I now wear a mirror when riding

[kjay]

Thanks for telling us about the increased safety you feel when using a mirror. I've never ridden with one but I shall definitely rethink my choices.

[jobob]

It's nice to see how, the longer one rides, the less concerned one becomes about how "cool" they look to others.

Safety, comfort and practicality trumps cool, everytime. IMHO.

[Blueberry]

Any tips for getting used to helmet or glasses mirrors? I've tried mirrors on the bike, and found that they moved too much to be useful. But - when I tried my DH's helmet mirror, I got very sea sick. It was odd - but I've been hesitant to try again. Is it just an adjustment thing? I could care less what others think - but I've got to find a mirror that works.

[RolliePollie]

I have a helmet mirror and I would never ride without it! I love it so much that sometimes I wish I could have one on all the time...like when I'm out on walks. I don't care if it looks dorky...and mine looks especially dorky because I have duct tape on my helmet to hold it on securely. But my helmet it silver and white so the tape sort of blends in

As far as getting it adjusted just right, that can be a challenge. Mine has two places where it can swivel and move...I put a drop of Gatorade on those periodically to keep them sticky so it will hold its adjustment and not move around every time I hit a bump.

[PamNY]

Any tips for getting used to helmet or glasses mirrors? I've tried mirrors on the bike, and found that they moved too much to be useful. But - when I tried my DH's helmet mirror, I got very sea sick. It was odd - but I've been hesitant to try again. Is it just an adjustment thing?

Yes. It is an adjustment thing, and for me it was a big one. I used to say I had to grow new brain cells to use the mirror.

Just keep practicing. Adjusting it before you leave home helps. I figured out some "landmarks" in my house that meant it was perfectly adjusted -- for example, if I'm standing at Point A, I should be able to see Point B in the mirror.

[tangentgirl]

Yes. It is an adjustment thing, and for me it was a big one. I used to say I had to grow new brain cells to use the mirror.

That is how I feel. I find the mirror really distracting. My eyes are drawn to it, rather than the road, enough so that I had to take it off after a few ride.

Any suggestions on that?

[lph]

I've been back and forth on mirrors. Rode for years without one, but I'm really good at turning my head and checking the road often without veering, and I've passed many a rider who had mirrors but weren't paying attention anyway. Then I won a handlebar mirror, it lay around in my spare parts box for 6 months or so, I put in on on a whim, got really distracted, and kept turning around to check the road anyway from old habit. But after a while I got used to the split-focus thing and enjoyed the ease of being able to keep tabs on my back at all times. Especially useful when I got another cyclist on my wheel, actually.

Then I took a tumble, broke the mirror, and freaked out a little at feeling "blind". Planned to go get a new one, but within a week I'd got used to turning around again, and I still haven't replaced it.

I feel they're a great idea and a good supplement (and it spares your neck and back a bit) but looking behind you properly is a basic skill that needs to be there anyway.

[PamNY]

That is how I feel. I find the mirror really distracting. My eyes are drawn to it, rather than the road, enough so that I had to take it off after a few ride.

Any suggestions on that?

Just practice. I did work at it -- look ahead to be sure the road is clear, glance at the mirror, then look ahead again.

One day it just clicked in. I saw a screaming yellow biker coming up behind me and realized I was using the mirror without thinking about it.

My mirror was a gift, and I didn't want to disappoint the giver. I probably would have given up otherwise. I'm glad I persevered.

[tctrek]

Love my mirror and don't ride without it.,, I use the same one as OP. I did try bar end mirrors first, but just couldn't see anything with them except my knees!

[emily_in_nc]

It's nice to see how, the longer one rides, the less concerned one becomes about how "cool" they look to others.

Safety, comfort and practicality trumps cool, everytime. IMHO.

Absolutely! I ride with the same type of mirror (the Take-a-Look) and can't imagine life without it!

[Owlie]

Zoom-zoom, what mirror do you have? I'm looking at bar-end mirrors.

I shall also keep the flat-bar one in mind for a hypothetical commute bike.

[zoom-zoom]

Zoom-zoom, what mirror do you have? I'm looking at bar-end mirrors.

It looks like that one in the photo I posted...not sure on brand. Our LBS sold it and installed it for me.

[kmehrzad]

Zoom-zoom, what mirror do you have? I'm looking at bar-end mirrors.

I shall also keep the flat-bar one in mind for a hypothetical commute bike.

Owlie,

I use this mirror all the time on a number of my bikes. It's my favorite mirror and has good visibility.

http://www.ubcbike.com/store/product...irror-(Black)/

[Jo-n-NY]

Yup, don't leave home without it. If I do I ride back to go get it as I almost cannot ride without it.