Mirrors
 

Wondering what, if any, mirrors people use.

I recently picked up a helmet mounted mirror and I can't seem to make the thing useful. No matter where I mount the thing I can't get it positioned in a way that lets me see the road behind me. I either end up looking at myself or at the stars. I purchased it for additional safety, but I think it is making me considerably less safe as I keep fooling with it as I'm riding.

I like my handlebar mirror. I've never tried a helmet mirror though. As I understand helmet mirrors are supposed to give you a better view behind you. However, the handlebar mirror seems natural from driving. I'm not sure I'd like seeing behind me constantly in the helmet mirror.

I love my handlebar mounted Mountain Myrracle. Steady, big picture, easy to monitor, etc, etc, etc.

The only problem I have with handlebar mirrors is that I was planning on changing handle bars to something like the Nashbar trekking bars at some point: http://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Catalo...=trekking+bars

I don't think that the handlebar mounted mirrors that I have seen will work with these.

If I don't have my handlebar mirror mounted , then I feel naked when I ride..........well, maybe just very uncomfortable.

Had both, prefer helmet mounted.

I was never able to get the hang of a helmet mounted mirror. I use a 'Sprintech' bar end mirror on the left bar end of my drop bars. I like it a lot.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...RL._AA280_.jpg

I had similar difficulties with glasses-mounted mirrors. I then tried the Mirrycle Road Mirror for STI and loved it from the very first ride. I have them on all my bikes now.

http://mirrycle.com/product%20images...oad_mirror.jpg

Tried all three mounts. Glass mount works best for me.
Latest Messenger Mirror: $5.00

http://www.messengermirror.com/

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...ses/FSNMNG.jpg

Ditto. One on each bike. Works great, though you have to tighten the bolts on occasion.

I think people who have handlebar mounted mirrors must ride on glass-smooth roads. Even on the paved roads here I could never see much in a handlebar-mounted mirror, they vibrate like hell. On the gravel that makes up almost half my route, they're utterly useless.

Also, even when they're steady, I can't see that much. And I find it UN natural compared to driving a car - on a car I don't expect to have to look almost straight DOWN to look in my mirror - the helmet mounted mirror is directly to the left, just like in my car.

Quoted for emphasis.

My MirrCycle is nice and steady and does not vibrate on craptastic potholed roads.
I still prefer my Take-a-look glasses mirror as I can turn my head to get a full sweeping view. It took a while to figure out how to position it, I originally had it turned towards me when it should be facing outwards so its only visible in my peripheral vision.

I use a 3rd Eye Pro helmet mirror.
The adhesive patch is obviously designed for either a skateboard style, or seriously old-school Vetta helmet with a large, flat contact patch; so I use a couple of zip ties to hold it in place on my Bell Alchera.

I ride a lot of chip-seal, so bar mounted mirrors aren't good for me. I also have problems with my glasses fogging up or just getting coated in raindrops so I tend to take them on/off quite a bit, so glasses mounted mirrors aren't a great option either. The 3rd Eye Pro is easily adjusted but stays in place against even the fiercest headwinds and/or 50mph downhills, and it's large enough that I've used it not only for a rearview, but also as a "cosmetics" mirror when I needed to get a gnat which snuck past my glasses and into my eye.

No matter what you chose... and each of us has our own favorites, the bottom line is that a mirror IS a good thing.

I use a 3rd eye bar end mirror mounted in end of my left handlebar drop.

I tried a helmet mirror and discovered a problem with them that no company mentions: they don't work if you ride in an aggressive position with a big right-swing messenger (strap over the left shoulder) bag. The bag completely and utterly blocks any view you have over your left shoulder. This would also apply to any mirror that attaches to the eyeglasses; there just isn't any line of sight from the left side of your head behind you.

I might try a handlebar mirror for my drops someday. Supposedly this is the best one, from what research I did: http://www.aspirevelotech.com/Mercha...ry_Code=MIRROR

True. While a stationary mirror has it's limitations, it most definitely is better than nothing. I prefer a head mounted mirror. I can scan absolutely everything behind me in a flash.

Scan... that's key with helmet-mount mirrors... you need to turn your eyes up and turn your head slightly to see behind; they aren't sitting in your field of view so that you can constantly see behind you... you have to turn your head a bit to look. You probably already have it positioned about right, and just need to get used to it. In time, you'll practically be able to adjust it without looking.

I have trekking bars on my commuter and after trying several clamp on mirrors I said forget it. I don't think they make a mirror that was intended for use on butterfly bars. That said, I really like the glasses mirror I have. Picked it up at a garage sale for $2. I wear sunglasses whenever I'm on my bike, and it fits right on no problem. At night I wear a pair of safety glasses and I had trouble getting it to fit those. There's not as much traffic at night and you can pretty much tell where a car is by how bright their headlights are beside you so I'm not too worried on that.

That messenger mirror mentioned above looks pretty good, I think I'm going to try one of those too.

Here's the real question... anybody use more than one mirror?

I think ILTB has posted a pic of his commuter in the past with a couple mirrors on it... anyone else?

Yeah, I'm thinking about going with one of those. I hadn't seen the glasses mirrors before. I wear prescription glasses, so I always have something on my face. :) Thanks for the tips, all!

With a head mounted mirror, two are not necessary. I could see how it could be helpful with the bar mounted mirrors.

+1
I tried a mirror that mounted on the temple of my sunglasses, but it was so far to the side that I nearly sprained
the muscles around my eyeball trying to use it.
I bought a Sprintech after seeing recommendations for it on BF, and *love* it!
Occasionally, I regret that I didn't buy a left/right pair.
Installation is a piece of cake: Pop out the bar-end plug; Push in the mirror.

My regular route has a 45mph descent on a very busy road with no shoulder,
that ends at an intersection where I need to cross two busy lanes to get into the left turn lane.
It is great to be able to maintain awareness of overtaking traffic while down in the drops w/o moving my head.

I use this one on the end of my handlebars. Works like a charm.