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It's a Mirrycle !!

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Old 01-11-11 | 12:52 PM
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It's a Mirrycle !!

Well, it's the new Mirrycle Road Mirror.

I don't know whether this is old news (it isn't to me) but today I got a Mirrycle Road Mirror.

If you are vintage you might remember the original Mirrycle mirror which bolted onto drop levers - until the levers went aero (must be a while ago, now).

Anyway, I've been using a Blackburn Road mirror - the strap on one which is adequate, actually it's a good mirror apart from bouncing around too much and making the hood less comfortable....

I've also been using a BUM Cyclestar mirror, which has great build quality but is just too small to be adequate (everything else about it is good).

I've just fitted the new Mirrycle to my STI lever and despite initial reservations about the underhood fitting, I'm now convinced that they have done it again.



It might not be the mirror that 'everyone' is waiting for but it's very, very close to being exactly what I want....

Pros - Pretty much everything, fit, build quality, function

Cons - I'd have liked it to be cheaper

I've got a fair collection of different brand mirrors and must are useless junk - the cyclestar and blackburn (possibly also sold as rhode gear) are better quality.

Imho the new Mirrycle is a cut above these. 10/10.



I hope this info is of interest to someone.....
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Old 01-11-11 | 01:20 PM
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No question, the original Mirrycle mirror was tops, functionally.

The size and positioning was optimal, with multi-axis friction-pivot adjustments.

Also cool was that they didn't vibrate like every other stalk-mounted mirror.

The mounting looked clean, and if the levers had rubber hoods a careful trimming gave a neat enough appearance.

While they weren't all that crash-worthy, they were fairly tough and most importantly, replacement parts were made available, a huge plus. I did repair a couple of stalk segments (using the time-honored glue/thread wrap) over the years when the threaded inserts broke free after tip-overs.

When aero levers became the norm, I adapted my Mirrycle with a 4mm high-strength bolt by drilling and tapping the slender lever housing "point". It actually worked, and I used it that way for several years on my Trek 720.

When the new model appeared, I was hoping that it would attach to the STI levers in the same manner that the reach-adjusting shims fit in, but that apparently wasn't possible and the attachment is instead under the foreward end of the hood, secured to the lever body "point".

I haven't tried the new model yet, but it has renewed my interest enough that I sourced a couple of the old Mirrycles for use on my vintage bikes. I'd say these are worth every penny.

If they haven't already done so on the current version, I would recommended a switch away from the SAE-sized hardware, with it's supplied, but not-so-common size 9/64" allen wrench.

Last edited by dddd; 01-11-11 at 01:31 PM. Reason: spelling
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Old 01-11-11 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by dddd
I haven't tried the new model yet, but it has renewed my interest enough that I sourced a couple of the old Mirrycles for use on my vintage bikes. I'd say these are worth every penny.

If they haven't already done so on the current version, I would recommended a switch away from the SAE-sized hardware, with it's supplied, but not-so-common size 9/64" allen wrench.
All good points about the original - they got it right.

I also bought a couple of the originals to experiment with.

Bad news the bolts are still imperial (2 sizes), though the allen keys are supplied.

Imho it's a good buy.


Last edited by Unknown Cyclist; 01-11-11 at 02:13 PM.
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Old 01-11-11 | 02:39 PM
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Looks like this:

Attached Images
File Type: jpg
Mirror.JPG (21.6 KB, 89 views)
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Old 01-11-11 | 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by dddd
When aero levers became the norm, I adapted my Mirrycle with a 4mm high-strength bolt by drilling and tapping the slender lever housing "point". It actually worked, and I used it that way for several years on my Trek 720.
Well, well, well, I thought I was the only one to do that. I fit the older model Mirrycle to a set of 105 brake levers and a set of Dia Comp aero levers just the way you noted. I filed off the levers' "points" to make a small flat and drilled and tapped them 10-32. It worked very well but STI/Ergo levers ended all of that.

Since then I've been using the Third Eye bar end mirror and it also functions well. It's not as much in your line of sight as the Mirrycle but they are steady and do give a good view. However, they are even less crashworthy then the Mirrycle. Unfortunately the latest Mirrycle won't work with Ergo brifters so I'm stuck with my Third Eye.
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Old 01-11-11 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by HillRider
Unfortunately the latest Mirrycle won't work with Ergo brifters so I'm stuck with my Third Eye.
What levers are you using ?
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Old 01-11-11 | 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Unknown Cyclist
Looks like this:

Limey bike, Mirror on right for driving on the left side of the road.
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Old 01-11-11 | 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by skilsaw
Limey bike, Mirror on right for driving on the left side of the road.
AFAIK

It's made in America, hence the use of imperial bolt sizes (an out of date system that we discarded).

It can also be used on the wrong lever, for those of that drive (ride) on the wrong side of the road.

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Old 01-11-11 | 04:24 PM
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I think I discovered this Mirrycle as well back in 1991.

Back then the mirror mounted with a curved sheet metal piece that rested on (drop) handlebar tops, and was fixed in place by velcro strap. It was a great mirror 20 years ago.
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Old 01-11-11 | 04:32 PM
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Back then the mirror mounted with a curved sheet metal piece that rested on (drop) handlebar tops, and was fixed in place by velcro strap. It was a great mirror 20 years ago.[/QUOTE]

I think that was the Rhode Gear version, which I also tried.
IIR, that was one of the ones that vibrated too much?
And the extra bulk around the hoods was hard not to notice. It was easy enuf to install tho.
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Old 01-11-11 | 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by seeker333
I think I discovered this Mirrycle as well back in 1991.

Back then the mirror mounted with a curved sheet metal piece that rested on (drop) handlebar tops, and was fixed in place by velcro strap. It was a great mirror 20 years ago.
That sounds more like the Blackburn one I have - it's a larger mirror and is nice apart from being rendered nearly useless by vibration....

I was about to modify it with some carbon rod to make it stiff enough to use reliably when I stumbled across the new Road Mirrycle....

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Old 01-12-11 | 02:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Unknown Cyclist
That sounds more like the Blackburn one I have - it's a larger mirror and is nice apart from being rendered nearly useless by vibration....
I was about to modify it with some carbon rod to make it stiff enough to use reliably when I stumbled across the new Road Mirrycle....
Blackburn must have bought the rights to Rhode Gear's product(s). Rhode Gear shut down many years ago, while Blackburn has become a huge supplier.

I honestly had similar ideas about reinforcing that sheet metal bracket, but short of re-making it out of something thicker I just chose to adapt the old Mirycle to the aero lever.
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Old 01-12-11 | 06:39 AM
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I had one when that worked well with 105 brifters. I couldn"t adapt it to my Ultegra 6700 brifters.
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Old 01-12-11 | 07:11 AM
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I used the mirycle for years, but switched to Sprintech several years ago and haven't looked back.

https://www.amazon.com/Sprintech-Road.../dp/B00110FHZQ
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Old 01-12-11 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by BetweenRides
I used the mirycle for years, but switched to Sprintech several years ago and haven't looked back.

https://www.amazon.com/Sprintech-Road.../dp/B00110FHZQ
I just got one of these and am disappointed so far. Either my new bars are too narrow, or my old hips are too wide.

My vision around my hip/thigh is much less than my old Rhode Gear was.
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Old 01-12-11 | 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Unknown Cyclist
That sounds more like the Blackburn one I have - it's a larger mirror and is nice apart from being rendered nearly useless by vibration....
I stand corrected. I did have the Rhode Gear road bike mirror, and the Mirrycle (non-aero) road and mtb mirrors. I still have some of their parts jumbled together in a bag, which contributed to me to integrating them mentally into a memory of a single mirror. I've also had bike-mounted mirrors by Blackburn, Cateye, maybe more. I've had a lot of mirrors.

IMO, all these mirrors get in the way (except for the OP's referenced Mirrycle which attaches to STI lever unobtrusively - wish they made a campy version). I started using helmet mirrors for this reason years ago. Been using the Cycleaware Reflex for nearly a decade now, works pretty good.

I once fashioned a mirror mount from aluminum which attached to fork crown and positioned mirror in front of and below handlebar on the left side. This gave me a decent rearward view without getting in the way of a hand location. Unfortunately it shook a little, and one day simply fell apart near the mount from fatigue.
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Old 01-13-11 | 06:06 AM
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Originally Posted by gizzsdad
I just got one of these and am disappointed so far. Either my new bars are too narrow, or my old hips are too wide.

My vision around my hip/thigh is much less than my old Rhode Gear was.
I hear you. One of my riding buddies is a wider rider than me and his thighs block the view. Try positioning the mirror pointing out to the left at a 90 degree angle instead of straight up and down.
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Old 01-13-11 | 06:15 AM
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Originally Posted by seeker333
I've also had bike-mounted mirrors by Blackburn, Cateye, maybe more. I've had a lot of mirrors.

IMO, all these mirrors get in the way (except for the OP's referenced Mirrycle which attaches to STI lever unobtrusively - wish they made a campy version). I started using helmet mirrors for this reason years ago. Been using the Cycleaware Reflex for nearly a decade now, works pretty good
Me too, I think I've tried nearly all mirrors available. I have tried helmet mirrors but haven't got on with any of them.

Originally Posted by seeker333
I once fashioned a mirror mount from aluminum which attached to fork crown and positioned mirror in front of and below handlebar on the left side. This gave me a decent rearward view without getting in the way of a hand location. Unfortunately it shook a little, and one day simply fell apart near the mount from fatigue.
I made a mount to support a rechargeable battery from aluminium, that died from fatigue as well, a long way from home and just as it was getting dark (the battery was for the lights).

Makes you wonder if aluminium is really a suitable material for frames...
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Old 01-13-11 | 11:29 AM
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Bought one on ebay today. Cant wait to try it out!! Just what i have been wanting.

Thanks for the Post!

andy
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Old 01-13-11 | 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by dddd
If they haven't already done so on the current version, I would recommended a switch away from the SAE-sized hardware, with it's supplied, but not-so-common size 9/64" allen wrench.
Update - I just checked one of my original Mirrycles and it does indeed require a 9/64" allen key - which I no longer have.

So I tried the allen keys supplied with the new Road Mirrycle and they appear to be metric - 3mm & 2.5mm, even though the bolts are described as 5/8" and 7/8" (which fooled me into thinking they were still imperial).

Incidently, one of the bolts is overlength and has 3 washers on it to stop it bottoming out.

So, no need to carry an allen key around just to suit the mirror.

Just when you think it can't get any better....


Last edited by Unknown Cyclist; 01-13-11 at 01:20 PM.
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Old 01-13-11 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by bikenut2011
Bought one on ebay today. Cant wait to try it out!! Just what i have been wanting.

Thanks for the Post!

andy
NP.

I'm glad the head's up was of use.



It's what I've been waiting for too.

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