a1rabbit

Title pretty much says it all, trying to figure out what kind of mirror to get. Helmet, bar mounted, brand, joints, etc.

Edit:
Based on replies to the thread I picked up a "Take-a-Look" mirror and after one eight mile ride, I love it. Took a little while to get adjusted, nothing major. Just have to adjust it, ride a bit so you're in your most natural riding position, then stop and adjust it, ride a bit more, took about 7 tries, then a couple little adjustments to get it just right. With one sweep of my head I can see everything behind me, no blind spots! I feel much safer now that I can see all around. At first I noticed the mirror while riding, after 10 or 15 minutes it was invisible.

I'll admit there was at least one time when I felt like the mirror would never be adjusted correctly, but when I got it right, I just knew.

Also felt like a nerd for a bit, but what do I care if people think I'm a crazy dentist?

Other than that, it's attached to my visor, I liked it on my sun glasses too but I wear those everywhere and did not want to remove it all the time. So it's on the visor as far back as i can get it, with a zip strap for that little extra grip.

Thanks everyone!

raybo

I used to have an old metal one but it was getting rusty. Then, I saw this article at travellingtwo.com about the "take a look" mirror, bought one and really like it.

Ray

LesterOfPuppets

currently use none.

never use a bar mount one again. it's all jittery and so easy to destroy while parking or wrecking.

ryrulinc

Call me naive but I stopped using them because I was constantly looking at it in lieu of the scenery. Stressed me out while riding so I threw them all away, literally.

My favorite was a Cat-Eye that mounted in the end of the drop bar, probably about 3" diameter and very adjustable.

martianone

Try a Mirracycle MTN mirror mounted in the bar end - works great.

JeanM

I use my ears, turn my head. Just using a tiny, shaking mirror isn't as safe, IMHO.

zonatandem

Take-A-Look mirror mounts on eyeglass' temple. Made in the USA (Colorado).
Been using one for several years and they last and last unlike some of their plastic counterparts that break regularly.
Been using eyeglass mounted mirrors since the mid-1970s; first one was a dental mirror that was jury-rigged to eyeglass frame.

John Nelson

I also use the "take a look" and like it.

Cyclesafe

I have used helmet and HB mounted varieties, but have settled on relying just on my hearing instead. If you're looking in the mirror you're not looking at where you're going and you're not evaluating bail-out opportunites. If one truck is coming towards you and you hear another one coming up from behind, then go into the dirt. You've gained no more information from looking at the truck coming up behind you and you may have lost your line.

a1rabbit

Is a mirror on a bike really that much different than one on a car? I use my car mirrors and don't even know it, but I know I do it. Constantly, without only good results.

Some of you make it sound like using a mirror on a bike is not a good idea. Thoughts?

hockey

I have used a helmet mount mirror for the past 10 years. Second nature really, gives you a look at the next truck, car, whatever. I have the static end of handlebar mount on my Cannondale Tandem, but have yet to really appreciate its use. The helmet mirror took a good couple of months for comfort, but now is the only way to go. More info,.....is better info.\
Hockey

sstorkel

I'm one of the few people who absolutely hates the Take-a-look mirrors. I use the Mirrycle STI-mounted mirror on my touring bike. I like the fact that the large mirror is always pointing in the right direction, unlike the tiny Take-a-Look mirror which never seemed to stay properly adjusted for me.

ddez

Never used one till this year,im getting deaf in my old age and especially cant hear the roadies coming up behind me at full speed. They dont use bells and seem to not shout out either. Maybe they shout and i dont hear i dont know. Anyway Take A Look mirror is what i chose and once you get used to it you wont be able to ride without it. Took me about a day to get used to it and get it adjusted how i like. Its just great.

Wanderer

Any of the Myracle mirrors are amazing mirrors. No vibration, fully adjustable, excellent picture, etc, etc, etc......

I'll never be without one.

acantor

I have tried them all, and for me, the best for drop bars is one that attaches to the brake hood, coming straight out. I prefer it to one that mounts in the bar end. I have had some success with mirrors that mount on the helmet or glasses. In the end, you find what works for you. To me, a mirror is indispensable. Nice to know what's coming up behind you easily.

jet-flashman

I use the mirrycle road mirror and love it. Made my high traffic road rides less stressful.

Cyclebum

If I were young, limber, and could turn my head easily to look behind me, I would not need or want a mirror. But I'm not and can't, so rely on a mirror to do that. Use it mostly to see what's not coming so I can make a left turn or take the lane. If the road surface is rough, vehicles make enough noise that I can hear them coming. If very smooth, I often can't hear them, so the mirror is useful for knowing when it's time to get out of the lane.

They are distracting and fiddly, but a necessary evil for me. I do understand why many find them more trouble than they're worth.

I am now using this mirror:

https://www.amazon.com/Zefal-472001-S...=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

Never really liked the helmet mirrors and couldn't mount bar ends. When I had brifters with hoods, I found the Mirrycle road mirror worked really well. Now using bull horns with the Spy Bicycle Mirror. It's ok.

Erick L

I use a Mountain Myrricle on a light clamp. The normal bar-end position is too low and back IMO. Very solid, no jittering yet adjustable. Now it's mounted under the bar tape.

freefallkev

I don't remember the name, but I had some that plugged into the end of a drop bar and were attached with a ball-and-socket type joint. they weren't jittery at all, but I sometimes banged my knees on them climbing out of the saddle. I would rock them again but I switched to bar-end shifters, so they had to go.

akansaskid

My Take-a-Look is 31 years old. Looks the same and almost as new as my wife's new one. Mount mine to the visor of my helmet.

I can't imagine being happy with any bike-mounted mirror. Too limited of a field of view. I merely have to turn my head a skosh to see whatever lanes I want to behind me. Easier/safer to turn my head slightly in traffic than it is the handlebars.

supersport

Helmet-mounted. Tried a glasses-mounted one for a bit and couldn't stand it. Don't like the bike mounted ones because I like to be able to pan the mirror around so I can see a wide angle behind me.

Doohickie

I have a Third Eye, which is similar in many ways to the Take-A-Look. I have Style (2). It came with adhesive but it came loose and I used a nylon tie strap to attach it more securely. Works great. I was one of those "use my ears" guys until a bus snuck up on me and went OVER THE DOUBLE YELLOW to pass me on the left just as I was about to turn left. The bus had the engine the back so I never heard it. My first hint that it was passing me was when I put out my left arm to do my final turn signal before actually doing the turn, and almost touching the bus.

The mirror really doesn't get in the way of the rest of my viewing. I really don't see a downside to it. And at this point I don't feel comfortable riding without it.

EDIT: Here's my review on my blog.

Blue Roads

Calhoun Cycle is a good resource for mirrors. Many of the mirrors available are Mirrycle Mirrors with different mounting configurations.

I've found that Mirrycle Mirrors mounted on the bars with a solid mounting bracket, such as what Calhoun Cycle sells, have little vibration and work well.

gulfislander

I like this one - the only one I found that works OK with bar end shifters. Stays tight, doesn't vibrate noticeably.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BNTY4Y/?tag=poomadc12-20

Sirrus Rider

I'm a lifetime Third Eye Mirror user. Tried a Take-a-look; however, found it too damned heavy..