Mirrors
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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 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.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 1,771
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Catalo...=trekking+bars
I don't think that the handlebar mounted mirrors that I have seen will work with these.
I don't think that the handlebar mounted mirrors that I have seen will work with these.
#6
xtrajack
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,058
Bikes: Kona fire mountain/xtracycle,Univega landrover fs,Nishiki custom sport Ross professional super gran tour Schwinn Mesa (future Xtracycle donor bike)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Catalo...=trekking+bars
I don't think that the handlebar mounted mirrors that I have seen will work with these.
I don't think that the handlebar mounted mirrors that I have seen will work with these.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 1,840
Bikes: Bianchi San Remo - set up as a utility bike, Peter Mooney Road bike, Peter Mooney commute bike,Dahon Folder,Schwinn Paramount Tandem
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#8
Plays in traffic
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,971
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
9 Posts
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.
#9
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,337
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Liked 1,279 Times
in
647 Posts
Tried all three mounts. Glass mount works best for me.
Latest Messenger Mirror: $5.00
https://www.messengermirror.com/
Latest Messenger Mirror: $5.00
https://www.messengermirror.com/
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#11
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
7 Posts
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.
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.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#12
It's true, man.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Texas
Posts: 2,726
Bikes: Cannondale T1000, Inbred SS 29er, Supercaliber 29er, Crescent Mark XX, Burley Rumba Tandem
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
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.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: the Georgia Strait
Posts: 961
Bikes: Devinci Caribou, Kona Dew Plus, Raleigh Twenty
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 11,375
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
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.
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.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
#15
genec
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
No matter what you chose... and each of us has our own favorites, the bottom line is that a mirror IS a good thing.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 435
Bikes: Giant OCR1
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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: https://www.aspirevelotech.com/Mercha...ry_Code=MIRROR
I might try a handlebar mirror for my drops someday. Supposedly this is the best one, from what research I did: https://www.aspirevelotech.com/Mercha...ry_Code=MIRROR
#18
cyclepath
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: "The Last Best Place"
Posts: 3,550
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
#19
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.
#20
Bike Collector
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 338
Bikes: 1983 Trek 560
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
That messenger mirror mentioned above looks pretty good, I think I'm going to try one of those too.
#21
genec
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
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?
I think ILTB has posted a pic of his commuter in the past with a couple mirrors on it... anyone else?
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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!
#23
cyclepath
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: "The Last Best Place"
Posts: 3,550
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
With a head mounted mirror, two are not necessary. I could see how it could be helpful with the bar mounted mirrors.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
#24
Senior Member
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.