To all newbies -get a mirror!

[TylerD]

I have just come back from a 10 mile ride in the rain without my rearview mirror (I've just had a new throttle fitted and forgot to put the mirror back on ) and it has made me realise just how much the mirror adds to my enjoyment and peace of mind. Its the first time I've ridden without one and I won't be doing it again. To get to the local cycle paths I have to use a busy main road, problem is the traffic isn't constant but when cars come along they fly past . You would think it would be easy to hear them but in the wind and rain its not and I was constantly looking over my shoulder to check. With the mirror its a dawdle, angle it correctly and checking the rear view requires no effort whatsoever and becomes second nature . The reason I'm posting this is that if my Wisper hadn't come with a mirror (it was bought 2nd hand and has been one of my best buys ever) I would possibly not have discovered how much better the riding experience is when you have one so if there's anyone out there who hasn't thought of getting a mirror fitted believe me, its well worth the effort. There's at least one thread on here which will give you onfo on the best mirror to get

 

[flecc]

I 100% support this, I think a mirror on a bike is the best safety aid possible and way ahead of a helmet in this respect. Avoiding accidents is far, far more important than just using devices for coping with them.

As about the slowest vehicle on the road and therefore the most overtaken, there's more reason for a rear view mirror than on anything else. Using one allows all manner of things to be determined about approaching vehicles, speed, driver intentions and signals, erratic driving etc. A brief glance over the shoulder just doesn't compare.

I'd go as far as to say a cyclist without a rear view mirror is potentially anti-social and a danger to other road users, not much different from a cyclist without lights at night.
.

 

[tillson]

I agree with this as well. The mirror that I have added to my bike is the most important safety feature.

 

[eddieo]

Nooooooo you need a brain bucket as well

 

[Cyclezee]

I 100% support this, I think a mirror on a bike is the best safety aid possible and way ahead of a helmet in this respect. Avoiding accidents is far, far more important than just using devices for coping with them.
.

Absolutely Tony, we are in 100% agreement on that one

 

[flecc]

Nooooooo you need a brain bucket as well

I didn't say you didn't Eddie, I said a mirror is far more important. Any cyclist wearing a helmet but riding without a rear view mirror has their priorities all wrong.

 

[tillson]

I didn't say you didn't Eddie, I said a mirror is far more important. Any cyclist wearing a helmet but riding without a rear view mirror has their priorities all wrong.

And any cyclist riding with a mirror and a helmet but no high vis clothing or decent lights also have their priorities all wrong

 

[PennyFarthing]

TylerD - is your mirror on the Wisper the type that sticks out horizontally (so to speak) from the handlebars - one of the ones that attach to the handlebars in a vertical way?

 

[funkylyn]

Funnily enough....I just bought one last week and it doesnt b***** fit !!
It would be a 36 mile round trip to exchange it.....grrrrrr......and he KNEW what bike it was for cos I bought it off him !!!
Lynda

 

[TylerD]

TylerD - is your mirror on the Wisper the type that sticks out horizontally (so to speak) from the handlebars - one of the ones that attach to the handlebars in a vertical way?

Yes, PennyFarthing, its L-shaped, with the small leg fitting at right angles into the end of the handlebar tube and the mirror itself(which can be swivelled round to the correct position) sitting on top of the long leg which sits at right angles to the handlebars. Its a Cateye but I can't see any other info on it. Although I have to adjust it from time to time -it can be knocked out of position quite easily-generally I'm very happy with it

 

[flecc]

Funnily enough....I just bought one last week and it doesnt b***** fit !!
It would be a 36 mile round trip to exchange it.....grrrrrr......and he KNEW what bike it was for cos I bought it off him !!!
Lynda

The Cateye BMG 500 is for your handlebars Lynda, the Cateye BMG 300 has a fatter insert and is meant for drop handlebars which are larger.

 

[Mussels]

I don't see any need for a mirror, they can't be trusted. If I need to look over my shoulder anyway there's little point in having something sticking out to scrape down the side of cars.

 

[wharfitude]

[I don't see any need for a mirror, they can't be trusted. If I need to look over my shoulder anyway there's little point in having something sticking out to scrape down the side of cars.]

I agree, and I don't agree! Mirrors can't be trusted - there's always going to be a blind spot and before I move out into the centre of the road I'll always have a proper look behind. However I do have a mirror now after fifty years of riding without one. It's an ageing thing, I suppose. Looking over my shoulder can be quite painful, especially after a long ride. I use the mirror to keep a general eye on what's going on behind me. Modern ones weigh a few grammes, don't vibrate and are hardly likely to scrape the sides of cars. They're a useful accessory, but not an essential like helmet & hi viz jacket in my opinion - I've got four bikes and only the pedelec has a mirror.

 

[flecc]

Looking around is fine as an addition to a mirror, but riding without continuously updated knowledge of what is going on behind is much more dangerous than being with that knowledge. Only very limited information can be gleaned from glancing around.

It's clear from watching cyclists that most depend greatly on others to make allowances for them all the time, and that's wrong. Everyone on the road has the responsibility for everything to do with their presence, independent of reliance on others helping them.

 

[funkylyn]

The Cateye BMG 500 is for your handlebars Lynda, the Cateye BMG 300 has a fatter insert and is meant for drop handlebars which are larger.

Thanks Flecc......think I'll just look on amazon and have it sent.....the type I got wasnt a good one, more an impulse buy really after seeing recent posts about mirrors on here.....you see, I do what I'm told

Seriously, I really think its a must....I admit I dont wear a helmet, I suppose because most of my cycling is on cycle paths but I feel like I should get one.....but a nice one, the one I have is awful so I dont wear it.
I want a nice funky one or one that looks like a hat.......

And I agree with you....its a personal decision and should be left at that

Lynda

 

[lectureral]

I am in agreement with Flecc - I am constantly changing my position on the road according to what I see coming up in the mirror. I recently bought the one below - very easy to fit, some might find it a bit small but I find it perfect:

Zefal Mirror Spy: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure

 

[PennyFarthing]

I am in agreement with Flecc - I am constantly changing my position on the road according to what I see coming up in the mirror. I recently bought the one below - very easy to fit, some might find it a bit small but I find it perfect:

Zefal Mirror Spy: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure

Thanks for heads up! Doesn't cost too much and looks good.

I'm not a fan of those 'flagpole' mirrors so this is great.

 

[morphix]

Funnily enough....I just bought one last week and it doesnt b***** fit !!
It would be a 36 mile round trip to exchange it.....grrrrrr......and he KNEW what bike it was for cos I bought it off him !!!
Lynda

I just bought a mirror which arrived yesterday and was very excited to try out..unfortunately mine doesn't fit either without some adjustments as the grips I'm using on my bike over extend the handlebar slightly and so the mirror can't fit the tube snug and tends to move around.. gonna have to do some re-arrangement on the handlebar or use another mirror :-/

 

[Enrique Povo]

Thanks very much for the advice. I will get a mirror right away!

 

[RoadieRoger]

That Zefal Mirror Spy looks interesting .Instead of worrying about a mirror fitting the handlebars or the bar end , I`ve often thought that it should fit on your wrist . The band on that mirror could be modified to go around the wrist and be quickly detachable . I will have to get one and work on it . I had a similar idea for fixing my Holux GPS to my arm to check the speedo on my motorcycle . This was achieved buying an iphone case from Poundland with a transparent panel and velcro armband . Thinks , must go and have a lie down and then visit Poundland !