glasses/helmet mirror
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: cincinnati ohio
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
glasses/helmet mirror
I just rode in with my new (Sheldon recommended) eyeglass mirror this morning. (suffered a little family abuse, until I told them it may save me) Unfortunately I found I have a great view of my backpack, and to see behind that requires positions that will kill be before the cars behind me do. I'll bet somebody has a cool solution to mounting the mirror on the helmet somehow to get ot higher/?? to see over the pack. My backpack is not a Mount Everest thing, but it does need to hold my clothes/food for the day. My fall back may be a handlebar thing, but I'm not giving up that easy.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 218
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Maybe try to bend the mount that holds the mirror to your glasses?
I dunno ... I use a helmet mirror with almost limitless options for viewing angles.
I dunno ... I use a helmet mirror with almost limitless options for viewing angles.
#3
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,030
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
I tried Take-a-Look several times for 2-3wks each time. I could never get a decent view - mostly of just a bit of my ear and my shoulder strap. To see behind me I had to sit up and tilt head, awkward just to scan traffic.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Down South
Posts: 1,267
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
If the backpack is blocking the view, you could try aiming the mirror wide, so you aren't looking straight back, where the backpack is hiding, then turn your head to the left to scan what's back there.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Reston, VA
Posts: 2,369
Bikes: 2003 Giant OCR2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That's worked for me. I'm more interested in what's behind/left than straight behind anyway. It also depends on riding posture - I've found that on my road bike, I have to tip my head to see where I want to or else my shoulder blocks the view of anything. On my more upright-posture hybrid, I can see fine.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Medway, MA
Posts: 2,727
Bikes: 2011 Lynskey Sportive, 1988 Cannondale SM400
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a take-a-look. I have bent it out so I can get a better view. It's metal- it bends.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Posts: 406
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I probably haven't had mine adjusted well enough, but usually a slight turn allows me to look behind and avoid my backpack well enough.
#10
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I used a take-a-look until an accident forced the sharp edge into my face, leading to 12 stitches. I now use a Cycleaware Reflex, which is a little easier to adjust and is a lot safer.
I've never had too much trouble adjusting them to see well, but I've never ridden with a backpack, so maybe that makes it hard to adjust right. Also I ride a hybrid so I'm pretty upright and I don't think a backpack would get in my way, so that might be the issue too.
I've never had too much trouble adjusting them to see well, but I've never ridden with a backpack, so maybe that makes it hard to adjust right. Also I ride a hybrid so I'm pretty upright and I don't think a backpack would get in my way, so that might be the issue too.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#12
Often on Fritz
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 536
Bikes: Franken-Fritz, Horse-Feathers, Junker
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I used a take-a-look until an accident forced the sharp edge into my face, leading to 12 stitches. I now use a Cycleaware Reflex, which is a little easier to adjust and is a lot safer.
I've never had too much trouble adjusting them to see well, but I've never ridden with a backpack, so maybe that makes it hard to adjust right. Also I ride a hybrid so I'm pretty upright and I don't think a backpack would get in my way, so that might be the issue too.
I've never had too much trouble adjusting them to see well, but I've never ridden with a backpack, so maybe that makes it hard to adjust right. Also I ride a hybrid so I'm pretty upright and I don't think a backpack would get in my way, so that might be the issue too.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Montreal
Posts: 6,521
Bikes: Peugeot Hybrid, Minelli Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
When I am riding on the hoods of the drop bars, the view in my take-a-look is of my shoulder. Tilting my head raises the mirror an inch or so which gives a view over the shoulder. Swiveling my head then allows me to see other lanes, either to my right or left. I dont have to move my head much more than I do to look in the door mirror on my wife's car.
#14
Gear Hub fan
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,829
Bikes: Civia Hyland Rohloff, Swobo Dixon, Colnago, Univega
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have the Mirrycle on a couple of bikes but find that the mirror is too convex, making things look too small and far away. Helmet mirrors are generally flat so they show things larger and make judging the distance of upcoming traffic easier to judge IMO. The trouble is that the flatter the handlebar mounted mirror the more vibration affects the image. Any flex in the mirror holding arm adds to the problem too which is why I found the Blackburn bar end mounted mirror pretty much useless.
I have tried the Cycleaware and find that it tends to vibrate too much, at least for me. The flexible arm seems to be the culprit. The Take-a-look and Third Eye Pro are better in that respect based on my experience. The Take-a-look mounts onto Giro helmet visors quite securely and they do offer a adhesive helmet mount for visorless helmets that I have ordered. The Third Eye Pro is adhesive mounted but the adhesive pad is too large and hard to get to conform with the curves of many current helmets with large air vents and sharp curved areas that are not flat enough for full adhesive pad contact.
I have tried the Cycleaware and find that it tends to vibrate too much, at least for me. The flexible arm seems to be the culprit. The Take-a-look and Third Eye Pro are better in that respect based on my experience. The Take-a-look mounts onto Giro helmet visors quite securely and they do offer a adhesive helmet mount for visorless helmets that I have ordered. The Third Eye Pro is adhesive mounted but the adhesive pad is too large and hard to get to conform with the curves of many current helmets with large air vents and sharp curved areas that are not flat enough for full adhesive pad contact.
__________________
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,118
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Don't worry, chicks dig scars.
#16
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
In hindsight, the tubing scares me. That stuff could go right into your face or eyes.
The Cycleaware has wire instead of rod, thinner and flexible, and covered with rubber like a gumby.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#17
cyclepath
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: "The Last Best Place"
Posts: 3,550
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Another potential problem with the glasses mirror is when you ride in conditions when your glasses fog. For those situations and when I wear a helmet I use the Cycleaware like ItsJustMe. It's just as effective as the Take A Look and the higher mounting might solve your backpack problem.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Halle, Germany
Posts: 483
Bikes: Surly Troll
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use a Third Eye helmet mount mirror. It comes with a factory glue type mounting system, but instead I drilled two small holes in the helmet plastic visor on my Bell Metro helmet, and fastened the mirror to the helmet visor. Very secure. Excellent adjustability in all directions, and good visibility to the rear. Good customer service from Third Eye in case any of the parts break. In the unfortunate event of a fall or crash, the plastic arm of the mirror would just go flying away. I've dropped the helmet on the floor several times and watched the plastic arm fly off, but it's easy to reattach to the mounting "socket".
#19
12mph+ commuter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Oak Park, IL
Posts: 863
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I mount my Take-A-Look on my helmet-visor via rubberbands. Works great (especially considering I don't wear glasses).
#20
Senior Member
I would suggest adjusting the mirror till you get the angle and view you want.
#21
cyclepath
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: "The Last Best Place"
Posts: 3,550
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't wear glasses either. I do wear sunglasses that I use the Take A Look with and I also have a number of pair of clear protective glasses.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
#22
all-weather commuter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 315
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ditto on mounting the take-a-look mirror to the helmet. That moves the mirror out farther from your head which lets you get a better angle. I have mine mounted to my helmet with zip-ties.
#23
Senior Member
one approach is to check the backpack straps... you could loosen them a bit where the back will ride lower on your back. This opened up a line of sight for me...
another approach is to bend the stalk (if its a wire)
and if you are using the mirror on glasses, try mounting them on the helmet as that does change the
position and therefore the view...
if you are having problems attaching the mirror to your helmet you might try using zip ties or duct tape...
another approach is to bend the stalk (if its a wire)
and if you are using the mirror on glasses, try mounting them on the helmet as that does change the
position and therefore the view...
if you are having problems attaching the mirror to your helmet you might try using zip ties or duct tape...
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Bartlett, TN
Posts: 15
Bikes: Dawes SST AL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you carry alot of crap, the Banjo Bros Commuter Backpack is great, is comfortable and has a low profile... if you carry a little crap i'd recommend a Camelbak +8 or +14... I use a +8, it hold my tools, my work clothes inc dress shoes and has extra pockets on the waist for cell/ snack and wallet.