I-Like-To-Bike

"More Efficient"? measured by what - Grams?
I read that you use an mp3 player, so what? It only makes your Total Awareness baloney that much sillier, since you recognize that there is no need to make a fuss about hearing "cagers" at the farthest distance possible.

How many of those logging trucks are overtaking you while they are still on curves somewhere behind you out of sight of a handlebar mounted mirror?

Doohickie

I use a Pro Third Eye helmet mounted mirror. It works pretty good.

daredevil

Grams? Yet another rider who cannot understand the concept of pointing a mirror where you need and want to see as opposed to the restrictive view of the stationary mount. At least I have you thinking about the concept though.

daredevil

Thank you...but you know that being able to see as good as possible is simply nonsense, right? Who needs that crap anyway?

I-Like-To-Bike

I don't ride "your roads," Jack. That is why I stated that my mirror works fine on the roads I ride on. Others have stated similar views. You seem unable to grasp that your special needs are not universally applicable to intelligent cyclists.

This is my Commuting Road, Tuff Guy. And yes I do take a lane on this 55mph road because there is no alternative as the unimproved shoulder is unfit for riding due to the use of river rock. But I don't worry about vehicles that are out of sight over the horizon or somewhere out of line of sight.

Care to try again and explain how you measured the "efficiency" of various types of mirrors? Or is that restricted data? The "restrictions" of handlebar mirrors are all in your restricted mind set. I use a mirror to keep track of traffic behind me, not traffic so far back around a curve as to be of no immediate concern. Handlebar mirror works fine, as previously stated.

daredevil

Sorry, in retrospect I was being a bit rough so I edited most of my last after you posted this. Suffice to say, I said earlier your mirror probably works fine for your circumstances, didn't I? So I agree with you on that point. Will you agree with me, that in my circumstances your mirror would be inadequate?

And I like that bike path you get to ride on.

Doohickie

I realize the OP requested a bar-mounted mirror. I tried one of those and just couldn't get the knack of it.

daredevil

I know you didn't post those photos to support my argument. I certainly wouldn't want to pull you into this mess.

The way I looked at the OP, we had a noob that wanted to learn about mirrors. As the thread progressed, he in fact seemed to be sold on a head mounted mirror.

I-Like-To-Bike

I am in agreement with you 100%.

Most often there is no one type of cycling equipment, accessory, or technique that will be the best or "ultimate" for everyone. The cycling population is made up of different people, with different cycling priorities, riding in different cycling environments. Sometimes in our enthusiasm for a favorite cycling object we forget that.

Pig_Chaser

Winter cycling has made me re-fall in love with my take-a-look mirror. There are many a times I'm using my full faculties just trying to keep the bike upright. Using the take a look I can scan for an opening for a lane change without taking much needed attention away from the rutted, semi packed snow laden road ahead.

The only major problem is at around -25 or so ice forms on my eyelashes reducing my ability to see the mirror. Have to thaw them out every stoplight or so.

I-Like-To-Bike

How do you thaw them out at the stop light?

Which brings up a question - is it possible to use a helmet or eye glass mounted mirror while wearing a hoodie in extreme cold weather? Does it get fogged up from the body vapors escaping from around the hood.

Zomar

I used a helmet mounted mirror (third eye pro) for 7 months this year, and rode thousands of miles with it. I decided to take it off. I felt safer with it, but I enjoy riding more without a helmet mirror. I didn't like how it was always in my vision. I was riding mostly suburb roads at the time, but for the rest of this year I've been riding mostly urban roads (without a mirror). I just got an STI mounted Mirrcycle mirror for my commuter bike, and I'm going to try using that on my new commute (16 miles round trip, suburbs). So far, it is not nearly as useful as the helmet mounted mirror, that gave me total 360 vision, but it is a lot less annoying for me.

daredevil

The problem with a glasses mounted mirror in the cold is that the glasses themselves fog up easily. I fortunately do not have to wear glasses so in those conditions I use the helmet mirror. I do prefer the glasses mounted Take-A-Look mirror however and use it on sunglasses or clear glasses when possible. I've tried the product Cat Crap btw that is supposed to prevent fogging. It's appropriately named, doesn't work worth a crap.

As far as the hoodie question, are you wearing the hoodie with the helmet over the top of it? If so, that would probably work OK. Otherwise your hood is going to block your view. I wear a regular ole balaclava under my helmet and it's good to whatever temp you want.

Happy New Year ILTB! Don't you just love the dynamics of this place?

I-Like-To-Bike

Thanks for the responsive and informative answer.

Helmet wear is not a concern of mine. I normally wear a baseball type cap. In colder weather I wear a hoodie over it. In single digit temps, I'll wear a knit cap instead of the baseball cap. These headgear combos are compatible with the headphones I wear for listening to audio books while commuting, staying warm and/or keeping sun/rain/snop off my glasses. I stop so seldom on my 12 mile commute that eyeglas fogging is not normally a problem. I have experienced fogging of my handlebar mirror from the vapors escaping from my mittens, but only once at -15°F.

bikeideas

I've read the whole thread. OP stated "handlebar mirror" yet the conversation went all over the map, which is good - at least we're talking about mirrors - which I believe to be an important cycling safety tool.

I like "head-mounted" mirrors yet wasn't satisfied with the available options. Here's a version for eye/sunglasses (not a new design) that I came up with. Posted here for others to pattern or follow signature link.

Artkansas 

On my recumbent, I have a parabolic mirror mounted on a stainless steel rod that I hand-filed myself 30 years ago.

digger

Hi Tsl,

What is the secret to using this mirror? I eagerly bought one myself, but when I mounted it, all I could see was my arm (I have 40cm bars). No amount of adjusting would work, so I returned it. I wanted to try this one, as the only other option is a bar end mirror, which I found was ok, but did vibrate a tich.

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Claims of "the best" are entirely subjective, whatever works for you, use it. I have a mircycle for my commuter bike and yes, I do find them really good.

I thave since bought my first helmet mirror, and although I haven't used it on road yet, early indications seem to be good (using on the trainer in my basement).

digger

I've been thinking about doing that myself. In a post above I stated that the Brifter mounted version would be blocked by my arm.

This will extend the mirror out more, although I have to look further down, but not much.

TheLifeOfBryan

For the past couple years I've used Mirrycle MTB-style mirrors on all my bikes, whether straight or drop bars. Recently I switched to their STI model... when I get around to it I'll be switching back. I find that they have a smaller range of just-right adjustment, such that I am frequently having to move it slightly. I also cannot find a position for it that works in all three riding positions (hoods, drops, hands-free), which I could achieve with the MTB version.

aadhils

All the third eye mirrors I had broke easily. Now I just use the Take-a-look ones. They've worked great so far. Also if you don't wear glasses just get a pair of safety glasses from Home Depot.

ARider2

I use a bar end mirror on my mountain and road bikes. I tried a helmet mount mirror but found that I liked the bar end mirror better.

Jim from Boston

I wear prescription eyeglasses and during the winter I use safety glasses from Home Depot instead of ski goggles. I have posted many times about this set-up as to how it prevents fogging and the rigid earpiece of the safety glasses provides an attachment for a Take-a-Look mirror. It doesn’t work with a Third Eye.

The mirror on the safety glasses is far enough away from my face that it doesn’t fog at all. Below are pictures of the set-up in place, and of my safety glasses that partly frosted on the right side during the last two miles of a 14 mile commute at minus 8 degrees. Nonetheless I could still see forward and to my left to see the mirror. Note also that the safety glasses are actually suspended from my woolen cap by a vertical Velcro strip sewn into the cap. (Click on the thumbnail to enlarge.)

mikeinroch

I have a Third Eye bar-end mirror on both my drop-bar road bike and my rigid MTB. I like the field of view, good compromise for size and convexity and it doesn't move around a lot. I don't notice much vibration with it either. One minor annoyance, though, is that it precludes being able to lay the bike on its left side (right side being out due to the risk of derailleur damage) or lean the left side against a wall (when oiling a chain, for example). Without fenders you could lay it on the left side if you flip the front wheel perpendicular, I suppose. If you use a kickstand it won't matter.

I have Rx glasses so I am hesitant to switch to a helmet mounted mirror.

Leebo

I use a bar end mirrcyle mtb mirror with good results. I can see the cars coming up from my left. Most of my route is low traffic. I have found a solution for my road bike that has bar end shifters. I took an old road stem and cut the quill part off. I slipped the handlebar part over the end of the left drop bar on my bike, which then left a hole to mount the bar end mirror. I don't have a problem with my arm blocking the mirror in any hand position. This what works for me. See back page of Bicycle Times #1.

ZmanKC

Interesting. I also wear bi-focals and have astigmatism. I use a glasses mounted mirror, which I really like, and also a handlebar mounted mirror. I haven't experienced any problems with the glasses mounted mirror and feel it does a better job than the handlebar mounted one.

Regardless which one you prefer, I wouldn't ride without one or the other.