Can't Believe I Rode For So Many Years Without A Mirror!
10-05-13, 07:03 AM
#1
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Can't Believe I Rode For So Many Years Without A Mirror!
This past year, I picked up a Mirrycle MTB mirror for my commuter. Aside from the wide angle mirror I had rigged onto my glove at one point, this was the very first "proper" bike mirror I ever owned.
Up until then, I really didn't think a mirror on my handlebar was going to add anything to the cycling experience. In fact, I was pretty much convinced that all it would do is jiggle around and make me nauseous when I looked into it.
A few months later, I really can't imagine ever riding without one again. My commute feels so much safer, and my stiff neck (from turning around to look over my shoulder every two seconds) is gone. How could I have been such a putz for all those years?
So, without turning this into a discussion about WHICH mirrors and which TYPES of mirrors people use, can we share some stories about how, when, and why we discovered bicycle mirrors in the first place? Has a mirror become an integral part of your commute?
Up until then, I really didn't think a mirror on my handlebar was going to add anything to the cycling experience. In fact, I was pretty much convinced that all it would do is jiggle around and make me nauseous when I looked into it.
A few months later, I really can't imagine ever riding without one again. My commute feels so much safer, and my stiff neck (from turning around to look over my shoulder every two seconds) is gone. How could I have been such a putz for all those years?
So, without turning this into a discussion about WHICH mirrors and which TYPES of mirrors people use, can we share some stories about how, when, and why we discovered bicycle mirrors in the first place? Has a mirror become an integral part of your commute?
10-05-13, 07:30 AM
#2
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Note mirror attached to my helmet in 1981. Not sure when I started using a mirror. Why did I start using a mirror? To see traffic behind me.
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10-05-13, 09:06 AM
#3
bill nyecycles
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when i was getting my bike ready to commute for the first time (i had just bought the bike from craigslist - my first bike in about 15 years) i put a mirror on it before my first day out the door. i knew my route was taking me on some higher traffic roads, and some hilly, limited sight roads. a mirror was essential to see what was coming up behind me. constantly turning my head to look behind wasn't an option because a) yeah your neck hurts after a while, and b) i don't like taking my eyes off the road in front of me. i too got the mirrycle mirror, and it is awesome.
it's also very useful on recreational rides on the MUP because i can see the roadies flying up behind me because they never announce when they are passing they just squeeze in as much as an unsafe manner as possible between you and walker or curves because heaven forbid they slow down. (your experience with that may vary)
it's also very useful on recreational rides on the MUP because i can see the roadies flying up behind me because they never announce when they are passing they just squeeze in as much as an unsafe manner as possible between you and walker or curves because heaven forbid they slow down. (your experience with that may vary)
10-05-13, 09:17 AM
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I later did read on Bike Forums about a cyclist who suffered that fate.I use both left and right rearview mirrors, in my case Take-a-Look eyeglass mounted ones. I got the idea from a cycling companion who used only a right hand mirror. The additional right hand mirror affords a pretty good rearward view, but is particularly useful:
One other situation where hearing is ineffective, even on rural roads, occurs when being passed by one car, and I'm never sure that another one is following the first. No problem with a mirror.
- Riding on the left-hand side of a one-way street
- Riding in the middle or left lanes of a two-way thoroughfare
- In a rotary
- On a curved road to the right
- When the sun is directly behind, usually one mirror can be positioned away from the glare of the sun.
One other situation where hearing is ineffective, even on rural roads, occurs when being passed by one car, and I'm never sure that another one is following the first. No problem with a mirror.
10-05-13, 09:36 AM
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I rode motorcycles for a long time before I resumed bicycling, and used the mirrors on the motorcycles a lot when I rode. So it was a natural thing for me to want to see what was behind me on the bicycle too, and added a mirror
10-05-13, 09:49 AM
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@Papa Tom - I'm glad to hear you are happy with that mirror, mine is in the mail. I've considered mirrors many times in the past, but haven't bought one.
My main riding before was on rural roads were you might pass a car every 10 -15 minutes. Now that I commute through the downtown area and on roads with no shoulder I feel a greater need to know what is coming up behind me. I hope this mirror is the one for me, but as someone posted here you have keep trying until you find one that suits you.
My main riding before was on rural roads were you might pass a car every 10 -15 minutes. Now that I commute through the downtown area and on roads with no shoulder I feel a greater need to know what is coming up behind me. I hope this mirror is the one for me, but as someone posted here you have keep trying until you find one that suits you.
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10-05-13, 10:37 AM
#7
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I never thought I'd adjust, but I enjoy having a helmet-mounted mirror now. It seems like bending it around to get the right angle was the hardest part.
10-05-13, 11:42 AM
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A lot of mirror-haters will tell you that a mirror is no substitute for looking back, and that you don't need mirrors because the purpose they serve in cars does not apply to bicycles.
It's true that cars use mirrors primarily for backing and checking the blind spot before changing lanes. These things don't apply to bicycles. We normally don't back up and our peripheral vision is good enough to see our so-called blind spot.
But there is other vital information that a cyclist needs from a mirror that cars do not need. When I'm driving down a two lane road at 60 mph, I don't really care if there is a car 200 or 300 yards behind me. If there is, I'm also not too worried about how fast it's going. In my car, I'm going fast enough that even if the car overtaking me was going 90 or 100 mph, the driver would most likely see me before he rear ended me. In other words, I don't need to worry about getting out of his way any time soon.
Now, if I'm on the same two lane road riding my bicycle, I do worry about cars 200 or 300 yards behind me and how fast they are going. That is where my mirror comes in very handy. If I see a car behind me, I can keep an eye on it with my mirror and ascertain how fast it is going, how soon it will get to me, and also as it approaches me, I can determine if the driver has seen me by whether or not he starts to move over to pass me or slows down due to oncoming traffic that prevents him from passing me.
A few times, I've seen a car in my helmet mirror and watched as the driver did not slow down or move over. With that information, I determined that I needed to get myself onto the unpaved shoulder because there was a good chance that the driver did not see me. In those situations my mirror probably saved my life because just "looking back" would have told me the car was there, but not given me any information about it's speed or driver's attentiveness.
It's true that cars use mirrors primarily for backing and checking the blind spot before changing lanes. These things don't apply to bicycles. We normally don't back up and our peripheral vision is good enough to see our so-called blind spot.
But there is other vital information that a cyclist needs from a mirror that cars do not need. When I'm driving down a two lane road at 60 mph, I don't really care if there is a car 200 or 300 yards behind me. If there is, I'm also not too worried about how fast it's going. In my car, I'm going fast enough that even if the car overtaking me was going 90 or 100 mph, the driver would most likely see me before he rear ended me. In other words, I don't need to worry about getting out of his way any time soon.
Now, if I'm on the same two lane road riding my bicycle, I do worry about cars 200 or 300 yards behind me and how fast they are going. That is where my mirror comes in very handy. If I see a car behind me, I can keep an eye on it with my mirror and ascertain how fast it is going, how soon it will get to me, and also as it approaches me, I can determine if the driver has seen me by whether or not he starts to move over to pass me or slows down due to oncoming traffic that prevents him from passing me.
A few times, I've seen a car in my helmet mirror and watched as the driver did not slow down or move over. With that information, I determined that I needed to get myself onto the unpaved shoulder because there was a good chance that the driver did not see me. In those situations my mirror probably saved my life because just "looking back" would have told me the car was there, but not given me any information about it's speed or driver's attentiveness.
10-05-13, 12:18 PM
#9
bill nyecycles
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Now, if I'm on the same two lane road riding my bicycle, I do worry about cars 200 or 300 yards behind me and how fast they are going. That is where my mirror comes in very handy. If I see a car behind me, I can keep an eye on it with my mirror and ascertain how fast it is going, how soon it will get to me, and also as it approaches me, I can determine if the driver has seen me by whether or not he starts to move over to pass me or slows down due to oncoming traffic that prevents him from passing me.
A few times, I've seen a car in my helmet mirror and watched as the driver did not slow down or move over. With that information, I determined that I needed to get myself onto the unpaved shoulder because there was a good chance that the driver did not see me. In those situations my mirror probably saved my life because just "looking back" would have told me the car was there, but not given me any information about it's speed or driver's attentiveness.
10-05-13, 02:23 PM
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I purchased a handlebar-based one with my first adult bike. I was going to be commuting to work along rural roads at ~5 AM, so safety was very important to me. I used the mirror and a bright red blinker.
In time, I began to realize that the handlebar mounted mirror was less effective up or down hills, or when curves got in the way. It also tended to droop down if the bike shook too much. Eventually, I gave a helmet-mounted mirror a try and have loved it ever since. Its' position is fixed based on my helmet, so fairly constant. If I want a different angle, I simply turn my head slightly.
I still use a rear red blinker, so right-turning cars usually see me (even at intersections). But if I'm waiting for a walk light, and the car just to my left is waiting to make a right turn, I'm going to keep my eye on him. Often, cars will make right turns just before the light turns green (or the crosswalk gets the walk signal). Also, it helps me see if I'm delaying a car behind me who is attempting to make a right. It helps me to see if they're slowing to wait for me, or if they're going to try and zip around and put me at risk of a right-hook.
In time, I began to realize that the handlebar mounted mirror was less effective up or down hills, or when curves got in the way. It also tended to droop down if the bike shook too much. Eventually, I gave a helmet-mounted mirror a try and have loved it ever since. Its' position is fixed based on my helmet, so fairly constant. If I want a different angle, I simply turn my head slightly.
I still use a rear red blinker, so right-turning cars usually see me (even at intersections). But if I'm waiting for a walk light, and the car just to my left is waiting to make a right turn, I'm going to keep my eye on him. Often, cars will make right turns just before the light turns green (or the crosswalk gets the walk signal). Also, it helps me see if I'm delaying a car behind me who is attempting to make a right. It helps me to see if they're slowing to wait for me, or if they're going to try and zip around and put me at risk of a right-hook.
10-05-13, 05:02 PM
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I put a mirror on my "chopper" bicycle I built as a kid back in the late 60's because it was cool. I got used to having it and when I progressed to my Raleigh Grand Prix I mounted that same mirror on the left bar end and it saved my butt a few times including letting me see a beer bottle being thrown at me from a pickup behind me. Even when I was young and far more flexible I didn't think turning around to look behind me was a good option. I now have dual mirrors on my bikes, Mirrcyle MTB mirrors on my beater bike and I adapted motorcycle mirrors to the trekking bars on my good bike. As for the mirrors in my car and truck I am constantly scanning my mirrors.
Picked these up off eBay....
They are bar end mirrors for motorcycles, I removed the inserts that go inside the motorcycle bars and clamped them directly onto my handlebars right at the bend so they don't interfere with usable hand positions.
Picked these up off eBay....
They are bar end mirrors for motorcycles, I removed the inserts that go inside the motorcycle bars and clamped them directly onto my handlebars right at the bend so they don't interfere with usable hand positions.
10-05-13, 05:38 PM
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A lot of mirror-haters will tell you that a mirror is no substitute for looking back, and that you don't need mirrors because the purpose they serve in cars does not apply to bicycles.
It's true that cars use mirrors primarily for backing and checking the blind spot before changing lanes. These things don't apply to bicycles. We normally don't back up and our peripheral vision is good enough to see our so-called blind spot.
But there is other vital information that a cyclist needs from a mirror that cars do not need. When I'm driving down a two lane road at 60 mph, I don't really care if there is a car 200 or 300 yards behind me. If there is, I'm also not too worried about how fast it's going. In my car, I'm going fast enough that even if the car overtaking me was going 90 or 100 mph, the driver would most likely see me before he rear ended me. In other words, I don't need to worry about getting out of his way any time soon.
Now, if I'm on the same two lane road riding my bicycle, I do worry about cars 200 or 300 yards behind me and how fast they are going. That is where my mirror comes in very handy. If I see a car behind me, I can keep an eye on it with my mirror and ascertain how fast it is going, how soon it will get to me, and also as it approaches me, I can determine if the driver has seen me by whether or not he starts to move over to pass me or slows down due to oncoming traffic that prevents him from passing me.
A few times, I've seen a car in my helmet mirror and watched as the driver did not slow down or move over. With that information, I determined that I needed to get myself onto the unpaved shoulder because there was a good chance that the driver did not see me. In those situations my mirror probably saved my life because just "looking back" would have told me the car was there, but not given me any information about it's speed or driver's attentiveness.
It's true that cars use mirrors primarily for backing and checking the blind spot before changing lanes. These things don't apply to bicycles. We normally don't back up and our peripheral vision is good enough to see our so-called blind spot.
But there is other vital information that a cyclist needs from a mirror that cars do not need. When I'm driving down a two lane road at 60 mph, I don't really care if there is a car 200 or 300 yards behind me. If there is, I'm also not too worried about how fast it's going. In my car, I'm going fast enough that even if the car overtaking me was going 90 or 100 mph, the driver would most likely see me before he rear ended me. In other words, I don't need to worry about getting out of his way any time soon.
Now, if I'm on the same two lane road riding my bicycle, I do worry about cars 200 or 300 yards behind me and how fast they are going. That is where my mirror comes in very handy. If I see a car behind me, I can keep an eye on it with my mirror and ascertain how fast it is going, how soon it will get to me, and also as it approaches me, I can determine if the driver has seen me by whether or not he starts to move over to pass me or slows down due to oncoming traffic that prevents him from passing me.
A few times, I've seen a car in my helmet mirror and watched as the driver did not slow down or move over. With that information, I determined that I needed to get myself onto the unpaved shoulder because there was a good chance that the driver did not see me. In those situations my mirror probably saved my life because just "looking back" would have told me the car was there, but not given me any information about it's speed or driver's attentiveness.
I brought my 1st adult bike home from the big box store, took a ride downtown, came home and ordered 2 mirrors. One for myself and one for my dear wife.
As someone else said, if I were forced to choose between a mirror and a helmet, the helmet would stay at home.
10-05-13, 07:33 PM
#13
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I've been riding for 6 years without a mirror. I just started using one few months ago. I like it a lot, it's nice to see what's coming from behind.
10-06-13, 12:16 AM
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This past year, I picked up a Mirrycle MTB mirror for my commuter. Aside from the wide angle mirror I had rigged onto my glove at one point, this was the very first "proper" bike mirror I ever owned.
Up until then, I really didn't think a mirror on my handlebar was going to add anything to the cycling experience. In fact, I was pretty much convinced that all it would do is jiggle around and make me nauseous when I looked into it.
A few months later, I really can't imagine ever riding without one again. My commute feels so much safer, and my stiff neck (from turning around to look over my shoulder every two seconds) is gone. How could I have been such a putz for all those years?
So, without turning this into a discussion about WHICH mirrors and which TYPES of mirrors people use, can we share some stories about how, when, and why we discovered bicycle mirrors in the first place? Has a mirror become an integral part of your commute?
Up until then, I really didn't think a mirror on my handlebar was going to add anything to the cycling experience. In fact, I was pretty much convinced that all it would do is jiggle around and make me nauseous when I looked into it.
A few months later, I really can't imagine ever riding without one again. My commute feels so much safer, and my stiff neck (from turning around to look over my shoulder every two seconds) is gone. How could I have been such a putz for all those years?
So, without turning this into a discussion about WHICH mirrors and which TYPES of mirrors people use, can we share some stories about how, when, and why we discovered bicycle mirrors in the first place? Has a mirror become an integral part of your commute?
10-06-13, 12:57 AM
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I've become so used to my helmet mirror that I frequently check behind me with it when walking, not realizing it isn't there because I don't wear my helmet on walks.
10-06-13, 12:59 AM
#16
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I've used a Take-A-Look mirror for years. Im so dependent on it that when I am walking I sometimes turn my head slightly to see what is behind me and wonder why that does not work. I ride mostly in the city (Los Angeles) so apart from general awareness of my surroundings the advantage of the mirror is to let me know when someone in a car is creeping up on my right at a red light hoping to make a right turn on red. Drivers never seem to think I have left enough room for them on my right (although in fact I always do if the street is wide enough) so when I see them in my mirror I make a big show of pulling forward and a few inches more to the left. I've had drivers thank me for that, which cancels out the yelling and honking and keeps the universe in balance.
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10-06-13, 02:05 AM
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I bought a Take-A-Look mirror months ago because I got used to being able to see behind me while driving and it's rather disconcerting not knowing what's going on behind me.
That and almost being run over by a semi...them things are sneaky.
That and almost being run over by a semi...them things are sneaky.
10-06-13, 07:10 AM
#18
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Thread Starter
>>>>I frequently check behind me with it when walking, not realizing it isn't there because I don't wear my helmet on walks.<<<<<<
+1 on that. I'm constantly looking for my mirror now when I walk. Good to know I'm not the only one losing my mind!
+1 on that. I'm constantly looking for my mirror now when I walk. Good to know I'm not the only one losing my mind!
10-06-13, 07:19 AM
#19
Senior Member
I do not remember when I first started using a mirror when riding, though I know it I did not always ride with one. Now though I feel more comfortable riding with one and if I happen to ride without one I am uncomfortable such as when I was on vacation at my son house and he had two bikes and we went for a ride that I was not prepared for. The mirror definitely gives me a feeling of comfort.
10-06-13, 07:49 AM
#20
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A mirror affords you the ability to check six in a nanosecond. A glance, there is no substitute. I ran around on flight decks for a little while, the value of having my head on a swivel was greatly impressed upon me.
With mirrors you can scan around far more consistently, quickly and consistently, than any amount of looking over your shoulder.
With mirrors you can scan around far more consistently, quickly and consistently, than any amount of looking over your shoulder.
10-06-13, 08:40 AM
#21
The Left Coast, USA
So the benefit of a mirror is you run yourself off the road if you think an approaching driver is inattentive? Really? I guess this makes sense if you ride roads without shoulders, but I wouldn't be on those roads to begin with. What if there is no place to run off to, does your mirror teleport you to somewhere safe?
10-06-13, 11:30 AM
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A lot of mirror-haters will tell you that a mirror is no substitute for looking back, and that you don't need mirrors because the purpose they serve in cars does not apply to bicycles.
It's true that cars use mirrors primarily for backing and checking the blind spot before changing lanes. These things don't apply to bicycles. We normally don't back up and our peripheral vision is good enough to see our so-called blind spot.
But there is other vital information that a cyclist needs from a mirror that cars do not need. When I'm driving down a two lane road at 60 mph, I don't really care if there is a car 200 or 300 yards behind me. If there is, I'm also not too worried about how fast it's going. In my car, I'm going fast enough that even if the car overtaking me was going 90 or 100 mph, the driver would most likely see me before he rear ended me. In other words, I don't need to worry about getting out of his way any time soon.
Now, if I'm on the same two lane road riding my bicycle, I do worry about cars 200 or 300 yards behind me and how fast they are going. That is where my mirror comes in very handy. If I see a car behind me, I can keep an eye on it with my mirror and ascertain how fast it is going, how soon it will get to me, and also as it approaches me, I can determine if the driver has seen me by whether or not he starts to move over to pass me or slows down due to oncoming traffic that prevents him from passing me.
A few times, I've seen a car in my helmet mirror and watched as the driver did not slow down or move over. With that information, I determined that I needed to get myself onto the unpaved shoulder because there was a good chance that the driver did not see me. In those situations my mirror probably saved my life because just "looking back" would have told me the car was there, but not given me any information about it's speed or driver's attentiveness.
It's true that cars use mirrors primarily for backing and checking the blind spot before changing lanes. These things don't apply to bicycles. We normally don't back up and our peripheral vision is good enough to see our so-called blind spot.
But there is other vital information that a cyclist needs from a mirror that cars do not need. When I'm driving down a two lane road at 60 mph, I don't really care if there is a car 200 or 300 yards behind me. If there is, I'm also not too worried about how fast it's going. In my car, I'm going fast enough that even if the car overtaking me was going 90 or 100 mph, the driver would most likely see me before he rear ended me. In other words, I don't need to worry about getting out of his way any time soon.
Now, if I'm on the same two lane road riding my bicycle, I do worry about cars 200 or 300 yards behind me and how fast they are going. That is where my mirror comes in very handy. If I see a car behind me, I can keep an eye on it with my mirror and ascertain how fast it is going, how soon it will get to me, and also as it approaches me, I can determine if the driver has seen me by whether or not he starts to move over to pass me or slows down due to oncoming traffic that prevents him from passing me.
A few times, I've seen a car in my helmet mirror and watched as the driver did not slow down or move over. With that information, I determined that I needed to get myself onto the unpaved shoulder because there was a good chance that the driver did not see me. In those situations my mirror probably saved my life because just "looking back" would have told me the car was there, but not given me any information about it's speed or driver's attentiveness.
I use a plug-in "Italian"bar end mirror on the road bike.
Takes some getting it dialed with the bar tape, but if gives just enogh information. I usually have to adjust it once or twice per ride, that's all.
Now if I happen to ride a backup bike like an MTB on the road I really miss the mirror
...for the reasons stated by MrCjolsen
10-06-13, 11:34 AM
#24
bill nyecycles
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Location: Houston TX
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i've found that if you tighten the mirrycle mirror, it doesn't move position. i've ridden with it for about 6 months now and i've never had it bounce out of position.
10-06-13, 01:42 PM
#25
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Location: Burlington Iowa
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So the benefit of a mirror is you run yourself off the road if you think an approaching driver is inattentive? Really? I guess this makes sense if you ride roads without shoulders, but I wouldn't be on those roads to begin with. What if there is no place to run off to, does your mirror teleport you to somewhere safe?
I first started using a handlebar bar mounted mirror on 2 lane blacktops 55mph roads to work in 1976; when necessary my mirror indicated when I had to ride as far right as possible. Mirrors served me well while bike commuting for almost 40 years and serve me well now in retirement.
Last edited by I-Like-To-Bike; 10-06-13 at 01:45 PM.
