Road Cycling - Rearview Mirror

I'll admit I'm new here but I have read a few hundred posts, and I've yet to read of anybody who uses a mirror, you know the tiny ones that clip to your glasses or helmet. Ya it's tiny but it's only two inches from your eye and you can see more than you can in a car rearview mirror. I recently took a test ride and didnt have my mirror with me, I felt so unsafe not knowing what's behind me that I did'nt dare ride on the road, I stayed on the sidewalk until I was able to go into a subdivision. Does anybody out there use a mirror besides me?

yep, i use a barend mirror from cateye, it works great and riding around in san francisco with heavy traffic really helps me keep my eyes on the road without having to turn around and see behing me...

yep, i use a barend mirror from cateye, it works great and riding around in san francisco with heavy traffic really helps me keep my eyes on the road without having to turn around and see behing me...

yup that's what i used before on my rockhopper. it's only $5 from REI. very nifty mirror and it's very clear, not distorted.

now that i am going with a TT setup.. i can't use it anymore.. :(

I've used helmet mounted mirrors for over 30 years (I pop them off when racing). I receive a bit of light hearted grief on group rides but pay little attention to it.

Feel the same naked feeling you describe without one; mine clips on the glasses. I use to duck my head under my arm pit to see behind, but with lots of traffic things can happen real fast and don't want to turn my head like that anymore! It's been 2 years now.

I wear a small one attached to my helmet - works well.

Jim

I have one of the "take a look" mirrors. I bought it because almost every comment I've heard or read about them was positive. I have it clipped to the visor of my helmet, which I reinforced with a piece of G-10 at that spot to make it a bit thicker and stiffer. Before doing that the mirror would come off very easily, now it only moves if I bounce it against something putting the bike indoors. Never moves at all on the road. I have it set so that I have to turn my head about 30 degrees to the side to see behind me, that way I can see past my shoulder when I'm in the drops, hoods whatever. I find that I don't use it much other than the one mile of busy three lane I ride on the way in (watch your back!) and the one left hand turn off a busy two land road onto a small residential street on the way home. If I could avoid those busy sections I probably wouldn't have a mirror, but for them it's great. It also does help keeping cars coming up from behind in view without taking my eyes off the road ahead.

My buddy uses one of the incredibly small convex mirrors that mount inside your sunglass lenses. He claims that it works great. I'm going to give it a shot

I always have my helmet mirror on....can't ride without it.

I have one but never use it. I ride almost exclusively on busy roads but I'm much more comfortable looking back rather than looking into my mirror. I guess I feel that I have better visability when I turn my head and I've learned how "not" to swirve when I do.

Dan.

I guess I'm old fashioned but I use a handle bar mirror on
each side and do fine. To me an eyeglass mirror is ....well,
weird.

I'll admit I'm new here but I have read a few hundred posts, and I've yet to read of anybody who uses a mirror, you know the tiny ones that clip to your glasses or helmet. Ya it's tiny but it's only two inches from your eye and you can see more than you can in a car rearview mirror. I recently took a test ride and didnt have my mirror with me, I felt so unsafe not knowing what's behind me that I did'nt dare ride on the road, I stayed on the sidewalk until I was able to go into a subdivision. Does anybody out there use a mirror besides me?


I have used a "very tiny" mirror about the size of a pencil eraser for over 7 years that attaches to the inside of my Oakley lens. I would not think of of going on a ride without it. It offers a wide field of vision and allows me to constantly monitor traffic behind me. Whether you decide to use this type of mirror (Cycle Aware View Point) or one that attaches to your helmet or eyeglass ears, I would implore you to use one to increase the safety and enjoyment of your ride.

I guess I'm old fashioned but I use a handle bar mirror on
each side and do fine. To me an eyeglass mirror is ....well,
weird.

Alright.... I'm going to be different so here's my opinion.

If you want to use the mirror, go right ahead but always remember to use caution. Why?

1. The mirror has blind spots and if you decide to make a turn and a car is there........ Things can become real ugly. Cars run real quite today and I've seen plenty of mirror users including myself "scanning" for cars while trying to uncover the blind spots. Furthermore, cars are alot closer in the mirror than you think and will be upon you within second so keep this in mind before deciding to cross a lane without turning your head.

2. Turning your head to control traffic (urban cycling) is so critical and important. I've used this technique so many times and know it works enough to be effective. It doesn't work all the time but I've seen it in action where cars give me more room or slow down. Once you become unpredictable, the motorst will tend to use more caution when trying to pass. Using a mirror makes you keep your head straight so you lose technique. As a result, cars will bullet past you thinking you'll hold position.

3. The sun can make you dizzy if it's high in the sky because it will reflect the powerful sunlight right into your eye! Wonderful.

4. I found myself spending too much time looking behind instead of looking ahead. Not good for safty reasons. I found it many times to be distracting.

5. Monitoring the traffic behind you won't make a hill of beans. Too many forum members really think this is going to help them but it's an illusion. If the motorist makes horrible mistake, your cycling days are over. I asked on a previous thread how close a car would have to be in the mirror before you decided to jump off to save your life? No one could give me an answer. Plenty of cars come within 2 feet of my bike every day but I don't jump off the bike and neither will you. Yet, you have less than a second to make a decision on if you're going to jump off or not because that's about all you have before the car makes impact. This is why monitoring the traffic won't help because:

a. You won't have time to jump off
b. You won't jump off even if he comes within a few feet


Where can a mirror help.

It might help YOU from making a horrible mistake. By monitoring cars behind, you'll have a better idea of what's behind. If your the type of person who likes to cut lanes without looking back, a mirror can save your life. It also give you some piece of mind the moment you see a motorist giving you more space. In the end, you still have to hope the motorist is in control of his vehicle.

In the end, you still have to hope the motorist is in control of his vehicle.

Not to debate the value of this type of mirror or that type
of mirror but I think that at the end of the day it's the
motorist that's a bit more important. Why?

In every state in the union if you hit someone from BEHIND
it's your fault for not being in control of your vehicle.
I know that it won't help an injured cyclist but this only
points out that NO mirror setup made can compensate for a dumb driver.

The mirror setup I use has an added 'fisheye' stick on mirror
of the same type as my trucks. Is it foolproof? No more than
any other mirror set up. The main advantage of having the
mirrors on my bike is......they will always be available no
matter when I ride.

A prudent rider will equip his ride with whatever is
necessary to ensure his safety as he sees fit. To ride
without safety gear is folly.

When I'm doing any extended riding, I have a glasses mounted mirror.

When I'm doing any extended riding, I have a glasses mounted mirror.

15yrs riding in NYC mostly manhaten and never used one. But now in the suberbs I do, a wide angle one on the left handlbar. I do think I spend too much time looking in it instead of ahead. Bad habit. I might try taking it off.

I found it amusing I used to ride with people who didn't have mirrors and they would put me in the back because I had one. Its good to keep a look out for traffic but If I am doing a turn I take a look over the shoulder to double check. Just another important saftey item that benefits you and your loved ones.

I like my helmet mounted mirror. Yes I glance at it often. I just like being able to slide out on to the smoother traffic lanes when I can and move over when traffic is coming by. I also find that scanning with the mirror by moving my head around keep my neck from getting stiff and make me more comfortable. Generally the roads I ride are lightly traveled.

I have a mirror on all my helmets and a handlebar mirror on my commuter bike.

I use a helmet mounted mirror...it takes a bit of messing with each time I go out, to get it exactly where I want it...but after that point it is invalueable IMO. The best $12.00 I have spent on biking yet...and I wouldn't want to go roading w/o one.

I ride mainly country roads and use the "bike-eye" mirror, it's great for monitoring approaching traffic, your pre warned before you make manouvers, just like a car interior rear view mirror its there when you need it. It's also great for keeping an eye on the position of training buddies behind, making for more enjoyable sessions. I wouldn't ride without it now.

I started riding with a mirror about a year ago and now feel like a target if I can't glance up to see what's back there. Not only vehicles but it's helpful if you are riding in a group and another bike is passing.
I take some smart mouthing about the mirror but that's only after they make fun of my red "blinkie" tail light first.

take a look. rei.com

why do i keep posting this?

I feel stable enough on my bike I can turn around and look (or talk to a rider directly behind me if its a race or pace situation). I don't wobble or lose my line at all. I have no problem turning my head to quickly look at cars. Whatever is in front of me (riders) I can see out of my peripheral vision. If I am in front, I scan the road for obstacles before I turn. Mirrors aren't allowed in races (or if they are I pity the guy in the peloton who has one). Screw the mirror, learn to control your bike.

Having a mirror gives you more info. Period. More info, more choices. More choices, better choices to pick from.

I wear helmet mounted mirror and this is the story that proves it can save one's life.

On one Sunday morning recently I felt I need to venture out to some new place for a bike ride.So I am going to this main road which I travel on with my car all the time, but it's too busy to ride on during the weekdays.But today it is Sunday,so I thought it should be ok to ride it for once, to see what it is like.It has breakdown lane wide enough to ride on,so it shouldn't be a problem at all.( For those who lives in Sydney,Australia,it is the Centenary drive just outside the Rookwood cemetary).Anyway,I was cruising along nicely about 30kph on the breakdown lane with cars and trucks passing me outside in their own lane,I felt safe and relax.Little I expect that just around this little bend in front that, this breakdown lane going to end abruptly and I will have to merge with the traffic which travel along side of me few metres earlier.At that crucial moment luckly I just had a quick glance on my mirror that,there was this semi-trailer travelling about 70kph ( this is the speed limit of this section of the road )coming right next to me and going to pass me at the sametime that I will have to merge into the main road.I had no choice but brake almost to an hault to avoid myself coming to a collision course with the path of the truck,since I have the mirror and I can see what happen behind and in front the sametime,I can take the crucial but important decision at that time.If not,I will have to either continue with my normal path to merge with the traffic or turn around to have a look at what happen behind,yet I am traveling at 30kph,with that slight bend just around the corner in front,I don't think I will have enough time to complete the two task at that split second effectively.Right after that moment,my heart was thumbing and I was glad I made the right decision to brake abruptly as I don't think the truckie will expect me moving in front onto his path as this breakdown lane shouldn't be terminated at this unexpected section of the road.(when I was in the car,I didn't notice this as well until this incident ).

For the Aussies,this is the section of road I am refering to,pay attention when you travel on this road.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/giantbike/breakdownl.jpg

and I can see what happen behind and in front the sametime, Your story is one of the best arguments for mirrors I have heard yet! I use a helmet mirror and a handle bar mirror.

I recently got a mirror, and was surprized that the biggest benefit for me was not the better information about cars (altho' that is wonderful :D ) but the fact that silent cyclists no longer startle me whizzing by without so much as a peep. :eek: Now I see them, and when they pass I am not surprized! :)

A few months ago there was a similar thread and I read about an Italian Racing Mirror that fits on the bar end of drop bars. I bought one and mounted it on my Trek 5200 and am quite happy with it as it is pretty unobtrusive (sp) but lets me check behind for oncoming cars.

On my mountain bike I use a 3-inch dia bar end mirror. The larger mirror provides a wider view angle which is great on my mountain bike but I like the sleekness of the Italian Racing mirror on my roadie.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42319&item=7118582340&tc=photo (http://)

Hi guys
I would no more ride without a mirror than without a helmet. I have used the ones that clip on to your glasses I breakthe adjustable part off and tape it to the glasses that gives me an exact positon that I can rely on. Can't tell you all the times knowing whats going on behind me has saved my ass. Last one was a really quite pit bull....just glanced in my mirror and there that little sucker was. Of all the dogs I have been chased by they are the most entertaining and if you dont go too fast will chase for miles.

I've been using a rearview mirror for many years and also feel vulnerable without it. I have always used the style of mirror that fits over a brake lever and straps on with a Velcro strap. I tried the bar end style, but your arm is in the way. Never tried the helmet clip one, it seems like it would take away the (equally important) peripheral vision. I guess it's what you're used to, but I don't get people who don't use mirrors (you don't see motorcyclist with out them). If you stay safe, you'll ride another day.

My hearing works fine and I can turn my neck.

Don't need a mirror.

Tiger Eye helmet mirror. More information is more power.