I had both 98 and 03 Outbacks; I loved the 98- but hit a deer, got it fixed but the coolant system was hosed up, block cracked. The 03, got that new, it had more features but it wasn't as "good" of a car. That one had the head gasket problem, wind noise, front end and then transmission problems... by the time I unloaded that POS death trap, I was quite seriously worried about making it in to work every day.

I love the sport/Euro wagon concept- I don't understand the American aversion to them. But I see a million CRV and RAV4 type vehicles out there.

Giving this a zombie bump- Someone had asked about the Selle Italia Eyelink mirror- and since using this on *this* bike with *these* levers- it's "OK." Of course, I'm comparing it to the stability of the original Mirrycle- which is the benchmark.

Again, depending on what levers you have the mirror/hood cover mounted to, the mirror might mount nicely, or not so well... On the IRD "Drillium" levers, the mirror mounts decently and it holds the mirror in a much better (as intended) spot than it did on the old DiaCompe levers.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fee18638_o.jpgM1000Cockpit by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

Bumping this to see what other people are using.

I had ordered another Axiom mirror, hoping that I'd get one with the screws, but thinking 'how bad could the rivets actually be?' Useless. ******g useless. The mirror flops over in seconds.

The best mirror is still the old Mirrycle- if it works with your levers. Followed by the Axiom with the screws, followed by the Eyelink and then way down to the Blackburn- which is really bad.

I had originally responded back in 2016, that I had given up on mirrors. I now have the Berthoud mirror on both bikes and like them quite a bit. It is just enough to see behind you but no so big that it ends up being in the way.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8e90ab2ab.jpeg

Ihttps://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4695b463f.jpeg

Mirrycle makes a version with a mount/clip that clips to the body of a Shimano road brifter and tucks under the hood. It extends the mirror arm forward of the lever, and from there, it's the usual Mirrycle hardware, so it's good optics and super stable. What's needed is a comparable clip to tuck under the hood of an aero brake lever. Sounds like a 3D-print opportunity.

Had or still have some of the following for drop bars. None perfect, could just as easily go without.

Italian made drop bar end. Quality glass / optics. Bulky and rather fussy to set up. The bar wrap holds it on. Once set, its done.

Sprint Tech bar end. Adjustable. Its average. Plastic ball, socket easily pop out. Like all the other bar end, still have to move the arm to use.

DIY- on my beater fixed gear. 12 gauge shot shell fits into the bar, adapted a swivel and mirror from a mechanics small telescopic mirror (free w/ coupon at Harbor Freight). Funky cool but not convex or magnified optics.

Stalk mount 3" round with clamp to bar. Works good. Generic. Always bumped. No elegance.

Forearm 'Velcro' mount convex mirror. Acceptable if you don't mind always having to reposition your arm or a long sleeve jersey / coat doesn't move around.

Other: Never tried but have seen someone having a small rear view camera mounted the seat post. He had an approx. 4" diagonal screen just setting in a clear map sleeve on his handlebar bag. Don't know of the specifications but the view looked excellent. Told me there's many brands available on where else, but Amazon. Cost near the same or less than some cycling mirrors. Not in the C&V following.

Like you, I love this mirror. I have successfully drilled and tapped an aero Gran Compe lever and fit one of these. Not quite as solid as the stock version with the nut on the back, but it works. I also did one with a Superbe lever. Point is, you might perhaps get a bit more intense on the application. On the Superbe, I bought an orphan lever on eBay in case it didn’t go well. I have read here that others have drilled and tapped other levers too. I love these mirrors.

I like the 3rd Eye mirrors so much that I use them on my 72 BMW R75. Ground glass with slight convex view. The rubber mount keeps the vibrations down.

Crappy film shots of the motorbike.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bcec716991.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...053d6d7f96.jpg

Nice R75! I've got an '82 R100 that has been patiently waiting for me to restore it for..... going on 15 years....

I had a 77 R100 that I bought in 87 and rode for 28 years. Gone maybe 6 or7 years ago as I didn’t feel safe on it with low power, poor brakes and handling. It was pretty wore out. Replaced with a 2011 Suzuki 650 Vstrom. Yours is a nice bike, good memories.
Edit: fall 2014. Time flies.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a2a730097.jpeg
77r100/7
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1347cec77.jpeg
2011 Vstrom 650

I recently decided to pursue adding mirrors to my rides. A few too many close passes by large vehicles. It's nice to know what's coming.

The Take a Look mirror is a nice smaller eyeglasses mount mirror. But I'm also trying out bar attaching mirrors.

Zefal Spy - smaller size but uses a silicone strap so has versatile mounting. This works well on my bike with bar-end shifters.

Cateye and Hafny bar end mirrors yet to be tried out on the road bike. First impressions, the Cateye is small; the Hafny seems nice and large, I hope it works well.

I'll follow up with some pics.

I like Third Eye bar-end mirrors. The glass is 3 inches in diameter and the mount is very stable. On road bars, it is easy to glance down between your elbow and knee for a full view of the road behind. The glass lens is the most distortion free of any mirror I own. I have three of them and my wife has one, and I'm always on the lookout for more at bike swaps.
https://www.amazon.com/Third-Eye-Bar...a-479225359084
Edit: The description says convex lens, but it is very slight, so distortion is minimal, not at all like a fisheye lens.

Spritech bar end works well for me on drop bars. I like that it stays in place and does not need constant adjustments.

I have yet to find a mirror I like for upright bars. They all either stick out too far or need adjusting because the get in the way of hand positions.

Put me down as a big fan of bar-end mirrors. Used one for the first time 20+ years ago and have stayed with them ever since.

Haven't seen a huge amount of difference between the ones I've tried; they've all been about 2.5" in diameter and convex. None have been terribly fragile, and while they're a bit of a pain to adjust mine seem to stay in decent adjustment while riding. Some "fisheye" distortion to the view, but not so bad that it's not useful.

I didn't realize how dependent on them I was until I took a new bike (well, new to me;the bike's 40+ y/o) out for a check ride yesterday. It didn't have a mirror. I was forever glancing down, then mentally cussing because I couldn't check my left rear for traffic approaching from behind (where I ride mostly has bike lanes beside the rightmost lane of traffic).

I ordered one for it this morning.

Oh, and OP (AKA [MENTION=174646]The Golden Boy[/MENTION]): fella, you've been holding out on us. You didn't tell us you had your own line of bicycle tubes! :)

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c157d45e65.jpg

(Image from eBay listing https://www.ebay.com/itm/201641503107 ).

I got a newer Rhode Gear one recently that I was dissatisfied with. It mounts to the brake hoods with Velcro. The arm is plastic and it vibrates. The ball socket adjustment also doesn’t stay adjusted.

An older Rhode Gear brake hood mounted one came on another purchase but had a cracked lens. I was able to substitute a Mirrycle lens on it with a bit of file and drill work. It clamps fairly firmly with the older versions metal mounting arm. It is a bit fiddly to adjust, but it does stay put and doesn’t vibrate too much and can be moved from bike to bike. It is positioned a bit forward for an easy view and less hand interference accept the added thickness of the Velcro on the hoods.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e4bdce76d.jpeg
Rhode Gear with metal mounting arm and Mirrycle lens


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6eb816424.jpeg
Velcro mounting


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3443291f3.jpeg
Screw down adjustments

Most of my bikes are non aero so accept the Mirrycle mirror so I don’t use this much. It also works on a Mafac Racer equipped non aero lever that is not suitable to the Mirrycle. Probably useable on anything with hoods,

Ortlieb Ultralight Bike Mirror - convex -5" tall by 2" wide at top (narrower at bottom) - 58 grams - $25 to $30 depending upon vendor - available at the following vendor and elsewhere:

https://www.modernbike.com/ortlieb-u...nd-bike-mirror

I have this mirror on two bikes - good visibility and generally stays put because it is so light. The knuckle joint on the arm is very effective. The plastic band attachment to the bars is good - however, you can't crank the plastic band down - will just strip the plastic teeth - but because the mirror is so light it doesn't move (much) on rough roads - a little electrical tape will keep it rock solid.

Mounting it just below the brake lever allows me to ride the hoods and the lower/mid drops without interference. I can see the mirror clearly when riding the hoods, tops, and drops without having to move my head.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4f08aba486.jpg

I’m not a mirror user. Never felt the need, nor wanted a bike with a lot of gadgets and accoutrements, but that’s a nice mirror. If looking over the shoulder becomes an issue, I could abide such a mirror. But I’m baffled by the “both bikes” comment.

Ha! I only have 2 bikes and have one on each.

FWIW, I still turn my head. I t is a habit I can't stop. That said these mirrors are helpful in traffic as a quick shift of my eyes allows me to get an idea of what is coming up behind me. It has given me a better sense of "control" during longish descents on busy roads. The roads themselves are rough and potholed so I have to stay focused on what's coming in front of me and the mirror allows me to check behind me with minimal effort. YMMV.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c5341f899.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2d5173334.jpeg

For installation on the end of a drop bar, this one from Hafny works well for me. It provides a view that I find useful, and it holds adjustment well.

+1 The anti-glare is worth it.

This one just came in the mail this afternoon and I did a short ride with it- So far- this thing is pretty good- it is much lighter than it looks and it does have a very large field of vision. I do need to figure out how I want this thing aimed... there's no reason for it to be showing so much sky or the ground beneath me.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3a6daf1ec2.jpg
My fav
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8a77404806.jpg
Hard to find these but I have a couple.

Ha! I sold 2 for $5 at a swap I was at recently. One of the few things people seemed to be interested in!

I find them on old bikes. I love picking up mirrors, barcons and suntour derailleurs on otherwise almost worthless bikes.

If those two were sold at the recent Monroe Michigan bike swap, that was me who bought them.