness point-of-view :)

[joejack951]

The only cycling mirror I've ever used, and the only one I probably will ever use because I like it so much, is a Third Eye eyeglass mounted mirror. The mirror is real glass and because it mounts so close to your face, the actual mirror size is quite small yet allows you to see the whole road right behind you. The only downside is that the plastic clip can be broken if you try to flex it too much but with normal frames, that shouldn't be an issue. Also, you can replace the plastic clip without needing to buy a whole new mirror too. I own three of these mirrors (one for my wife and I plus a spare) and bought a few spare clips after I broke one. Been using the mirror daily for about 2.5 years now. I feel completely unconnected with traffic when I don't wear one. Not that I'm incapable of riding without one but I feel so much more informed with it on and it's so unobtrusive that I hardly ever ride without it (and then only very short trips, mostly pizza runs :)).

[Michel Gagnon]

I used to have the old Mirrycle. Very stable and very good... as long as you don't wear long sleeves. The new stuff doesn't seem as good. So about 8 years ago, I have switched to a helmet-mounted mirror. It took me a few days to get used to it, but now, I find it great.

[tomg]

try a helmet mounted mirror, can be hard to adjust too if your eye is sensitive, it's easier NOT to loose mirror than one that's eyeglass mounted, and as effective!

[John E]

I am a recent convert to mirrors, after unsatisfactory experiences years ago with the first eyeglass mirrors. I mounted a CycleAware mirror from REI on my Giro Xen helmet, and I have been delighted with the results.

[AndrewP]

The only cycling mirror I've ever used, and the only one I probably will ever use because I like it so much, is a Third Eye eyeglass mounted mirror. The mirror is real glass and because it mounts so close to your face, the actual mirror size is quite small yet allows you to see the whole road right behind you. The only downside is that the plastic clip can be broken if you try to flex it too much but with normal frames, that shouldn't be an issue. Also, you can replace the plastic clip without needing to buy a whole new mirror too. I own three of these mirrors (one for my wife and I plus a spare) and bought a few spare clips after I broke one. Been using the mirror daily for about 2.5 years now. I feel completely unconnected with traffic when I don't wear one. Not that I'm incapable of riding without one but I feel so much more informed with it on and it's so unobtrusive that I hardly ever ride without it (and then only very short trips, mostly pizza runs :)).
+1 I would rather ride without the helmet than without this mirror. Small movements of your head allow you to see the traffic when the road behind you curves or if you have n expressway exit merging on your RHS.

[bkrownd]

Glasses mounted mirror only. The M2 Racer mirror design is the best I've seen. Unfortunately they're out of business. The other glasses and helmet mounted mirrors are quite clunky in comparison.

Personally I find handlebar mirrors to be next to useless. Your eyes are too far away from the mirror to give a good view, and it the body and bike and anything on your back rack obstruct the view. I do use a curved Bell bar-end mirror as a backup for my glasses mounted mirror when rain prevents me from lifting my head.

[AlmostTrick]

I like the Third Eye helmet mirror. I also have one that clamps onto a visor for when I don't want to wear a helmet. How big is that Italian bar end mirror? When a mirror is that far from your eye, it needs to be larger to see an area as big as a small eye glass or helmet mirror can see. Plus with a slight head turn you can see even more.

[Allister]

I tried a helmet mirror, but found it nigh impossible to adjust, and didn't like the one eyed view - makes judging distances harder. I run two handlebar mirrors (just added the second recently), and like the Cateye Race mirror. It's super stable, and offers a nice field of view.

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/images/products/thumb/5545.jpg

[Fear&Trembling]

I like the Take a Look mirror.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2283/2420369251_ee382996cc.jpg

[starla]

I like the Take a Look mirror.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2283/2420369251_ee382996cc.jpg

Ditto. It's unobtrusive and light. I love it.

[invisiblehand]

Chuck Harris ... best mirror around in my opinion. All recycled material ... it is actually made from a bicycle spoke. Very durable.

[andrelam]

I have the Myricle mirror on my hybrid and absolutely love it. What I like is that the mount is very solid and you can adjust the tightness of the joints so you can ensure that the mirror stays in place yet can still be adjusted with a little force. There is absolutely no vibration. For my road bike I looked at a few options. I looked at some that go into the ends of the bars and for me that could have worked. The thing that worried me was that the image was going to be very small and that I'd have to look down a lot lower to see what was behind me. I ended up getting the Blackburn mirror. It does work, but compared the the Myricle mirror it is a HUGE dissapointment. I trimmed the edged of the plastic just a tiny bit so that it fit better on my Ultegra shifters (no big deal). It mounts up ok, but you'd think it would fit better. A very large percentage of the road shifters out there are the Shimano type, you'd think they would make sure it would fit better. The most dissapointing aspect is that the joints are pretty loose so if you are riding on a road with some bumps, then the mirror goes out of allignment a bit. It just bugs me that they designed it so poorly. With a tiny bit more effort the mount could fit better, the mount could a bit stiffer (so the image would have been more stable) and the joints could be stiffer so they don't bounce out of allignment. Over all I do like the size of the mirror and it does make seeing behind you very easiy with a quick glance down... it is just disapointing. Mayeb the folks that make the Myricle mirror will start considering making a road bike mirror. I'd buy stuff in a heartbeat.

Happy riding,
André

[SeattleShaun]

I used the "Italian Race" mirrors for a year or two. They were fine, but they are not adjustable - you basically tape them to them to the end of the bar and then bar tape over them so it takes awhile to get them dialed in requiring some measure of re-taping.

A couple of years ago I replaced them with Sprintech bar end mirrors - they act as a bar end plug with a ball socket to preserve adjustment. I've found them to be very useful, except when down in the drops.

[BarracksSi]

A couple of years ago I replaced them with Sprintech bar end mirrors - they act as a bar end plug with a ball socket to preserve adjustment. I've found them to be very useful, except when down in the drops.

If you need a mirror while in the drops, you obviously aren't going fast enough.

;)

To the OP, just keep trying out different mirrors. Each version works for somebody.

[SpaceNerd]

Out of curiosity... Does the Take-a-look mirror work okay with helmets? I never ride without my glasses but I'm concerned my helmet would get in the way. Anybody know?

[joejack951]

Out of curiosity... Does the Take-a-look mirror work okay with helmets? I never ride without my glasses but I'm concerned my helmet would get in the way. Anybody know?

Never had an issue with my Third Eye glasses mounted mirror and a helmet (or ballcap, or wool winter hat). Seeing that the Take-A-Look is about the same size, I can't imagine it would be any different.

[SSP]

Out of curiosity... Does the Take-a-look mirror work okay with helmets? I never ride without my glasses but I'm concerned my helmet would get in the way. Anybody know?

Yes...the Take-a-Look (http://biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=TLEGM&gclid=CMX1opHsnY8CFRI5agodJGXTfQ) works well with a helmet. I've tried a variety of bar and glasses mounted mirrors, and it's the best I've found.

[SpaceNerd]

Thanks for the input joejack and SSP!

[waldowales]

I tried the Take-a-Look on the glasses, but was never able to get it adjusted so I could see behind me. I have a couple of bar end mirrors of different makes, all work well for me.