Does anyone mount a mirror on their bike to see behind them?
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Does anyone mount a mirror on their bike to see behind them?
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
Last edited by CheGiantForLife; 08-07-22 at 07:36 AM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,887
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6971 Post(s)
Liked 10,968 Times
in
4,692 Posts
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?
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?
Something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-...-goods/3403241
Likes For Koyote:
#4
astro
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Pennington, NJ
Posts: 355
Bikes: Raleigh Sports, '72, Bianchi Volpe, '97 (no more, it died), Greenspeed GTVS6, '05, Trek 520, '13
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 43 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 51 Times
in
25 Posts
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?
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?
Something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-...-goods/3403241
#5
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,525
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4357 Post(s)
Liked 3,994 Times
in
2,665 Posts
I couldn't imagine anyone doing that, it sounds too crazy and far fetched. Does anyone hold on to the handlebars when they ride their bike?
Likes For veganbikes:
#6
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
Yes I find mirrors very useful, but even with a mirror i still have a habit of turning my head to double check.
Likes For wolfchild:
Likes For RGMN:
#8
Banned
Thread Starter
Likes For CheGiantForLife:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,681
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 569 Post(s)
Liked 583 Times
in
409 Posts
We all ride so we see mounted mirrors all the time. You reference Amazon who probably has pages of mirrors ready to be sold and mounted on your bike because they sell zillions of them every day so your question seems odd at best.
Likes For easyupbug:
#10
Banned
Thread Starter
I have a helmet mounted mirror. It works well, but it still has a blind spot: just to the left rear of me. Most cars I can hear, but slow moving (electric?) cars are problematic as well as cyclists that don't give an on your left! So, I always glance around before moving left.
How does it attach to helmet? Universal mount?
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: northWET washington
Posts: 1,197
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 383 Post(s)
Liked 690 Times
in
396 Posts
I've used and continue to use mirrors for decades. I now have added Garmin's Varia Radar/light. It alerts with both beeps and shows rear approaching traffic (cars, trucks, bikes, and yes, even on occasion a train!) on compatible Garmin GPS units. It even shows more than one rear approaching vehicle. In urban riding there can be a lot of beeps.
I have the mirror on my drop handlebars on the left side. In the past I used a helmet mounted mirror but now have trouble focusing on it.
I have the mirror on my drop handlebars on the left side. In the past I used a helmet mounted mirror but now have trouble focusing on it.
Likes For kahn:
#12
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,525
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4357 Post(s)
Liked 3,994 Times
in
2,665 Posts
Thank you for noticing my reply was constructive! I very much enjoyed your question. I like knowing if people use an object for seeing behind them to see behind them. I always wonder about that.
Likes For veganbikes:
#13
Banned.
I have a helmet mounted mirror. It works well, but it still has a blind spot: just to the left rear of me. Most cars I can hear, but slow moving (electric?) cars are problematic as well as cyclists that don't give an on your left! So, I always glance around before moving left.
I also use helmet mirror and don't have issues with blind spot. Obviously, you have to pan your head a little bit to have full view of the rear with that tiny mirror. They're expected to be used in such manner.
Of course, compared to not having any mirror, you have to pan your head all the way to the back to see behind you, losing front view. With helmet mirror, you only pan a little bit without losing front view on your peripheral vision. It's a massive improvement of rear view, otherwise, I would not have bothered having a pointy thing attached to my helmet.
I find helmet mirror better for cycling. The mirror is smaller and lighter and comfortably within forward view, you don't have to look down (as you would with handlebar mirror) and have better coverage of rear view.
Last edited by koala logs; 08-07-22 at 08:03 AM.
Likes For koala logs:
Likes For spelger:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
My favorite for helmet mount: EVT Safety mirror
My favorite for handlebar end mount: "The Italian road bike mirror"
My favorite for bar mounted mirror: B&M 901 or 903 Mirror
Most of the rest have crappy plastic optics, all three of these are high quality glass mirrors with excellent optics.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
I don't get how could you possibly have blind spot on your helmet mirror.
I also use helmet mirror and don't have issues with blind spot. Obviously, you have to pan your head a little bit to have full view of the rear with that tiny mirror. They're expected to be used in such manner.
Of course, compared to not having any mirror, you have to pan your head all the way to the back to see behind you, losing front view. With helmet mirror, you only pan a little bit without losing front view on your peripheral vision. It's a massive improvement of rear view, otherwise, I would not have bothered having a pointy thing attached to my helmet.
I find helmet mirror better for cycling. The mirror is smaller and lighter and comfortably within forward view, you don't have to look down (as you would with handlebar mirror) and have better coverage of rear view.
I also use helmet mirror and don't have issues with blind spot. Obviously, you have to pan your head a little bit to have full view of the rear with that tiny mirror. They're expected to be used in such manner.
Of course, compared to not having any mirror, you have to pan your head all the way to the back to see behind you, losing front view. With helmet mirror, you only pan a little bit without losing front view on your peripheral vision. It's a massive improvement of rear view, otherwise, I would not have bothered having a pointy thing attached to my helmet.
I find helmet mirror better for cycling. The mirror is smaller and lighter and comfortably within forward view, you don't have to look down (as you would with handlebar mirror) and have better coverage of rear view.
1. degenerative disc disease
2. riding a bent
3. Bonus response.....some helmet mirrors have a miserible FOV
#17
Banned
Thread Starter
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.
#18
Banned
Thread Starter
I just ordered this for $8
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134188824280?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134188824280?
Likes For CheGiantForLife:
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,681
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 569 Post(s)
Liked 583 Times
in
409 Posts
"In Arizona, it is legal for bicycles to ride in the traffic lanes, as long as they adhere to the same street laws as motorists. Always ride with the flow of traffic. Riding against traffic is very dangerous. Follow the same rules motorists do; travel in a straight line without swerving into other traffic lanes."
Likes For easyupbug:
#21
Banned.
Even if they're not intent on killing you, they are likely not looking your way so the chance of a collision is much higher.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,906
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,931 Times
in
2,556 Posts
I do have a pet peeve re: helmet mirrors. The helmet manufacturers and mirror people can't just sit down and come up with a standard so all helmets have the mount provided and any mirror can just go on. Isn't that simply a no-brainer? I've gotten around this by making my own brackets that screw on with very small screws. I use the 3rd Eye short helmet mirrors and mount them on the visor. Works extremely well. I make them by forming thin aluminum sheet (I have an endless supply left over from a garden project) to fit the curvature of the helmet, then extending down and bent out at the bottom as a shelf. Fiberglass both sides with cloth and epoxy. Drill for the screws. Paint. Outlasts helmets. In fact, outlasts helmet runs. Places the mirror exactly where I want it.
Production plastic, my mirrors might cost 50 cents to make. Helmet manufacturers would have to provide some almost tiny holes. And we cyclists could have really good mirrors that go easily from helmet to helmet.
Likes For 79pmooney:
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,480
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 966 Post(s)
Liked 1,629 Times
in
1,045 Posts
#24
Full Member
My wife uses this one https://www.italianroadbikemirror.com
I've never used a mirror on a bicycle but have on the recumbent. I've been thinking of getting a helmet mount type.
Where I live a bicycle is a vehicle and must ride with the other vehicles all going the same direction. You can't ride facing the oncoming cars just as you cant drive a car going against traffic.
I've never used a mirror on a bicycle but have on the recumbent. I've been thinking of getting a helmet mount type.
Where I live a bicycle is a vehicle and must ride with the other vehicles all going the same direction. You can't ride facing the oncoming cars just as you cant drive a car going against traffic.
#25
ignominious poltroon
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4,045
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2241 Post(s)
Liked 3,440 Times
in
1,801 Posts
No.
Everyone uses Garmin radars.
Absolutely no exceptions.
Everyone uses Garmin radars.
Absolutely no exceptions.
Likes For Polaris OBark: