Mirrors, tools and other fun stuff

[Craicgirl]

Ok, I know you all must hate it when newbies like myself come along and ask questions that have been asked a million times. So if these have been asked and answered please forgive me and feel free to berate me and put the link to the message thread. I'm a big girl, I can handle it. But here goes anyway...

I have found that when riding out on the road with traffic, I am always looking back over my shoulder to see what is behind me. I hate taking my focus off the road in front of me even for an instant, but I feel the need to check out whats coming up on me. I asked a local biker about mirrors and was told not to rely on them. He said I should learn to glance back quickly, that it was a better method. The LBS guy said no, get a mirror. He suggested a helmet attach one or a glasses attach model. I wear glasses but wonder if the mirror would weigh my glasses down and make them hang funny on my face. Does anyone have any opinions on mirrors? Is one better then the other? Are they hard to get used to?

Also...when riding tonight I noticed my saddle is slipping back and forth and has sunk down some. So I stopped, flipped the little handle thing and raised the seat up some. It seemed pretty tight and secure then, but by the time I had stopped riding it had loosened again and was lower. I see the little lever thing on the seat, but not any way to really tighten it. Perhaps there is a bolt and I am missing it. But I guess my main question here is, what is the best tool or tools to have for your bike? I have seen an all in one kind of thing at Walmart, but I am thinking there must be a better one out there.


Any advice would be most greatly appreciated, as always

Kerry

[emily_in_nc]

Mirrors: Do a search on "mirror" in the forum. My vote goes to the Take-a-Look, and no, it will NOT weigh your glasses down at all. It's incredibly light. Awesome product! I would never ride on the road without it.

Tools: Yes, there is a bolt under your saddle that can be tightened. You need a small multi-tool with the various sizes of hex wrenches. These can be purchased at any LBS or online.

In a rush or I'd be more detailed. I am sure you'll get other responses too. Good luck!

Emily

[Geonz]

Okay, you *should* practice being able to look behind without weaving. It's just a good skill to get to automaticity - and you might ent up someplace without a mirror.

THere are mirrors on glasses, mirrors on helmets, mirrors on various places on the bike. I love my handmade Chuck Harris helmet mirror but my eyes don't mind the switching back and forth between near- and far-point vision.

[bike4ever]

I agree you should practice quickly glancing behind you. This skill is one of the required skills the boys scouts have to do to earn the cycling merit badge. It is actually quite challenging to stay straight and not weave into traffic.

Is your complete seat sliding down while riding? It appears you need to tighten your seat post clamp. That is the lever thingy you were referring to in your initial post. Release the clamp then tighten the bolt on the other side ever so slightly then push the lever back in.

[margo49]

The trick is to look down and sort of under your arm-pit: ie not turn your actual head.

[Kano]

The trick is to look down and sort of under your arm-pit: ie not turn your actual head.

I know we hybrid/comfort bike folks are kind of in the minority here -- I'm trying to imagine how this could be accomplished without crashing on my bike! Then it occurred to me that margo49 is probably a roadie rather than an "uprightie" like me and maybe it can be done on one of those bikes...

If it weren't me crashing, it would be that guy in the car that's coming up behind me cuz he's laughing waaaay too hard to maintain control of the vehicle!!!!!

Karen in Boise

[Bike Goddess]

I use a mirror that is attached to the bottom part of my handlebars. I can see a long distance behind me without having to move. If I am going to turn left, I still look quickly over my shoulder.

I like this set up as it is easily adjusted and is larger than the glasses type mirrors.

Re adjusting your seat- yes, get a multipurpose tool. It will have allen wrenches, a screw driver and other handy tools you might need on the road. I've adjusted my seat many times using this tool.

[Craicgirl]

This evening I went out and did 11 miles out on the road with cars (trying to get myself comfortable) and practiced looking back without a mirror. So far so good, only had one near crash and that was due to a squirrel running out in front of me.

I had a handlebar mirror on my last bike (Walmart special) but I found it bounced around a lot and I was constantly having to adjust it. I may try going without one for a bit.

I am definately going to get the multi tool thing however. Is one brand any better then the other or am I safe with buying the $12.95 one from Walmart?

[Grog]

I am definately going to get the multi tool thing however. Is one brand any better then the other or am I safe with buying the $12.95 one from Walmart?

I would avoid the Walmart thing and get a Topeak. They are more expensive but reliable.

I found with cheap tools that often they are not precise. How useful is a hex key that's not quite the right size? Not very useful...

p.s. What you need on a multitool is hex keys, Philip screwdriver, flat screwdriver, ... that's pretty much it. And a few box wrenches if you have a hybrid or mountain bike.

[Craicgirl]

I am going to go to my LBS tomorrow and see if they carry the Topeak.

Also, does anyone know of any sunglasses you can slip over your regular glasses that are a wrap around style (meaning they have sun protection on the sides are well). Unfortunately I am blind as a bat and need to wear my regular glasses to see (can't do the contacts thing) and I have a pair of clip ons but I need something that shields the sun on the sides as well. This question is probably a long shot but I thought if anyone would know, the folks in here would.

[KnottedYet]

Sunglasses - I have a pair of Oakley Minutes that are probably close to 4 or 5 years old. I got them through the eye doc, so my prescription is "built in". I looooooove them. They give great peripheral vision and keep the boogies out of my eyes. It is so much better than the old clip-ons I had to go over my regular glasses. If you can do it, get a pair of biking sunglasses with your prescription. I've heard a lot of folks rave about how much they love their Rudy Projects, too.

Mirrors - I have a Zefal bar-end mirror. Had the same mirror on my last 2 bikes. Unfortunately with my aluminum frame and the wacky stuff I ride over in my commute, it keeps flopping no matter how I try to settle it. I'm starting to notice that it distracts me more than it helps me. I'm planning to get a glasses mounted mirror next.

Tool - Park Tools I-beam is nice, but I sort of wish I'd gotten the Topeak. The I-Beam is a little sloppy.

did you fix your seat?