Need mirror advice
 

I have a Trek 7200 and I need at least one good mirror. I don't think it use the type that stick into the end of the handlebar because there's no plug in it. I ordered a handlebar mount mirror and I got what I paid for. Pure junk. Any good ones out there?

I use a helmet-mounted mirror. Very good since i mounted it on the helmet.

My old helmet didn't have a visor and mounting int on my glasses was less ideal.

Problem with bike-mounted mirrors is that if you lay your bike down it gets damaged. Or if your lean your bike against something.

With helmet-mounted you also can rotate your head a bit to see around.

Just my 2ct. Others may have good reasons to favor bike-mounted mirrors.

I have used bike and helmet mirrors. I like them both but since I ride more then one bike, the helmet mirror ended up being easier.

The one I have been using for a long time is https://hubbubonline.com A small supplier that makes a durable product.

BTW, I started with a mirror that was great on my bar end shift bike. After long use, I needed to replace but it was no longer available given the change in shift design. But given what I said above, helmet mount is my preference

I used to use Mirrycle mountain mirrors:

https://www.mirrycle.com/item/mountain-mirrycle-mirror/

They were great until I fell into the habit of laying my bikes down on their left side. I would cut the end of my left grip in order to mount the mirror into my handlebar.

Ditto, the Mirrycle. Both my hybrids wear 'em. Great mirrors, excellent values, tough and just about unbreakable. I've tried to break mine crashing on the mirror side three times. No dice. The arms just pivot out of the way. Just a couple of minor scuffs on the stem.

I don't have a mirror on my road bike and rely on a helmet mounted Take-A-Look mirror. It's good too, but took a lot of practice to get used to. I hated the thing for weeks but finally forced myself to get the hang of it. Now I like it. But handlebar mounted mirrors were easier to get accustomed to.

As others have mentioned, the Mirrycles are pretty decent.

It didn't fit on my butterfly bars though, so I bought a Bell brand from Wal-Mart for like $7 and taped it on. It has held up just fine.

In my opinion you can't beat the "Take a Look" glasses or helmet mount mirror. I use the glasses mounted version and once I got used to it (a couple rides), I became reliant on it.

Take a Look--glasses mount

Helmet mounted mirror works great using a cheap $5 unit from eBay, but you just take the mounting sticker off as it's useless, and use a couple of zip ties the helmet.

I use the CycleAware glasses mounted mirror. I usually wear one when walking or running on the road, or on busy trails, too.

+1 on helmet mounted.
A mirror mounted on the bike will never approach the view a helmet mount gives.
I've used both.

Ive just cut the end of the grip[ out to use a bar end on flat bars.

I like helmet mounted mirrors but feel the helmet and mirror folk are missing an opportunity here. Create a standard where a really good mirror mount can be screwed onto helmet visors or rims with a couple of small screws. I know this works. I've been making my own mounts for the past dozen years and using 3rd Eye mirrors. They stay on, no vibration and the mirror is perfectly located. Only drawback is that I have to make yet another custom mount each time I get a new and different helmet. Takes me a couple of hours over a couple of days where it would cost Bell or a mirror company $1, maybe.

Rant, rant.

Ben

My LBS sells these.. https://www.efficientvelo.com/home/safezone/


a couple of touring bike owners* bought this one https://ortliebusa.com/product-category/ultralite/

*Unpack, assemble ready to ride and pack and ship are services at my LBS..


http://www.bikesandbeyond.com/




;)

Ortlieb mirror. https://ortliebusa.com/product/bike-mirror-10/ mounted on the bars over a little bit of handlebar tape and there is zero vibration.

That Mirrycle Mount will fit my bars if I trim the rubber off the end of my left grip? Seems like a pretty cheap option. I'll look into the others that have been suggested too. I appreciate all the input because I feel that a mirror is a necessity.

I assume you haven't used the eyeglass mirror or similar other good product. They are really well designed to clamp to the visor or glasses (glasses a bit iffy since they themselves move around a bit). I just say that since you mentioned Bell, which is more a Walmart type brand.

Knowing the bicycle industry any "standard" would have at least 12 different sizes, would require special tools, and after some years there would be a new standard and you need a new helmet with your new mirror.

Personally I use the Mirrycle on my bike. I really like it. I used a sharp knife to cut out the end of the grip to install.

No, I don't wear eyeglass mirrors and never will. I wear glasses every waking (non-showering) hour of the day. Heavy prescription and expensive. To keep like simple I wear glasses and sunglasses that work on and off the bike. I have zero interest in putting anything at all on them beyond a strap. Nor do I want a protuberance I could hit against something (and possibly damage the frame).

I mentioned Bell because if say Bell and 3rd Eye created a standard (at least if they did this 10 years ago) it might have a chance. But you are right. There is very good reason that every time "standards" are mentioned in the bike industry, it is in the plural. (Thank you, Japanese bicycle manufacturers. For about 2 decades we had level of sanity.)

Ben

Those were invented by a Bike Gallery employer here in Portland. They work really well. I have one but much prefer my far smaller and cleaner looking setup that comes off easily with two screws and nuts. Also mine is just on the visor, so it pops off with the visor when I want to wash the helmet. That one is sturdy enough to take some real abuse which is good because it sticks out so far, it sees abuse.

Ben

I bought a helmet mirror from ebay for less than $3. I have been using it for 2 days now. I am not sure how the expensive ones performs or do they give you a better view. But for the one I got, when I set it up for the hoods, I can't see what's behind me on the drops. And you have to train your eyes to get used to seeing what's behind you. Bottom line, it's not like a car rear mirror.

Being able to see what's behind me give me chance to relax a bit if I know there are no cars behind.

However, do you guys really feel/think having mirrors improves safety? I am thinking if cars want to hit you, they hit you regardless of you having mirrors or not.

Are you riding any differently with or without a mirror? For me the benefit is noticing no cars behind and ride more enjoyably.

I know i would ride differently if I knew a car was approaching from behind me. I can't hear worth a damn so I count on my eyesight when I'm on the bike. I'd sure hug the shoulder tighter and make sure I didn't drift at all when a car passes. The mirrors would give me a heads up.

Not sure about your type, but the eyeglass mounted to helmet visor works really well and has many adjustment points. it took me a while to adjust it well, but works really great. i have flat bar, not sure how it would work when you bend down on the hoods. you may have to rotate your head up to see. also an unlike-car situation because you change where your head is unlike in a car.

it will have less range than car mirrors due to size and location and also due to not being 3 mirrors like in cars. Cars themselves also are faster compared to what may be behind them.

will it improve safety, yes. but for left turns I still turn my head around just to be safe. (I'm also the guy who looks to the side first in a car before changing lanes)

This? https://www.amazon.com/Mzcurse-Mirro...SIN=B0711427QK

Once you go mirror, it's hard to go without.

I use the Mirrcycle as well and pleasantly surprised by how solid and steady they are. The downsides is not able to lean my bike on the lefts as easily as I used to on the bike that doesn't have a kickstand. And having to buy one for each bike as they're not easily transferable. The arm mirror is intriguing and I looked into them before going with the Mirrcycle. From what I read, the arm mirrors had mixed reviews.

I wear a Take-A-Look glasses mounted mirror and also use a Mirricycle bar-end mirror on all three of my bikes.