Mirrors!?!

[b.moe]

Well, I guess it's the bar end mount that I'll try. I don't like to wear glasses all the time, which keeps me from opting for the glasses mirror. I'm a little intimidated by the handlebar mirrors, just because I can be clumsy and ridiculous on the handlebars and I hate adjusting them (maybe just because I'm so fed up!)

Guess I'll just have to take a deep breath and try again!

[Kano]

Glasses on the bike are a good thing -- you're out in the world, get bugs and grit in your eyes while zipping along at high speed, UV rays in your eyes are another not so good thing, so it really is nice to have glasses on while biking.

I've been wearing my regular prescription glasses, but didn't like the coverage they gave, so recently decided to start wearing my contacts for riding, so I could pick up some "sport" sunglasses at the bike shop. This is better -- not quite sealed to my face, but not much wind in there to dry my eyes, and definitely no grit!

To keep to the mirror thing -- I've been using a "glasses mirror" this year, and I like it! It's easier to get adjusted the way I really wanted to have it sit on the new sunglasses than it is on my "regular" glasses.

Karen in Boise

[maryellen]

I tried "attach to glasses" mirrors and found them to be useless until a friend suggested I try "Bike Peddler Take A Look Mirror" (available at rei and some bike shops). Its design permits easy adjustment.

It still took some getting used to and it's not like having a car rear view and side mirrors but it's definitely useful. It can also be attached to a helmet visor but I've never tried that. (I always wear glasses even if just clear lenses in order to keep debris out of my eyes.)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Helmet mirrors are great but they take 2 or 3 weeks to get used to.
After that you get good at adjusting them, and also learn where to position them so that your normal vision is not blocked much. At first it seems annoying to have it hanging there in the upper left corner in your field of vision, but after a couple of weeks your eyes adjust and just sort of "see through" it. The tiny bit you tilt your head each time you look becomes easy and automatic.
If you have gotten used to checking your car rearview mirror without panicking at taking your eyes off the road- well it's the same thing with the bike helmet mirror. It becomes easy and automatic to check your mirror frequently.
I have gotten two "Third Eye" helmet mirrors for my two different helmets. I wouldn't ever want to ride without them now. I ride a lot, and sometimes I catch myself checking my helmet mirror when I'm not biking at all, but just walking down the street.

[b.moe]

I have gotten two "Third Eye" helmet mirrors for my two different helmets. I wouldn't ever want to ride without them now. I ride a lot, and sometimes I catch myself checking my helmet mirror when I'm not biking at all, but just walking down the street.

I have the "Third Eye" mirror - but is it possible that the mirror may be too far in the front of my helmet? I find that no amount of tilting or adjusting brings the road into my field of vision. Do you have the pad closer to the front or the side of the helmet?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have the "Third Eye" mirror - but is it possible that the mirror may be too far in the front of my helmet? I find that no amount of tilting or adjusting brings the road into my field of vision. Do you have the pad closer to the front or the side of the helmet?

The pad should be placed near your left ear area, so that you see the mirror in the general area of the upper left most corner of your vision within your eyeglass left lens field of vision. The mirror will hang about an inch or two in front of your glasses, but to the side. Here is a picture of my mirror:
http://harmonias.com/LisaBike_4.jpg

Pull at the sticky and remove the whole mirror from your helmet. Put your helmet and glasses on and hold the mirror til you get it where you want it where you want it, then press the sticky to the INSIDE (not the outside) of your helmet edge, on the styrofoam, in such a way as to have the mirror in that upper left corner of your left eyeglass lens area. This muight be easier if you stand outside and try to see the rear mirror view as you locate where the sticky will go. Once you have it in a good position where you can see behind you, hold the sticky in place as you remove the helmet, then carefully put a dot of epoxy to re-inforce the weak/lame sticky they provide, and clamp or tape while it dries.
When dry, adjust your mirror so you just barely have the edge of your left ear show in the mirror, and play with getting it tilted to give you a good rear view of the road in back of you. You'll get really good at adjusting the mirror with practice.
The cheapo sticky stuff the mirror cam with sort of melted on me in the hot weather and now I always reinforce it with epoxy when I have to right spot picked out.
Hope this is helpful.

[b.moe]

Absolutely helpful - thanks a ton! I'll work on it this weekend.

[Dianyla]

The cheapo sticky stuff the mirror cam with sort of melted on me in the hot weather and now I always reinforce it with epoxy when I have to right spot picked out.

Lisa, thanks to your handy suggestion I picked up some epoxy glue over the weekend and finally my mirror is firmly anchored to my helmet. Now it doesn't fall off randomly anytime I set my helmet down or bump it against anything.

You're a friggin' genius!