Mirrors
 

Evening all

Two questions:

1. Do you use a mirror on your bike? I'm considering one for my commute as I can end up amongst quite a bit of traffic and feel it might benefit my awareness.

2. At the cycle show at the NEC in sept I saw a company marketing a mirror to be worn on the arm. Tried one on and really liked the concept but having searched the internet am struggling to find the company and their product. Anyone see this and can point me in the right direction?

Thanks, and happy cycling!

1. I use a Mirrycle MTB mirror that mounts on the end of my handlebar. This one: http://www.amazon.com/Mirrycle-MTB-M...words=mirrycle. It's very stable and works beautifully for me.
2. Never heard of such a thing. Sounds interesting.

I used this one that attaches to my helmet. It's a little $$ but the VIEW!
[h=1]Safe Zone Bicycle Helmet Mirror[/h]
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Before I bought my Mirrycle MTB (same as the one described above), I had rigged a small, round wide angle mirror to my left glove using a pair of magnets. It worked great for several years and enabled me to easily and instantly adjust the mirror to any angle at any time. Eventually, people talked me out of it, convincing me that it was only a matter of time before I got distracted and accidentally steered, one-armed, into oncoming traffic. I'd imagine the mirror that connects to your arm is roughly the same concept?

Anyway, I'm really happy with the Mirrycle, and don't regret putting away my glove mirror at all.

I am in the Mirrycle MTB mirror camp and do not like riding without it. I will admit to having never tried a helmet mounted mirror though - I do not wear a helmet. ( Do not tell anyone, I would not want to start a heated discussion. ) ;)

1. No.
2. http://www.rearviz.com/index.php

Mirrcycle on my regular bars and motorcycle mirrors on my trekking bars.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=365309 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=365311 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=365308 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=365310 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=365307

Won't ride without at least one. When I went down a couple weeks ago my bar end Mirrcycle was one of the first things to contact the ground, it turned and ended up covered with mud and snow but didn't break.

Have been using helmet- or glasses-mounted mirrors for about 35 years. Very satisfied with the Take A Look mirror attached to helmet visor.

yeah, I use a third eye eyeglass mirror (actually taped to my helmet) works great and because its on your head, you have the ability to quickly scan the rear... wouldn't ride in traffic without one now...

I don't use a mirror ON the bike, but I do wear one on my sunglasses, I could mention the brand but it really doesn't matter, a mirror is a mirror. I never tried putting a mirror on the bars so not sure if that's better way of doing it or not and since I don't rely on the mirror, I rely on my head to swivel more, the mirror is just an aid.

Take-a-look mirror on my glasses. Won't ride without it.

Only hear about 25% of what most people do. I'd be lost without one. Mine is helmet mounted.

I started using a bar end mirror about three years ago, and haven't looked back. I like knowing what's happening behind me - particularly in areas where drivers aren't used to bikes moving quickly, and tend to end up in the intersection around the same time that I'm arriving there.

What you did there, I see it. :thumb:

I use mirrors in car, and on motorcycle often. Couldn't drive without them. On the bicycle: I took my mirror OFF. Why? Because it scared me. Cars drive as if they're going to hit me, then swerve in the last couple of meters. Normal driving habits in my city. Bicycle is too slow to do anything at that speed difference. Not enough time to even get off the road in time. So all mirror did was make me scared, uncomfortable. Not sure if I explained it right.

Thanks all for your quick responses.

The he one is was looking for was here http://www.rearviz.com/index.php, thanks to 1terceptor

Happy cycling!

Wow...I've gotta say, if it really works, that's even a better idea than my glove-mounted mirror, as you don't have to take a hand off the bar to see it.

I always thought that I didn't need a mirror because it is so easy for me to look back. However, I bought a take a look mirror 1/2 way though a cross country tour just to check it out. It took a day or two to get used to it. Now I won't ride without it. In fact I would ride without a helmet before I would ride without my mirror.

I have read many BF threads about mirrors, and this is a common reply. I perennially post to such threads that I wear two eyeglass-mounted mirrors, both right and left.

Find one you like and use it. May take a couple of times to figure out the right one. I'm in the mirror before helmet camp.

Agreement with Slaninar. One of my bikes has a bar-end mirror and I will soon take it off.

Unfortunately, if a car is going to hit you from behind, there really isn't much you can do about it. As Slan observes, the mirror view of a car approaching quickly from behind distracts from what is in front and to the side of me- the very stuff I CAN make maneuvers to avoid.

Also, the field of view in a mirror is so small that I'd never make a lane change based solely on what I see in the mirror. I'd look back first. So then, what's the need for the mirror?

In the video, I see them turning their heads down and to the right in order to see the mirror. Fail.
Of course, it will work a bit differently depending on style of bike.
But, with a helmet visor mirror, my head barely moves at all, my eyes turn a bit towards the mirror but my face and eyes stay forward-facing, towards oncoming road/traffic. While at the same time seeing what is to the rear.

If I swivel my head just a little bit, I can see everything to the rear in my Take A Look Mirror. Can't turn to look back riding recumbents.

Nope.

as suggested, the mirrycle bar-end mirror is dynamite. have it on my commuter for over a year, great views, stays put.
and since i don't wear a helmet when i ride recreationally (not on the road) i still had a mirror to see if other bikers were coming up behind me