Does anyone mount a mirror on their bike to see behind them?
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At a few points in my loop, I must cross to the other side of the road, while riding forwards. Since the other side has a better median, in some sections.
I prefer not to stop entirely, and cross the road perpendicularly. I find that crossing to the other side of the road can be dangerous since I can't fully see behind me while riding forwards, to see if cars are coming.
This is probably the most dangerous part of my ride, maybe I have a stiff neck, or maybe I am not a great rider, but turning my head almost 180* while riding forwards is unstable for me.
Does anyone mount a mirror on their bike to see behind them?
Or do you prefer one mounted to your helmet?
Something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-...-goods/3403241
I prefer not to stop entirely, and cross the road perpendicularly. I find that crossing to the other side of the road can be dangerous since I can't fully see behind me while riding forwards, to see if cars are coming.
This is probably the most dangerous part of my ride, maybe I have a stiff neck, or maybe I am not a great rider, but turning my head almost 180* while riding forwards is unstable for me.
Does anyone mount a mirror on their bike to see behind them?
Or do you prefer one mounted to your helmet?
Something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-...-goods/3403241
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I won't use an eyeglass mounted mirror for the simple reason that I wear expensive prescriptions. Ir the mirror hits something. I do not want my glasses damaged (and I have learned the hard way that impacts to glasses frames hurt! Bridges of noses were simply not made to take that abuse.
Yes, those impacts usually happen around the house. Open cupboard doors, projects in my shop, etc. Doesn't matter to me where. I consider my glasses a high priority. (And several hundred dollars, a week's wait and two trips to the eyeglass people with the first being quite expensive if it's been more than two years since my last prescription.)
If I crash to that side and lay my helmet down, mirror is dying wherever it's mounted. But I get to chose what it tries to destroy as it is twisted off its mounting point. Helmets don't care. Eyeglasses do.
Yes, those impacts usually happen around the house. Open cupboard doors, projects in my shop, etc. Doesn't matter to me where. I consider my glasses a high priority. (And several hundred dollars, a week's wait and two trips to the eyeglass people with the first being quite expensive if it's been more than two years since my last prescription.)
If I crash to that side and lay my helmet down, mirror is dying wherever it's mounted. But I get to chose what it tries to destroy as it is twisted off its mounting point. Helmets don't care. Eyeglasses do.
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Raising your left hand in such manner might make motorists think you're signaling to turn right when you might actually be intending to turn left
Also hitting bumps while one hand is off the handlebar might cause you to crash. You won't be seeing the incoming bumps either because you're focused on the mirror. At least if both hands are on the handlebar, even if the bumps surprised you, you won't crash. I still vote for helmet mirror. Glove mirror is potentially unsafe unless you're dealing with perfect roads all the time with very few cars on the road to confuse with unintended signals.
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#31
I won't use an eyeglass mounted mirror for the simple reason that I wear expensive prescriptions. Ir the mirror hits something. I do not want my glasses damaged (and I have learned the hard way that impacts to glasses frames hurt! Bridges of noses were simply not made to take that abuse.
Yes, those impacts usually happen around the house. Open cupboard doors, projects in my shop, etc. Doesn't matter to me where. I consider my glasses a high priority. (And several hundred dollars, a week's wait and two trips to the eyeglass people with the first being quite expensive if it's been more than two years since my last prescription.)
If I crash to that side and lay my helmet down, mirror is dying wherever it's mounted. But I get to chose what it tries to destroy as it is twisted off its mounting point. Helmets don't care. Eyeglasses do.
Yes, those impacts usually happen around the house. Open cupboard doors, projects in my shop, etc. Doesn't matter to me where. I consider my glasses a high priority. (And several hundred dollars, a week's wait and two trips to the eyeglass people with the first being quite expensive if it's been more than two years since my last prescription.)
If I crash to that side and lay my helmet down, mirror is dying wherever it's mounted. But I get to chose what it tries to destroy as it is twisted off its mounting point. Helmets don't care. Eyeglasses do.
...But you're right, it's potentially very dangerous.
I have bumped my helmet mirror quite a lot of times already on things around the house and absolutely no issues, it's totally safe.
#32
Senior Member
Very perceptive.
Yes, I ride on both sides of the road.
One one stretch, there is a 3 foot wide margin or breakdown alley only on one side of the road. (Not wide enough for a car)
So, I ride facing traffic and then need to cross over when the margin disappears to the other side. What is the right term for "margin"?
I try to avoid riding in the actual traffic lane, whenever possible
I feel it is safer to ride facing traffic, but in the margin, than to ride with traffic, but in the actual traffic, causing all sorts of problems for cars.
Yes, I ride on both sides of the road.
One one stretch, there is a 3 foot wide margin or breakdown alley only on one side of the road. (Not wide enough for a car)
So, I ride facing traffic and then need to cross over when the margin disappears to the other side. What is the right term for "margin"?
I try to avoid riding in the actual traffic lane, whenever possible
I feel it is safer to ride facing traffic, but in the margin, than to ride with traffic, but in the actual traffic, causing all sorts of problems for cars.
Like the others, riding on the wrong side of the road or opposing traffic is generally illegal and very unsafe.
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#33
Banned.
I just ordered this for $8
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134188824280?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134188824280?
Edit, this mirror is a bit smaller, so may not be as good as the one suggested...
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...cycle&_sacat=0
Last edited by Duo; 08-07-22 at 11:20 AM.
#34
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...I used an eyeglasses mirror for a while, and on one bike I once mounted a Mirrcyle on the LH brake lever.
But I found it too distracting, and started to wonder why I was always looking behind me in the mirror. It's not enough warning for me to get out of the way, and whoever it is behind me, coming up too close, is going to hit me anyway. And for your described use, it's not sufficient to spot any traffic behind you that might pose a danger to you as you cross the traffic lanes. You need to turn your head. Try teaching yourself to do so in some open parking lot, where it won't be as dangerous if you crash or lose your line while doing so. It's an essential skill, if you want to continue riding your cheap Giant for life. Unless you're OK with that life being statistically shorter.
#35
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...
...I used an eyeglasses mirror for a while, and on one bike I once mounted a Mirrcyle on the LH brake lever.
But I found it too distracting, and started to wonder why I was always looking behind me in the mirror. It's not enough warning for me to get out of the way, and whoever it is behind me, coming up too close, is going to hit me anyway. And for your described use, it's not sufficient to spot any traffic behind you that might pose a danger to you as you cross the traffic lanes. You need to turn your head. Try teaching yourself to do so in some open parking lot, where it won't be as dangerous if you crash or lose your line while doing so. It's an essential skill, if you want to continue riding your cheap Giant for life. Unless you're OK with that life being statistically shorter.
...I used an eyeglasses mirror for a while, and on one bike I once mounted a Mirrcyle on the LH brake lever.
But I found it too distracting, and started to wonder why I was always looking behind me in the mirror. It's not enough warning for me to get out of the way, and whoever it is behind me, coming up too close, is going to hit me anyway. And for your described use, it's not sufficient to spot any traffic behind you that might pose a danger to you as you cross the traffic lanes. You need to turn your head. Try teaching yourself to do so in some open parking lot, where it won't be as dangerous if you crash or lose your line while doing so. It's an essential skill, if you want to continue riding your cheap Giant for life. Unless you're OK with that life being statistically shorter.
#37
At a few points in my loop, I must cross to the other side of the road, while riding forwards. Since the other side has a better median, in some sections.
I prefer not to stop entirely, and cross the road perpendicularly. I find that crossing to the other side of the road can be dangerous since I can't fully see behind me while riding forwards, to see if cars are coming.
This is probably the most dangerous part of my ride, maybe I have a stiff neck, or maybe I am not a great rider, but turning my head almost 180* while riding forwards is unstable for me.
Does anyone mount a mirror on their bike to see behind them?
Or do you prefer one mounted to your helmet?
Something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-...-goods/3403241
I prefer not to stop entirely, and cross the road perpendicularly. I find that crossing to the other side of the road can be dangerous since I can't fully see behind me while riding forwards, to see if cars are coming.
This is probably the most dangerous part of my ride, maybe I have a stiff neck, or maybe I am not a great rider, but turning my head almost 180* while riding forwards is unstable for me.
Does anyone mount a mirror on their bike to see behind them?
Or do you prefer one mounted to your helmet?
Something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-...-goods/3403241
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#38
Senior Member
I personally haven’t used a mirror however I respect those that do. Eventually when my mobility deteriorates when I can’t comfortably shoulder check I will add a mirror to my Varia Radar for increased safety. Probably start with a helmet mount as that’s what my riding mates use.
#39
Here is one you can get made from a bottle cap. You can choose your favorite beverage.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/6489544...search_click=1
https://www.etsy.com/listing/6489544...search_click=1
#40
Banned.
At a few points in my loop, I must cross to the other side of the road, while riding forwards. Since the other side has a better median, in some sections.
I prefer not to stop entirely, and cross the road perpendicularly. I find that crossing to the other side of the road can be dangerous since I can't fully see behind me while riding forwards, to see if cars are coming.
This is probably the most dangerous part of my ride, maybe I have a stiff neck, or maybe I am not a great rider, but turning my head almost 180* while riding forwards is unstable for me.
Does anyone mount a mirror on their bike to see behind them?
Or do you prefer one mounted to your helmet?
Something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-...-goods/3403241
I prefer not to stop entirely, and cross the road perpendicularly. I find that crossing to the other side of the road can be dangerous since I can't fully see behind me while riding forwards, to see if cars are coming.
This is probably the most dangerous part of my ride, maybe I have a stiff neck, or maybe I am not a great rider, but turning my head almost 180* while riding forwards is unstable for me.
Does anyone mount a mirror on their bike to see behind them?
Or do you prefer one mounted to your helmet?
Something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-...-goods/3403241
this is a subject that needs to be reviewed on occasion.
why?
this is about safety. sure we could 'search the forums' if it occurs to us to think about it much. but for those of us who use the forums differently, like i do, then getting some new opinions and fellowship with other bikers is what brings us back. forums are meant to bring together those of us of different opinions so we can sort thru current thought on various problems/solutions.
even a bicycle chain oil thread has value, if even for some amusement over the same ole rehash. and again to serve as a reminder to keep the thing oiled for some of us.
this is also painfully obvious of course, but reading every thread is not important: read just what appeals to you. mirrors are about road safety, and getting back home alive. important i feel and could save a few more cyclists lives perhaps (maybe yours!).
so i am thanking the OP for bringing this up again, it has been on my mind to get a good enuf mirror and i think i shall very soon.
Edit, i have been meaning to write about 'searching the forums' for a long time, and now finally have done so. it's everyday life you know, how many times do we need to talk about the weather? well we can 'search the forums' so to speak to find out, that way we can just be quiet on most conversations if that appeals LOL. ...IMOH: meh.
Last edited by Duo; 08-07-22 at 03:06 PM.
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You sound like you haven't meaningfully ridden with vehicular traffic. n00bs are worried about being overtaken by traffic, but ride a little bit and you'll find that turning/crossing traffic is far more problematic. This is precisely why riding on sidewalks is more dangerous than riding on the road - no one really expects you there, your positioning makes you less visible to traffic turning off of the same roadway as you (crossing your path) and you've got less cushion against traffic on crossing roadways (nobody stops before the crosswalk). Riding against traffic exposes you to the same types of hazardous conditions. Don't do it - it's dumb.
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There are several different brands of helmet mounted mirrors. I use a "Take-a-Look" mirror.
Some mirrors (both handlebar and helmet mounted) de-magnify; so if you spot a car in the mirror it's actually much closer than it appears. The Take-a_Look is flat mirror, so you get a good sense of the distance.
A couple of photos to show how it's attached:
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Actually no... Ya just have to be a little selective to find the right position on your glove. Took me a few tries to get it right. I can now see pretty well with just a twist of my hand on the hoods. I ride Bull Horns anyway. I do agree with you though because If I were ridding in traffic I would use an additional mirror fixed to my glasses. I have had little success with mirrors fixed to my bikes and helmets. I ride different bikes and use different helmets too and keeping them all synced is a problem.
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I just ordered this for $8
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134188824280?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134188824280?
https://www.amazon.com/Zento-Deals-R...38037196&psc=1
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this is referred to as the hard shoulder.
yo are riding like a salmon, going upstream. it may seem safer but is probably the most dangerous way to ride a bike. when a driver is making a right hand turn at an intersection and glances at you they will normally assume you are moving with traffic and heading away from them. they will pull out into traffic because it appears clear to them (bike riding away). unfortunately the bike rider usually gets hit in this situation. so, yo may feel safer but it definitely is not.
Very perceptive.
Yes, I ride on both sides of the road.
One one stretch, there is a 3 foot wide margin or breakdown alley only on one side of the road. (Not wide enough for a car)
So, I ride facing traffic and then need to cross over when the margin disappears to the other side. What is the right term for "margin"?
I try to avoid riding in the actual traffic lane, whenever possible
I feel it is safer to ride facing traffic, but in the margin, than to ride with traffic, but in the actual traffic, causing all sorts of problems for cars.
Yes, I ride on both sides of the road.
One one stretch, there is a 3 foot wide margin or breakdown alley only on one side of the road. (Not wide enough for a car)
So, I ride facing traffic and then need to cross over when the margin disappears to the other side. What is the right term for "margin"?
I try to avoid riding in the actual traffic lane, whenever possible
I feel it is safer to ride facing traffic, but in the margin, than to ride with traffic, but in the actual traffic, causing all sorts of problems for cars.
yo are riding like a salmon, going upstream. it may seem safer but is probably the most dangerous way to ride a bike. when a driver is making a right hand turn at an intersection and glances at you they will normally assume you are moving with traffic and heading away from them. they will pull out into traffic because it appears clear to them (bike riding away). unfortunately the bike rider usually gets hit in this situation. so, yo may feel safer but it definitely is not.
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this is referred to as the hard shoulder.
yo are riding like a salmon, going upstream. it may seem safer but is probably the most dangerous way to ride a bike. when a driver is making a right hand turn at an intersection and glances at you they will normally assume you are moving with traffic and heading away from them. they will pull out into traffic because it appears clear to them (bike riding away). unfortunately the bike rider usually gets hit in this situation. so, yo may feel safer but it definitely is not.
yo are riding like a salmon, going upstream. it may seem safer but is probably the most dangerous way to ride a bike. when a driver is making a right hand turn at an intersection and glances at you they will normally assume you are moving with traffic and heading away from them. they will pull out into traffic because it appears clear to them (bike riding away). unfortunately the bike rider usually gets hit in this situation. so, yo may feel safer but it definitely is not.
#50
Senior Member
I just ordered this for $8
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134188824280?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134188824280?