I just don't get it about the mirrors.
 

I have been an active rider for about 5 years now, and have noticed that most riders do not wear a mirror of any kind. From what I can learn, it is "not cool", and has been described as dorky or Fredly, (whatever that means) to wear a mirror. I even read an article about where something called "scanning" (looking over your shoulder in lieu of using a mirror) was recommended. Silliest crap I ever read. Yet, a lot of cyclists choose this over wearing a mirror. No wonder so many cyclists are getting run down from behind. Unfortunately, that has happened in our area to 3 or 4 cyclists in the last year. From what I have been told, they were not wearing mirrors so could not see the car behind them that was not going to yield. I wear a mirror and do experience a sense of safety that I do not have without one. I check the mirror frequently and can see rear approaching cars and judge whether they see me or not by the track of their vehicle. Fortunately, most of the drivers approaching from behind give me sufficient space. If they don't, I yield the road to them to live to ride another day. Without the mirror I would not have this option. I think it is sad that the cycling world puts "cool" over safety. I just don't understand why someone would want to ride blind by not knowing what is going on behind them. The culture needs to change and I guess it will as the "cool" ones get picked off one by one.

I use a mirror and feel very uncomfortable without one. But one must be very careful and not rely on it too much - you have to still look over your shoulder to see. Especially scary are cars that run with no headlights early or late in the day, at dusk. Those will badly fool you if you rely solely on your mirror.

another school of thought would be to take the lane in some of those cases, after all, we do have a right to the road. Agree on the mirror btw, necessary stuff when riding in traffic and head or helmet mounted is best.

I'm not sure I understand. I rely on it a lot and with a moveable mirror, there is no blind spot and whereas a look over the shoulder may make you feel more comfortable and it is certainly not a bad idea, it is not necessary. Besides, riding down the road constantly looking over your shoulder sounds kind of silly.

I can't tell you the last time I looked over my shoulder. The mirror sees all.

While I have one of those head/helment-mounted mirrors, I prefer to use one of these attached to my drop handlebars and it's great! http://www.sportsbasement.com/istar.asp?a=65&image=/istarimages/mp/307201!WIL-35530.jpg

For me, it isn't a case of whether or not, a mirror looks dorky. For me it is a case of being too dependent on something that is either, the size and circumference of a quarter, or something so obtrusive, that it could almost pass for a shoe horn. Also, They need to be replaced when(and if), they wear out. I will stick to using my eyes n' ears.

Well, I guess since you've been riding for 5 years, you know better than me what is safe and what I feel comfortable with since I've only been riding in city traffic and on highways for, (thinking how long ago 1972 was), 40 years.

Never had any need for a mirror. Have never been hit by a car or even close except for one time I was stupidly passing on the right and got right hooked - nothing a mirror would have helped.

You evidently are so sure that mirrors are a necessity that you think those of us who don't use them do so because of vanity. That's just wrong, thank you. Some of us just dont' have any reason to use one and ride as safely as you do.

OP is just relating what he and many of the rest of us have heard about cycling and mirror use from some cyclist. Go to any Fred list that some cyclist write and it always includes the use of a mirror. So if you do not use a mirror because it is Fred or dorky or because your friends would make fun of you, then the OP is not talking about you.

So the next question is why are you so insecure that you think the OP is talking about you?

While the use of a mirror is a handy thing in dense moving traffic, not all cyclists encounter such traffic. Some cyclists find that the sporadic traffic they encounter is easily detected just through the use of sound, and this works fine for them... they can go countless miles in that manner just fine.

Other cyclists find themselves in dense motor traffic, where they share the road with motor vehicles that make so much noise that one can't tell who is close or how many, and since the motor vehicle drivers use multiple mirrors, the best way to deal with such traffic conditions is to also be equipped with a mirror.

It all depends on your location, the type of cycling you do and how much traffic is around as to your needs for a mirror and what mirror you prefer.

My commute bike has a mirror and I would feel naked without it. My sunday bike does not have a mirror and I rarely miss it... due to riding that bike only during quieter weekend periods and on more isolated roads. My off road bike doesn't have a mirror as it would not survive 10 seconds in brush. My fat tire cruiser doesn't have a mirror and is rarely ridden anywhere but bike paths and boardwalks.

Different riding styles and locations call for different equipment. Your mileage may vary.

I have used helmet mirrors since they were introduced in the seventies or so. I also use a handlebar mirror on my city bike. I must admit that I don't trust the depth perception and always look over my shoulder in addition to checking the mirror. I have also found that when I have lost or broken a helmet mirror, I miss it so little I will sometimes forget to replace it for months.

Marc

I like a mirror on the road. I want to see when I'm about to be run over. I guess my neck isn't so flexible anymore, so a mirror really helps.

Not fond of helmet mirrors though. I prefer mine bolted to the bike.

I have this same make of mirror on at least 6 bikes. The bar end mount is very good as is the brake screw mount. A few bikes I had to get more creative with attaching them.

I never ride without a mirror.

http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg

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Wrong. You may have been safe so far, but you do not ride as safely without a mirror, not humanly possible.

I've seen these and was wondering how good they were. I think I may have to try one. I've only been using the Take a Look mirror mounted on my helmet or glasses so far. This looks like a good alternative.

You simply don't understand how to use a mirror. It is the size of a quarter, but it reflects a BIG picture and I've yet to have one wear out and if it did, they are not expensive.

If you want a restricted view behind you, it's a good alternative. The head mounted mirror has no restrictions.

When I still rode DF bikes I used either a helmet mirror or a handle bar mirror. Now that I ride bents it is imperative that you have a mirror on your handlebars for safety. Either by sight or hearing a car from behind I am checking out that it is giving me room. Im alway prepared to take the ditch.

Pretty boyz that worry about looks often make a pretty corpse at the funeral.

To each his(her)own, personally I use a mirror and feel nekid without.

Let's really rile up this thread. I use a mirror, a safety device, while I completely cover my hearing with music, dangerous, right?

First thing we taught our kids when learning to drive was "Don't trust your mirrors, turn your head". That's how I feel about cycling, if you can't turn your head to observe traffic then ... there's your problem. Associating bicycle deaths with a lack of a mirror is utter nonsense, that's the loose thinking that results is bad laws that pisses everyone off about "big government".

You had a poor driver ed instructor. It has nothing to do with trusting your mirrors, you turn your head to look at blind spots. No such thing exists with a moveable mirror.

And how about we talk about efficiency. I know what is behind me at ALL times no matter how near or far. How often would you have to turn around and look over your shoulder to say that?

Movable mirror or not, I still turn my head to check after looking in my mirror. That just seems common sense to me. Plus, it signals to drivers that I'm planning on making a move. Then I use my arm to signal my move. Then I make the move. Just proper safety procedure.

If I ride at a decent clip, typically 15+ mph, I can't hear traffic over the noise of the wind passing over my ears. I ride on many more rural roads with very little traffic and rely on a take-a-look mirror to monitor behind for any approaching traffic. These roads often are pretty rough along the shoulders and have lots of potholes so I often ride down the middle of road trying to stay on reasonable pavement and need to be aware of vehicles overtaking me. The mirror beats having to look over my shoulder all the time.

So what do you expect to see when you turn your head that you can't see in a mirror, vampires?