helmet/glasses mirror recommendation?
09-26-13, 01:36 PM
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helmet/glasses mirror recommendation?
Hi guys, I was wondering what kind of mirrors you guys use for your commute. I ride a road bike to work.
I've tried the Third Eye Bar End mirror but the thing kept rattling off and it didn't really fit my bars no matter how much I tightened the nut.
I've also tried the Bike Peddler Take A Look Compact mirror. It works OK, but I need to be completely upright to see what I want to see. When I'm riding on the hoods (normally), 1/3-1/2 of tiny mirror is blocked by my shoulder... If I move the mirror then I see 45 degrees behind me, which isn't really that useful.
Do any roadie commuters have any suggestions?
I've tried the Third Eye Bar End mirror but the thing kept rattling off and it didn't really fit my bars no matter how much I tightened the nut.
I've also tried the Bike Peddler Take A Look Compact mirror. It works OK, but I need to be completely upright to see what I want to see. When I'm riding on the hoods (normally), 1/3-1/2 of tiny mirror is blocked by my shoulder... If I move the mirror then I see 45 degrees behind me, which isn't really that useful.
Do any roadie commuters have any suggestions?
09-26-13, 02:20 PM
#2
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I have Third Eye helmet-mounted mirrors on my commuter and road helmets as well as a glasses-mounted Third Eye mirror on my MTB sunglases (I use Goop to attach to helmet and to glasses). It takes some experimentation to determin the best position for the mirror and best technique for getting maximum field of vision in each riding position.
09-26-13, 03:24 PM
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helmet/glasses mirror recommendation?
I commute on a Specialized S-works. I always wear two Take-a-Look mirrors on my eyglasses which I absolutely need to wear anyways. I've posted a few times about the utility of two mirrors, but even with only one, IMO Take-a-Look is the best. I've tried handlebar and helmet mirrors, but I always seem to knock them off.
I commute on a Specialized S-works. I always wear two Take-a-Look mirrors on my eyglasses which I absolutely need to wear anyways. I've posted a few times about the utility of two mirrors, but even with only one, IMO Take-a-Look is the best. I've tried handlebar and helmet mirrors, but I always seem to knock them off.
I use both left and right rearview mirrors, in my case Take-a-Look eyeglass mounted ones. I got the idea from a cycling companion who used only a right hand mirror. The additional right hand mirror affords a pretty good rearward view, but is particularly useful:
One other situation where hearing is ineffective, even on rural roads, occurs when being passed by one car, and I'm never sure that another one is following the first. No problem with a mirror.
- Riding on the left-hand side of a one-way street
- Riding in the middle or left lanes of a two-way thoroughfare
- In a rotary
- On a curved road to the right
- When the sun is directly behind, usually one mirror can be positioned away from the glare of the sun.
One other situation where hearing is ineffective, even on rural roads, occurs when being passed by one car, and I'm never sure that another one is following the first. No problem with a mirror.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 09-26-13 at 03:28 PM.
09-26-13, 03:36 PM
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I wear a Take a Look mirror attached to my sunglasses. I sometimes attach the mirror to my helmet visor instead. They are well made and have a wide range of adjustment.
09-26-13, 07:48 PM
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I use a Take-A-Look as well, and have found it reliable.
I've bent my mirror hand to a shape that avoids my shoulder and lets me see straight behind.
I've bent my mirror hand to a shape that avoids my shoulder and lets me see straight behind.
09-26-13, 10:14 PM
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Take-a-look gives a good, steady image. Maybe try the regular sized one and bend it if necessary? They're about $12, so it might be worth a try. I ride more upright than you, so I can't give a direct comparison to your approach.
On the couple of times I have forgot my glasses with the Take-A-Look attached, I quickly realize how much I miss them and how great they are. Sometimes when walking, I unconsciously look up and to the left, as if I still had them on, to check behind me.
On the couple of times I have forgot my glasses with the Take-A-Look attached, I quickly realize how much I miss them and how great they are. Sometimes when walking, I unconsciously look up and to the left, as if I still had them on, to check behind me.
09-26-13, 10:22 PM
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another for the Take a look. I won't ride on a road without it anymore. Best thing was riding in virginia and colorado around some of the passes with bendy narrow roads and being able to turn your head while climbing and peer back to see if cars were coming.... because sometimes people drive the dreaded prius! or worse! Leaf!
09-27-13, 11:20 AM
#9
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Hi guys, I was wondering what kind of mirrors you guys use for your commute. I ride a road bike to work.
I've tried the Third Eye Bar End mirror but the thing kept rattling off and it didn't really fit my bars no matter how much I tightened the nut.
I've also tried the Bike Peddler Take A Look Compact mirror. It works OK, but I need to be completely upright to see what I want to see. When I'm riding on the hoods (normally), 1/3-1/2 of tiny mirror is blocked by my shoulder... If I move the mirror then I see 45 degrees behind me, which isn't really that useful.
Do any roadie commuters have any suggestions?
I've tried the Third Eye Bar End mirror but the thing kept rattling off and it didn't really fit my bars no matter how much I tightened the nut.
I've also tried the Bike Peddler Take A Look Compact mirror. It works OK, but I need to be completely upright to see what I want to see. When I'm riding on the hoods (normally), 1/3-1/2 of tiny mirror is blocked by my shoulder... If I move the mirror then I see 45 degrees behind me, which isn't really that useful.
Do any roadie commuters have any suggestions?
it gives you the benefit of the head moving a bit, (still much easier and IMHO safer) giving the driver some idea that you are going to do some maneuver (a la Robert hurst, art of urban cycling)...
09-27-13, 11:23 AM
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oops forgot to say what model: third eye... I prefer this as it is round plastic and the joint can pop apart, I didn't like the idea of having a square sharp feeling mirror on a wire near my eye...
09-27-13, 03:36 PM
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I have a Take a Look glasses mount mirror. I used it for about 2 days and found it was too distracting to me. Now I just turn my head like I always have. It works
09-27-13, 05:54 PM
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09-27-13, 06:51 PM
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Cycleaware Reflex.
I used to use Take-A-Look but then I wiped out on a patch of sand. The gouges that the Take-A-Look made on my face took 18 stitches to close.
The reflex is all gumby wire and plastic around the mirror, much safer. After the accident and I thought about it, it's actually kind of terrifying that the Take-A-Look has very stiff wire and brass tubing right up by your face and eye.
I used to use Take-A-Look but then I wiped out on a patch of sand. The gouges that the Take-A-Look made on my face took 18 stitches to close.
The reflex is all gumby wire and plastic around the mirror, much safer. After the accident and I thought about it, it's actually kind of terrifying that the Take-A-Look has very stiff wire and brass tubing right up by your face and eye.
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