People Are Mesmerized
 

One oddity of riding that I find rather, well, odd, is how many people are completely gobsmacked by my helmet mirror. It's like the most amazing, arresting, and fascinating accessory they've ever witnessed in their lives. Children and teens in particular are the most likely to stare in amazement. Adults, I assume, have been conditioned not to stare at others, so they appear to take little interest.

I find my helmet mirror to be very lightweight, small and I assume as a result that others would find it to be more or less inconspicuous as well, but young people seem totally drawn in by it.

Over time, I've just gotten used to the fact that young people will stare, but it still surprises me how often it happens.

Do you all find the same thing happening?

Welcome to BF! Happy you are enjoying the attention but maybe it's not the mirror. Do you have anything else unusual going on? :foo:

No.

NOPE

+1 :thumb:

What indyfabz posted ^^^

I too find a lot of people fascinated by either my helmet mounted mirror or my eyeglasses mounted mirror when I'm using either.

Sometimes in a store where some small child is having a tantrum I turn the mirror around so they can see into it and I say look at that cranky person. 99% of the time they see the face and stop the crying or tantrum.

Many adults ask me if I can actually see stuff behind me with such a small mirror. Often I'll take the mirror off and let then try it hand held. They're quite surprise and many who are bicyclists themselves ask where the can buy one.

Cheers

I don't use a helmet mirror. I tried it once, but my earbud cords kept getting tangled in it.

I use a glasses-mounted take-a-look mirror. I don't know if they're "mesmerized" or "gobsmacked", but if I run an errand on the bike, say to a store a restaurant or the bank, once in a while people will sometimes ask what it is, especially if my helmet is off (clipped to my backpack).

shiny objects!

Just try not and think about what the mirror is used for afterdark

What’s more fun is being so used to the mirror that you find yourself looking for the mirror when not on a bike.

Do you tell them their reflections aren't appearing in your mirror for some odd reasons?

Lately the most comments that I get are along the lines of...

1. Why don't you ride an electric bike?
2. Why don't you have disc brakes?
3. Is that a fixie?

Worse is reaching up to adjust it when you're not wearing it id glasses mounted, or the helmet it's mounted on that.

Cheers

no.

I dont wear one because when I care whats behind me, I look.
I haven't noticed people staring at someone who wears a mirror because I don't look at people for more than a brief moment while riding since there is no reason to.

I envy your flexibility.

I've been relying on glasses-mounted mirrors for the past twenty one years (the most useful items I've ever bought from bike shops, BTW). I never would've guessed that a discussion thread would be about the supposed fascination that onlookers have of the mirror. Even when grocery shopping, where I'm pushing my bicycle around the store, a lot of people are seeing me and have the opportunity to comment on the mirror. If they are fascinated by the mirror, I'd never have any clue about it. Then again, when I have no reason to be wary of vehicles approaching from behind, I have the glasses pushed up over the top of my head. But anyway, no.

I just ordered one of the Take A Look mirrors... I plan on mounting it to my helmet rather than glasses, to have it able to see as far out as possible (I bought it for tandem cycling-- harder to just turn and look over my shoulder when I have to also look past someone else, especially since my stoker is built a bit larger than I am, so the mirror will be helpful in those situations where I won't need to turn, like simply seeing what's behind us). I've been reading mixed reviews on getting it mounted on a helmet, with some people having no issues and some having a really hard time getting it to go on... any tips? (I do not want it permanently mounted, so no glue, duct tape, zip ties, screws, etc. I will be removing it after every ride. I'm sure this will drive me nuts to have to readjust it every. time. but I just don't want/need it on there permanently.)

That's weird. I usually get asked what chain lube I'm using.

> TAKE A LOOK TESTIMONIAL > dorkiness aside the TAKE A LOOK is as good as it gets ... im an x moto guy who used bar ends... i ride fixed ... a TAKE A LOOK on your glasses or helmet liner or visor will give you optimum 5-7 o'clock viewing ... i still lane check but the TAKE A LOOK makes it easier in traffic ... on your helmet or affixed to your glasses it is A+ ... to tape or not to tape it on is your choice but to begin with don't tape it & see how you best like it ...it may be distracting at the very first but you will be used to it after a few hours of riding ... you will soon find that the only bad aspect of a TAKE A LOOK is having to be mindful of it when you are carrying your helmet in your hand or storing it >... it's the best $15 biking bucks that you will ever spend >DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT :commute:

No, but I take my helmet off when I get of the bike

Bring binoculars and stare back at them. 🤗😐🤗

Take A Look is my preferred mirror too. Even though most of my riding is road, I prefer MTB helmets (Fly Racing Freestone amongst others) for the extra rear coverage and big visors they provide. Found that the visor is a great spot to attach the Take A Look, using cable ties to secure. Not permanent, but holds relatively well. The maker of mirror does sell a small piece of plastic for helmet use, but have never tried it (being cheap!).

I read so many good reviews of it, I figured it was the one.

I got it to attach to the side of the visor okay... I'm just not confident it will stay. I'm not much liking the idea of having to do something like taping it (I can't see anywhere I would use zip ties or, as I read someone did, velcro straps) and attaching/removing tape each time I use it (and dealing with the tape residue), but it might come down to that, because I have a feeling that otherwise I'd lose it on the first bump we hit.