Mirror, mirror
 

I think the mirror on my bike is its most important safety feature - more important than helmets. While helmets have been overwhelmingly accepted, I don't see the same level of acceptance for mirrors. I think there are two main reasons for this:

1. Road bikers disdain mirrors as dorky. They pride themselves in being able to turn their upper bodies around effortlessly to check for traffic. This attitude trickles down so that the less flexible riders who don't want to look dorky, disdain them as well.

2. Many mirrors don't work well. The first mirror system I tried on my drops bars simply didn't work and I assumed that mirrors in general didn't work so I gave up on them. I put a mirror on my flatbar and it works great. However, on another flatbar bike, the mirror doesn't work well and is actually annoying.

Mirrors make me a better rider. Before I had a mirror that worked, I would hesitate to take the lane because I was never confident that there wasn't a car behind me. With a mirror, I take the lane confidently and put myself in much safer positions going trough intersection. Before I had a mirror that worked, I would listen for cars coming up behing me as I rode on the rural roads. It was nerve wracking at times because sometimes (often) the shoulder of the road was broken up or had debris. With a mirror, I confidently veer around these obstacles and keep myself safer. Before I had a mirror, I would get ahead of the pack or my fellow rider and wonder "Am I too far ahead? Are they okay?" With the mirror, I can keep track of my fellow riders and not have to stop to see where they are.

I would like all of us to advocate for mirrors on bikes. Encourage riders you know who don't use mirrors to find one that works. We're all better off when we're all safer.

Well, I use a helmet mirror...
Is it perfect? no.... But it is better than nothing.
Does it look dorky? I don't care... would rather be dorky than a hood ornament on someone's vehicle.

Using a Mirror is a great idea.

One on each glove.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...Blowout011.jpg

I love my Mountain Myrricle, and won't ride without them.

With a good mirror it is so much easier to anticipate what is going to happen.

I can watch traffic behind me to see if they are starting to give me room, or not. Then I can take action accordingly. Be it the nervous beginner wobble, take the lane completely, or move over.

Some folks say they make the bike too wide - it's just a matter of how you set them up. I aim the first stalk (the one closest to the bars) straight forward, and the second one straight up. Then adjust the mirror, and lastly the stalks for a good view. This way, the added width is just barely wider than 1/2 of the actual mirror width, and still gives a good view.

Sure makes riding less stressful.

I would consider that as an alternative, in case something happened to my Mountain Mirrycle. How do you stick the lenses to the glove? I'm thinking velcro would be an interesting option.

Is there a trick to selecting a good cheap pair of donor sunglasses?

How would the Mirrycle work with Ergon grips?

If they are the normal GP-1 grip, they work fine. They need access to the open end of the bar.

Dollar Tree for glasses..ONE $..
Super glue Gel works for me.

Put One on each glove...

I wish there was a "like" feature! Great idea!

Its too bad that mirror design hasn't been given any special attention. If it had, using them would become more mainstream and make cycling a lot safer. Since I already wear glasses, I just use a clip-on which is virtually invisible to the casual viewer.

The helmet mounted version I had before that was cumbersome and stuck out like a sore thumb. Its reflection was also quite bad since the polished surface has quite a bit of distortion. Unfortunately polished surfaces just don't work very well. Especially when the surface is that small.

Even if you don't wear prescription glasses, the eye glass clip-on is the best alternative to knowing what's behind you. They certainly are a lot more versatile -- and cheaper -- than any handle mount mirrors that I have seen so far.

+1… I have a pair of mirrors on each bike. Started out with just one on the right side which was the advice I was given when I bought it, and while it was a great help, I still had occasions where I needed to see what was coming up behind me whilst I was executing right-turns, so got one for the left side as well.

I've since bought two more for my other bike, and now use them also as a mounting point for the indicators.

They're not a replacement for looking over your shoulder, but having both options definitely makes things safer. The only downside is if the sun or some prick's high-beams hit them at the wrong angle, you cop it right in the face.

I have a Mirracyle on my winter bike, mounted conventionally on a flat bar bike: first bar up, second bar left--so yes, the bike is a bit wider. However I just fold that last arm forward to ride through my narrow back gate or to walk it through stairways or doors.

I find mirrors more important in winter cycling than at any other time. Even if I was as young as flexible as I once was, I can't do a full neck turn wearing a balaclava and face shield easily. And with the winter variations in shoulder/paint-stripe-separated bike lane conditions, you sometimes need to move left and take the lane more often than in summer.

I can tell you that while I am fortunate that I can turn my upper body enough to see what's coming up on either rear side, it is not always expedient to do so. As such I've kind of learned to use my ears and peripheral vision. However, I did that this past December, but I also wear Cocoon sunglasses, which I love as they are designed to go over regular glasses, and block a good deal of cold wind in to my eyes. Unfortunately, they also tend to slightly obscure one's peripheral vision, and they did this time! As I moved to the left to make a turn, there was a screeching of brakes and I almost got killed by a huge SUV - totally my fault, without a doubt. Scared the hell out of both myself and the driver of the SUV, and in avoiding getting hit I ended up going over on to my right side and re-injuring my right hamstring quite badly, besides bruising my knee and outside of hip.

When I shared this on another forum in which I participate, one of the "roadies" suggested a helmet mirror that he utilizes. This gentlemen typically does 40-50 miles, and he is not, and should not be, worried about looking "dorky!" It certainly would have helped me!

Best regards

Not having a mirror doesn't stop me from riding or enjoying the ride. It just means I have to take more precautions and time slow down to turn and check what's behind me. Having a mirrors makes checking behind you seamless, much more intuitive, relaxed and the ride just plan safer. I can also check my rear periodically and with a slight head shift just to keep tabs on what's coming up behind me.Yes, the "dork" factor, but safety is paramount. It is also depends on the style of mirror and how you have it positioned. But some brands are a lot more conspicuous (dorky) than others.

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly.
Best regards

Got the idea from a recumbent rider.