Mirrors!?!

[b.moe]

I have been trying different types of mirrors. I've tried a helmet mirror, but the adjustment sucks and even tilting my head is not working - so I gave up on that. Then, I tried a mirror for my glasses, which works okay but I'm still forced to tilt, which is annoying and distracting. I know there are mirrors that actually mount to the bike, but I've been told those are incredibly shaky and somewhat useless...bad information??

I don't want to keep buying things and returning them!

[Cyclo Kitty]

On my MTB, the bar-end mount mirror (Mirrocyle?) was fantastic! Not shaky, adjustable, good view, easy to get used to. Highly recommend it. The clamp-on mirror for the handle bars of my 3 speed worked well too, not shaky, adjustable, and very handy. The only caveat is that "objects in mirror are closer than they appear."

I haven't tried the bar end mirrors for road bikes yet, so if anyone has, I'd love to hear how they work.

Still working on one for the road bikes, though. Helmet mirror was useless for me too.

[Kathi]

I wanted a mirror for Ride the Rockies. I opted for the handlebar type because I thought it would be more practical for the ride.

I had a hard time adjusting it. I needed to see both cars and cyclists. If I got it where I could see the cars I couldn't see the cyclists behind me, if I adjusted to see the cyclists I missed the cars.

On a tour like RTR, when you stop at sag stop there is no place to put your bike so you have to lay it down. I lay mine on the non drive train side, which is the side the mirror is on, so the mirror would move out of adjustment, which meant that everytime I stopped I had to readjust it. Sometimes, I bumped it with my with my knee and got sunscreen on it, which made it all smeary, then I couldn't see anything. While riding in my drops I couldn't see it which made it useless in downhill situations.

By the end of the week I totally forgot it was there except to move it out of my way when I was riding.

It stayed in position while riding and didn't seem shaky. I have yet to try it on a club ride or a bike path. I'm leaving it on this weekend to see if it has any value.

I wonder if some of my issues with it were due to the narrowness of my handlebars (34 cm). I suspect it was designed for wider handlebars. And I would not use it on a tour again simply because the bike has to be layed on its side and the mirror readjusted so often.

So now I'm back to looking for a helmet mirror.

[Kathi]

One more thing, whenever I wanted to look in it I had to look down and slightly to the side which meant I took my eyes off the road. I wasn't to secure with that situation with other riders ahead of me, so I didn't use it when I had others around me.

The type I'm talking about fits in the plug in the handlebar. You remove the plug for your handlebar tape, insert the mirror plug and snap the mirror into it. It looks cool but.......

[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.)

[Kano]

I've got a "Heads Up Mirror" that I found at REI a couple of months ago. I wasn't very fond of it -- didn't like where it "sat" -- but recently I decided to take advantage of the contacts I save for ski season and got some Oakley sunglasses. I'm not sure which model at the moment. The mirror sits better on these.

The other day, I came in from a ride, and my daughter laughed at my look. She said I looked like a Borg in my very dark glasses with the mirror coming off the side!

Trekkies -- you gotta love 'em!

Karen in Boise

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The other day, I came in from a ride, and my daughter laughed at my look. She said I looked like a Borg in my very dark glasses with the mirror coming off the side!

I get the Borg comments too with my helmet mirror and sunglasses.

[sah]

I have mirrors that pop in the end of the bar.. they wobble. I am constantly adjusting them. I would go with the Italian end bar mirrors.

[Dianyla]

I get the Borg comments too with my helmet mirror and sunglasses.

If it's not Borg comments because of the mirror, it's Dune comments because of my camelbak hose.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If it's not Borg comments because of the mirror, it's Dune comments because of my camelbak hose.

Yes, those make me think of Dune....and of recycling one's precious water!

[AutumnBreez]

I will have to order one. I am starting a new job and by the looks of it, I will be able to ride to work. 12 miles one way. They have shower and so I can pack my clothes. Only problem with riding is if kids need something during the day if I am at work. This is the down side. But the mirror looks like a good idea. Hope it is worth the money.

[short cut sally]

My friend that I ride with convinced me I need a mirror. I bought "the multi mirror" by blackburn, It can fit mtb or road, i ride road. I agree that it vibrates and I found myself constantly re-adjusting and trying to readjust while riding wasn't my cup o' tea. My DH is going to see if he can tighten it somehow so it would be less of a nuisance to me. I did like the idea of being able to see what was behind me. I agree with Kathi about having the mirror, as I had some of the same issues she did, and I only used it one day. I might look into Snappypx's mirror. That looks more discreet and less vibrations..but I will give my mirror one more try after some readjustments. Good luck.

[emily_in_nc]

I really like the "Take-a-Look" sunglasses mirror. It's super light-weight and very adjustable. Rarely shifts at all on the bike (only when you take off your glasses and put them down). The only downside is if you stop somewhere and forget you have it on. I've gotten some pretty funny looks at the farmer's market in my sunglasses (helmet now off, hanging on my bike handlebars), with my rear-view mirror!

Emily