Mirrors
 

My partner and I are currently shopping for bike mirrors and we would appreciate your opinion on these mirrors:

For a drop handlebar, the sprintech look alright but I am wondering wether or not they are too close to the bike so that any luggage placed on the rear rack might not block the view.

http://www.wildoo.co.uk/images/sprintech.jpg

For my partner's flat handlebar, we were considering the topeak bar ends... they serve two function but we are both wondering about their solidity. (link)

http://www.topeak.com/images/images_...mirror_001.jpg

We would also appreciate any other suggestion!

I like this mirror from Cateye - fits onto end of drop bars or flat bars, or even off the barends on flat bars. I find it has a nice angle of view for me, even with rear panniers, and that I can adjust it easily. It generally stays in place while riding, but will move if you hit an obstacle. I found it for about $5 (US) sold as a Cateye racing mirror:

http://www.cateye.com/en/products/vi...d=8&subCatId=0

I use a 'Blackburn multi mirror' on my MB. It fits into the bar end, doesn't interfere with hand positions, and is really stable during the ride. Hate riding without it. They also make one for road bikes that also looks like it wouldn't reduce hand positioning options.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=6700

Q: Anyone use helmet mirrors? I've been thinking of giving them a try. I'm leery of the idea of glueing something to my helmet, I'd probably constantly whack it against things.

I used the helmet mirror originally, but discovered the handlebar mount to work better for me with their larger field of view. On helmet mirrors, it can be difficult to coordinate looking into a small mirror as it and your eyeballs bounce to road shock. The larger mirrors are more forgiving.

I have used both the cateye and the blackburn shown above and liked them both.

I always use helmet mirrors; I like just needing to turn my head to change my field of view.

Currently I use the Bell Metro helmet, and its associated mirror, which folds for when you take the helmet off.

I love my helmet mirror (the large ThirdEye model). It's very forgiving of bumps and whacks when you're not wearing the helmet; it just swivels in its socket and the unit stays firmly fixed to the helmet. As a "regular" mirror (not convex), it gives a true-size, true-distance view of things. I've not tried a handlebar-mounted mirror though, so can't really compare, but I do like the up-close, narrower field of view the helmet mirror gives--just enough without losing important things in a wide-angle view. And being able to aim the mirror momentarily by a slight turn of the head is nice. The downside of a helmet mirror? Having to raise your head overmuch when you're temporarily on the drops and can't easily adjust the mirror arm to compensate. Also, a billowing jacket can block part of the view in that position. I haven't found vibrations to be a problem, though a rough road might play havoc with a handlebar model.

I use a Mirrycle.

http://www.mirrycle.com/mountainmirrycle.htm

The nice folks there are very efficient and prompt when you order a new lens after mopping out. Not that I ever… I mean, I know this guy…

I used the Blackburn Road Mirror on my old bike. It Velcros onto the brake hoods on any bike with drop bars. I could see behind me with no problem, even when stuff was piled on top of my panniers.

http://www.blackburndesign.com/mirrors.html

The brake hoods on my new bike are beefier than those on my old, and I did not like the bulk of the Blackburn. I switched to a Cat Eye that mounts in the bar end. Visibility is not quite as good as the mirror mounted on the brake hood -- my arm often gets in the way -- but it's OK.

Alan

I tried to use this mirror with drop handlebars, but my arm was in the way to see the mirror. (I think it would be great for straight bars) I then got a B&M cyclestar which works great for drop or butterfly bars, except the mirror is a little too small for my bad eyes, so I took the mirror off the mirrycle and put it on the cyclestar, best of both worlds.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ..._id=17715&v=4w

I have used this style of mirror and it was useless for the reason you mention. try it out with the bike fully loaded, but I would say the chances are high that your panniers will bock the view. I had better luck with one that clipped on my sunglasses, but when I dropped the glasses and mirror over a cliff, I just gave up and used my ears and periodically looked back.

I find that that is the best approach when doing something critical like changing lanes. I only use the mirror to monitor traffic, not make major decisions.

I am a helmet/eyeglasses mirror fan from WAY back. Since I have to wear glasses, that is what I use -- from Third-Eye. There are no blind spots, since you can turn your head, if you need to. Also, to check the mirror is a glance to the side with the eyes, not a look down.

The Third-Eye can break. So, on a tour, we carry a spare for parts or to replace the a broken one.

Buying Third-Eye products supports a good cause. Here is some info from their web site http://www.3rd-eye.com/welcome.html :

All of our products are manufactured in the U. S. A. The final assembly and shipping is done at a “sheltered workshop ”. The Association for ******** Citizens and the State of California have a program that provides work, training and counseling for handicapped people in a structured environment.

What he said.

I needed to cut away part of the plastic which mounts on the brake hoods to allow full motion of the brake levers. Nevertheless, the mirror is real stable.

I have found the hinge joint which allows mirror adjustment tends to be the weak design link - I've replaced mine every 2 years or so due to breakage here.

The weak link to these mirrors for me was breakage if your bike fell over. I broke and repaired my mirror several times before it could not be repaired again. This was on tour and you should have seen the knot of duct tape holding the thing together!

The B&M cyclestar will just bump out of the way when dropped, it does not break.

I had the same problem with the Blackburn mirror... one fall and it's toast. It happened in mid-tour once and I replaced it with a no-name mirror from a K-Mart type store. It just clamps on to the handlebar. The mirror is attached to the clamp by a flimsy, bend-it-to-shape plastic coated wire. Doesn't sound good and it wasn't. It vibrated so badly it was impossible to see much of anything. However, I stiffened the connection by wrapping it with solid copper electrical wire (14 gauge, I think) and topped all that off with some plastic electrician's tape. Works like a champ. That was four years ago, and I still have the mirror. Just have to replace the tape when it gets too ratty to tolerate.

I have the Topeak handle bar mirrors you pictured above. I LOVE them! I will never use a different kind of mirror again!

And also, the Topeak mirrors won't break off if your bike falls. Because you fold them into the handle bar when you get off.

[my cut&pasted reply to a thread on the commuter forum a while ago]

I use a helmet mount mirror, which can also easily be attached to any glasses. I've also mounted it to the brim of a hat on occassion while on tour.

A decent review of various models can be found on the Icebike site. The model I use is the "take a look" model. To mount it to a helmet, there is a small plastic plate that sticks to the helmet-I just attach mine to my helmets visor.

I think that this model is excellent, it hardy vibrates+I rarely need to re-adjust it. I've previously used the plastic hemet mount types, and found they vibrate too much and lose there adjustment easily.

So far I've lost two. One popped off when I went down in deep snow last year (I didn't notice 'till later), one popped off due to the vibrations of rough roads while cycling in Romania. I wasn't wearing my helmet at the time-it was strapped to my rear rack+I didn't notice when the mirror fell off (I had a spare).

Mirror or not, you still need to turn your head and look/check prior to changing lane position.

The thread can be found here

[edit] Adding link to the icebike review page of mirrors (both helmet&handlebar). See: http://icebike.org/Equipment/cyclingmirrors.htm

Thanks all for your input... it might seem like some frivolous concern but having the right mirror is an important part of bike safety. Some of the roads we regularly use have no paved shoulder and knowing if a truck is about to surpass you is very useful.

My partner decided for the topeak mirrors but I'm still undecided... I think I'm going to try a helmet mount mirror, they are cheap so if I don't like it I can just give it to someone else or even dump it.

Cheers

Try the take-a-look style mirror. It attaches to your sunglasses. Works great for me and most members in our bike club.

Not frivolous at all, just another safety measure/aid. These let you know if following traffic has seen you. Once you get used to a mirror, you will get used to "scanning" it (like good drivers do in cars/trucks)-it will become second nature. They do take some getting used to.

You will be able to see if vehicles are slowing+moving left (a good indicator that they see you), or not-perhaps an indicator of a distracted driver. Especially helpfull if you normally cycle out a bit from the road edge-this gives you an "out" by moving a touch right just as they pass. At the same time-if the aproaching vehicle is far enough back, you can move a bit LEFT-and watch for there reaction (slowing/ moving left)--and you know if they have seen you. Allways do an actuall check/look back prior to changing lanes or turning (critical point).

They also come in handy to see other cyclists-especially if you think an inexperienced cyclist might be on your wheel (without letting you know).

Being legally blind in my left eye makes a helmet mirror less than ideal. I use a Mirrycle which is mounted to the end of my left bar end on our tandem and in the left end of my riser bar on my half bike.

Doc

I know all the benefits of using mirrors... the problem is that the one I was using on my previous bike does not fit my current one. Many people on this thread said they are not using one, I think your comments here reflect my personal opinion on this topic... it would never replace looking over your shoulder before changing lane. I also tend to move a bit to the left when a car approaches to force them to make a manoeuver to avoid me, when they are getting close to me, I move right as far as I can hence increasing the space between me and the car. Without a mirror, all I can do is use my ears and to be honnest, it is not as efficient ;-)

I bought my helmet mirror from Chuck Harris. (I don't like helmet mirrors very much except when commuting in traffic or touring in the city. I've actually had a vine from a tree in the park hook my mirror and almost yank my helmet off.

I still use the one I bought. It took a little getting used to. Yes, it is valuable when changing lanes.

Here is some info: CHUCK HARRIS MIRROR

The one and only Ultralight Chuck Harris mirror. Handmade especially by Chuck for the SCBC. The SCBC emblem appears on the reverse side of the mirror. Helmet style or temple style (attaches to glasses - narrow and wide temple styles available). Various colors. Once you try a Chuck Harris mirror, you'll never use anything else!

PRICE: Contact Elaine (jsnively@sssnet.com)

I've been using a helmet mirror (Third Eye variety) for 3 years now and can't imagine riding without one. I remember when I first put it on though and thought it was worthless. It took me two long days of riding to get used to it, but now it is totally, totally second nature. So give it a few tries before giving up on it. In fact, now when I'm hiking or skiing I forget that I'm not wearing my bike helmet and find myself trying to look in my mirror to see where people are behind me. I don't think I would like the handlebar mount because of the same reasons others have mentioned. One, you can't lay your bike down without messing with it or breaking it (although, with the helmet mirror, you do have to be careful not to throw your helmet around), but the main reason is you can scan all around behind you (cars and bikes to your left and even riders behind you on your right side) by turning your head which you can't do with the handlebar mount or you will be riding off the road. I highly recommend a helmet mirror. I havent' had any trouble with vibration with the Third Eye but my riding buddies have had some vibration issues with some other brands.