Does anybody use these on their bike or helmet? I'm tired of my looks behind me for oncoming cars causing me to wobble.
I'd be interested in hearing people's experiences and recommendations.
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Years ago I put one on my left handle bar grip and bore the brunt of the cycle purists jeers. Now if I rent a bike somewhere I constantly look for it. I find rear view mirrors very useful,especially in traffic or when measuring with a partner.
I also tried the helmet and eyeglass mounted rear view mirrors. These I didn't like, too hard to quickly find the mirror in my field of vision.
You should have heard the jeers when I added a kickstand. I wouldn't be without that, either.
I also tried the helmet and eyeglass mounted rear view mirrors. These I didn't like, too hard to quickly find the mirror in my field of vision.
You should have heard the jeers when I added a kickstand. I wouldn't be without that, either.
I agree, those can be pretty useful. I haven't used one recently but maybe out of laziness, I have a different bike and haven't bothered to put one on.
There's someone in Ohio who makes really good helmet-mounted mirrors-- they sit a little farther from your eye and overcome some of those field-of-vision problems you mention. I will try to find the name.
There's someone in Ohio who makes really good helmet-mounted mirrors-- they sit a little farther from your eye and overcome some of those field-of-vision problems you mention. I will try to find the name.
Helmet rear view mirrors are a good safety tool, I've used them for years. It is good to be able to view the car or truck you thought you hear approaching from behind you. Your main focus remains on the road in front of you.
I have one on each handlebar. I have tried the helmet-mounts, and don't like them.
Bar-end mirrors have served me well for decades, and thousands of miles. It really helps to see a city bus approaching from the rear, as those guys seem to think they own the curb lane.
Bar-end mirrors have served me well for decades, and thousands of miles. It really helps to see a city bus approaching from the rear, as those guys seem to think they own the curb lane.
I did a little digging and the mirrors I was trying to remember are Chuck Harris mirrors, which achieved an excellent reputation for durability, sturdiness and adjustability of the attaching wire, and design. He built them out of recycled materials and each one was unique.
Unfortunately Chuck Harris died last year at age 76 so those are not available. A big fan of his mirrors claims that a worthy successor is the HubBub mirror. Here is a link:
HubBub Mirrors
I'm planning to order one, since I missed a good chance to get one made by Chuck Harris a few years ago.
Advantages of helmet-mounted mirror (IMO): I can move my head a little bit to see things in the mirror easier than bending down or stretching to see in a bar-end mirror; also I'm more comfortable presenting a narrower profile in many cases. A couple days ago found a truck parked right in my way, lots of hurried traffic on a narrow street, but just room between the truck and curb to ride through, carefully.
Unfortunately Chuck Harris died last year at age 76 so those are not available. A big fan of his mirrors claims that a worthy successor is the HubBub mirror. Here is a link:
HubBub Mirrors
I'm planning to order one, since I missed a good chance to get one made by Chuck Harris a few years ago.
Advantages of helmet-mounted mirror (IMO): I can move my head a little bit to see things in the mirror easier than bending down or stretching to see in a bar-end mirror; also I'm more comfortable presenting a narrower profile in many cases. A couple days ago found a truck parked right in my way, lots of hurried traffic on a narrow street, but just room between the truck and curb to ride through, carefully.
Bob, I was a bit concerned about the mirrors widening the handlebars of the bike, but then I discovered that many of the handlebar mirrors fold out of the way.
Mirrors are a must when bicycling. Even more so when measuring.
The Mirrycle Mirrors are one of the best mirrors that you can get. These have a large (3”) high quality mirror on a mount that is adjustable but stays when you adjust it to.
Mirrycle Mirrors
However, I find that their mounting options are somewhat limited, so Calhoun Cycling sells the Mirrcycle Mirrors with addition mounting options. Check out the “Evo” mirrors at their website. The additional mounting system that Evo mirrors have are fully adjustable and can be swung out of the way when addition clearance is needed.
Eva Mirrors at Calhoun Cycling
Here is image of one of the EVO mirrors mounted to handlebar of my Cruzbike Silvio recumbent. (not used for measuring)
Here is image of one of the Mirrycle mirrors mounted to handlebar end of my Cruzbike Silvio recumbent. (not used for measuring)
The Mirrycle Mirrors are one of the best mirrors that you can get. These have a large (3”) high quality mirror on a mount that is adjustable but stays when you adjust it to.
Mirrycle Mirrors
However, I find that their mounting options are somewhat limited, so Calhoun Cycling sells the Mirrcycle Mirrors with addition mounting options. Check out the “Evo” mirrors at their website. The additional mounting system that Evo mirrors have are fully adjustable and can be swung out of the way when addition clearance is needed.
Eva Mirrors at Calhoun Cycling
Here is image of one of the EVO mirrors mounted to handlebar of my Cruzbike Silvio recumbent. (not used for measuring)
Here is image of one of the Mirrycle mirrors mounted to handlebar end of my Cruzbike Silvio recumbent. (not used for measuring)
I like that, Ken. Question, about these or other handlebar-end mirrors, do they have a toggle such that if they're hit they will swing back undamaged like on a car?
quote:Originally posted by Bob Thurston:
I like that, Ken. Question, about these or other handlebar-end mirrors, do they have a toggle such that if they're hit they will swing back undamaged like on a car?
Yes on some of the sections and depending on degree that each section is tightened.
Also, they can be swung out of the way as you are riding. For loading and unload my bike out of my car, I swing the mirror in toward the bike so I don't damage the mirror and also to reduce the overall width and/or height. Also, these are truly glass mirrors and break but you can buy just the mirror section. Not a bad ideal to just keep one in your measurement kit.
Here are a couple of video on the bar end style mirrors. The Evo mirrors are same but with addition sections and different mounting option.
YouTube Video 1
YouTube Video 2
This mirror is what I have been using for a few years. Good, solid mirror. It isn't made to "toggle" out of the way like a car mirror. However, mine has survived numerous falls when wind or inattention causes the bike to tip over while on the kick stand. The mirror simply overcomes the friction of the mounting cone type expansion bolt inside the handlebar. I don't even collapse it when I carry the bike in the back of my pick-up. My riding partner also uses one of these, he has no kickstand and lays the bike down several times each measurement. Great mirror, highly recommended.
Gentlemen,
Thanks, this is very helpful. Good to hear that the thing survives those stupid embarrassing bike falls when you thought your bike was sitting safely and it falls over anyway!
Thanks, this is very helpful. Good to hear that the thing survives those stupid embarrassing bike falls when you thought your bike was sitting safely and it falls over anyway!
Thanks for the advice everyone. I ended up getting the Mirrycle Mirror that Ken recommended.
But I made the big mistake of not tightening down the bolts all the way so I would be able to swing the mirror out of the way when loading and unloading my bike. I ended up constantly adjusting the mirror as the bumpy road knocked it out of position.
I like the fact that you can swing the mirror out of the way, so in the future I will keep the supplied Allen wrench in my bike bag so I can fix the mirror in position for my ride but still being able to move it when loading/unloading.
But I made the big mistake of not tightening down the bolts all the way so I would be able to swing the mirror out of the way when loading and unloading my bike. I ended up constantly adjusting the mirror as the bumpy road knocked it out of position.
I like the fact that you can swing the mirror out of the way, so in the future I will keep the supplied Allen wrench in my bike bag so I can fix the mirror in position for my ride but still being able to move it when loading/unloading.
Mark,
Glad you like the Mirrycle Mirror. And,yes it is frustrating having a mirror that doesn't stay in place. Maybe you can find a point of "tightness" that allows you to rotate the mirror and for it to say in place while riding without having to get the Allen wrench out each time. But, for sure, should carry a Allen wrench with you anyway.
Are you just having this issue with the screw that is used to mount the mirror to your handlebar ?
I wouldn't think you should have this problem with the other pivot points.
By the way, which Mirrycle Mirror did you buy ?
Glad you like the Mirrycle Mirror. And,yes it is frustrating having a mirror that doesn't stay in place. Maybe you can find a point of "tightness" that allows you to rotate the mirror and for it to say in place while riding without having to get the Allen wrench out each time. But, for sure, should carry a Allen wrench with you anyway.
Are you just having this issue with the screw that is used to mount the mirror to your handlebar ?
I wouldn't think you should have this problem with the other pivot points.
By the way, which Mirrycle Mirror did you buy ?
Not sure what model it is, but it looks just like the one in your picture.
The mounting screw is tight. I left the others fairly loose because I knew I would need to move it to get my bike in the car. I just didn't think about the mirror moving on its own on bumpy roads. Next time I'll tighten a bit more and see if I can find the just-right spot.
The mounting screw is tight. I left the others fairly loose because I knew I would need to move it to get my bike in the car. I just didn't think about the mirror moving on its own on bumpy roads. Next time I'll tighten a bit more and see if I can find the just-right spot.