cycleobsidian

I just bought a Trek FX3 Women Specific design. It is wonderful but I can't put a rear view mirror in the end of the handlebar due to its design.

I absolutely can't function on a bike without a mirror as I am terribly near-sighted and can't see much out of the corner of my glasses when I turn my head to assess traffic.

Do you have any suggestions for me?

kycycler

Get a mirror that fits on your helmet or clips onto you glasses.

Retro Grouch 

I've been using "Take-a-Look" eyeglass mirrors for several years. I like them because they stay put better than any others that I've tried and because I can direct their field of vision by moving my head.

rschleicher

I also have the "Take A Look" eyeglasses-mount mirror (see the link below for different kinds of rear-view mirrors - the "Take A Look" is a bit of a scroll down).

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/mirrors.html

As Retro Grouch says (as an aside, I am also pretty retro, and grouchy to boot!), the ability to aim the mirror by moving your head is very useful.

I haven't tried my mirror with that many pairs of sunglasses, but it seems to attach just fine to the temple-piece of the sunglasses that I use. Another type shown in the above link uses a suction-cup mount to the outside of the helmet. But I can't say how well that works, or doesn't. (Actually, after looking more closely, it seems to be an adhesive pad, not a suction-cup.)

I never totally rely on my mirror. If I need to cross a lane that might have cars in it, or get to a left-turn lane, I'll use the mirror to check that it MIGHT be clear, but then I always turn around to make sure. The mirror just serves to give me that initial indication. I also use it to be aware of other cyclists that might be gaining on me!

CACycling

I use the Third Eye mirrors similar to the Take A Looks. I have both helmet and glasses mounted ones and they work great.

LarDasse74

I prefer helmet mirrors.

rdtompki

I've used the Take-a-Look and it's a very good mirror, extremely good optical quality and very stable. Having said that I've found I prefer a helmet-mounted mirror and am going to try the HubBub mirror. It's a bit of an expensive experiment, but mirrors are a safety item.

BTW, I've used a Third Eye as well and whether excessive vibration or less-than-adequate optical quality I really didn't like using it.

Near-sighted or not I applaud your desire to have a mirror. I wish more cyclists use them, but their anathema to roadies for the most part.

davidad

Get a Chuck Harris mirror. He bends a spoke and makes the mirror from scrap.
https://www.hubbubcustom.com/Why_HubB..._A_Mirror.html

himespau 

If you want something mounted to the bike, how about something like this

where you can mount it inside the bar ends but because of the bend of the support arm, still see around yourself and behind you? and I'm not asking just because I have one in my parts box taking up space that I want to get rid of.

Personally, as far as glasses mounted mirrors, I prefer the messenger mirror also made from a bicycle spoke.

cycleobsidian

Thanks for your replies. They were quite helpful. I've never used a helmet mirror; I suppose I could try one.

I also e-mailed Trek about my mirror problem; they got back to me within the hour. They said that they should have a new design to accommodate their bicycle handlebars ready by mid June.

Cheers!

CACycling

It took a little while to figure out how to adjust and use it but I wouldn't ride without one now. I got so accostomed to it that I catch myself looking for it when walking expecting to be able to see what is behind me.

My wife, OTOH, has not been able to get used to it so it is just a distraction hanging from her helmet.

sethco

I highly recommend the HubBub mirror. The mirror is large with good optical quality, it attached easily to my helmet and only took a few tweaks to get it adjusted perfectly. I don't remember what it cost anymore but I can't imagine riding without it so I think it was worth the price! I bought it a few months ago after trying a Blackburn helmet mount mirror that was too small, too far outside my field of vision, and vibrated too much on its plastic beam. I would have bought a Chuck Harris mirror but they are hard to find (which is why HubBub designed a similar mirror).

I used the Take-a-Look mirror a few years ago and liked it as well but I like to take my sunglasses off from time to time and it is nice to still have the mirror available.

cycleobsidian

Does a HubBub mirror work if your helmet has a visor?

HillRider

Third Eye makes mirrors that plug directly into the ends of handlebars of nearly any type using a rubber expansion plug. On drop bars they replace one handlebar end plug. On hybrid/MTB bars you might have to cut the end of the grip to get to the handlebar hollow.

I use them on all of my road bikes since I never was able to adapt to a helmet or eyeglass mirror.

sethco

I think that you would have trouble but maybe you could mount the mirror further back on the side of the helmet but I suspect that would put it too far out of your field of vision. Maybe ask the people at HubBub if anyone has done that successfully?

Looigi

That hubbub mirror looks like it'd be very user-Fredly. I like and use the Take-a-look, which is plenty Fredly as is.

JanMM

+1 on Take-a-Look on the visor of my helmet. I also use a cheap Zefal bar-end mirror on one of my recumbents - I CANNOT effectively look behind me over my shoulder on that bike.

sethco

On a scale from weight weenie poseur to Fred it is definitely closer to Fred, but it is less obtrusive than I thought that it would be and anyway it is on the road side of my helmet so the poseurs can't even see it as I pass

ultraman6970

F
r
e
d

10 Wheels

I have tried many mirrors:
My choice : https://www.messengermirror.com/

10 Wheels

Me name is Fred

Lawrence08648

I use Bike Products Take A Look mirror. It mounts on the helmet or eyeglass and is easily removable and has a lifetime guarantee though you won't need it. You buy the short arm for the eyeglass or the long arm for the eyeglass or helmet. You also need to specify for the right or left side of the helmet.

ezdoesit

I have tried them all and always go back to my favorite mirror and love it.
https://www.cycleaware.com/index.php?...qlg946belp7l43

kamtsa

This mirror should fit virtually on any bike due to its three degrees of freedom. Also good quality and very stable (no vibrations).

https://amzn.com/B0009R96YK

Looigi

It's not your fault.