Commuting - Helmet or Bar End Mirror Help

Hello-

I am brand new to mountain biking, but am doing mostly on road with hybrid tires. Can you guys offer advice on a helmet or bar end mirror. I tried the Bike Peddler Take A Look this evening and could not see a thing. I seen over on MTBR the reviews of that product were road bikers. Because of lying down if you will they can see more with this thing. I could see nothing. Really would like a helmet mirror but mayble that's not an option and only barend. Thanks for advice.

I dont use one, but the other that I have seen with them on trails have the helmet ones.

This thread is among the ghey.

Helmet or bar-end probably comes down to preference. I go with a Mirrycle Mountain Bike Mirror on the Rockhopper that I run as a winter bike. Here's a link:

http://jensonusa.com/store/product/MR309M05-Mirrycle+Mountain+Handlebar+Mirror.aspx

I like Mirrycle's product a lot. I've never tried a helmet mounted mirror, so I don't have any recommendations to offer there.

You might try the commuting forum.

Mountain bikers on trails have little need for mirrors.

If you're talking about city riding, then I would say go with a bar-end - like the Cateye BM-300G - $8 at Universal. Helmet mirrors tend to get lost if you lock your helmet with the bike.

Helmet mirrors take a bit getting use too. I find it best to ignore it for the most part. It is odd but your brain and your eyes make sense of it when you not trying. Kind of like getting use to bifocal glasses.

I have a mirror that's attached to my glasses, I imagine they are much like helmet mirrors. Very useful in traffic.

Helmet mirrors are much less subject to vibration and most bar end mirrors are convex enough so it is hard to judge how distant traffic behind really is. If the bar end mirror is flatter then the vibration effect is even a worse problem and the view gets too narrow IMO.

This is what you want:

http://media.rei.com/media/mm/b1284969-202d-488c-9dca-819c845f8a01.jpg (http://www.rei.com/product/723518)

It's the Mountain Mirrycle mirror. It fits on the end of your handlebars and gives you a nice rear view. It's very stable, yet adjustable.

You might try the commuting forum.

Mountain bikers on trails have little need for mirrors.

Eh, If I had mountain folk on my six I'd sure as heck want to know about it. Have you SEEN Deliverance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9R4t_Nwy5E)??? A glasses mounted mirror is what I use and now I'm really dependent on it. I got mine from REI it's the Bike Peddler Take A Look Mirror (http://www.rei.com/product/752285) for $16.00 is was more expensive than I would've liked, but I love it.

The bike shops sure are proud of their helmet mirrors. Last time I looked, the cheapest one they had was $20. I made one for under $3 with an alligator clip and dental-type mirror from the dollar bin, at an auto parts store.