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

I hope I'm not hijacking the thread, but I'm curious if anyone uses this mirror: http://www.amazon.com/D-Oberlauda-Ul...I3HMPYDRPOZNHVhttp://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=365485

I've got a new bike on order and would rather avoid cutting into it's lovely leather grips if I can avoid it. I do love my Mirrycle, though, so I won't be too upset if I have to do that.

Actually there is a better solution out now if you want a helmet mirror which I would highly recommend as its more stable and has a wider field of view.

If you have even seen or heard of the mirrors Chuck Harris made before he passed away a company(Monkey Mirrors) now produces a much improved version that is much cheaper than the one linked on amazon and more adaptive plus they do custom artwork allowing for a little bit of custom flare. The mirror is automotive quality in both clarity and build. Ive found that with the mirror the field of view is large enough that a 5 degree head movement means I can see behind me and a 10 degree allows me to look in the other lane.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=365592http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=365593

I am also testing a bar mirror as well that they will be releasing soon that permits you to have a proper glass mirror the size of a mirrycle mirror but it clamps to any bar even over bar tape meaning you can use the same mirror on both your road bike and mountain bike in the same day without having to cut the grips.

Interesting point. I like to use my ears to hear cars coming from behind, on windy days when that's not possible I simply pull over to the side of the road and observe traffic. A mirror might just create unneeded confusion.

I've been looking at this one that mounts on down tube.

I've heard no comments from anyone that I know to trust and don't want to pull the trigger until I do. If it works it looks like the only bike mirror that I've seen that I would use. I'm NOT going to put one on my sunglasses, I don't wear a helmet and don't really have anywhere on the bars on my commuter that one wouldn't be in the way.

I can't see having the time to do anything about a car hitting me from behind with a 40 mph+ closing speed and I've never wrecked glancing behind me to check traffic in a car, big truck, motorcycle at twice speed limit or a bike.

Even if I had a mirror I still believe that I would "check my blind spot".

Of course, but riding with a hood, for example, on a rainy day, I used to look at the situation in the mirror and when I saw it is clear, I had to do just one blind spot check. Without a mirror it is more complicated. However, in all the other situations, riding without a hood (99% of the time), having a mirror was too much of a scare for me - without much use. Plus it was one more gadget on the bike.