joyota

A mirror was the next thing I wanted after getting slick tires for the commuter. Now, every time I ride any other bike I'm so disappointed every time I look down for a mirror which is not there, and that happens very frequently. I can't imagine commuting without it. I have the same mirrycle mirror.

GeneO 

I got a "take-a-look" mirror to fit on my eyeglasses this year for commuting. I can't believe the difference - now I can't imagine riding without it. Pleasure rides on the trail now include the mirror. Why did this take me so long? Best $12 I ever spent.

When my backpack isn't too full or I am riding without it, all I have to do to see behind me is move my eyeballs. With a full pack I can easily adjust it to see, but have to move my head up and to the left. No biggee.

cyclezen

Ok - I'm not judging nor knocking/bashing. I don;t have a mirror, haven't ridden for any real miles with one (tried one on a friend's helmet way back...). But I do have Q.

When/How do you decide that a vehicle behind is going to be dangerous/come too close/maybe hit you, and then what becomes your course of action?
I.E. - You look in mirror, Bigass truck is 100 yds behind and closing. 1. Do you watch it all the way, in your mirror? 2. Do you spot check at some frequency? 3. I can see the white's of his eyes and he seems to 'see' me?
At what distance from you would you decide to 'bail', do some avoidance measure? And how do you assure you're aware of the 'vehicle approach' in this whole process, and make a good decision?
What happens and what is your methodology when there is a regular stream of overtaking vehicles?

I'm quite certain I presently wouldn't know how to handle any of this to my satisfaction, hence the Q.

Papa Tom

>>>>>When/How do you decide that a vehicle behind is going to be dangerous/come too close/maybe hit you, and then what becomes your course of action? I.E. - You look in mirror, Bigass truck is 100 yds behind and closing. 1. Do you watch it all the way, in your mirror? 2. Do you spot check at some frequency? 3. I can see the white's of his eyes and he seems to 'see' me?.....<<<<<<

As sort of an all-encompassing answer to your questions, I would say that a mirror on your handlebar/helmet serves the same function as a side view mirror on your car. It's not the be-all and end-all for protecting yourself against disaster. It's just another tool that's available for checking every few seconds to have a basic idea of what's going on around you. When you gaze at it and sense that there's some impending danger, you have the option of dealing with it right then and there, or turning your head to get the bigger picture of what's going on.

Murray Missile 

Exactly.

bikeideas

After deciding that I wanted to go with an eyeglass-mount mirror, I wasn't happy with the models available (both in design and price), so I made my own. Here's a photo for you to copy to make one for yourself.

shoemakerpom

It's so funny when I hear that being someone who commutes on a road bike with a mirror in the barend. Turning your head around while riding on a highway that already has a rough sidewind can easily cause you to hit a rut, rock, sand or person. I it's sooooooooooo much easier to look down for a second while I have the bars stable to see if a car is approaching. And no I don't have room for a kickstand on my SystemSix.......

The Chemist

Unlike a lot of people here, I prefer the handlebar mirror to the helmet mirror. I used to use a Third Eye helmet mirror, and it was good but I hated the fact that it'd go out of adjustment every single time I took my helmet off. Handlebar mirrors, to me, are better because they are a) larger, b) stay adjusted better and c) are easier to adjust even if they do go out of adjustment. Adjusting the Third Eye after it went out of adjustment took a lot of work, and it just got to be too much for me.

I-Like-To-Bike

You are not alone in your preference. Plus it is a good place to hang fuzzy dice!

Murray Missile 

We need a "Show Us Your Mirrors" thread for people considering mirrors so they can get a good comparison. Pictures of your mirrors mounted on your bike, helmet or glasses. List the brand if known or a source and list your likes and dislikes of the mirrors you're using or have used in the past. I'll start one in the 'Electronics, Lighting and Gadgets' forum in 3......2.....1.

BobbyG

Growing up I never had a bike mirror. Then I started worrying about traffic behind me. Started with a handlebar mirror, but went to a glasses mirror. You can achieve a large panorama by sweeping your head from side to side, plus there is less vibration. I still have my handlebar mirror, since it is slightly wide angle and can alert me first.

Papa Tom

>>>>I'll start one in the 'Electronics, Lighting and Gadgets' forum in 3......2.....1. <<<<

I see the blinky, but are you serious? Is there really an Electronics, Lighting and Gadgets Forum?

Murray Missile 

Yeah, I'm serious. https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ng-amp-Gadgets Are you? ********************?

Papa Tom

>>>Yeah, I'm serious. https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ng-amp-Gadgets Are you? ********************<<<<<

Cool. It seems like a great idea; however, I don't have a pic of my Mirrycle MTB handy, so my post will be delayed by a few days. I, too, mount it a little unconventionally to avoid snapping it off. I'll be sure to document that in photos.

Murray Missile 

Well, that makes 3 of us that think it's a good idea. Evidently mirrors are too mundane a subject for that forum, the thread is slowly withering on the vine and will probably be buried several pages back in a few days.

cyka37

I love my handlebar mirror by Sunlite. Never had a problem with it as far as getting loose or vibrating. My experience is that I use it as a Head-up view before I actually look back when I change lanes or to check to see if a car has snuck up behind me which happens all the time. I'm primarily a city commuter so noise is usually too loud for some cars to be heard. Otherwise, if you are always looking behind you - by turning your head every few seconds/minutes, that's also how many times you are not looking ahead for potholes and other hazards. That's why my handle bar mirror comes in handy since it only takes me a split second to look at it while still looking forward. If I'm changing lanes, I usually either stop or slow down safely enough anyways.

cyka37

Call me a bike geek or something, but I like it. Especially the basket. I could've use one of those when my car went down and I had to do all my grocery shopping by bike!

noglider 

I use a mirror only occasionally. I have too many bikes to install one on each. Most of my bikes have drop handlebars which makes mounting a mirror a little bit challenging, though not impossible. I'm using an eyeglass mirror currently. I plan to adapt it to my helmet and give that a try. It's too much trouble to remember and attach it every time I get on the bike.

I've been an advocate of developing and practicing the skill of looking back while rolling in a straight path. It's hard to do with drop bars, but it's all the more important. I just came back from a several-hour ride in Manhattan, and I did fine without my mirror.

But with that said, I agree that they're very helpful and can make you feel secure. If you like it, I say great. I just haven't managed to make it a habit yet.

cat

Because of this thread, I decided to get an Italian Road Bike Mirror for my drop bar commuter. I got it installed and took it for a very short spin around the neighborhood. It's very stable and I think it will be a nice addition. I'll give a more thorough review tomorrow after my commute.