On my recumbent, I have a parabolic mirror mounted on a stainless steel rod that I hand-filed myself 30 years ago.

Hi Tsl,

What is the secret to using this mirror? I eagerly bought one myself, but when I mounted it, all I could see was my arm (I have 40cm bars). No amount of adjusting would work, so I returned it. I wanted to try this one, as the only other option is a bar end mirror, which I found was ok, but did vibrate a tich.

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Claims of "the best" are entirely subjective, whatever works for you, use it. I have a mircycle for my commuter bike and yes, I do find them really good.

I thave since bought my first helmet mirror, and although I haven't used it on road yet, early indications seem to be good (using on the trainer in my basement).

I've been thinking about doing that myself. In a post above I stated that the Brifter mounted version would be blocked by my arm.

This will extend the mirror out more, although I have to look further down, but not much.

For the past couple years I've used Mirrycle MTB-style mirrors on all my bikes, whether straight or drop bars. Recently I switched to their STI model... when I get around to it I'll be switching back. I find that they have a smaller range of just-right adjustment, such that I am frequently having to move it slightly. I also cannot find a position for it that works in all three riding positions (hoods, drops, hands-free), which I could achieve with the MTB version.

All the third eye mirrors I had broke easily. Now I just use the Take-a-look ones. They've worked great so far. Also if you don't wear glasses just get a pair of safety glasses from Home Depot.

I use a bar end mirror on my mountain and road bikes. I tried a helmet mount mirror but found that I liked the bar end mirror better.

I wear prescription eyeglasses and during the winter I use safety glasses from Home Depot instead of ski goggles. I have posted many times about this set-up as to how it prevents fogging and the rigid earpiece of the safety glasses provides an attachment for a Take-a-Look mirror. It doesn’t work with a Third Eye.

The mirror on the safety glasses is far enough away from my face that it doesn’t fog at all. Below are pictures of the set-up in place, and of my safety glasses that partly frosted on the right side during the last two miles of a 14 mile commute at minus 8 degrees. Nonetheless I could still see forward and to my left to see the mirror. Note also that the safety glasses are actually suspended from my woolen cap by a vertical Velcro strip sewn into the cap. (Click on the thumbnail to enlarge.)

I have a Third Eye bar-end mirror on both my drop-bar road bike and my rigid MTB. I like the field of view, good compromise for size and convexity and it doesn't move around a lot. I don't notice much vibration with it either. One minor annoyance, though, is that it precludes being able to lay the bike on its left side (right side being out due to the risk of derailleur damage) or lean the left side against a wall (when oiling a chain, for example). Without fenders you could lay it on the left side if you flip the front wheel perpendicular, I suppose. If you use a kickstand it won't matter.

I have Rx glasses so I am hesitant to switch to a helmet mounted mirror.

I use a bar end mirrcyle mtb mirror with good results. I can see the cars coming up from my left. Most of my route is low traffic. I have found a solution for my road bike that has bar end shifters. I took an old road stem and cut the quill part off. I slipped the handlebar part over the end of the left drop bar on my bike, which then left a hole to mount the bar end mirror. I don't have a problem with my arm blocking the mirror in any hand position. This what works for me. See back page of Bicycle Times #1.

Interesting. I also wear bi-focals and have astigmatism. I use a glasses mounted mirror, which I really like, and also a handlebar mounted mirror. I haven't experienced any problems with the glasses mounted mirror and feel it does a better job than the handlebar mounted one.

Regardless which one you prefer, I wouldn't ride without one or the other.

The first mirror I tried was a cheap bar-end mirror, I forget the brand. While it afforded a marvelous view of my left elbow, it was pretty useless for seeing traffic behind me, and it would slip out of alignment if I rode over a bump or rough pavement. Then one day it dawned on me that I had a beautifully machined CRG bar-end mirror sitting in a bin of unused motorcycle parts, and that both kinds of bikes had 7/8 inch bars. I tried it out, it fit, and I've been using it ever since. It doesn't vibrate, it doesn't move unless I move it, there's a nice large field of view, and it even folds in to keep it out of harm's way when it's not in use.

I use the Take-a-Look eyeglass mounted mirror. It is quite useful for long distance touring and works well as a commuter mirror. That said, mirrors are not a substitute for direct visual contact. Always look over your shoulder.

Not so. Head mounted mirrors mean no blind spot....it's not like driving a car.

Not so. Head mounted mirrors mean no blind spot....it's not like driving a car. Look over your shoulder if it makes you feel safer but it is not necessary.

Sometimes it's hard not to after all the years of head checks in a car but that's only cause it's a reflex.

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/y...ey/mirror2.jpg

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/y...ey/mirror1.jpg

I have no idea what brand or model this is. Rivendell Bikes sells it as "German Mirror". I can make out traffic quite clearly within 100 ft, which is great for where I ride. I almost never ride on roads with speed limits above 35 mph. I doesn't move, even when I'm riding on frozen, pitted footpaths so rough that my fillings are moving in my teeth. I tried mounting it on my fork at first (seemed less dorky), but all I could see was my leg. Once I moved it to the bars the view opened up to include three road lanes, and none of me.