Rear view mirror for drop bar
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: McCall Idaho
Posts: 302
Bikes: Salsa Vaya, Salsa Fargo, TREK DS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Rear view mirror for drop bar
i really need some kind of ability to see cars and other riders coming up behind me. I tried a helmet mounted system but it was so small I almost wrecked a couple of times as I was trying to determine the source is a noise coming up behind me.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,837
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Elite Disc, 1983 Trek 520
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Liked 741 Times
in
430 Posts
If you use rear panniers, the bar-end mount mirrors, which are otherwise pretty nice, won't work very well.
I have a metal bracket that Velcros onto the brake hood. It's old and heavy, but I love it. I'm not sure it's still made.
There's a very old style that straps onto the back of the hand or glove. I heard someone say they saw a new one the other day.
I've never really gotten the hang of helmet or eyeglass mirrors, but that's probably just a learning curve.
I have a metal bracket that Velcros onto the brake hood. It's old and heavy, but I love it. I'm not sure it's still made.
There's a very old style that straps onto the back of the hand or glove. I heard someone say they saw a new one the other day.
I've never really gotten the hang of helmet or eyeglass mirrors, but that's probably just a learning curve.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 11,208
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3461 Post(s)
Liked 1,467 Times
in
1,144 Posts
My helmet mounted mirror is not that small, it is the Third Eye model that clamps onto my helmet visor. But if you think that is too small, that is your decision. I like the way that it clamps on, it works when I am wearing my helmet rain cover which I sometimes do in cold weather. And it can be removed for transport, like when I get on airplanes.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Salem Oregon
Posts: 1,030
Bikes: 2019 Trek Stash 7, 1994 Specialized Epic 1986 Diamondback Ascent 1996 Klein Pulse Comp, 2006 Specialized Sequoia Elite
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 418 Post(s)
Liked 523 Times
in
291 Posts
There are quite a few different bar end mount mirrors out there for drop bars. Mine was an inexpensive Bell brand mirror I found at Walmart. I like it, but have to consciously make myself look down to use it. I'd make sure you can adjust the angle appropriately. I was riding my other bike today that doesn't have a mirrors and I noticed its absence. I do use it.
Those mirrors that come up out of the brake hoods look interesting. I'm not sure how well they work.
Those mirrors that come up out of the brake hoods look interesting. I'm not sure how well they work.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Walyalup, Australia
Posts: 1,391
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Salsa Mukluk, Riese & Muller Supercharger GT Rohloff (Forthcoming)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
22 Posts
I use Zefal Spy Mirrors on some of my bikes including bikes with drop-bars and have in the past used one on my Surly Long Haul Trucker. Now however the Surly has a Busch & Muller Cycle Star mirror fitted to it. I have found it works well for my needs.
#6
Full Member
I use a Rearviz mirror strapped on my wrist. https://www.rearviz.com/
I'd never be able to keep a mirror on my handlebars or helmet in one piece for long!
The Rearviz is pretty much infinitely adjustable. Change hands if you change from riding on the left to the right.
The disadvantage is that if you change your hand position, you can lose your rear view - but at the same time, an adjustment of your wrist means that you can see a lot more too.
It's finnicky in that it takes a while to get used to it, and to get the adjusting right, but it does do a reasonable job. Bear in mind I have no other mirror use to compare it to.
It can also be handy around camp to have a mirror. And it folds up when not in use so is reasonably robust.
I'd never be able to keep a mirror on my handlebars or helmet in one piece for long!
The Rearviz is pretty much infinitely adjustable. Change hands if you change from riding on the left to the right.
The disadvantage is that if you change your hand position, you can lose your rear view - but at the same time, an adjustment of your wrist means that you can see a lot more too.
It's finnicky in that it takes a while to get used to it, and to get the adjusting right, but it does do a reasonable job. Bear in mind I have no other mirror use to compare it to.
It can also be handy around camp to have a mirror. And it folds up when not in use so is reasonably robust.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,837
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Elite Disc, 1983 Trek 520
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Liked 741 Times
in
430 Posts
I had to laugh at the Rearviz website, which says they have the "worlds first" wearable rear view mirror. I specifically remember those back in the 70s, a convex mirror with an elastic strap. I guess that company's not around anymore to claim differently.
(After the AMC car company (remember the Eagle?) went out of business, Subaru started claiming they had the "world's first" all wheel drive station wagon. But the Eagle was 4WD, so maybe that's technically true.)
(After the AMC car company (remember the Eagle?) went out of business, Subaru started claiming they had the "world's first" all wheel drive station wagon. But the Eagle was 4WD, so maybe that's technically true.)
#8
Member
I installed tbe Ortlieb Ultra Light Mirror on my Long Haul Trucker. I mounted it a little below the brake lever. The mounting stem is horizontal, the mirror is vertical. I just installed it, so I've only ridden about 400 miles, but so far I really like it. I also put one on my wife's bike with Trekking bars as well, she loves it.
#9
The Left Coast, USA
There are about a dozen (China knock-offs) competitors on Amazon, the Rearviz is three, four times the price..
I use the Hafny on a couple of road bikes, works flawlessly https://www.amazon.com/Hafny-Mirror-...rop+bar+mirror
I use the Hafny on a couple of road bikes, works flawlessly https://www.amazon.com/Hafny-Mirror-...rop+bar+mirror
#10
Senior Member
I use a take a look mirror on my helmet (https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5013-6...ist%27s-Mirror). I know you said you didn't want a helmet mirror but maybe you need to give it more time. I love that I can see forward and back at the same time and I can swivel to scan behind me. I have gotten so used to this I find it hard to ride without it. I have never had issues with it being small.
#11
Banned
#12
Senior Member
I use a take a look mirror on my helmet (https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5013-6...ist%27s-Mirror). I know you said you didn't want a helmet mirror but maybe you need to give it more time. I love that I can see forward and back at the same time and I can swivel to scan behind me. I have gotten so used to this I find it hard to ride without it. I have never had issues with it being small.
If you can't see enough behind you, that suggests to me that you have the mirror mounted too far from your eye or the mirror you have is tiny (probably the former). I strongly suggest you give a helmet or glasses-mounted mirror a try again, because they might be fantastic for you if you get one that works for you and it is adjusted appropriately.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: McCall Idaho
Posts: 302
Bikes: Salsa Vaya, Salsa Fargo, TREK DS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use Zefal Spy Mirrors on some of my bikes including bikes with drop-bars and have in the past used one on my Surly Long Haul Trucker. Now however the Surly has a Busch & Muller Cycle Star mirror fitted to it. I have found it works well for my needs.
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: McCall Idaho
Posts: 302
Bikes: Salsa Vaya, Salsa Fargo, TREK DS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use a take a look mirror on my helmet (https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5013-6...ist%27s-Mirror). I know you said you didn't want a helmet mirror but maybe you need to give it more time. I love that I can see forward and back at the same time and I can swivel to scan behind me. I have gotten so used to this I find it hard to ride without it. I have never had issues with it being small.
#15
Senior Member
My friend uses the Busch and Mueller Cycle Star mirror. I have some Cateye brand mirror that screws into the end of the drop bars. Both work well enough for our purposes. As mentioned earlier, the end of the drop bar is not a great location for a mirror on a touring bike but I've found an orientation where the view in the mirror clears the panniers in the back. Both of the mirrors are stiff enough to stay in place while riding while loose enough to shift position so as not to break if the bike should fall over on that side. In the name of science we've put this to the test several times...
I found the Cateye mirror for $8 at REI, so it's a good value. It says "Racing Mirror" on the back in fast looking font, but I'm not sure if it actually makes me any faster.
I found the Cateye mirror for $8 at REI, so it's a good value. It says "Racing Mirror" on the back in fast looking font, but I'm not sure if it actually makes me any faster.
#16
Senior Member
#17
Macro Geek
Last edited by acantor; 05-20-18 at 07:42 PM.
#19
Banned
A mirror mount, of sheet aluminum wrapping over the hood was a way they were made years ago..
held on with velcro straps..
held on with velcro straps..
#20
Lentement mais sûrement
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Montréal
Posts: 2,253
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
I use a Mountain Mirrycle mounted on a light clamp under the brake hood. Works very well. Put it under the bar tape though, unlike this photo:
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 238
Bikes: Pinarello Road, Surly LHT, Dolan Track, Fuji Supreme, Guru Ti Tri, Bamboo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#24
-
These have been good for me, but seem to be out of stock presently:
https://www.cycleaware.com/index.php?...&products_id=1
https://www.cycleaware.com/index.php?...&products_id=1
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: McCall Idaho
Posts: 302
Bikes: Salsa Vaya, Salsa Fargo, TREK DS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have ordered the Busch & Mueller and the take a look. Will see how they work.