Bike Mirrors

[KellyBear]

Hey everyone,

I'm interested in getting a pair of bike handlebar mirrors for my orange beast, to help in traffic.

Does anyone use mirrors and if so, how useful are they?

I'm not having trouble signalling but to turn fully round and stay in a non-wobble state is tricky for me at the mo.

Kelly

 

[pdarnett]

I use a right hand one just the check for death approaching from behind! Its a cat eye bar end one. Very good and stays put! This one. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cateye/bm-500-race-mirror-ec035723

 

[tillson]

A mirror is the best bit of safety equipment that you can buy for a bike. Get one without delay. You only need one for the off side.

This Cateye BM300G is good. I have used one for the past 6 years.

The Cateye BM500G is a bit more robust, but I've never had any trouble with the 300.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The Zefal mirrors are very good. They're similar to the Cateye ones, but they have a much better double folding mechanism. If you search back for mirrors, I gave a link previously to the best one.

 

[stevieb]

i have cycled for years and never used a mirror , then recently i found one in my garage that i,d been given years ago as a present so fitted it.
it,s now one of those " i wish i,d done it sooner " or how did i manage without one before" things and i would definately recomend one ,
just remember the extra width if it sticks out when filtering through traffic.
sorry i can,t recommend a particular brand but i would agree that you only need one.

 

[bonerp]

If you can you should practice the life saver. Quick look over your right shoulder - if you are a bit wobbly keep practising. Whilst mirrors can help, they have large blindspots...

 

[Geebee]

A huge plus of bikes with an upright seating position looking over the shoulder is much easier and you can see further behind.

 

[Cyclezee]

My recommendation is Mirrycle, they are better than anything else that I have tried http://www.mirrycle.com/mirrycle_mirrors.php

Available here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BICYCLE-CYCLE-HANDLEBAR-BAR-END-MIRROR-MIRRYCLE-MOUNTAIN-ROAD-BIKE-USA-MAKE-/160879067495?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item257523c167

But they, along with any other bar end mounting mirrors are not suitable for wide swept back handle bars.

For that type of bar you would need something like this one which clamps to the bars http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p64689/Oxford-Deluxe-Oblong-Mirror-and-ReflShield.aspx
The problem with this type is because of the long arm they tend to vibrate.

 

[freddy]

it,s now one of those " i wish i,d done it sooner " or how did i manage without one before" things and i would definately recomend one ,

My thoughts exactly. Makes life so much easier.

 

[Chris the Sheep]

Another vote here for the Zefal products - my preference is the 'Spin', which is very discreet and folds out of the way. I've also got a 'Dooback', which is much bigger but still folds.

You'll see passionate arguments about mirrors on cycling forums, some seem to believe that they're the work of the devil. My personal view is that they're a great planning tool and help me work with the traffic; it's easier to time a lifesaver and signal with prior knowledge of what's behind.

 

[flecc]

Regarding the Cateye mirrors, be aware that the BM300G has a large insert for large-section drop handlebars and won't fit into most e-bike handlebars without modification.

The BM500G is the one with a thinner insert for horizontal and upright handlebars.

 

[flecc]

I strongly disagree with those who say a look over the shoulder is good enough, it's not. All that an over-the-shoulder glance gives is a snapshot of a moment in time. It's impossible to see a trend in the movement of other vehicles or see and act for a developing situation in the way that a mirror makes possible.

And I think it's also a matter of being responsible to other road users. All other vehicles have mirrors, but a cyclist is just about the most overtaken person on the roads so most in need of full time awareness of what's coming up from behind.

For most of my cycling life I didn't use a mirror but now I won't ride in any heavily trafficked situation without one. They make a huge contribution to cycling primary safety.

 

[NZgeek]

A right side (for left hand traffic) mirror should be a legal requirement.

I'd not ride without one. The number of times I've seen a car well before I heard it is phenominal! Also, I can ride on the much better surfaces further out from the edge, and move in when vehicles approach - some of my travel in a VERY back road, twisty, hilly 60mph areas.

In town, it means changing lanes and passing parked cars safely is easy and because you can constantly glance in the mirror, you know whats behind you before you NEED to know!!!

I have the round cateye ones that stick up, though I modified it to fit my bars, and also filed the mount so the mirror swings out further than designed. I got it because it was really cheap!

 

[john h]

some of the down tube mounted mirrors , view can blocked with panniers your leg ect, best stick with a bar or bar end mount type, type that fold in out the way ar great ,I find it hard to turn round to look due to a arthritis in neck at times so mirrors are a must

 

[dmsims]

Have to say find the Cateye 500 a must have

Down the narrow lanes here it allow planning to pull over !

 

[drsolly]

OK, you've convinced me. I just ordered a Zefal Dooback on Ebay.

 

[mike killay]

Strange thing is that when riding in Belgium, I leave the mirror on the right hand side.
Seems to work just fine, probably because unlike the 'Swift glance over shoulder' you can constantly monitor traffic far astern.

 

[bonerp]

I strongly disagree with those who say a look over the shoulder is good enough, it's not. All that an over-the-shoulder glance gives is a snapshot of a moment in time. It's impossible to see a trend in the movement of other vehicles or see and act for a developing situation in the way that a mirror makes possible.

And I think it's also a matter of being responsible to other road users. All other vehicles have mirrors, but a cyclist is just about the most overtaken person on the roads so most in need of full time awareness of what's coming up from behind.

For most of my cycling life I didn't use a mirror but now I won't ride in any heavily trafficked situation without one. They make a huge contribution to cycling primary safety.

I think thats why its called a life saver....

Mirrors help, life safer is your final destination check...

 

[Willber G]

I've got one of these and it works very well:
http://www.merlincycles.com/cycle-aware-reflex-helmet-mirror-56440.html

 

[jazper53]

My mirror is fitted on the front down bar and works well for me, but did take a while to time looking at it while ones right leg is at its highest position giving you a good view of what is directly behind. Obviously no good if you got pannier bags.