Rear View Mirrors
07-08-11, 12:18 PM
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Rear View Mirrors
Does anyone make a decent rear view mirror? I'd like one that actually works.
I've gotten spoiled by the mirrors in my car, a quick peek tells you a lot. Automobiles have gotten a LOT quieter. Electric cars are almost silent. Inevitably, when you turn your head to take a peek, your torso turns, too. Sunconsciously, you zig your bike the other way (your brain perceives the changing view that results as you turn your head as a turn/instability and makes subconscious controls/corrections to keep you upright and going straight). The net effect is a major upset to your path, often with high speed traffic along side you or closing the gap fast. <-- you know the drill.
One poster was ragging on the mirrors attached to a bike - I think "Mickey Mouse" ears was mentioned. I didn't care for their look., either, but respected their presence.
I've gotten spoiled by the mirrors in my car, a quick peek tells you a lot. Automobiles have gotten a LOT quieter. Electric cars are almost silent. Inevitably, when you turn your head to take a peek, your torso turns, too. Sunconsciously, you zig your bike the other way (your brain perceives the changing view that results as you turn your head as a turn/instability and makes subconscious controls/corrections to keep you upright and going straight). The net effect is a major upset to your path, often with high speed traffic along side you or closing the gap fast. <-- you know the drill.
One poster was ragging on the mirrors attached to a bike - I think "Mickey Mouse" ears was mentioned. I didn't care for their look., either, but respected their presence.
07-08-11, 12:23 PM
#2
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I'm finishing a build that is pretty friggin' awesome looking. It's built up by me, for me and I'm in love with every thing about it. But, when I post pics I'm gonna get some ribbing for the mirror I put in the left hand handlebar end. I've never used a mirror, but I want to try one and I don't always have a place to stick the helmet or glasses mounted ones.
It's like this one. I painted it silver because every other part on the bike is either shiny or leather.
It's like this one. I painted it silver because every other part on the bike is either shiny or leather.
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07-08-11, 12:23 PM
#3
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I use this:
https://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CEsQ8wIwAQ
Clips to either your helmet visor or your sunglasses. A quick flick of the eyeball tells you everything you need to know. I have thiose damn Priuses sneaking up on me all the damn time.
I rode one of OFG's bikes, and it had this type - it works very well:
https://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CEsQ8wIwAQ
Clips to either your helmet visor or your sunglasses. A quick flick of the eyeball tells you everything you need to know. I have thiose damn Priuses sneaking up on me all the damn time.
I rode one of OFG's bikes, and it had this type - it works very well:
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Last edited by bigbossman; 07-08-11 at 12:29 PM.
07-08-11, 12:32 PM
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The take a look ^ is the best IMO helmet/glasses mirror available, but I never could get used to its close focus point. I've had several mirrors attached to my bike over the years, and found them all ok, as long as their mount is not so long that the mirror vibrates itself to death.
07-08-11, 12:39 PM
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I'm finishing a build that is pretty friggin' awesome looking. It's built up by me, for me and I'm in love with every thing about it. But, when I post pics I'm gonna get some ribbing for the mirror I put in the left hand handlebar end. I've never used a mirror, but I want to try one and I don't always have a place to stick the helmet or glasses mounted ones.
It's like this one. I painted it silver because every other part on the bike is either shiny or leather.
It's like this one. I painted it silver because every other part on the bike is either shiny or leather.
07-08-11, 12:45 PM
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Everybody says this, but I find the whine of the electric motor easier to pick up on.
I think it's more of a geometry problem... riding hands free I can look around and back with far less trouble 
Inevitably, when you turn your head to take a peek, your torso turns, too. Sunconsciously, you zig your bike the other way (your brain perceives the changing view that results as you turn your head as a turn/instability and makes subconscious controls/corrections to keep you upright and going straight).
07-08-11, 12:47 PM
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The helmet and eyeglass mouted mirrors have the advantage of being able to move your head and see much more than a stationary mirror would show. I have had a couple bar end mirrors, and they are always getting bumped. You also have to adjust it when you change from the hoods to the drops. The last one got broken when I laid the bike down on it. In England, it wouldn't have been a problem, since the mirror and derailleur would be on the same side.
07-08-11, 12:51 PM
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I know it's really cheap, but I happen to be fond of this style Cateye bar-end model. With a bit of small diameter rubber hose and a little ingenuity, it can fit any size handlebar.
07-08-11, 12:55 PM
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I cannot get behind the idea of putting that pokey mirror thing so close to my eyes. That just isn't going to happen for me.
I was referring to a bar/bike mounted mirror.
I was referring to a bar/bike mounted mirror.
07-08-11, 04:02 PM
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I have one of these as well, even painted it to match my headlight. They work perfectly well for me!
07-08-11, 06:00 PM
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Picked it up at Walmart. Pretty adjustable but easily becomes 'unadjusted' at the pivot points when leaning your bike or parking it somewhere. People seem to think it's fun to fold up or turn it upside down too
07-08-11, 08:49 PM
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My mirror attaches to my helmet. What I like about it (as opposed to the ones mounted on the bars) is that I don't have to take my eyes off the road to look down.
I adjust it so that I can see what's in the lane next to me (about one car length back) as I'm facing forward, then with a slight turn of my head I can see what's behind me.
I feel naked without it.
YMMV
I adjust it so that I can see what's in the lane next to me (about one car length back) as I'm facing forward, then with a slight turn of my head I can see what's behind me.
I feel naked without it.
YMMV
07-08-11, 09:01 PM
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Tried all kinds.
Like this one the best.
Like this one the best.
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07-08-11, 09:16 PM
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07-08-11, 09:47 PM
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My favorite. It vibrates some, and its hard to lean the bike or lay it down, and I can only see behind me from one position at a time, but it adjusts easy, its cheap and durable, and its sort of stylish in a dorky way.
07-09-11, 12:47 AM
#17
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Reply:The Take a Look Style mirror is definitely my choice......
. I see no need for any other.. A quick turn of the head and you almost have a 180 view.. Can't do that with a mirror fixed to the handlebars....
.
.
.
[QUOTE=bigbossman;12899077]I use this:
https://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CEsQ8wIwAQ
Clips to either your helmet visor or your sunglasses. A quick flick of the eyeball tells you everything you need to know. I have thiose damn Priuses sneaking up on me all the damn time.
. I see no need for any other.. A quick turn of the head and you almost have a 180 view.. Can't do that with a mirror fixed to the handlebars....
.
.
.
[QUOTE=bigbossman;12899077]I use this:
https://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CEsQ8wIwAQ
Clips to either your helmet visor or your sunglasses. A quick flick of the eyeball tells you everything you need to know. I have thiose damn Priuses sneaking up on me all the damn time.
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07-09-11, 10:17 AM
#18
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I REALLY like these (as does my wife and several of my friends):
Rivendell has them. They are distributed in the US by the folks who handle Ortlieb, so if your name is Kurt, you should be able to get them at any LBS that carries Ortlieb/Racktime.
Rivendell has them. They are distributed in the US by the folks who handle Ortlieb, so if your name is Kurt, you should be able to get them at any LBS that carries Ortlieb/Racktime.
07-09-11, 10:28 AM
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07-09-11, 10:44 AM
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Balindamood, this looks pretty decent for the bike I wass originally planning to outfit with a mirror - a commuter bike withNorth Roads bars. It looks like it has a nice wide field of view (at least vertically) and won't protrude from the side effectively making the bars wider.
Last edited by Mike Mills; 07-09-11 at 10:47 AM.
07-18-11, 04:03 PM
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07-18-11, 05:45 PM
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Chombi
07-18-11, 05:49 PM
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I just hope it detaches easily if I bang my face. I decided to switch to plastic eyeglass frames because I was thinking about crashes. I recently became a regular eyeglass wearer, so I figured it's easier for me to use a glasses-mounted mirror than it was previously. I just bought one but haven't tried it yet. I used one 30 years ago. Or rather, I misused it: I looked, saw no one in the next lane, changed lanes, and almost got hit from behind. Scared me enough to develop the skill to turn my head.
So this is an adventure for me, trying mirrors again. I'll see how it goes.
So this is an adventure for me, trying mirrors again. I'll see how it goes.
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07-18-11, 06:04 PM
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I've been using this: https://www.amazon.com/ZEFAL-Zefal-Sp.../dp/B001KS2YBE
Picked it up at Walmart. Pretty adjustable but easily becomes 'unadjusted' at the pivot points when leaning your bike or parking it somewhere. People seem to think it's fun to fold up or turn it upside down too
Picked it up at Walmart. Pretty adjustable but easily becomes 'unadjusted' at the pivot points when leaning your bike or parking it somewhere. People seem to think it's fun to fold up or turn it upside down too
a problem with people messing with it, You can fold it under the bars when moving through
a doorway or other narrow spots. Less than ten dollars at Wally Wally.
Mine are over a year old and still clear and clean. They are plastic BTW.