Mirrors.... thoughts?
#3
Ride the Santa Cruz Mtns!
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 115
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Bikes: Felt Curbside, Cervelo R3 Rival, Specialized Tarmac Pro SL4 Ultegra Di2
#4
12mph+ commuter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 863
Likes: 1
From: Oak Park, IL
I use Take-A-Look (eyeglass mirror) mounted to a pair of $2 reading glasses that I punched the lenses out of. I don't wear a helmet and I don't need glasses for vision, so this solution provides an elegant mirror with zero blindspots that I can transfer from bike to bike easily.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL
Bikes: 2007 Giant Cypress DX, Windsor Tourist 2011
On a straight bar bike they work really well because they are out to the side and give you a really nice view. I also have an 'STI mirror' and it doesn't work quite as well because it's directly on top of the STI lever so you have to sort of move out of the way a little bit before you can see.
#6
Papaya King
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 2
From: Columbus, Ohio (Grandview area)
Bikes: 2009 Felt X City D, 1985 (?) Trek 400, 1995 (?) Specialized Rockhopper, 1995 Trek 850
I use the Bell mirror that is made for my Citi helmet (and a couple of others). Not very big, but it works for me, and I love the mounting system.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 16
From: Oxnard, CA
Bikes: 2009 Fuji Roubaix RC; 2011 Fuji Cross 2.0; '92 Diamond Back Ascent EX
I have Third Eye helmet-mounted mirrors on my road & commuter helmets. I also have a Third Eye eyeglass-mounted one glued to a pair of glasses for use with my MTB (didn't want one on my MTB helmet as I don't use a mirror on trails).
#8
nashcommguy
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,499
Likes: 0
From: nashville, tn
Bikes: Commuters: Fuji Delray road, Fuji Discovery mtb...Touring: Softride Traveler...Road: C-dale SR300
Found over the years that mirrors gave me a false sense of security. These days I keep my head on a swivel when I'm in traffic. Also, I try to keep my ears 'tuned' to what's coming up behind me...the sound of a diesel powered dumptruck is unmistakable, so I move over slightly to give them room when I can.
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Bikes: 2012 Cinelli Mystic Rat, Nashbar CX
I have the standard cycle mirror mounted to my helmet. Don't know what fred is but I guess that would be me. I find it convenient for glancing back before I make a left turn. I still look back too though.
#10
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,701
Likes: 2,506
From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
I don't use mirrors. I don't trust them. I think they can be a distraction, and provide a false sense of security. I constantly turn my head and look back and listen. I would never trust a mirror when changing lanes , I just have to look back and see.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,401
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo, NY
Bikes: 2012 Surly LHT, 1995 GT Outpost Trail
No mirror: Can I turn? Turn head, look, nope. Turn head, look, nope. Turn head, look, nope. Turn head, look, ok.
Mirror: Can I turn? Look, nope. Look, nope. Look, nope. Look, maybe, Turn head, look, ok.
With the mirror you can keep track of threats in front of you as well as behind. If you continuously turn your head, something stupid may jump out in front of you when you weren't looking. I like to minimize the head turns.
#12
I use a round bar end mirror on my flat bar commuter. I commute through fairly mild traffic with only a few busy places, so the mirror is handy for knowing when a car sneaks up behind me. I also frequently turn my head about so I am not surprised by something I didn't see in the mirror.
I don't have a mirror on my road bike. I do use the road bike occasionally on my 27 mile r/t commute, and find I don't really miss the mirror too much.
I don't have a mirror on my road bike. I do use the road bike occasionally on my 27 mile r/t commute, and find I don't really miss the mirror too much.
#13
Intrepid Bicycle Commuter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 819
Likes: 95
From: Upstate New York
Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile, Austro Daimler 'Ultima', 2012 Salsa Vaya, 2009 Trek 4300, Fyxation Eastside, State Matte Black 6, '97 Trek 930 SHX, '93 Specialized Rockhopper, 1990 Trek 950
I use a Third Eye adhesive mount mirror on my helmet. I greatly prefer the MOUNTAIN MIRRYCLE on my mountain bike's handle bar, but it doesn't fit my current commuter's handle bar.
#14
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 945
From: Looney Tunes, IL
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Third Eye helmet mount for me. I find it extremely handy. It, and the visibility enhancements I added to my helmet are the main reason I wear the thing: to help prevent a collision with a motor vehicle.
#15
Bar end mirror, I'd be too rough on a helmet mirror, and I don't need the ability to be able to read the fine print on a sleazy contract at a 100 yards, I need only a rough estimate of what is going on behind me.
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#16
I have a Mtn Mirracycle, but it is currently in the parts bin. It was difficult to find that sweet spot with it and the bar ends before, but since installing the Ergon grips, it just ain't happening. Briefly mounted the mirror to the bar end itself- great for hand positioning, but my arm kept blocking the view rearward...
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#17
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
I'm pretty new, and I guess you can call me Fred.
However, I have neck issues and cannot turn my head very much without problem.
I use a helmet mounted mirror. Due to vibration, whatever - am unable to see for a great distance, but find it quite useful for closer objects.
Don't really care about a great distance very much anyhow.
I use my mirrors a lot in the car, cannot imagine not using mirrors on a bicycle - even on a bike path.
However, I have neck issues and cannot turn my head very much without problem.
I use a helmet mounted mirror. Due to vibration, whatever - am unable to see for a great distance, but find it quite useful for closer objects.
Don't really care about a great distance very much anyhow.
I use my mirrors a lot in the car, cannot imagine not using mirrors on a bicycle - even on a bike path.
#18
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,285
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
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Fred "The Real Fred"
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#19
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,215
Likes: 0
From: Westwood MA (just south of Boston)
Bikes: 2009 Trek Soho
I had a mirror glued to my helmet for about a year, but I found that it impaired my vision and kept getting knocked out of place when I wasn't wearing the helmet.
Glasses-mounted ones never stayed in place for me.
Now I'm using one that mounts on the STI lever. The angle is never quite right, but it's better than the other two for me.
Glasses-mounted ones never stayed in place for me.
Now I'm using one that mounts on the STI lever. The angle is never quite right, but it's better than the other two for me.
#20
Born Again Pagan
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 2
From: Southwestern Ontario
Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB
Never could get used to a helmet mirror. Love the idea, but just didn't work for me.
On my bike that has open barends I use a Zéfal Cyclop. Unfortunately, I recently snapped it off by sideswiping it with another bike.
Great mirror; cheap, stable, and a wide view. I won't bemoan its durability since I bent it in a way that it wasn't meant to bend. My only real gripe with the mirror is that the bolt that tightens it down has a slotted screwdriver head. IMHO it ought to have a Allen key head.
For my trekking bar-equipped bikes I use a Zéfal Spy on one, and a Busch & Müller Cyclestar 901/1 on the other. The Spy is a great little mirror... but it is little. I like that it's easy to swap from bike to bike, or to throw in your bag when locking it up. The B&M mirror is a quality piece, but it attaches more securely so I leave it on the bike, and so far it hasn't gone missing.
Hopefully no self-respecting thief is gonna be caught dead stealing a mirror!
On my bike that has open barends I use a Zéfal Cyclop. Unfortunately, I recently snapped it off by sideswiping it with another bike.
Great mirror; cheap, stable, and a wide view. I won't bemoan its durability since I bent it in a way that it wasn't meant to bend. My only real gripe with the mirror is that the bolt that tightens it down has a slotted screwdriver head. IMHO it ought to have a Allen key head.For my trekking bar-equipped bikes I use a Zéfal Spy on one, and a Busch & Müller Cyclestar 901/1 on the other. The Spy is a great little mirror... but it is little. I like that it's easy to swap from bike to bike, or to throw in your bag when locking it up. The B&M mirror is a quality piece, but it attaches more securely so I leave it on the bike, and so far it hasn't gone missing.
Hopefully no self-respecting thief is gonna be caught dead stealing a mirror!
#21
Low car diet
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,407
Likes: 4
From: Corvallis, OR, USA
Bikes: 2006 Windsor Dover w/105, 2007 GT Avalanche w/XT, 1995 Trek 820 setup for touring, 201? Yeah single-speed folder, 199? Huffy tandem.
Bar mounted on the commuter bikes. Glasses-attached on the road bike. Nothing when MTBing.
Couldn't imagine not using one on the road. Would you drive a car without mirrors?
Couldn't imagine not using one on the road. Would you drive a car without mirrors?
#22
Acts 2:38
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: '10 Marin Lucas Valley, '13 Scott Speedster 20
Found over the years that mirrors gave me a false sense of security. These days I keep my head on a swivel when I'm in traffic. Also, I try to keep my ears 'tuned' to what's coming up behind me...the sound of a diesel powered dumptruck is unmistakable, so I move over slightly to give them room when I can.
#23
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Seacoast Maine
Bikes: 2006 Giant Cypress ST , 1977 Motobecane Mirage
Glasses mount
Mithrandir said it for me... "Anyone who doesn't look isn't not being safe. The mirror is an aid, nothing more. I use it to gauge traffic behind me so I have a rough idea of what I should be seeing when I actually do turn my head to look a dozen or more seconds down the line. Just like how I drive."
#25
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2005
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