Need mirror advice
#1
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?
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 233
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: Giant Toughroad SLR1 and Motobecane Sturgis NX
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.
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.
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 518
Likes: 129
Bikes: Trek Domane, Trek 2120, Trek 520
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
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
Last edited by debade; 08-01-17 at 05:10 AM.
#4
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 56
From: Munising, Michigan, USA
Bikes: Priority 600, Priority Continuum, Devinci Dexter
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.
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.
#5
Me duelen las nalgas

Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
Likes: 2,832
From: Texas
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
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.
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.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 8,206
Likes: 86
From: Metro Detroit/AA
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
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.
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.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: Western PDX
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Focus Izalco, Focus Mares CX, BMC GF02, Giant VT3 MTB (upgraded), Felt Brougham SS
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
Take a Look--glasses mount
#9
Don't make me sing!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 2
From: Western PA
Bikes: 2013 Specialized Crosstrail Elite, 1986 Centurion Elite RS, Diamondback hardtail MTB, '70s Fuji Special Road Racer, 2012 Raleigh Revenio 2.0, 1992 Trek 1000
I use the CycleAware glasses mounted mirror. I usually wear one when walking or running on the road, or on busy trails, too.
#12
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,190
Likes: 5,326
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
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
Rant, rant.
Ben
#13
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
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..
https://www.bikesandbeyond.com/
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..
https://www.bikesandbeyond.com/
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-02-17 at 09:43 AM.
#14
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 459
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Now: HPV Gecko FX 20 w/ assist.. Old: Trident Spike 2 recumbent trike w/ e-assist
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.
#15
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.
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 233
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: Giant Toughroad SLR1 and Motobecane Sturgis NX
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
Rant, rant.
Ben
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.
#18
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,190
Likes: 5,326
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
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.
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.
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
#19
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,190
Likes: 5,326
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
My LBS sells these.. https://www.efficientvelo.com/home/safezone/
Ben
#20
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 227
Likes: 2
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.
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.
#21
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.
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 233
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: Giant Toughroad SLR1 and Motobecane Sturgis NX
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.
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.
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)
#23
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,158
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From: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Bikes: Canyon Aeroad, CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX, Guru steel & Guru Photon
#24
Full Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 382
Likes: 19
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 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.
#25
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,667
Likes: 2,411
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
I wear a Take-A-Look glasses mounted mirror and also use a Mirricycle bar-end mirror on all three of my bikes.




