Mirrors
Thread started by
Gav at 07.22.09 - 9:53 pm
Do any of you ridaz use mirrors while you ride? I've been a little curious about what it's like to ride and not have to look backwards to check for cars.
I can have a mirror on the bike and keep it looking sleek with a drop bar mirror
Or I get a mirror that attaches to my glasses
If you use or have used mirrors, which do you think is better? If you haven't used mirrors, which would you be more willing to use if you had to?
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In all honesty, I like the eyeglass mirror due to the fact that it stays in sync with you, whether you're out of the saddle or going up a hill, upside down or things like that.
The handlebar mirrors are good only up to the point where you're still in the saddle.
I'm currently using one of these due to having no glasses since January.
But, I don't need those until I'm jocking the Billy Big-Rig again.
bentstrider07.22.09 - 10:07 pm
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The Take-A-Look mirrors...
http://www.amazon.com/Bike-Peddler-Cycling-Eyeglass-Mirror/dp/B001VTQNVO
iMO... are really nice. It takes a bit getting used to but it's sooo easy to adjust... cause it's got a metal/wire frame. i stopped using it cause I was lazy but when I did stop... I caught myself trying to look at the corner of my eye to see behind me. You might feel a little dorky at first but man this thing is really useful...
digablesoul07.22.09 - 10:08 pm
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I had two of those things at different times and lost both of them.
They work well, but for $16 a pop, I'm the ass for losing them.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by digablesoul
07.22.09 - 10:10 pm
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I'm going to check the LBS tomorrow. I think they're worth a try and I don't mind looking dorky
Gav07.22.09 - 10:23 pm
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As far as the valley goes... Bicycle Johns carries them. Other LBS... hard to find. Sport Chalet and REI have the other version you posted.
digablesoul responding to a
comment by Gav
07.22.09 - 10:30 pm
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It's good to have, but I believe that looking over my shoulder is an important visual cue to drvers. Any thoughts on this?
tortuga_veloce07.22.09 - 10:36 pm
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it is. Sometimes drivers do resist passing when I look over my shoulder, but I still use my arm to signal left.
Gav responding to a
comment by tortuga_veloce
07.22.09 - 10:39 pm
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Tell you what, it's the best early-warning system $10-$20 can buy!!!
bentstrider07.22.09 - 10:42 pm
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Hmm... good point. I think the combo of a hand gesture would work. For instance, coming up to a major intersection and you have the red but you don't want to block the right turn lane so you see the car behind you and you merge to the left lane and a hand gesture would work to signal "go ahead and take the lane to make your right turn". Dang... another thing I never thought about.
digablesoul responding to a
comment by tortuga_veloce
07.22.09 - 10:46 pm
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Helmet / eyeglass mirrors are the greatest things in the world.
Way better than no mirror / handlebar mirror. Makes riding in traffic and/or making left turns IMMENSELY easier.
You do look like king dork, but let's face it, you look like king dork on a bicycle anyway, so you might as well embrace it.
JB07.22.09 - 11:33 pm
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I use the Take-A-Look mirror, and the times I forget it I don't feel as comfortable on the road. True, I don't look like Lance with it, but I am old and I really don't want to get hit by a car. The mirror allows me to monitor whats going on behind me, especially at intersections. It's also useful when I take a lane. I can tell when some driver is cool or all steamed that I am making him late for the Simpsons, before he whips around me and tries to buzz me.
I have also used several of the plastic eyeglass mirrors, but the arms break after a while from bending them onto my glasses. Take-A-Look is all metal, and the one I am using right now I've had for about 4 years.
That is a great point that looking back tips off drivers that you are watching them and may make a move into their space, But I hand signal a lot and that works fine for me.
Most important and useful hand signal? Thumbs up.
Creative Thing07.22.09 - 11:43 pm
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I've been using a mirror for about three years now (the kind that fits in the end of the bars; bigger than the one above, but similar), I can't imagine riding without it. I'm old and my neck is creaky, so i don't like constantly having to whip my head back & forth. It also allows me to keep my eyes on the road ahead of me a little more. I still usually turn my head to confirm what I think the mirror is telling me when changing lanes.
mr rollers07.23.09 - 9:18 am
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thanks for the advice, i'm gonna go get one today
Gav07.23.09 - 2:27 pm
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http://www.amazon.com/Rearview-Spy-Glasses-Mirror-Vision/dp/B000NPGMHM
you can try these out.
sciencefriction07.23.09 - 2:52 pm
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I had a bar mirror on my road bike and it was terrible.
I couldn't see shit because it vibrated so much.
trickmilla07.23.09 - 3:06 pm
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well the mirror is nice. It was a little tough getting it adjusted because what I see with it changes when I sit more upright and when I crouch. Useful but now I have to make my glasses fit tighter on my head because the mirror's weight pulls one side down a little
Gav07.23.09 - 3:41 pm
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The one thing I really like about this is that the mirror is made of glass rather than plastic and mylar. The optics are true, where the mylar is a bit distorted.
User1 responding to a
comment by digablesoul
07.23.09 - 10:06 pm
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They're lifesavers. And you can do coke off of them.
hatehills responding to a
comment by User1
07.23.09 - 11:29 pm
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I've seen a couple of really knarly photos on BFnet of riders who's faces were slashed (like 18 stitches) by the Take-a-Look when they've crashed. I'm experimenting now with a round plastic Third Eye.
Just something to consider.
I really like the field of view the Take-a-Look offers...
alicestrong responding to a
comment by User1
07.24.09 - 8:31 am
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Yeah glass around the face is a concern, but at that point, you have bigger problems to worry about. Like the pavement! I would be interested in reading the thread about the person that messed up their face. If you could post that, would be grateful.
User1 responding to a
comment by alicestrong
07.24.09 - 10:58 am
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