I'd like to use a mirror, but I've never found one that works for me. I like the look of my bike too much to add one of those big things to the bars, but when I've tried those tiny ones that attach to the helmet or glasses, I can't ever seem to get them lined up so that I can see a car approaching from behind. If I'm in the drops, I need one position, while the hoods need another, etc.
By the way, I ride with Oakley M Frames, and change the lenses according to light conditions.
I'd rather be a fred than dead, so does anyone have a good solution?

I had one of the big clunky ones but replaced it with one of the smaller oval Blackburn bar end types. It is smaller, but kind of wide angle as in: Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. A small bar plug mount is mounted in place of your left bar end plug, and the mirror is slipped on and tightened with an allen wrench. Very adjustable, including bent straight down on drop bars and wide angle enough to accomodate different positions without adjustment. You could easily take the mirror itself off and leave the rather unobtrusive mount in place as your plug for races or other situations where you don't want/need the mirror. Most bike shops seem to have them. I really like it for my daily commuting.
Regards,
Raymond

I've never used a helmet mounted mirror, but those or the glasses-mounted mirrors are probably your best shot. These give a wider field of rear view, and you can adjust where you look just by moving your head.

I'd say to give the glasses-mounted mirror another try. In my own case, and others I've talked to, it takes a while to get the adjustment dialed in. Typically, people set them up using their ear or shoulder as reference points, without swinging it so far up or out as to make it uncomfortable to look. And not so far in as to interfere significantly with the forward field of view.

I use a bar end type mirror too, on my hybrid, haven't tried it yet on my road bike. One thing I've found with different types is the amount of convexivity (convexness?). whatever, varies. Some of them make the object appear so small that it is too close by the time you see it in the mirror to be of any use. I actually had to combine two different types to get the best mount/mirror combination. As Rainman says, for commuting they are ideal, but don't forget to shoulder check as well!

Definitely shoulder check before making any kind of move. I use my mirror strictly as an early warning system to keep track of what is coming up from behind.

Zefal makes a really nice bar end mirror, I have not yet tried the glasses-mounted or helmet-mounted mirrors.

Remember, mirrors tell when when its not safe to move, not when it is safe to move... Like rainman says, always to a shoulder check.

I like mirrors; mine is a helmet-mounted one. I can scan behind for a long distance with a small move of my head.
I got so used to it that I tried to use it one day while I was out walking.

But I don't depend on it for lane changes or merging, just to scan way behind me to get a general picture. Hey, I don't depend on my car's mirrors, either. When changing lanes, nothing substitutes for eye-contact (or something very close).

The helmet mounted kind attaches with a kind of glue-patch, but eventually I had to tape mine to the helmet to
make it secure. If it's glass, don't toss it--you'll crack the mirror (I still use mine, even though it's cracked and I need a new one. I don't really notice it, usually).

Anyway, I think it's great!

Hey, Pete, how's this for weird? A couple of weeks ago I was walking down the street (on the sidewalk) when I heard a car approaching from behind. My eyes instinctively went to my mirror to see where the vehicle was positioned in the lane. I was confused for a split second, wondering what had happened to my mirror! Not that being confused is a strange experience for me. :-)
Raymond

You know, we seem to say it again and again; "Those clever Japanese"!

I was bicycling in Japan last week and purchased a mirror in Japan for the bike I was using. Holy Moly, I could see behind me almost as well as I could see in front of me. That mirror could fit Mt. Fuji, Tokyo, and Gozilla all in one view.

I don't know how they designed it, but the bottom part was wider than the top in a kind of hectogram shape. Ah, if only you could have been there, you would understand what I mean. Hmm. Well, anyway...

So, I bought a bunch of them delighted with the thought of using them on my bike at home and sharing with friends. Low and behold, the Japanese mirrors are designed specifically to be used on the right side of the bike because the Japanese drive on the wrong side (the left side) of the road like the British. Right-O-, mate.

They are absolutely useless here in the states on the left side of the bike.

Sayonara cool mirror from Japan.

Agreed. A few seconds of adjustment at the start of a ride and a few minutes to get used to it, and you'll begin to feel naked without it.

I like these:
https://www.messengermirror.com/

Mirrycle ROAD mirror, if you have sti shifters. Makes routine monitoring of behind you effortless, doesn't replace a head check. Pops on or off in seconds. I hate those tiny head mirrors, used to love them, aging I guess.
Google Italian road mirror for something less conspicuous.

I am sure that's a fine mirror, but I can't help but notice the headband is trying to say "fred"

TVM Hat.
Farm
Frites.

While a head check is certainly not a bad idea before a maneuver, it really isn't necessary. We have learned the habit because of the blind spot in vehicles whose mirrors are stationary. A movable mirror has no blind spot. I use helmet mounted mirrors or the Take-A-Look when not using a helmet. They are extremely effective. I think you just need to use them more until you figure it out.

Some one on another bike forum recommended the Bike Peddler mirror and I have been using now for three years. I will not ride without it. The mirror is larger than any of the glasses mounted mirrors that I have seen. If you are in the drops, you just need to move your head slightly to the right or left to see.

https://tinyurl.com/y9hg8v5

I've got the "Roadie" bar end mirror as well. I've got to say, when I'm running with traffic, I won't ride without it. I don't care what somebody thinks. I've already been hit once & would like to prevent from happening again as much as possible.

Do a search for "Italilan Road Bike Mirror". I've been using one about 9 months and really like it. I tried the style that goes on your glasses, but just couldn't get used to it and didn't want another piece of equipment to mess with.

I've had good luck with a Third Eye bar end mirror.

+1.

I'm sure 9 years on he happy you agreed with him!

Didn't have these in 2001:

Truth is timeless.

I just installed the Mirrycle ROAD mirror (STI mount) on my Felt. Couldn't be happier. Looks like it belongs on the bike, and you can see what's coming up on you. Doesn't get out of adjustment like the mirror on my hybrid, either. Until I got this installed, I was almost afraid to ride the bike. Saturday I was s-o-o-o comfortable riding on the road.

+1

I have a bar-end mirror that I like a lot. When you get bored, you can adjust it so that you can admire your massive left guad.

I use to be a mirror advocate in the past. And I still have this type mirror. While it works fine and it's less Fredly than other types it's just gives me chills when I am thinking what could happen in case of a accident! Long, sharp wire with a glass attached to it?

I've made a habit to look over my shoulder and keep my ears open.