I’m curious how many of you use cycling mirrors on your training rides? If so what brand?
…and if so, the kind that attach to the hoods/bars or the helmet?
Mirrors work for some people but the vibration from handlebars tends to make the image in the mirror not of much use. Helmet mounted mirrors tend to be a little more clear, and you can move the reflected image by moving your head.
I’ve never used a mirror since it cuases me to re-focus my attention away from the road in front of me. I’m not comfortable with that.
I use one that attaches to the inside vent of my helmet, kinda like this http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=10778&S=16494,10778.
I like being able to catch a very brief glimpse of traffic behind me, just a clear/not clear.
I used to have a mirror that just glued to the outside of the helmet, but the adhesive never lasted more than a few weeks.
I always use a mirror, the type that attaches to the helmet, except when racing. I want to know where the cars are. Don’t understand why more people don’t use them. Would you consider driving a car without a rear view mirror?
Thats what I figured, bar mounted ones would vibrate all over the place, and they are stuck in one position (like the side mirrors on your car). If you’re standing and think you hear a car behind you, you need to sit to check the mirror.
I think a helmet mounted one would be worth a try, but also think it may distract more than anything.
nope
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Cycling mirrors suck. I guess if you’re riding alone that’s one thing…but just this year, 2 low-speed accidents have occured in our group cycling rides b/c of them. Too many cyclists moving around and people not paying attention to how far those mirrors stick out.
yeah, I can’t imagine riding without one now. especially in heavy traffic. handlebar ones suck - I prefer the one mounted on the helmet (not visor).
I have used one that mounts with adhesive base but can be detached via a ball and socket joint (for races). This one is super adjustable - can even adjust see cars approaching when aero
Bike mounted mirrors are uncool. Period.
If you must wear one, get a small helmet mounted one, and good gracious, please take it off while you are competing.
use a Third Eye one that clips onto the sunglasses, it’s OK but find I have to move my head too much, so it’s distracting. I’m going to try a helmet-mount next.
to my way of thinking, it only has to save my life once for it to be worthwhile… Havent’ found a good one yet, but even this one gives more information than when riding without it, so I’ll always use one.
I use one-
I found this one on EBAY,http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42319&item=7161180909&tc=photo
It mounts on your handlebar drops and is not visible head on and does not stick out- aerobars can get in the way some but it better than nothing and not as geeky
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i use one when riding solo. not on group rides. there’s just too much going on during group rides to try to pay attention to a mirror and others close by.
i first tried a handlebar mounted one. it worked ok but vibrated a good bit and wasn’t adjustable enough. i now use one that mounts on my sunglasses. it’s very light and is much more adjustable.
i’ve had one instance where the mirror paid off. i was riding up a hill and was almost at the top. a pickup pulling a trailer was coming up behind me. the trailer was a flat-bed type and the wheels on it stuck out wider than the truck. about the time he was gonna go around me, a car crested the hill. he got back in his lane but didn’t slow down. i went as far right as i could and the wheel barely missed me. if i hadn’t of had the mirror and known what was going on behind me, i think the trailer wheel would have gotten me. people slow down for groups much more than for solo riders. i never go solo without it.
That’s an interesting point Tom… I wonder if the distraction in forward focus outweighs the ability to be able to see and possibly react to what is coming behind you.
Personally, I try to rely heavily on my ears to listen for cars. It is surprising how well you can tell the difference between a car and truck, or something bigger bearing down on you. I’m sure I’m not the only one who cringes a little when they hear the deep sound of a rickety old cement truck or semi coming up on them…
Always use one, hood mount, does not vibrate, does not distract me. Might have saved my life a few times but then that’s a judgement call on my part. I rather be alive than look cool.
jtaylor1024,
I have tried a number of mirror and found I disliked the the helmet mounted mirrors the most.
But the hands down, best, rock solid mirror without question is the BARend handlebar mirror by Third Eye. The first time I tried it, I was skeptical myself. But the performance is what it is all about.
I have one on each of my road bikes and miss it on my time trial bike.
Not having to turn your head around everytime you wish to know what is happening behind you is far superior to diverting your attention from the road ahead by turing your head to look behind. Yes, I glance over my shoulder both ways before I pull off the front of a paceline to be sure I am clear, but I often know there is a car back before the rider on the tail of the paceline does and I don’t have to crane my neck around to discover this.
I feel naked without that mirror on the bike I am riding.
I was wondering when someone would bring that up. I, too, am surprised at my ability to tell the size and approximity of the vehicle by the sound it makes.
Almost every vehicle has been more than cooperative with me riding (country roads) and gives me plenty of space.
There was only one incident, a van came flying over a hill (I was descending) going what had to be 80mph. They swerved rather severly, and I think we both learned a lesson that day. They likely learned you can’t see what’s on the other side of the hill, and I learned before descending down a hill switch the other side of the road, so at least the oncoiming vehicles (going up the hill) can see you bright as day.
I have thought about using mirrors, but it’s so quiet and peaceful out on the roads, that you can hear what’s coming. Using a mirror on a bike and in a car is not comparable. In the car I have a revving engine, a stereo, and two kids making all sorts of entertaining noise. On the bike, there’s me and there’s nature … both of which are fairly quiet when alone.
I don’t understand why people ride through town (let alone a big city). I did this accidently on a “jaunt around town” where I finished coming through town. Geez, riding by McDonalds, K-Mart, etc is just begging some driver not used to seeing bikers to make a hood ornament out of me. I don’t see how anyone could have a nice ride with all that traffic. Isn’t the point of the bike to get away from the traffic? I’d be willing to drive 15 miles to get to country roads and be set free.
Same as Tom. I’ve tried various kinds, and found that they were not reliable for locating traffic and distracting me from the road in front. I keep to my side of the road and prepared for a car to overtake me at all times, since many many times I do not hear them coming (especially downhills). Bottom line I feel I am safer without it. And their dorky.
Hearing a cement truck coming is one thing. Having something go by you at 60mph that you never heard coming, that’s what gets me. If I was going to be hit by something at that speed, not sure but what I might prefer that it be a cement truck.
I always use a mirror, the type that attaches to the helmet, except when racing.
I’m somewhat alarmed by the apparantly recent phenomenon of people doing the exact opposite, i.e. using them just in races. I’ve heard reports of this in recent Ironmans, and it’s been mentioned on this forum that people may be using them as a means of avoiding draft marshalls. Since mirrors improve safety, we can’t ban them exclusively when used by people who might not be averse to a bit of drafting, so I guess we’re stuck with this.
“I learned before descending down a hill switch the other side of the road, so at least the oncoiming vehicles (going up the hill) can see you bright as day”
Could you please clarify? Are you saying that when you descend you ride on the left side of the road??