I always use Mirrycle bar ends on all my straight bar cycles, I am also partly deaf, so I cant hear anyone till they are upon me, got some tongue and cheek answers here Years ago re: this issue, always some people making fun of others handicaps, mirrors save people, too many jerks on the road driving cars, gotta know whats going on around you at all times. Oh yeah! the pros they don't have mirrors , before they ***** helmets , headgear was made fun of also, just saying...

I have had all three, glasses mounted, helmet mounted, and the Mirricle bar end mirror. The first two were a pain keeping in place plus I own more than one helmet and the one I had was glued in place with double sided tape. I did break more than one Mirricle mirror by crashing an underseat steering two wheeled recumbent. You can buy replacement mirror heads for around $3 so it wasn't a big deal. And yes, it has saved my tail more than one time. I often use it to see if anyone is coming up behind me in a right turn lane to decide whether or not I need to "take the lane" now on my trike or to wait a little until I get closer to the intersection.

It's another valuable tool, to keep them away from me - I get to make that decision, when I see they aren't moving over. Lotsa peace of mind too!

Being a recumbent rider, a mirror is almost a necessity. And since I wear glasses anyway, it's a natural for me to use a glasses-mounted one. I've gone through the ones made from a spoke and bottlecap (Chuck Harris?) and the third-eye (which broke after a season,) and ended up using the Take-A-Look. No further breakages, although I've had a few stolen. :notamused:

If you try to focus on the mirror when looking behind you, you'll be doomed to disappointment. Cars will be 20-1000 feet behind you, not 3 inches, and you need to focus on the car! The other trick is to use your dominant eye; otherwise you might not even SEE the mirror without closing an eye. Luckily neither of my eyes is excessively dominant.

I never ride without a mirror. I have a MirrCycle bar end mirror mounted on my hybrid and a Sprintech Italian style bar end mirror mounted on my road bike. I have tried eyeglass mounted, helmet mounted and bar end mounted and for me, I choose these.

http://www.jbi.bike/web/images/new_180/92092.jpg


http://www.jbi.bike/web/images/new_180/95568.jpg

OK. I think that I'm ready to give a bar-mounted mirror a try. But I'm not sure whether one can easily be mounted to the left end of my bar. Here are three pics of the left end of my bar. It has a molded grip on it. Would this present a problem? (Note: I am severely DIY-challenged....:))

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=379074http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=379075http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=379076

I see these choices on Amazon. ( Amazon.com: bicycle mirrors for handlebars) Perhaps I should just go to my LBS and let them handle it?

Thanks!

I used to use a take-a-look mirror, and it was OK but I found that it was taking too long to look behind me. I'd look at the mirror then I'd have to wiggle my head around to aim like Annie Oakley shooting that target behind her with a ***** over her shoulder while looking in a hand-held mirror.

Also I'd always reach up to wipe sweat out of my eye and knock the mirror out of line, then I'd be riding down the road and fiddling with the mirror, so intent on being able to see behind me that I wouldn't be watching what was in front of me, and ride into the side of a cow.

Hey! It could happen to anybody!

On a whim I bought an Italian Road Bike mirror. It's a mirror on a sort of cone-shaped streamlined mount that replaces the plug in the end of the handlebars. Needless to say it only works with drop bars where the end of the handlebar points straight back. You pop the bar end plug out, stick the mirror in, and adjust it. When you think you've got it you wrap the mount in electrical tape to lock it in place. (I measured how high my bar end was from the floor and went down to the end of my hallway and put a post-it note on the wall. then I got on the bike and tweaked the mirror until I could see the post-it note. Then I wrapped it. Got it danged close, as confirmed by my next ride.)

I like it, although I find i have to pull my left knee in a little to see past it. But it's quick, unobtrusive, doesn't vibrate, and never gets out of whack.

The Italian Road Bike Mirror (IRBM): Italian Road Bike Mirror - www.AVT.Bike - Aspire VeloTech - Chris King World's Largest Dealer

I use the Mirrcycle as well. You scan it just like the one on your car.

I use a quick < 1 second scan to look in the mirror on my glasses, and check the road behind for vehicles. Same way the instructors told us to do a panel scan very quickly so you didn't lose your concentration on the aircraft attitude and situational awareness so no long distracting look. Vehicles coming up from behind quickly on the rural roads are my biggest concern, been run off once and that was enough. Mirror and blinkies went on most riki-tik.

Bill

Easy. Beat straight in on the end of your grip with a hammer. It will punch a perfect circle out of the end of your grip. Then just stick the mirror into the handlebar and tighten the screw.

I use a helmet mount and bar end. 2nd day of a back to back century with a helmet mount I had to flip it up as my eyes started not being able to properly focus. When my eyes get tired I get a little parallax drift and the helmet mirror made that worse. Bar end works great on my MTB, not so well on the drops.

This has nothing to do with the OP. The gentleman was asking for people's preference of head mount or handle bar mirrors. If you are on the road and on a bicycle the danger is 360º around you not just in front. The most serious threats I have experienced so far have come from cars approaching from the rear.

Now back to the actual subject of the thread.

I tried the Take A Look head mount mirror but it drove me nuts. I currently use the Mirrycle mirror on my hybrid and the Sprintech drop bar mirrors on my road bike. I much prefer the handlebar mirrors myself but I see a lot of people who use the head mount ones with success.
I really like the Sprintech mirrors because having two of them allows me see the whole road behind me.

+1 only I use the drop bar model on our touring bikes. Good quality , tough, and easy to adjust.

The same mirror with a different mount is used for flat bars. We've tried 3 different brands of mirrors, and this was the best one.

However, I don't use a mirror on my road bike.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/y...f8ec46b970.jpg

I always feel much safer with a mirror available . . . And find this model is an outstanding addition to my road bike.

(Be sure to check the listed brake/shifter units this mirror will properly mount on.)

Mirrycle Road STI Bicycle Mirror
by Mirrycle
Link: Amazon.com: Mirrycle Road STI Bicycle Mirror: Sports & Outdoors

I find threads like this unfortunate because they are written based on one’s individual experience, but given as a virtual truism for cycling. I ride in a busy urban environment on narrow roads with parked cars on the right, continuously upcoming traffic on the left, and frequent potholes.

And another thing…I wear two Take-a-Look eyeglass-mounted mirrors, right and left, and posted about the advantages including,

Bill, I'm concerned you pirated my "situational awareness" line;) I ride on some very narrow or non-existent shoulders with 55+ mph traffic. While I don't recommend trusting a mirror 100% if I'm approaching a left turn I'll use the mirror to assess approaching traffic and time my arrival at the turn. Based on the mirror I may move over a bit and will definitely turn my head prior to the turn.

I wear progressive lenses and have no problem with my helmet mounted mirror. As Biker395 discussed, the ability to look around my turning one's head (or adjust for a billowing wind vest) can prove to be valuable. My personal choice is the Hubbub helmet mounted mirror. Darn thing is expensive, but I haven't had to readjust in two years. I have used less expensive helmet mounted mirrors, but found these just didn't stay in adjustment. I really liked eyeglass mounted mirrors, but didn't like the "look" your left with when your helmet-less (as in Starbucks, etc.); I wear prescription cycling glasses (Rx inserts) so I don't have the option of removing the glasses.

I suppose if I were a true roadie with a) a really flexible neck and b)superb bicycle handling skills I could do without a mirror, but age and a lack of natural ability has deprived me in these areas. I do wonder how many folks can look behind (neck turned far enough to employ the central visual field) and maintain a track that is +-6"; I don't have those abilities.
r

I like having a mirror and have tried all kinds. On one bike with 105 I used a miricycle hood mount and liked it. I haven't found anything similar for my SRAM Force hoods or would try it. Glasses mounted mirrors just don't feel comfortable to me although others love them. A friend hand makes helmet mounts from old bike spokes and hand cut and smoothed mirror fragments (the nipple is soldered onto the mirror which screws onto the spoke tip). I mounted one of his mirrors on my helmet a couple of years ago and love it. A nice feature is that if I have my helmet I have a consistent experience regardless what bike I ride.

:o sorry, where should I send the copyright royalties check;) That one is pure habit from being drilled into my hard head, forcefully.

Bill

I used that mirror on my 09 Giant Defy with Tiagra STI's and it worked great. Extremely easy to mount and remove from the bike. The only problem with it is that it no longer fits any of the newer designed Shimano STI brifters and that was disappointing.

Regardless of mirror or not, I always double check with a visual scan by turning turning the head and looking left and behind before movement toward the left. This is the way we teach the kids in bike safety classes.

^^^What do you see by turning your head that you don't see in the mirror? I understand this is necessary using a mirror with a limited FOV with resultant significant blind spots, but with something like a Take-a-look on the glasses, the FOV is wide and you can scan behind by turning your head a few degrees.

I've tried them all and I keep cycling between them. I recently went back to the Italian Road Bike Mirror and, for the first time, got it properly and perfectly positioned. This is the best in my opinion. By far. But you need to take the time to set it up properly.

For helmets/glasses, it has to be a helmet mirror. I *hate* glass mount mirrors it just seems and feels awkward. So I use the HubBub Helmet mirror. HubBub Custom Bicycles Online Store - Product Detail

J.

So do you have a preference between a helmet mounted rear view mirror, or one mounted onto the handlebars. Advantages/disadvantages to each?

I've tried the Italian road bike mirrors and wouldn't get them again. On both of my bikes, the glass has fallen out, likely due to me trying to do minor adjustments on them after setup. These mirrors are wrapped with your bar tape, so be prepared to remove your tape to replace or adjust. I bought the Sprintech mirrors a while ago and love them. They fit into a plug that replaces the bar end, sort of like a ball and socket joint. They can be adjusted and can be replaced if needed without unwinding tape. Mine is very positive and I've not needed to adjust at all after initial setup, but I could if I needed to. They came as a pair, one for the left bar end and one for the right. Didn't install the right one, but now that I see how unobtrusive it is, I'll put the right one in as well.

I finally got my Italian Bike Mirror set properly and it works great. Prior to that I'd agree with your assessment. What I did was to set the mirror in place with electrician's tape so that I could see the very edge of my thigh. Then I taped the handlebars and that worked perfectly.

I've used the Sprintech mirrors too, but I keep hitting them with my knee when I'm up out of the saddle. So, they came off. They do protrude farther than the IBM does.

J.

My Mirror Experience
 

I have used eyeglass mirrors for more than 30 years. They have saved me twice on mountain rides (Sierras and Big Bear) with drivers purposely targeting me. I bailed off the road and but for a few scratches did survive to finish the rides. I never used them in crits, RR or TT's but have received my share of insults from other competitive riders in the peloton. But I started my riding career with double centuries in fairly remote areas with drivers who were not used to bikes.
I used the "third Eye mirrors for years and found them hard to adjust and not staying in adjustment. I found as I got older my neck will no longer turn enough to look back so must rely on a mirror if I wish to ride/ drive. I found the TAKE A LOOK mirror from Bike Peddler in Greeley, CO a little over a year ago. It has both horizontal and vertical adjustment, is longer than the third Eye, is easily bent if need be and is EZ to adjust on the bike. Plus it has a wider field of vision. I consider it as important as the helmet!

Mirror preference is a personal choice, but I prefer the bar mount mirror. My wife and I are primarily touring cyclist, although we also ride road bikes. We ride year around for fun or getting ready for a tour. We have mirrors on our touring bikes, but not on our road bikes.

IMO the disadvantages of the helmet mount mirrors are: 1. They are in the way of a helmet cover. We do a lot of riding in the rain, and the helmet covers go on and off regularly; 2. They are relatively fragile. We pack our bikes and gear, including our helmets, for transport on buses, trains and planes; 3. I really don't like them in my field of vision.

Pretty much the same with glasses mounted mirrors with the addition that they do not seem practical when switching from my regular glasses to sun glasses several times a day, or when putting glasses in a case.

We have tried 3 different bar mounted mirrors: Mirrycle, Blackburn, D+D Oberlauda. Mirrycle is the one we prefer. It fits well is sturdy swings out of the way when parking etc, and is easy to mount or install when packing the bike. The mirror is about 3" in diameter, giving a wide field of view without making objects very small. The Blackburn was second, and my daughter uses one on her Long Haul Trucker.

Mirrycle mounted on my wife's touring bike.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/y...IMG_1012-3.jpg

As far as the visual scan- I don't trust the field of vision of any mirror, either driving or riding.

I see the utility of a mirror and have tried most if not all the mirrors mentioned above but cannot find any that work both when riding on the hoods and the drops. The change in head angle seems to require different positioning of all mirrors. I spend about 30% of a ride in the drops, 60% on the hoods and 10% in other positions. Any ideas?

I use 3rd eye mounted on helmet, I have broken three of them by constantly taking on and off eyeglasses. One I was using yesterday broke while riding, I felt blind the rest of the ride. I have arthritis in my neck and find it almost impossible to turn and look behind.
I like 3rd eye but mounts are a weak point.

The Sprintech Drop Bar mirror is what I use. It's a little harder to see in the drops but there is no loss of the field of view when switching from position to position. When in the drops you have to move your arm out and your leg in to catch a quick peek behind you. You get a great sweeping rear view with the two mirrors. The one thing you have to get used to is the convex surface of the mirrors makes objects appear further away than they are. Now that I have gotten used to them they are an indispensable part of my bike. One important factor is they look good and they don't take away from the look of a race bike.

I hated these at first because I couldn't see very well past my knees. Then I figured out that if you turn the bottom out a bit you can see very well.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps2f52df8a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps9f21b813.jpg