Using a mirror

[Sky King]

The Bike Hermit has pointed out that I tend to drift to the left when I look behind to check on traffic. I now make a point of removing my left hand from the handlebar, sitting up and then turn my head which has improved my drift. Never the less am considering this mounting this ultralite german mirror (http://store.biketouringnews.com/products/Ultralite-German-Mirror.html) on my handlebar

Years ago I had a helmet mirror but it was to distracting and just made me dizzy.

Any helpful hints or suggestions on mirror useage?

[Biciclista]

i have a helmet mirror. I tried it more than once before I got used to it. I only see out of one eye for distance so it was extremely traumatic at first to have part of my visual field covered! I kept trying and one day I finally GOT it. I feel naked without it. i like it so much that i actually "look" for it when i am WALKING down the road. Took about a month to get used to it.

[tulip]

I love my ultralight mirror. I glance in it every few seconds, it seems. I still look around if making a left turn, however. Being blind in my left eye requires me to look over my right shoulder, though.

[TsPoet]

I, too, tried a helmet mirror, did not work for me at all. i tried for months. A friend told me the trick is to quickly close 1 eye when you look through it. He insists that will work. I never tried it, though, as I'd already ordered a handlebar mounted mirror by that time. I love my handlebar mounted mirrors, but don't have a specific recommendation for you since I ride bents.
Good luck.

[Melalvai]

I have a Take a Look mirror that mounts on my sunglasses or goggles. I like it a lot.

[OakLeaf]

You might do better with a mirror with a longer stem.

But there's nothing wrong with bar end mirrors. Several of my roadie friends use them. Shop around.

[ShubieGA]

I just added the ultralight mirror this year. I previously used a helmet mirror, but now have minimal vision in my left eye, so I found Tulip's suggestion on TE, and Santa brought it for Christmas. It is helping me get back on the road. I like it! :) Thanks Tulip!

[OakLeaf]

Just a word on the Ultralight Chuck Harris mirrors ... he isn't getting any younger. He still appears quite vigorous, but no one lives forever. If you think you want one, order it now.

They're not as light as the plastic ones, but they're nearly indestructible, and their cool factor is unbeatable.

[tulip]

I just added the ultralight mirror this year. I previously used a helmet mirror, but now have minimal vision in my left eye, so I found Tulip's suggestion on TE, and Santa brought it for Christmas. It is helping me get back on the road. I like it! :) Thanks Tulip!

You're welcome! If you have any questions about adapting to life with one eye, feel free to send me a PM. I've been at it for a long time.

[PamNY]

i have a helmet mirror. I tried it more than once before I got used to it. I only see out of one eye for distance so it was extremely traumatic at first to have part of my visual field covered! I kept trying and one day I finally GOT it. I feel naked without it. i like it so much that i actually "look" for it when i am WALKING down the road. Took about a month to get used to it.

This is exactly what happened with my Take-a-look mirror. I think it required new neural connections or something.

[Melalvai]

I too use a sunglasses mirror. Don't know the name, but it is a small rectangle, and its frame is silver with one brass component.
Sounds like the take-a-look mirror.


This is exactly what happened with my Take-a-look mirror. I think it required new neural connections or something.
Took me about 2 hours to get used to it, and less than a week to feel blind without it!

[Ursula745]

I actually mounted it to my helmet. I love it. I couldn't be without it.

[Velocivixen]

I have a LTD Mirrycle for Bontrager Isozone handlebars on my Trek and LOVE it! I knew I was in the market for a new bike and wouldn't necessarily want a handlebar mirror on my bike, so I bought the Take-A-Look mirror and am still practicing with it. I am right eye dominant, and with the helmet mirror on my left side I have to "look" with my left eye, which involves slightly squinting my right eye.
Anyway I feel naked without mirrors.

[surgtech1956]

Where online can I buy a chuck harris mirror? thank you

[surgtech1956]

Where online can I buy a chuck harris mirror? thank you

[OakLeaf]

He's so old school he doesn't even do web sales. If you go to outdoor-pursuits.org and download the February newsletter, there's an ad on page 5 with ordering info. I'm on my phone right now or I'd copy the info here. :o

[KathiCville]

It sounds like you've already decided which mirror to buy, but if you're still considering options, take a look at this one, the Cycle Star bar end mirror:

http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=9&idproduct=1845

(There's also a handlebar mounted version)

I started out with the mirror that you were originally thinking about buying. It was fine (I moved it to my commuter bike), but I found it vibrated too much to be really useful. I switched to the Cycle Star mirror about two years ago and LOVE it. Even when I'm riding over a rough road surface it doesn't shake much. I couldn't imagine riding without it now.

[pinsonp2]

I this this mirror is the same as the Chuck Harris one:

http://hubbubcustom.com/store/proddetail.asp?prod=helmir

P2

[Catrin]

I love my Mirrcycle mirror, and it comes for both flat/riser bars (http://www.mirrycle.com/mountain_mirrycle.php) and some road bars (http://www.mirrycle.com/road_mirror.php). They do have different mirrors in both categories.

I find this mirror to be very stable, doesn't vibrate, and hard to break :o :)

[Kubla]

A friend gave me a D&D Ultralight mirror to try with one of my road bikes and it has worked out great. I have limited peripheral vision in my left eye (lazy eye), which makes it hard for me to see to the left or in back without turning my whole head. Often I'd look several times before I felt secure that there wasn't anything behind me.

This mirror has been just the ticket for me; I'm more relaxed-it's so much easier to just check the mirror for activity. I bought a second mirror for my other drop bar bike so I don't have to switch them back and forth. Since I don't ride in the drops, it's not in the way.

I use a bar-end mirror on my Coda Sport, which has also worked out well for that set-up.

[Sky King]

It sounds like you've already decided which mirror to buy, but if you're still considering options, take a look at this one, the Cycle Star bar end mirror:

http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=9&idproduct=1845

(There's also a handlebar mounted version)

I started out with the mirror that you were originally thinking about buying. It was fine (I moved it to my commuter bike), but I found it vibrated too much to be really useful. I switched to the Cycle Star mirror about two years ago and LOVE it. Even when I'm riding over a rough road surface it doesn't shake much. I couldn't imagine riding without it now.

I am going to start with the ultra mirror as we have them in stock at Bike Touring News but I will also look at the Cycle Star. I use bar end shifters so would have to have the handlebar mounted version. I think I saw one today on someone's bike, he said he liked it. I have been procrastinating and practicing my looking without drifting but will put one on this week!

[Geonz]

I've got a Chuck Harris mirror.... I'm hoping somebody else takes up the task and figures out how to do them...