Part of my ride is on a really busy four-lane 55mph+ road, and I've been thinking more and more about my own safety. I have a pretty wide shoulder for most of it and generally feel ok about the ride, but all the cell phone use, texting, and other driver distractions has me wondering a bit. So I'm thinking about getting a mirror. My question is, do you think a mirror really makes you safer? Will the extra half second get you out of the way of an oncoming car, or is the mirror itself just another distraction?

Also, if you use one, what kind do you prefer? The bike mounted kind, or the kind that clips to your glasses?

definatly get a mirror, comes in very handy and it can save your life.

I have a helmet mounted one. Going to add a bar mounted one soon.

Uh, YEAH. I'm not sure why anyone would ever consider commuting without a mirror. Basic safety item. I'd rather not have a helmet or gloves or lights.
I find helmet mount is best. It gives a wider field of view by far than bar mounted. I tried glasses mount too but since I take them off my glasses every time, I often forgot to put them back on. Not a problem with a mirror permanently on the helmet.

I fall into the category of those distracted by the mirror. I tried a bar and helmet mount. Each had different results. The bar mounted one was too distracting to look down at long enough to determine a vehicles location, and the helmet mounted one obstructed my peripheral vision too much for my liking. So I stick with looking over my shoulder and listening carefully.

I really like my RVM. I had one from the LBS that mounted to the right handlebar, which kind of sucked because I live in the U.S. and obviously I'd want it on the left. So, I picked up a handlebar-mounted mirror online and it's great. Makes merging much easier, lets me get a good field of vision, etc. I'd ride without it if I had to, but I wouldn't want to.

I feel safer riding with a mirror. I use a Blackburn road mirror that velcros to the brake hoods.

Id ride without a helmet, but never a mirror.
The most important safety device there is. If
it is a 'distraction' as the detractors claim, you have
the wrong type for your riding and bike set-up.

Definitely get a mirror. What persuaded me was when a friend got rear-ended by another cyclist on a local bike trail (the guy who caused the collision must've been a bit too much focused on his, ahem, training). I have one on my helmet (so it's with me on all rides) and a second attached to the drop bars on my fixie-commuter.

Take-A-Look mirror. Best thing out there in my opinion.

I have limited mobility in my neck, a mirror is essential for me to see what's coming up from behind.

For years I rode with out a mirror, thought it was silly looking(think chrome Pee Wee Herman types that go with plastic handle bar tinsle/streamers), but todays mirrors are so much better looking. I have an bar end type, which I cannot live without, classic example, I took my MTB(no mirror) for a trail ride, and the trail head is a few blocks from my house, I heard a car approaching from behind and I was forced to look back after instintively looking for a mirror that wasn't there. I'm now planning to get the same folding type for my MTB as I have on my other bikes, out when on the road, and folded in when on the trail.

I used to use a bar mirror, but because of it being larger (due to it being farther away from the eye) it flopped around rather uselessly . Vibration also rendered it almost useless. But that was some el cheapo mirror from the department store.

I now use a helmet-mounted mirror. Just like when I drive, it helps me keep tabs on my surroundings. Best thing since sliced bread!

I use a Blackburn bar-end mirror. Helmet/glasses mount mirrors have never worked well for me.

+1 on both counts for me as well.

To plug the Take-A-Look a bit more, and no I don't work for them.

It's infinitely adjustable, it gives a big field of vision, it has easily clipped on any glasses I have ever tried it on, and unlike a bar mount, your vision isn't limited to where your bars are pointing.

There was a similar thread last summer that started me using a mirror and now I don't like to ride without it. Even when walking I sometimes find myself trying to check the mirror. I use a clip-on to my glasses because it seems more effective than one fixed to the bike. The bar-end model on my drop bars didn't work nearly as well for me. The clip-on is dorky looking though.

Who cares. You're alive and in one piece.

Cheap Bar mirror, works OK so far!

+1 on the Take-A-Look mirror. I had a helmet mounted model before, and the optical quality of the mirror had much to be desired -- also the placement seemed to cause a good deal of eye strain. What finally killed it is that the helmet mounted one got knocked off and the adhesive would not work anymore.

The Take-A-Look works fabulously without the eyestrain of the helmet mount and it slides on my glasses easily. It has gotten to the point where I don't like to ride without it -- it saves me daily from roadies training on the MUP who don't call out when they are going to pass, even if it is obvious that I'm passing a pedestrian ...

I use a Third Eye bar end mirror. Holds its position when adjusted, and no vibration problems.

After an incident last week I'm considering getting one for the right side as well...some crazy guy in a white Ford Ranger blew by on the dirt shoulder to pass the 18 wheeler that was following me in the 2 lane 55mph section I ride on (the shoulder isn't safe to ride on, let alone drive on). I had to swerve left towards the center line to avoid a collision with the Ranger as he cut off the tractor/trailer. Luckily I heard it coming. Next time I'd like to see it coming too.

Yes, I feel a mirror helps keep me safer. Properly set up, a mirror will give you more information than head turns alone because it only takes a split second to monitor so you can do it more often. I'm not sure I understand your "extra half second" comment. With my mirror I am always aware of what's going on behind me. If I feel the need to react in some way I would never wait until the last second. I would do something to get a motorists attention (and a reaction) long before I thought I had to bail. A head turn, (so they know I see them) issuing a slow signal and/or moving farther left in the lane early on has always gotten a favorable response for me. Although I like to think I'm ready to do so, I've never had to bail out yet.

I like the helmet mount because I can move my head slightly and see any area. I find the position of the mirror needs to be just right to get good field of view and avoid eye strain. Consequently I am very careful when setting down my helmet because if the mirror gets bumped out of position it takes several trys to get it re adjusted properly.

I think a mirror would only be a distraction to a newbie who had an extreme fear of traffic from the rear, who spent more time looking in it than looking in front. Riding without the immediately available information a mirror provides would be way more of a distraction for me.

And you care what random people (or even people you know) think about how you look...why again?
Live for yourself, man.

+1 take-a-look, heck I want another so I can review both sides of the road

>>> do you think a mirror really makes you safer?

IMHO, a gotta' have. My most numerous close calls have been while wandering left into traffic. Anything you can do to spot that quiet vehicle is a good thing. [Happened just this morning in fact. Quiet car. . .spotted it.]

>>> what kind do you prefer?

Another vote here for Take-a-Look.

>>> clip-on is dorky looking though.

Agree, helmets too. . .tights too, but think about it. . . we're grown people riding bikes! Darn few cyclists can maintain a serious level of gravitas.

I have just started using a mirror and must say I am a convert. I just bought a $6 Schwinn mirror from Kmart to see if I liked having a mirror. It will now stay on the bike.