sdmc530

Same for me! I got it for a specific hills ride that was all on road riding and had lots of traffic. I spent more time trying to make it work than using it for its intended purpose. I just decided to turn my head instead.

I would try the bar end version next time though. They seem like a better design IMO.

Chris0516

Drop bars

genec

Drop bars are easy... you aren't looking hard enough.

MNebiker

If there were no differences of option there would be no horse races. Use what works for you. Getting used to a helmet mirror takes some time, and vision problems can factor into it. Since I used one for so long it was just a matter of getting the new one adjusted right and I was happy. I'm far sighted, can't read this screen without glasses but distance vision is fair without - don't know if that makes it easier to use. The main thing I like about helmet/glasses mount mirrors is that by just turning my head slightly I can see back on curved roads or check out all the traffic lanes. Unless the bar mirror is curved that is not an option.

But my wife never did like the helmet mirror and I wound up putting one of the old style Schwinn bar mirrors on her bike.

mynewnchome

I bought a bar plug style mirror but I just decided that where I ride I could do without.

Still got it, probably never use it, guess it's time to Craigslist it or something.

Miele Man

I tied mirors like that twice and both times I found that me arm blocked the view of the mirror. Now I use a Take-a-look mirror on my sunglasses or a helmet mounted mirror because with either of those I do NOT have to take my eyes of the road or off the traffic ahead of me. Other people? Well TMMV.

Cheers

Chris0516

Not as easy, as they might seem. The handlebar mirror shown in previous posts of this thread. While not ostentatious, the viewing area is small. My father gave me a bigger mirror like that. While having a bigger viewing area. That same bigger viewing area. Became a bigger distraction. Not only for the reason quoted below. But having to focus on a moving object. Is just like, trying to read something, in a moving vehicle.

noisebeam

For commuting I've used this mirror with drop bars perhaps for over 12 years. I don't notice it riding. I remove it for long weekend rides with others.

dougmc

You must be doing something really right that I was doing really wrong!

Every mirror I've tried mounting there has gotten broken from the bike falling over fairly quickly. Also, vibration was always a big issue, no matter how securely I mounted the mirror.

I now ride with a mirror mounted to my helmet and that avoids both issues.

noisebeam

In 12yr I've only broken one bar mount mirror. They vibrate a tiny bit, but I can see traffic or a vehicle behind me very far back more than adequately.

ChrisWagner

All the reviews I read said the same thing about flimsy so I went with one made for motorcycles. Solid with no vibration. It cost more than the crap too but does the job well. I added a bar end mount to get a flush fold over with the added benefit of some shock prevention on a drop. The mirror folds with the drop and the impact force is on the bar end and not the mirror. (more $). I never could get a helmet mirror working quick enough to be useful for myself.

Mirror
CRG - Constructors Racing Group

Bar end mount
CRG - Constructors Racing Group

noisebeam

I accidentally took a pic of my commuter with bar end mirror a few days ago.



(Note the torn up bar wrap, I had a minor crash when riding with my son a couple months ago. Mirror shifted out of the way and was fine.)

NomarsGirl

I use a helmet-mounted mirror. It's tiny, but shows me what I need to see. I just need to know if there is a car behind me when I come to an intersection. I ride mostly on MUPs and don't need it at all there except to see if my husband is still within sight or if I should slow down and let him catch up.

Jim from Boston

I have previously posted:

bobwysiwyg

genec

Oh, I've broken a few... but still prefer them. Just can't get that mirror near my eyes to work right.

Most of the bar end mirrors I break are due to going through narrow "car gates" or something similar, and doing so at speed, yet slightly misjudging the offset needed to save the mirror.

I really like my new velcro mirror.

OldTryGuy

Just started using a "Velcro Bar End Mirror" with a red blinkie light attached in addition to my helmet and under seat lights. Seems drivers are giving me a bit more passing distance with the left boundary of the bike being more apparent. BTW, before lighting up the mirror I tried it out and just couldn't make the mirror work as well as my eyeglass mount mirror

Miele Man

What I like about an eyeglass or helmet mounted mirror is that I can turn my head a bit to scan a large area behind me or see what's behind me when I'm riding in a curve on the road. With a handlebar mounted mirror in a curve on a road I often have a great view of what's in a field but NOT what's behind me. Also with the eyeglass or helmet mounted mirror I can look into the mirror and still see ahead of me. With a handlebar mirrors I have to briefly take my eyes off the road in front of me to glance down at the mirror. Bar end mirrors were the worst for me because my arm blocked my view of them.

The view ahead when looking into an eyeglass or helmet mounted mirror might be out of focus but you can still see what's in front of you.

Cheers

rumrunn6

encouraging isn't it? I found the same to be true for me when I added a 2nd rear facing strobe on my left drop bar. last year I added a mirror I found at a consignment shop. got a pic? here's mine

OldTryGuy

That's the ticket !!!

The bar end mirror didn't work for me since riding on my aerobars prevents viewing so I attached the light to the mirror. Money well spent just in a different way.

Jungleland

How is that mounted? That looks exactly like something I need (I am far sighted and don't think the helmet/glasses mirror will work well).

genec

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE.

Well if anybody is still following this thread, and my rant about eyeglass/hemet mirrors and how they don't work for me... here's news...

The dang thing works great in the office as a "who's behind me" mirror at my computer.

I work with my back to the door, due to the office arrangement. Not the best arrangement, to be sure... and on occasion someone pops in and surprises the heck out of me... in a rude way.

Well, I popped that bike mirror up against my computer and braced it with a touch of tape, and I have no problem focusing on it and looking behind me. Of course it is about 20-22 inches away. No wonder I could never focus on it, while attached to my helmet.

I AM using a very nice "velcro on" bar end mirror on my bike. It works great... bit expensive, but heck... I'm worth it.

Anyway, thought you folks would like to know... it was definitely an issue of focal length. And, the mirror has not gone to waste.

BobbyG

What other bike accesories can be repurposed for the office? I immediatly thought of a bell (actually an AirZound airhorn), but I think a "personal pool noodle" to preserve personal space may be most useful.

Jim from Boston

I too work in a similar office environment and have (whimsically) considered and suggested that use to others. I have even posted:On a more serious note, I recently had thought that I lost one of my Take-a-Look mirrors (I wear right and left; link). I checked out the website looking for local vendors. I had always bought them “off the rack," so I was surprised to learn that you could order them in different stem lengths. Choose Mirror Size, Original or Compact. Then Choose Stem Length.

The other choice is the compact, or wider original size mirror. When I bought my most recent one, the shop only had the compact size. I was skeptical about it, but with the proper adjustment, as with the original size, it works fine.

Probably more stylish for those persuaded by fashion.

noisebeam

There is a provided velcro strap that goes around the mount and hood.