Billy Bones

Little bar-end mirror. I ONLY trust it when I actually SEE traffic in there...don't trust a negative view...before I commit to a turn, I take a quick twist-and-look. By the way, this applies even to lane changes on a quiet double-track.

By the way...a little survival tip. [Yes, I pulled this one in my youth.] OK, it goes...quick look behind...I see "a" car back...the brain says "one" car...after it passes, I pull left into the SECOND car. [And yes, I am no longer symmetrical onaccounta' this sin and others.]

Winfried

Haven't bought one yet, but RearViz looks good.

Little Darwin

I tried helmet/glasses mounted mirrors, but my left eye is weak, so they didn't work as well as a bar mounted mirror. My favorite for the bar ends of my hybrids is a Mirycle (sp?).

Adam Jackson

Simply I turn back my head to see traffic . I don't have mirrors on my cycle as they cause bit of trouble for me during sunshine time.

tusker

Well,I finally got rid of my 6 month old Trek Fx 7.4.The issues with the proprietary handle bars just did me in.I was lucky to get a company that sold bikes online and now heres my new Kona Jake mirror set up.No more worries.

tusker

cant rotate the image....

rydabent

Since I ride recumbents, I have a very good mirror to see traffic behind. I am also very good at listening for traffic behind also.

RPK79

I signal for 3 seconds and go without looking just like half the drivers on my morning commute (in my car).

italktocats

i look behind me, as im not close to 45 yet

caloso

Don't worry, kid. I'm 46 and I still turn my head.

Fastfingaz

This is for you youngsters I'm way past 45 and I can still turn my head to see whats in back of me, so ya'll got alot of years left,, unless you crash and break it,,,, just kidding kids! wish nobody no harm,,,,,

a77impala

Due to constant pain in my arthritic neck I use Third Eye mirror but have it mounted on helmet. My head movement is limited.

tigerteeuwen

I look around me like a crazed pigeon! but seriously, i try to make myself very aware of my surroundings, and for a large part i rely on my hearing as well, i fairly assured hear traffic approaching from about a block away and for every car about to pass i check my position based on there direction of travel and if there is a buffered area.

RLinNH

Great thread as this is my biggest concern with being on the road. We have all heard the stories of that guy that gets hit from behind. Me, I turn my head, but I really want to try the helmet mounted mirror. Anything that would put my mind at ease on the road. As I love riding, but I am scared as hell because of all the cagers doing everything in their cages, but paying attention to the road. I have been riding motorcycles all my life, but I gave them up 3 years ago for my bike. It came down to which one I had more time to do. Ride the motorcycle, or go for a Pedal. The road bike won, but now I am trying to make it a safer ride for me.

Jseis 

IMHO Helmet mounted mirror when I'm on the highway. Unless you've phenomenal body control, head turning will throw you off your line. The downside of one eye (helmet mirror or quick glance) is limited depth perception so practice allows you to learn to gauge distance. One route I ride has little margin for error and a quick glance to a helmet mirror with no head movement is all I need. Also, a partner behind you with similar can shout "car" or "truck" and really provide a valuable assist. Big bar end mirrors are ok but helmet mirror is better (even though their geeky appendage looks/always getting knocked out of align bugs me). One other thing; Second day of the STP 2 years ago....constant two day use of a helmet mirror really messed with my vision. My left eye was constantly focusing near and left while my right eye was looking straight and down the road. I eventually had to turn the mirror up to regain normal binocular vision. I might consider a bar end mirror as a backup to relieve eye strain for touring, long rides over several days

caloso

I wouldn't call it phenomenal body control. It's just a part of a smooth riding style that anyone can learn with practice. We work on it with our juniors all the time. You can practice riding on the fog line. Same deal with grabbing a bottle or reaching into a jersey pocket. Give it a try. Just takes practice.

RLinNH

I have done quick head turns for 14 years, and yes, they can be done with staying on line. But every now and then, I find that it throws me off my line and it throws me into the line of traffic. Just saying, it only takes that one mistake to put you and some asshat into a confrontation.

crank_addict

Some of the roads I ride are getting busier and I'm a fan of that Italian made bar end mirror. It mounts on the left drop and styled for newer bikes. I also enjoy the old iron, but having a new mirror on early period bikes is a big no with me.

Q: Would C&V riders be interested in an offering of a small mirror (1 1/2" diam.) to fit bar plugs? I've been unable to find any company who makes such type having the vintage look. Made of metal, small, it would be something more fitting and styled for 70's and back road bikes. Years ago I tried old dental mirrors screwed into Velox plugs but they were no match to the Italian oval mirror quality. I just want a minimalistic round mirror with clear optics. Suggestions?

mrtuttle04

In the words of Franco on Gumball Rally, "Whats-a behind me is not important."

mrtuttle04

3 seconds? You give way too much notice. Where I come from three seconds give the other driver time to speed up and take your lane. The appropriate ediquate is to start going then turn on your signal.

cyclebee

I was thinking about getting a mirror to mount to my glasses or helmet to check traffic

Little Darwin

I use Mirrycle bar end mirrors on my hybrids.

I like the concept, but the few times I have tried helmet mounted mirrors they didn't work well because the vision in my left eye is inhibited. Basically all I have in my left eye is equivalent to peripheral vision, so I don't have the resolution needed to feel safe with only using that eye.

adamhenry

I do a combination look over my shoulder. First I look with my eyes to the side I am checking and then just a real quick head turn allows me to see behind me.

tuskerkf

Replied to this thread when I still had a TREk.Now have a cyclocross bike with a mirror and its pretty good.