chaadster

Recently, while strolling around cyberspace, I tripped across the RearViz armband rearview mirror (www.rearviz.com). It seems like a pretty good device...if one's looking to use a mirror, anyway.

So I'm curious about actual use of the RearViz from those that have tried it, but also curious about whether folks think mirrors are genuinely useful or what?

I haven't used a mirror since probably '89, and that has been long enough ago that I don't remember if I found it pointless on principle, or whether the execution was poor, or it just wasn't useful for my riding at that time, which was commuting and trailriding. I do remember it was a grip-mount design, so it was definitely not a stable view.

Should I try a RearViz, or does a mirror not really make any difference for those of us good about head-checking before changing lines anyway?

Homebrew01

Do you mean RearViz ?

Seems like anytime you move your arm, you would need to readjust it. I would think a bar-end or helmet mount would be more practical (I have never used a mirror)

chaadster

Thanks, Homebrew, I did mean RearViz, and corrected that as much as I could (but couldn't change thread title).

Yes, the arm position thing is something I wondered about, but thought maybe a quick twist of the forearm, or an extra degree of tilt of the head, would do the trick; it's a pretty big mirror, it seems, and convex (wide-angle). Hopefully a user can illuminate that aspect for us.

Chandne

Been looking at this. Not sure if the forearm or the elbow one is more effective.

chaadster

Yeah, it's hard to surmise whether the upper arm or forearm placement is best, although I was thinking that maybe on the upper arm, you're also turning your head to the side more, which may allow an opportunity for an audible check and visual double-check (directly, as you would without a mirror).

Thing is, if you're gonna head-check anyway, why have a mirror? A quick twist of the head before moving has worked for me, but if you're supposed to trust what your seeing in the mirror, without having to really turn your head, and it helps you hold a more steady line, well, I suppose that's a benefit. Or maybe it isn't? I've never had a problem with drifting into a car, and I also tend to think that the head-check is a signal to drivers that you, the cyclist, are aware of their presence and what's going to happen.

As a driver, I get most nervous when cyclists seem oblivious to what's on the road behind them, because I know they may have to move left into the lane, and of course I don't want to hit anyone, nor do I want to cause more uncertainty by being unnecessarily cautious in overtaking. When I'm riding, if the conditions are hilly, I'm in a group, or if the driver is scared, I'll even wave them on so they understand clearly what's going on.

Anyway, mirror or no mirror? I really can't figure this one out!

Dyskolos

I used a helmet mirror for a while but it was kludgy for me. When it was adjusted properly it interfered with my forward vision. I settled on a Mirrycle brifter mirror and love it. I cycle a lot on country roads with minimal traffic and it helps to be able to see a car approaching from a long way back so I can adjust if I can.

wphamilton

I tried out something similar, a DIY band-mounted mirror on the back of my hand. This was 5 or 6 years ago so details are fuzzy but as I recall there was one issue that the arm-mounted ones could share. It was that every time I wanted to look, I had to make a hand or arm movement. Even a very slight one, it became distracting and annoying enough that I abandoned the idea.

Regarding a mirror in general vs just looking, I find that with a mirror I check well in advance of the time I'd do a head check, so I have more information earlier than I would otherwise.

metalheart44

User APRINCE posted in another recent mirror thread that he recently acquired a REARVIZ and is generally pleased with it.

Northwestrider

I ride ( depending on the bike ) with a mirror and without one. I much prefer a mirror. I've tried helmet mounted mirrors but found the close focal point a problem. I would think an arm band mirror would be too twitchy, but have never tried one.

Northwestrider

I've just noticed in the add they address the vibration issue, saying that it doesn't. I look forward to hearing from someone that has used it. Apparently there are no dealers in the US , which would add to the cost for me I'd guess.

WrightVanCleve

For mirrors in general, yes I find them extremely useful.

Take A Look Cycling Mirror Original Visor And Glasses - Cycle City - The Alameda Trek Bike Shop
I use this on my helmet visor. I used to put these types on my glasses but all these types of mirrors are a bit too heavy so they would slide my glasses down, but I also got headaches because the mirror was just too close to my left eye which is my farsighted eye. Swapped to my helmet visor and I get much better results and no headaches.

I see the car back well before I would hear it. Same goes with anyone on the bike paths catching up. I've had a few people break off a group and grab my wheel, I think the group was taking it a bit easy and these guys wanted to juice it up, and when I felt my pedaling lighten up, I was able to see the riders drafting. If I turn around to look, I will often go off line a little bit. The mirror makes it safer for me to check my rear. It is much safer to turn my head back and fourth a little bit to check behind me in traffic with the mirror when I commute to work since I go through downtown with the traffic around me.

Looigi

+ 1 on the Take-a-look for riding on the road with traffic. I use the compact version. It's bendable so you can position up and to the left out of your forward line of sight. Its close proximity to the eye yields a wide field of view which, further, can be scanned by rotating the head a few degrees. It's flat so objects in mirror are full size, not smaller or "closer than they appear". With it mounted on the helmet or glasses, there's very little vibration.

shoemakerpom

Looks goofy having some armband mirror that could change angle depending in the location you have your arms resting. Get one of these and you will wonder why all bikes do not come standard with them. Amazon.com : Sprintech Left Drop Bar Mirror, Red : Bike Mirrors : Sports & Outdoors

aubiecat

I use the dual Sprintech mirrors. I can see the whole road from edge to edge. With the right adjustment I can see behind whether I am on the bars, on the hoods or in the drops. You have to get used to them because they are convex shaped.
Im not sure I could ever get used to an arm mirror.

wphamilton

I have a lower quality (Cycleaware) brand of these drop-bar end mirrors. I love the idea of them and they work, but ... the reflected images are small and you need excellent eyesight. You don't get as good a view as with a helmet mirror or eyeglasses mirror, which in turn do block some of your forward vision. It seems there is no perfect solution.

If the armband ones would trigger to flip out on a bicepts flex and then close, then maybe ... or maybe some electronics responding to a head gesture ... but I can't see having those sticking out from my arm all the time during a ride.

aubiecat

That is the correct answer. There really is no perfect solution, yet. We just have to decide which product and it's faults we can deal with the best. The main thing is being safe and trying to keep an eye out for the distracted drivers.
I just happened to be thinking about this on a long ride the other day. I thought the perfect solution to this is a rear facing HD camera with a laser warning system so you aren't surprised by really quite cars and some sort of monitoring device on the front. Maybe Bluetooth, Ant+ or wired to your smart phone mounted on the stem. With the amount of micro electronics available out there some enterprising engineer could do a Kick Starter project on this and make it work.

Silvercivic27

What about these, chaad?

Selle Italia Eyelink Bicycle Handlebar Mirror - 20I9850012000013 : Browse All Products

chaadster

Even if I were ready to tack something like that onto my bike, which I am not, it would still seem that a mirror perched out on a brifter would be one of the most unstable and difficult-to-use locations you could think of.

datlas 

How about a rear-view camera wired (or better yet Bluetooth) to your garmin??

vic303

I use mirrors all the time when I ride. I use a Take A Look on the glasses on the Roubaix. I use a Zefal Spy and a B&M morror on the 'bent. With traffic around here you pretty well need a mirror to enhance safety.

goenrdoug

I waved at a cyclist with a mirror on his helmet, once, and he didn't wave back.

Leinster

Well he obviously couldn't see you unless you were behind him.

StephenH

I'm all in favor of using mirrors.
I know and ride with some very good riders who have thousands and thousands of miles of riding experience. They all use mirrors, but they all use DIFFERENT mirrors, there's no consistency at all. Some use helmet-mounted, some use eyeglass- mounted, some use bike-mounted, some use a combination. I'm sure the mirror you posted is right for somebody, but whether it's right for you, there's only one way to find out.

I tried a glue-on-the-helmet mirror, it vibrated too much. I tried a clamp-on-the-helmet mirror, the helmet was tapered wrong and it wouldn't clamp on. So try some out yourself and see what you think. If it takes a couple or three tries to get one you like, don't feel bad.

ARPRINCE

My initial review...
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...l#post16835288

I find the just below the elbow placement (as seen on their website) is the best position. Think of it like driving a car. You sit and adjust the side view mirror to your satisfaction or optimal position. Depending on how you sit, you get varying degrees where you lose visibility.

Again, it all depends on your riding style and it suits mine just fine. Had several rides already and I won't ride without one. Actually on my third ride (2 weeks ago), I did not use it. I found myself checking my arm to try to look behind me... lolz.

chaadster

Thanks for posting, and for the link to your feedback; I'd searched but didn't see it before.