Originally Posted by
The Golden Boy
Hi Steve!
I agree that you should have your attention focused in front of you. And for that matter, you should take as little attention away from what is in front of you for as little time as possible- the helmet mirror shows what is behind your helmet, and what is behind your helmet is dependent on what direction your helmet is facing. There's an incredible range of angles at which your head will be facing "forward" but only a small range that will put the mirror where you want it. You need to find the mirror, find where your field of view is, process that, adjust your helmet (head) and process the information and take action. Instead of glance down to where you know the mirror is, and where it's pointed.
I suppose everyone's experience is different. My head seems to be in a pretty consistent position while riding. A quick flick of the eye to the upper left lets me see my rear view mirror, which shows me the road behind me. It works quite well for me. No change in head position during the process, although I can scan left and right if I want to see to the sides behind me.
Don't handlebar mirrors also require a consistent head position (although not a consistent pitch, roll or yaw angle)? i.e. if the mirror is adjusted correctly for riding on the hoods, wouldn't it be incorrect if you were on the top of the bars or in the drops?
Originally Posted by
The Golden Boy
Isn't what determines the field of view the convexity of the mirror? Any mathematical formula for distance to the mirror and size of the mirror depends on the convexity of the mirror to relay the field of view. (hence the 'objects in mirrors are closer than they appear' stickers on some mirrors) I've had 2 different mirrors- I think it was a Third Eye, that kind of stuck on to the helmet (and promptly fell off), and a "Take A Look" that clips on to a glasses arm or helmet visor... Both had similar fields of vision, but again, the same principle applies to the direction of your head.
I'm assuming a flat mirror.
A convex mirror will produce a wider field of view, but make the image proportionally smaller.
Originally Posted by
The Golden Boy
I can understand someone not wanting a big ol mirror dangling off their bike- especially a 'racing' bike- it makes sense to find a different solution. And I totally understand how a user can reduce the effort in performing a complicated task sequence by familiarity.
I started using an eyeglass mounted mirror when riding on busy roads (back in 1978). It didn't take me any time at all to set up or get used to it. I found it very helpful for letting me take a brief glance at the traffic behind me in a fraction of a second.
More recently, I started riding recumbents, where a mirror is essential, so I'm familiar with the arguments for bike mounted mirrors, and a lot of people use them.
I have seen people struggle with setting up helmet mirrors, though, and that can be a hurdle to adapting to them. Chuck Harris was a fellow who sold a lot of helmet mirrors, and he had a nifty process of helping people adjust their mirrors. I wonder if I still have a copy of his printed instructions somewhere? Well, the essence was that when well adjusted, you should be able to look forward and glance up and to the left where the mirror will be positioned. When looking into the mirror, it should be adjusted so that you just see the edge of your ear.
Chuck has passed away, but HubBub Cycles sells a modern interpretation of his design. The mirror is a bit larger than what I bought from Chuck, but I use it for the helmet I wear on recumbents. The head position on the 'bents is more upright than regular bikes, so the mirror is adjusted accordingly. It's very well made.
http://hubbubonline.com/?prod=helmir
Originally Posted by
The Golden Boy
In this case, I'm looking a reasonably sized mirror that doesn't interfere with braking or shifting. It seems the only option to get my preferred style and location of the mirror is to change back to non-aero levers. (which I might do *just* as a stylistic consideration) Out of the options that I'm seeing available- none mount to where I want them to mount, but that Selle Italia Eyelink that @
chewybrian linked to is really effing nifty... I do also like the Blackburn mirror that @
rickrob linked to.
You might poke around some of the recumbent shops and forums. As heavy users of mirrors, they might have some lesser known products. One larger 'bent shop is the Hostel Shoppe... they show a few, including some that mount with brackets.
Search - Hostel Shoppe
good luck!
Steve in Peoria