Fifty Plus (50+) - Frustrated with my Take a Look Mirror

I have it helmet-mounted. Darn thing fell off three times in today's ride, and I finally gave up and put it in the bag.

It's a pain to get mounted just right, frankly, and now it appears it won't stay in position.

Any suggestions?

I have it helmet-mounted. Darn thing fell off three times in today's ride, and I finally gave up and put it in the bag.

It's a pain to get mounted just right, frankly, and now it appears it won't stay in position.

Any suggestions?

Yep.......

Tried them all: Ended with this one.

http://www.messengermirror.com/

3M double sided tape. Not sure what brand the helmet mounted mirror is, but I've been using it for years. The original adhesive backing didn't hold up well, but that 3M stuff sure holds it.

IMHO, Take a Look Mirror works best on glasses. With some odd frames (Oakley M-frames) you need to put a tie-wrap on it.

If you really want to mount it on your helmet, use Shoe Goo
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ShoeGoo&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&rlz=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=12157050617651481194&sa=X&ei=EhWBT_W2Ksfr0gGI3pSZCA&ved=0CGIQ8wIwAQ#

I actually picked my helmet for Take A Look compatability. The clip slides tightly into a perfectly located spot on the visor, which was not true of every helmet I considered. For extra security, I cut two small squares of black duct tape (matching the visor), and stuck one on each side. It's stayed in position for months like this, and is easy to adjust if it does get knocked askew.

Have mine mounted on glasses. This works well and stays in place. Just don't forget you have it on.

I put two Zefal Spy mirrors on my handlebars and they work great.

I've had good luck with the "Third Eye" products -- I have had one of their "foam helmet" mirrors on the last couple of helmets and have had no problems.
http://www.amazon.com/THIRDEYE-Clip-On-Mirrors/dp/B000BQXXLQ

I did take off the velcro that they provide and just glue the mount to the helmet with GE Silicone; it fills the gaps and holds firm, but can be removed if desired.

Your mileage may vary but I've been very pleased.

-Tom in SoCal

Not a helmet mirror, but this is what I use on my road bike:
http://www.therandonneeshop.com/products/brand/4-d+d_oberlauda

I don't ride in the drops much, and it's pretty adjustable. I tried the Take a Look, but it was awkward for me because I have a lazy left eye. My peripheral vision on that side is compromised. I really needed something to help me see traffic coming from behind without doing contortions to get the rear view, and the D&D is perfect. :thumb: (YMMV)

I use this: http://www.aspirevelotech.com/Listings/Mirror.htm

Third Eye bar end mirror

I use this mirror with no problems.


I've had good luck with the "Third Eye" products -- I have had one of their "foam helmet" mirrors on the last couple of helmets and have had no problems.
http://www.amazon.com/THIRDEYE-Clip-On-Mirrors/dp/B000BQXXLQ

I did take off the velcro that they provide and just glue the mount to the helmet with GE Silicone; it fills the gaps and holds firm, but can be removed if desired.

Your mileage may vary but I've been very pleased.

-Tom in SoCal

I had poor luck with a Take-a-Look helmet mount too. I was much more satisfied mounting it on my sunglasses.

I have mine attached to the helmet visor. I secure it with a small zip tie. Prior to the zip tie, it would fall off once in a while - always able to find it.

I zip tie mine also

I kept breaking the stem of mine every couple years or so. It seemed like a waste. I hot glued the last broken mirror on to my helmet and now the thing works fine. I would not ride without one. It looks a slightly gnarly, but I like that.

My glasses mounted mirror mounts broke so I wired it to helmet visor, works good and I don't have to adjust it every time I ride.

Try it like this; with tie straps. This is how I ride and it works good.

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz349/Ambush_photos/003.jpg

Try it like this; with tie straps. This is how I ride and it works good.

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz349/Ambush_photos/003.jpg

I thought of that. I'll have to find some tie straps. Who sells such things?

I thought of that. I'll have to find some tie straps. Who sells such things?

Any hardware store... Electrical tie straps.

I thought of that. I'll have to find some tie straps. Who sells such things?

Get them at Home Depot in bulk.

Any hardware store... Electrical tie straps.

Thanks!

When I got my helmet mounted mirror where I wanted it, I super-glued it in place. Hasn't moved in eight months.

As others have said, it works great on glasses, not so much on helmets. I now greatly prefer their newer compact version. I actually provides a wider FOV and sticks out less far.

Any hardware store... Electrical tie straps.

Zip-ties rule!

Bike shops have tons of free used zip ties, various widths,
they are a packing standard from the bike factories these days..

They tend to be on the large size though.

Check out a box hardware store for a large assortment of zip ties. I have 5 different sizes in the tool box.

Bill

Check out a box hardware store for a large assortment of zip ties. I have 5 different sizes in the tool box.

Bill

I get mine in the auto parts stores. They have sizes that more closely match what I really need. I guess they get used for wiring jobs with autos, trucks, and motorcycles.

If your mirror has a mount that uses double sided tape, replace the tape with a small piece of commercial Velcro. The adhesive is much better and you can remove the mirror and use it with multiple helmets, if you want to. This has worked great for me since I don't normally do my daily MUP rides with a mirror. I put it on each time I ride on a public roadway.

As others have said, it works great on glasses, not so much on helmets. I now greatly prefer their newer compact version. I actually provides a wider FOV and sticks out less far.

My experience is the opposite. Wire temples on my glasses do not provide enough of a footprint to keep the mirror in place. Helmet visor does. Besides, I wear different glasses depending on the light level and don't care to switch, reposition and adjust the mirror every time I change glasses. (Or to walk around with a mirror projecting from my specs.) I never change helmets, so the mirror stays put.

I was able to get the mirror to stay in place on my helmet visor using zip ties. Thanks for all the suggestions!

Unlike many riders never been at all happy we a helmet-mounted mirror but love the TaL mounted on my eyeglasses.

Last week I purchased a "Take-a-Look" mirror and tried it out just yesterday. Having used bar end mirrors in the past, I just couldn't get used to the sunglass mounted Take-a-Look. The mirror is so close that I had trouble focusing. I will most likely never use it again.

I just used "electrical tape" and taped it to my helmet visor and it's stayed there for years now. Could be tougher if you use a road helmet without the visor? FYI.

Last week I purchased a "Take-a-Look" mirror and tried it out just yesterday. Having used bar end mirrors in the past, I just couldn't get used to the sunglass mounted Take-a-Look. The mirror is so close that I had trouble focusing. I will most likely never use it again.

I found it helpful to close one eye until I got acclimated to using an eyeglass mirror.

Glad to read about roadies using mirrors. So many do not. When I come up on road bikes, when another car is approaching and it passes first, I always swing way out because they frequently swerve out further into the road without looking. The sound of the other car masks my approach and they almost never have mirrors. Just had another close call last week.

If you have a Fastenal dealer in your town (construction tools and equipment) they have every size in the catalog for zip-tys. You may have to get someone with a business license to buy there depending on your states tax laws.

Bill

Chuck Harris makes simply the best helmet mirrors you'll ever find...but if you aren't near Ohio they tend to be hard to find, even online. Next best thing is this copy of a Chuck Harris mirror made by Hubbub (http://hubbubcustom.com/store/proddetail.asp?prod=helmir)

http://www.hubbubcustom.com/Why_HubBub_Makes_A_Mirror.html

+1 on the Chuck Harris helmet mirror. Is he still making them?

They tend to be on the large size though.

And short.

+1 on the Chuck Harris helmet mirror. Is he still making them?

Last I heard he still is...I haven't seen him at an event in a couple of years tho.

Maybe soon we can go digital - I'm anticipating the android-based google goggles http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9225927/Google_co_founder_spotted_wearing_Google_Goggles?taxonomyId=12 , maybe feeding it with a mini-web cam on the back of the helmet. What intrigues me is the possibility of integrating google maps, gps and bike computer, and rear view all in one heads-up display device!

Chuck Harris makes simply the best helmet mirrors you'll ever find...but if you aren't near Ohio they tend to be hard to find, even online. Next best thing is this copy of a Chuck Harris mirror made by Hubbub (http://hubbubcustom.com/store/proddetail.asp?prod=helmir)

http://www.hubbubcustom.com/Why_HubBub_Makes_A_Mirror.html

Interesting reading about the problems they have had with the Chuck mirrors, mine discolored as well. Here's what I use now, it's fantastic!

http://www.bottlecapbikemirror.com/Bottle-Cap-Bike-Mirrors.html

3rd Eye helmet mounted has been great for many years.
Blackburn helmet mounted is NO GOOD, it shakes on every little bump.

Yep.......

Tried them all: Ended with this one.

http://www.messengermirror.com/

Thanks 10 Wheels!

Here's a photo for others to pattern if they want to make their own... or follow my signature link.

http://www.messengermirror.com/mmfullview.jpg

Do as I did: put it on a shelf in the garage and go buy a bar-end mirror, so you can actually see behind you. Adds a lot to your Frediness, also.

I use this: http://www.aspirevelotech.com/Listings/Mirror.htm

+1

I pulled out the eyegass mount mirror that has been sitting in my tool box for years and tried it out this weekend on a bike with bar end shifters making my favorite mirror unusable. After much adjusting, I found a setup that put the right area behind me in the mirror, but after the third car passed me without my having any inkling it was coming, I pulled it off my glasses and stuffed it in my pocket. I can't see a damed thing in it and I can sense what is coming better without it distracting me. Maybe a helmet mounted mirror would work better for me.

i've been using the same chuck harris mirror since 1993

Chuck Harris
Ultra-light Touring Shop
P.O. Box 363
Gambier, OH 43022
740-427-3404