Originally Posted by europa

The MAIN reason I stopped using a mirror though was all they can do is tell you there IS a car there. If you can't see a car, you still have to do a head check. For that, your hearing is good enough because, only a fool changes line without a head check.

Should you fit one? Sure, give it a go. Which sort depends on your bike, you and your habits. Try some different sorts if you like. They do give a quick and easy way to check if someone is there and that can give confidence if there's traffic around which is a very real benefit in itself. Just be aware that they do not replace a look over your shoulder.

I understand the problem of an aging body not wanting to turn around to check traffic - there's nothing wrong with stopping to have a good look and, like most things in cycling, looking over your shoulder is a skill that gets easier as you do more of it.

Cycling is a process of working out which bits you want on your bike. It's part of the joy of cycling. Try everything you think might help. Your bike WILL get too fussy ( you'll fix that once you notice it) and you will build a collection of stuff you no longer use. So what? If cycling isn't fun, why do it? So what if the owner of your lbs funded his own upgrade on your experiments? Cripes, I've just built a complete bike and bought nothing, it all came out my boxes of bits, including the cables and brake blocks. Too many people imagine cycling must be done in a certain way and some weirdos imagine it's only about the riding. Nope, cycling is a life in itself and like all lives, you get to live it your way.