Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Handlebar mount mirror suggestions

Search
Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Handlebar mount mirror suggestions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-25-21 | 08:59 AM
  #1  
eyemkeith's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 176
Likes: 34
From: Jersey Shore

Bikes: 1992 Bridgestone XO-2

Handlebar mount mirror suggestions

Hi all. I ride an old bike with north road bars and I’m looking for a handlebar mounted mirror.

I know everyone has opinions, and I don’t wanna turn this into a “mirrors are stupid/no, you’re wrong” thread. I also know lots and lots of people love their helmet or glasses mounted mirrors and that’s awesome. I don’t want one.

ive been looking for an attractive silver colored mirror, but most of the most functional looking mirrors seem to be black, which is okay, I guess. I’m also not positive a bar end type would work with my bar setup, but if anyone has north roads and a bar end mirror, I’d be interested in hearing your experience.

my neck isn’t as bendy as it used to be and I’m putting in a lot more miles than I use to as well. Just tryin to not die out there.

All help appreciated.

Last edited by eyemkeith; 04-25-21 at 03:59 PM.
eyemkeith is offline  
Reply
Old 04-25-21 | 05:12 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
Sheldon Brown Memorial - Titanium
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 18,822
Likes: 11,674
For a bar-end mirror, I learned about the Sprintech model when borrowing one of [MENTION=111144]Andy_K[/MENTION]’s bikes, which had one mounted. Now all of the bikes I ride regularly have one though those are all drop-bar bikes.

https://www.amazon.com/Sprintech-Roa.../dp/B084RN1L85

Not sure about using one with North Roads bars, however.
nlerner is offline  
Reply
Old 04-25-21 | 05:38 PM
  #3  
Chuck M's Avatar
Happy With My Bikes
Titanium Club Membership
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 3,362
From: Oklahoma

Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects

I'm following this as my neck is not as able to let me know what is behind me as well. I have a bar end mirror like the one above on my newer bike, but I don't think it would look right on my older bikes.

This one is cheap enough that if I didn't like it I wouldn't hate throwing it in a drawer or box in the garage.

https://www.amazon.com/UNIVERSAL-VIN.../dp/B075SDCY3L
__________________
"One of the most important days of my life was when I learned to ride a bicycle" -- Michael Palin

Chuck M is offline  
Reply
Old 04-25-21 | 05:45 PM
  #4  
Full Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 249
Likes: 68
From: San Francisco

Bikes: 87 Raleigh 531C Team Replica, 99 Mongoose RX10.9, 03 Lemond Wayzata, 00 Litespeed Appalachian, 99 Bianchi XL Boron, 98 Litespeed Tuscany, 80 Carlton SC, 86 Pro Miyata, 04 Lemond Victoire

I use a Zefal Spy. It's a strap on style mirror, which works for me because I have multiple bikes and I'm able to move the mirror to whichever bike that I'm riding that day.

https://www.amazon.com/Zefal-95293-S...g-goods&sr=1-1
Warren128 is offline  
Reply
Old 04-25-21 | 06:59 PM
  #5  
clubman's Avatar
Phyllo-buster
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,276
Likes: 2,698
From: Nova Scotia

Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic

I've always used Third Eye. Convex view with real glass. I even use them on my 72 R75/5. As good as it gets. And cheap!

clubman is offline  
Reply
Old 04-25-21 | 07:46 PM
  #6  
bikingshearer's Avatar
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,761
Likes: 4,415
From: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley

Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.

This one from Rivendell isn't bad. I use it on my commuter/town bike and it does the job.
__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
bikingshearer is offline  
Reply
Old 04-25-21 | 09:04 PM
  #7  
The Golden Boy's Avatar
Extraordinary Magnitude
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 14,085
Likes: 2,140
From: Waukesha WI

Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT

Here's a thread with some suggestions:

Mirrors...



I want to be able to just glance over to the mirror, I want to know where the mirror will be and where it will be pointed.

I don't like the helmet or glasses mounted mirrors- too much work/thought to figure out where it's pointing and where you want it pointed.

I don't want to turn or rotate my head way down to a bar end mirror.


Out of the ones I've tried- I think the Axiom clamp on might work for you- otherwise browngw posted a silver clamp on mirror that seems about right in post #41.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*

Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!

"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
The Golden Boy is offline  
Reply
Old 04-26-21 | 03:30 AM
  #8  
canklecat's Avatar
Me duelen las nalgas
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
Likes: 2,832
From: Texas

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

Old neck injuries limit my neck mobility so I've used mirrors since I resumed riding in 2015. I don't race anymore so it's no big deal.

I've noticed several cycling acquaintances who used to race and ride without mirrors have added mirrors as they got older. No particular reason given but I suspect it's the same old thing -- with age everything gets a bit stiffer, mobility suffers and our reflexes and hearing suffer a bit. I don't like to rely on listening for approaching vehicles, although my hearing is still pretty good. But some vehicles now are incredibly quiet, especially with smoother tires on smooth asphalt.

Even one of the fastest guys I know locally, who holds many KOMs, uses a pricey Italian made glass bar-end mirror on his road bike. Another friend used to razz him a bit about it. Now that guy has the same mirror on his road bikes.

I use the similarly design but much more affordable Sprintech mirrors linked above on two of my drop bar road bikes. However my hybrid with swept bars (Nitto Albatross) have bar-end shifters so that space isn't available for the Sprintech and similar bar-end mounted mirrors. I mostly got those so I'd have a mirror on occasions when I wear my aero helmet, with no way to mount a helmet mirror as I do on my main helmets.

I also use Take-A-Look mirrors on my two main helmets.

I considered an adapter for my Mirrycle handlebar mirrors, but discovered I could get by with just the helmet mirror, so that bike still has no mirror on the handlebar after two years. I keep thinking about trying a clamp mount and adding a mirror, but I guess I'm satisfied with it as-is.

I've seen a few folks add clamps to the Mirrycle and similar design mirrors, that put the mirror below the handlebar, rather than above. That seems to suit folks who prefer lower bars, or flipped North Road bars (path racer style).
canklecat is offline  
Reply
Old 04-26-21 | 04:09 AM
  #9  
10 Wheels's Avatar
Galveston County Texas
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,286
From: In The Wind

Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum

Dollar Tree Sun Glass Mirror. Glue one to each Glove
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"

10 Wheels is offline  
Reply
Old 04-26-21 | 04:25 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 21,861
Likes: 3,748
Originally Posted by bikingshearer
This one from Rivendell isn't bad. I use it on my commuter/town bike and it does the job.
that works, of course I adhere to the school of Italian driving as explained in the movie Gumball Rally-
what’s behind me is not my concern
as the Italian race car driver rips off the center rear view mirror on a Daytona no less.

( of course does not work so well on a bike, but sounds good)
repechage is offline  
Reply
Old 04-26-21 | 10:15 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 919
From: So Cal, for now

Bikes: 1974 Bob Jackson - Nuovo Record, Brooks Pro, Clips & Straps

Originally Posted by clubman
I've always used Third Eye. Convex view with real glass. I even use them on my 72 R75/5. As good as it gets. And cheap!
+1

Bad Lag is offline  
Reply
Old 04-26-21 | 10:59 PM
  #12  
lottafreaks's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: WI

Bikes: Marin Palisades Trail, Raleigh Twenty, Takara Advantage, Schwinn Stingray... others

Sunlite mirrors are decent. Check out a site like Modernbike and search up that name. I own the heavy duty and the rectangular mirrors. I have them mounted on north road and wide cruiser bars respectively. They are solid. And they are chrome.
lottafreaks is offline  
Reply
Old 04-26-21 | 11:17 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 2,467
From: Snohomish, WA.
I've seen the Berthoud mirror advertised online recently. If style was the first priority, it wins(imo)

As far a being functional, we'll it is a fair bit smaller than anything else mentioned here.
Roger M is offline  
Reply
Old 04-27-21 | 04:57 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
Sheldon Brown Memorial - Titanium
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 18,822
Likes: 11,674
Originally Posted by Roger M
I've seen the Berthoud mirror advertised online recently. If style was the first priority, it wins(imo)

As far a being functional, we'll it is a fair bit smaller than anything else mentioned here.
I have the Berthoud mirror on one of my bikes. It was a birthday present from my lovely wife. Looks sharp, but the Sprintech is much more functional and a lot cheaper!

Last edited by nlerner; 04-27-21 at 07:44 AM.
nlerner is offline  
Reply
Old 04-27-21 | 07:17 AM
  #15  
Full Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 232
Likes: 25
From: NJ

Bikes: Too many to list

I saw a guy the other day with a rear view camera set up on a bike, small center screen or cell phone holder, and a tiny camera.
oldlugs is offline  
Reply
Old 04-27-21 | 07:28 AM
  #16  
daverup's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1,991
From: Michigan USA

Bikes: A bunch of old bikes.

Originally Posted by Warren128
I use a Zefal Spy. It's a strap on style mirror, which works for me because I have multiple bikes and I'm able to move the mirror to whichever bike that I'm riding that day.

https://www.amazon.com/Zefal-95293-S...g-goods&sr=1-1
I use the same thing on my non-drop bars, it's nice and small.
On drops I use a bar end mirror.
daverup is offline  
Reply
Old 04-27-21 | 08:12 AM
  #17  
Kobe's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,869
Likes: 575
From: Philly
I have been tempted to try these cheapo $5 ones from China. Has anybody tried these? They look a lot like the Zefal.

Handlebar mirror


__________________
84 Bridgestone 400. 90's Basso Highway, 07 Rivendell AHH, 16 Clockwork All-Rounder , 22 Rivendell Roadini



Kobe is offline  
Reply
Old 04-27-21 | 05:51 PM
  #18  
Korina's Avatar
Happy banana slug
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 4,566
Likes: 2,515
From: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way

Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 26L, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930

Originally Posted by eyemkeith
Hi all. I ride an old bike with north road bars and I’m looking for a handlebar mounted mirror.

I know everyone has opinions, and I don’t wanna turn this into a “mirrors are stupid/no, you’re wrong” thread. I also know lots and lots of people love their helmet or glasses mounted mirrors and that’s awesome. I don’t want one.

ive been looking for an attractive silver colored mirror, but most of the most functional looking mirrors seem to be black, which is okay, I guess. I’m also not positive a bar end type would work with my bar setup, but if anyone has north roads and a bar end mirror, I’d be interested in hearing your experience.

my neck isn’t as bendy as it used to be and I’m putting in a lot more miles than I use to as well. Just tryin to not die out there.

All help appreciated.
I've been where you're at; I have north road style bars and have had a @$%&!! of a time finding a mirror that shows more than my arm. The only kind I've found is a cruiser-style mirror like this one. I haven't tried that mount, but you get the idea; the arm is long enough so you can see behind you. I currently have this one, which works great, except the mounting bracket sucks nuts, so I ordered this one, hoping it'll work. Fingers crossed.
Korina is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.