Show me your drop bar mirror!
#1
Thread Starter
Steel is real, baby!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 8
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: 1984 Pinarello, 1986 Bianchi Portofino, 1988 Bianchi Trofeo, 1989 Specialized Allez, 1989 Specialized Hard Rock, 2001 Litespeed Tuscany
Show me your drop bar mirror!
OK, so on my commuter project, I've decided to add a mirror. I'd like one that inserts into the end of the drop on my drop bar... instead of putting in a traditional tape plug and mounting a mirror to the side somehow.
Anyway, I'd like to see what you guys/girls have done!
Anyway, I'd like to see what you guys/girls have done!
#2
#3
Thread Starter
Steel is real, baby!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 8
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: 1984 Pinarello, 1986 Bianchi Portofino, 1988 Bianchi Trofeo, 1989 Specialized Allez, 1989 Specialized Hard Rock, 2001 Litespeed Tuscany
#6
spins pedals
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Bikes: 2009 Orange Kilo TT Custom Built Fixed-Gear, 2009 Bianchi Volpe, 1970's Takara Fixed Gear Conversion
I have this: https://www.mirrycle.com/road_mirror.php
If you have STI levers you can use it, it works okay. IMO, no bike mounted mirror will be as good as a helmet/eyeglasses mounted mirror though. I used to use a 3rd eye pro helmet mounted mirror and it worked very well, but I eventually took it off because I found it kind of annoying (after using it for 7 months or so).
If you have STI levers you can use it, it works okay. IMO, no bike mounted mirror will be as good as a helmet/eyeglasses mounted mirror though. I used to use a 3rd eye pro helmet mounted mirror and it worked very well, but I eventually took it off because I found it kind of annoying (after using it for 7 months or so).
#7
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
I have this: https://www.mirrycle.com/road_mirror.php

Each of my bikes has one. I like it a lot. The advantage over the Blackburn is that the mount is not under my hands when I ride the hoods, which for me is 95% of the time.
#8
#9
#10
The Sprintech seems like a lot less hassle since you can install/remove it w/o fussing with the bar tape.
#11
stringbreaker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 2
From: wa. State
Bikes: specialized crossroads hybrid 2006 Raleigh Cadent 2 1971 Schwinn Varsity, 1972 Schwinn Continental, 1977 Schwinn Volare (frame)
I like the Sprintech during the day but when its dark I don't like taking my eyes off the road long enough to get a good look. I prefer the Take A Look glasses mounted mirror. I didn't think I would like it at all cause its so small but I can't imagine riding without it. Its been my experience every handlebar mounted mirror I have used eventually gets knocked around or broken (I'm a true klutz)
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(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
#12
Thread Starter
Steel is real, baby!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 8
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: 1984 Pinarello, 1986 Bianchi Portofino, 1988 Bianchi Trofeo, 1989 Specialized Allez, 1989 Specialized Hard Rock, 2001 Litespeed Tuscany
As for the glasses mounted mirror, my concern is that sometimes, one leg of my commute is in darkness. If, for example, I go to work in the daylight, I will wear my sunglasses and carry my clear lensed glasses in my trunk bag to wear on the ride home. I don't really want to buy a 2nd mirror, nor do I want to be bothered with changing the mirror from one to the other. This is why I think a bar mounted mirror would serve me better.
#13
I am a caffine girl
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
I used two type of mirror on two different bike. One is the STI mount mirror used on my daily commuter bike. It works better for quick glance to check behind me but it does have it's negative drawback. On rough pavemnet it has a tendancy to turn unless I overtighten the screw but then it become hard to adjust the mirror. Second, people have bumped it on the train on part of my commute when they enter or leave the train. I have to swing it out of the way. Sooner or later the mount to the STI lever will probably break and I will most likely have to change the shifter if I plan to use the same mirror.
The other mirror is at the end of my drop bar. It work well and does not turn on me because I used a lttle friction tape before I insert it into the bar. The coverage is not bad either. The drawback with this mirror is that when I am on the bottom of the drop, my arm will block the mirror and also I have to tilt my head down more than I have to on the STI mirror. For the quick glance, I will go for the STI.
Since the bar drop mirror is on my faster Scott bike, I worry more of what's in front of me than behind me......................yeah right!
The other mirror is at the end of my drop bar. It work well and does not turn on me because I used a lttle friction tape before I insert it into the bar. The coverage is not bad either. The drawback with this mirror is that when I am on the bottom of the drop, my arm will block the mirror and also I have to tilt my head down more than I have to on the STI mirror. For the quick glance, I will go for the STI.
Since the bar drop mirror is on my faster Scott bike, I worry more of what's in front of me than behind me......................yeah right!
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 3
From: UK
Sure will do that tomorrow. I really liked the Mirrycle MTB mirror when I had flat bars but now I have drop bars and campy shifters so no STI mirror for me - will get one for my other bike though. I like the mirrycle ones as I find that they are really clear and have excellent FOV.
#16
Conquer Cancer rider
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,040
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Bikes: Fun bike, city bike, touring bike, swish new ebike, Bike Friday
I tried that, and had a sore hand after just one day of riding. Still have not found a decent solution.
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Zero gallons to the mile
Zero gallons to the mile
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 3
From: UK
As promised. I have it mounted in such a way that it doesn't increase the overall width of my bars (can still squeeze through traffic!) and I can also see it whether I'm in the drops or on the hoods without having to move my arm. Works very well
#18
Thread Starter
Steel is real, baby!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 8
From: Boise, ID
Bikes: 1984 Pinarello, 1986 Bianchi Portofino, 1988 Bianchi Trofeo, 1989 Specialized Allez, 1989 Specialized Hard Rock, 2001 Litespeed Tuscany
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#19
Scan Me
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 771
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Bikes: 2009 Trek 2.3, 2010 Specialized Secteur Sport
#20
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,863
Likes: 6
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?
I've used a Cateye mirror:
https://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/276
Worked so-so, but road buzz made objects illegible, and bumps could knock it out of position. I switched to helmet mirrors and haven't gone back.
https://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/276
Worked so-so, but road buzz made objects illegible, and bumps could knock it out of position. I switched to helmet mirrors and haven't gone back.






