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Mirror options for a drop bar road bike

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Mirror options for a drop bar road bike

Old 01-09-22, 05:38 PM
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Defy Dene
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Mirror options for a drop bar road bike

So I own a Giant Roam Ebike with straight bars and have a cheap Amazon mirror attached to the bar end. I find it invaluable and couldn’t imagine riding without one.
Fast forward to my new Defy Endurance bike.
I’m guessing the only real viable option is a helmet mounted mirror?
Thanks all!
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Old 01-09-22, 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Defy Dene
So I own a Giant Roam Ebike with straight bars and have a cheap Amazon mirror attached to the bar end. I find it invaluable and couldn’t imagine riding without one.
Fast forward to my new Defy Endurance bike.
I’m guessing the only real viable option is a helmet mounted mirror?
Thanks all!
I’ve been using a Sprintech bar-end mirror for years. Inexpensive and works great
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Old 01-09-22, 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Litespud
I’ve been using a Sprintech bar-end mirror for years. Inexpensive and works great
Me too. Great adjustability and provide good visibility from upright and drop positions.

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Old 01-09-22, 07:44 PM
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Helmet mirror (or one that attaches to eyeglasses), yes.
That way, you don't have to look down from the road ahead in order to look back.
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Old 01-09-22, 07:49 PM
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I have a Hafny Bar End mirror on drop bars on my Specialized Tarmac. My Rock Combo has bar end shifters, so I have Blackburn that attached with Velcro. Tried a helmet mirror. Doesn't work for me because after cataract surgery, I need reading glasses. The helmet mirror was just a blur.
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Old 01-09-22, 07:50 PM
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I like the Sprintech too. Helmet or glasses mount is always an option, but when I tried them they made me nauseated like motion sickness.

YMMV
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Old 01-09-22, 09:36 PM
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I could never get used to glasses mount. I use a Cat Eye round bar end mirror.
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Old 01-09-22, 09:39 PM
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Sprintech
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Old 01-09-22, 09:50 PM
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Italian Road Bike Mirror. They're the best.

https://www.italianroadbikemirror.co...SAAEgK1P_D_BwE

And the cheaper blems on eBay tend to be flawless

https://www.ebay.com/p/1040277954
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Old 01-09-22, 10:28 PM
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Hafny FR03 68 mm dia and blue anti glare. Best of the best.
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Old 01-09-22, 10:31 PM
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Helmet mirror for 25 years, the Blackburn Bike Helmet Mirror. It enables you to scan the area behind you while keeping track of the road ahead.
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Old 01-10-22, 04:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Carbonfiberboy
Helmet mirror for 25 years, the Blackburn Bike Helmet Mirror. It enables you to scan the area behind you while keeping track of the road ahead.
Almost 30 years with a helmet mirror. I have nit used bar end mirrors but I like that with a helmet mirror I can scan a wide area behind me at a glance. Funny how when running I instinctively look up to see behind me...
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Old 01-10-22, 07:41 AM
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Originally Posted by NJgreyhead
Helmet mirror (or one that attaches to eyeglasses), yes.
That way, you don't have to look down from the road ahead in order to look back.
I use a mirror mounted on my glasses (Take a Look mirror). However, as I've gotten older my balance is not what it once was so, despite having more experience, I have to use care when using the mirror (for example: swiveling my head to get a wider view; turning my head while in a turn to see the road behind rather than the shoulder; etc.). Also, it is getting more difficult/slower to change focus from the road ahead to the mirror. I still like it, but I foresee a time when I'll have to use a different solution.
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Old 01-10-22, 07:56 AM
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Not to derail thread, but one other item that I think really COMPLEMENTS (but not replace) a mirror is the Garmin Varia radar. It alerts you to vehicles behind you and even gives you a graphic representation of number of cars and proximity to your computer head unit. I am a notorious cheapskate and the $150-200 price tag is worth it IMO.

NOTE: This advice applies to roads with occasional cars. For city riding with constant cars passing, skip it and stick with mirror and ears.
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Old 01-10-22, 09:28 AM
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Been using Hafny bar-end mirrors for the past few years. Distortion-free, easy to mount and do not move once you set them in place.
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Old 01-11-22, 05:10 PM
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Yep, you're gonna have to ditch your dreams of becoming a cool-looking roadie with the helmet-mounted mirror. The dork factor is off the charts on this one.
I can't ride without one anymore. It's like I'm completely blind.
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Old 01-16-22, 10:08 AM
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I thought I wanted a mirror and got a sprintech. I decided that the small image wasn't worth having and I was just as likely to cause a wreck while looking at it, so I took it off. No mirror for me.
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Old 01-16-22, 01:40 PM
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I found a round mirror and installed it on the end of the left bar and it works ok. Took some fiddling but I can definitely easily see what coming up behind me.
Can’t read a license plate but at least it gives you an idea there is something there, when distances or speeds are in question, then I do a quick shoulder check.
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Old 01-16-22, 07:44 PM
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Hafny mirror plus Garmin Varia is a great combination for my riding. Neither is foolproof but the more awareness the better.
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Old 01-16-22, 07:56 PM
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I love the Safe Zone Helmet Mirror from Efficient Velo Tools.
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Old 01-16-22, 09:43 PM
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Zefal Spy Bicycle Mirror at Amazon.

I attach it to the bottom of my drop bar. Bigger than the bar end mirrors, cheaper and works great.
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