Do people use rearview mirrors?
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Do people use rearview mirrors?
Should i get one of these things? Do riders use these? whenever i see other riders or even pictures on the internet of road bikers, I never see anyone that has a take a look mirror or a handlebar mirror.
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I love my helmet mounted mirror. I couldn't ride without it. If you do a lot of riding in traffic it's indispensable. I have more confidence to ride out further from the curb as I can see what's behind me. Consequently I get a lot fewer close passes. I can get into a left turn lane more easily as I scan the traffic from behind.
If you're riding on trails all the time you probably don't need a mirror.
If you're riding on trails all the time you probably don't need a mirror.
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I was riding behind a guy one time who kept glancing back to see traffic. I mean like every 20 seconds or so. Then in anticipation of an upcoming left turn he called out that there's a truck coming behind us. Well, no $h!t. I saw that truck from a mile away, literally. But he did look cooler than me.
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I love my "Take a Look" glasses mounted mirror. It works really well for group rides to watch the pack behind me, especially when I'm leading. If I'm riding trails, either with a cross bike or my MTB, I obviously don't have my mirror but I find myself looking for it.
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I commute. I have a take-a-look mirror and a handlebar mirror on each of my bikes...and an AirZound airhorn. If you're gonna "play" in traffic, don't "play around". See and be seen, be heard, be smart...be safe.
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Car drivers don't use them ... why should we?
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Some do. I don't. I turn my head.
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'Road bikers' scoff at that sort of thing. It makes them look fred.
I was riding behind a guy one time who kept glancing back to see traffic. I mean like every 20 seconds or so. Then in anticipation of an upcoming left turn he called out that there's a truck coming behind us. Well, no $h!t. I saw that truck from a mile away, literally. But he did look cooler than me.
I was riding behind a guy one time who kept glancing back to see traffic. I mean like every 20 seconds or so. Then in anticipation of an upcoming left turn he called out that there's a truck coming behind us. Well, no $h!t. I saw that truck from a mile away, literally. But he did look cooler than me.
Last edited by rydabent; 10-07-17 at 12:30 PM.
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Some do, many, including me, don't. As you might expect, those that do really believe in them.
If you have any sense that one may be helpful for you, give it a shot and decide for yourself.
If you have any sense that one may be helpful for you, give it a shot and decide for yourself.
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I love my helmet mounted mirror. I couldn't ride without it. If you do a lot of riding in traffic it's indispensable. I have more confidence to ride out further from the curb as I can see what's behind me. Consequently I get a lot fewer close passes. I can get into a left turn lane more easily as I scan the traffic from behind.
Last edited by carl7; 10-07-17 at 09:58 AM.
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The bikes ridden long distances on the road do, the ones used primarily on trails don't. Now that I've had them, I really like them. Useful for more than just traffic too, if I am in lead I can easily keep an eye on the fiancee and make sure I'm not setting too fast a pace, much nicer than sitting up and loking over my shoulder every minute.
Biggest problem I have is getting the handlebar mounted ones to fit well on things like trekking bars and drops with bar end shifters, it takes some time to get something to work. Second biggest problem I have is I am rough on my helmets, so a helmet mounted one would never survive me.
Biggest problem I have is getting the handlebar mounted ones to fit well on things like trekking bars and drops with bar end shifters, it takes some time to get something to work. Second biggest problem I have is I am rough on my helmets, so a helmet mounted one would never survive me.
#16
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I never ride on the road without my Take-a-Look mirror...or ,my Halo! I feel naked in traffic without it.
I never ride on the road without my Take-a-Look mirror...or ,my Halo! I feel naked in traffic without it.
Last edited by drlogik; 10-07-17 at 12:04 PM.
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Simply ... if you have any notion that you might want a mirror, get one and try it.
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When I have one, I like it and use it. When I don't - I lost my sunglasses with mirror a while back - I don't miss it much. Try it yourself.
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Obviously some people do, or they wouldn't bother making them.
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I use one. I don't like to ride without it, anywhere...I'm too jumpy so I like to know what is around me at all times.
I can only turn my head so far to either side, because of an injury, so that's the other reason I like having it.
I use a Cat-Eye Racing bar end mirror that works on drop bars & flat bars. It's cheap, easily adjusted, and allows me to see pretty far back and around.
I can only turn my head so far to either side, because of an injury, so that's the other reason I like having it.
I use a Cat-Eye Racing bar end mirror that works on drop bars & flat bars. It's cheap, easily adjusted, and allows me to see pretty far back and around.
#23
Farmer tan
If you decide to try one, give it a solid week before you decide whether to keep it.
I gave up after the first few rides with a helmet mirror years ago. Then rode a couple years without, and then decided to try again.
Now I won't ride without one, especially on twisty mountain ascents and descents.
By the way, it's entirely possible to use a mirror and turn your head, too.
I gave up after the first few rides with a helmet mirror years ago. Then rode a couple years without, and then decided to try again.
Now I won't ride without one, especially on twisty mountain ascents and descents.
By the way, it's entirely possible to use a mirror and turn your head, too.
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What kind is that? It looks more adaptable to swept handlebars than the old Cat Eye.
Yes, I like to have a mirror. It's a comfortable way to keep an eye on what's coming up behind me. Yes, I still turn my head before making a turn or changing lanes. Same with driving a car.
Yes, I like to have a mirror. It's a comfortable way to keep an eye on what's coming up behind me. Yes, I still turn my head before making a turn or changing lanes. Same with driving a car.
#25
Bad example
I won’t ride without one. It gives me the ability to scan behind me much more frequently and more quickly.