alo

I thought I would try mirrors on my bicycle and see how they go. I think I will continue to use them.

The only disadvantages are:

1. there is another thing which may get broken some time.

2. they stick out wider than the handlebars, which may be an inconvenience occasionally on narrow sections of trail, or narrow places in traffic. I need the width, to see around my wide body. Thin people may fit them in narrower.

I have used mirrors manufactured for Honda motorbikes. These are readily available and inexpensive where I am.

invalid.user

Garmin Varia

BobbyG

I've been using the Take-A-Look glasses mounted mirror for almost 30 years and it works for me, even when I've worn a back back.

I also have a bar-end mirror on my three bikes for back-up for when I forget my mirror, or that one time in got knocked off by a falling branch. (Found it the next day.)

The Take-A-Look took a little getting used to, but of course almost 30 years later I don;t even think about it.

I've tried a couple of other of brands and they were okay, but I went back to the take-a-look.

I've also tried a helmet-mounted mirror and it vibrated a little too much (Your Mileage May Vary)). THe Take-A-Look Mirror for me is vibration free, (again YMMV)

But glasses and helmet mounted mirrors don;t work for everyone.

alo I seem to remember you commute up in Denver, or used to, or at least ride in or around traffic for a fair amount of the time, so even if the motorbike mirrors are a little ungainly, if they work for you, that's more important in my opinion.

For what it's worth, I had crazy-wide bars on my old MTB-based commuter until a coupla years ago. And then there was an outboard mirror on the left of that. It was very wide and caused occasional problems when rolling between the house and my parked car, or doorways and gates. But once out on the road it was never a problem, or on MUPs. I have never done any forest riding on it.

Anyway, try the Take-A-Look mirror...still under $20 bucks, and if you don;t wear glasses, you can pick up a cheap pair of shop goggles for another $5 at the hardware store.

BillyD

No picture? Let’s see what this setup looks like.

alo

I have never been to America. I avoid roads with a lot of traffic most of the time.

BobbyG

Sorry, my mistake. But my advice still stands. Wishing you safe (and fun) riding!

alo

I have only recently fitted them. I have not photographed them yet. I have other 'different' things on my bike. When I post photos, it will also start discussions on other topics.

BillyD

alo

Here are some pictures from the internet that will give some idea.

I have handlebar ends similar to these.



I have mirrors similar to these, clamped to each handlebar end. They go up and out from the handlebar ends.




Then a piece of old tube around the clamp to cover sharp edges.

SurferRosa

I put big rig mirrors on my bikes. You know, the type that semi tractor trailers use. They're a little heavy, but it allows me to see everything that I've passed, just in case I didn't see it the first time. I'll post pics later when I'm ready to talk about something completely different.

Troul 

The photonics mast is definitely better than the ole leaky navy 1865 periscope. I'd even say it's more aero too!

JohnDThompson 

It's "mods" versus "rockers," still.

shrtdstncrdr

Ha! There's still a Vespa in the garage. Never had a Lambretta though...

alo

There are some people in Asia that decorate motorbikes or other vehicles to excess. A motorbike like this would not be surprising to some of them.

alo

Larger mirrors than what I have used would be ideal, but probably not big rig mirrors. They would add too much weight and catch too much wind on a bicycle. Unless it is only for show. I have thought about making a 'different' bicycle for cruising around occasionally, but not for everyday use.

I will keep my eyes open, and when I see larger mirrors, find out how much they cost. If they are decent, and don't cost too much, I may use larger mirrors in the future. If they are significantly more expensive, I wont. I also need to think about how they would be attached.

I do most of my riding on roads or tracks with less traffic. I only go on busy roads occasionally. But that is the time when the mirrors are useful. That is to see what is coming up from behind.

Dan Burkhart 

Now you need to install a pair of these. Of course, you will need a large compressed air supply. https://airhornsbygrover.com/product/1055/

downhillmaster

Cool idea.
I use my mirrors to see what is up ahead.
And to comb my hair ofc

stevel610 

Bike specific airhorn. These things are LOUD!!!

alo

I actually have one of these. It is probably as loud as the one above, but you can use it as many times as you like, and it never runs out of air.



If I did have one like shown in the previous post, I would be looking for a squeeze bulb to fit to it, instead of having an air supply that runs out.

People are being light hearted about having a truck horn on a bicycle. If you live in S E Asia, where people completely disregard the road rules, sometimes it would be very handy to have a very loud horn. If I can find one that is loud enough and light enough, I may actually put it on my bike.

SurferRosa

And if you can't afford a horn, you could always impersonate one.

At the 2:15 mark:

indyfabz

How about a photo of what you claim to own instead of a stock photo plucked from the Internets?

alo

Is it too difficult to believe that I have one of these?

indyfabz

Yes.

subgrade

No, but it is difficult to believe you can generate as much air pressure by squeezing a rubber bulb with your fingers as a pressurized container.

indyfabz

Yep. The Airzound puts out 115 decibels. That is louder than the legally permissible level of a freight locomotive in the U .S., which is 110 decibels.