Why, Why, Why....
03-20-23, 10:39 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlantic Beach Florida
Posts: 1,865
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3575 Post(s)
Liked 934 Times
in
706 Posts
Why, Why, Why....
I just want to rant a little bit, granted it's not a huge deal, but it just leaves me wondering....Why
I've been using Mirrycle mirrors for years; however, just recently I bought one and noticed it came with two allen wrenches. Mirrycle mirrors I've bought in the past have always come with one allen wrench, which fitted all three screws required to mount the mirror.
And, of course, the two allen wrenches are two different sizes, the smaller of the allen wrenches is for the screw that fastens the mirror base into the handlebar and the larger allen wrench is for the other two screws.
Why did they do this? I've never had a problem with all screws having the same size head...what's the deal?
I've been using Mirrycle mirrors for years; however, just recently I bought one and noticed it came with two allen wrenches. Mirrycle mirrors I've bought in the past have always come with one allen wrench, which fitted all three screws required to mount the mirror.
And, of course, the two allen wrenches are two different sizes, the smaller of the allen wrenches is for the screw that fastens the mirror base into the handlebar and the larger allen wrench is for the other two screws.
Why did they do this? I've never had a problem with all screws having the same size head...what's the deal?
Likes For work4bike:
03-20-23, 10:41 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 4,768
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2084 Post(s)
Liked 2,422 Times
in
1,375 Posts
Must have had complaints from a few customers about a bolt or two occasionally loosening during use. Larger bolt = enough additional torque.
Likes For Trakhak:
03-20-23, 10:42 AM
#3
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 5,424
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2196 Post(s)
Liked 4,666 Times
in
2,461 Posts
I blame the alignment of the planets, or a disturbance in the force.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
”Your lips move but I can’t hear what your saying” DG
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
”Your lips move but I can’t hear what your saying” DG
Likes For rsbob:
03-20-23, 10:43 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,376
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6572 Post(s)
Liked 10,319 Times
in
4,415 Posts
Wow. That's a huge life problem. I hope you can handle it.
Likes For Koyote:
03-20-23, 10:47 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlantic Beach Florida
Posts: 1,865
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3575 Post(s)
Liked 934 Times
in
706 Posts
If that did happen, I wonder if they lubricated the threads, which is a no-no for the design. Anyone could easily over-torque the screws even with the smaller wrench.
03-20-23, 10:51 AM
#7
Senior Member
Maybe they should just stop providing the free tools with their products.
03-20-23, 10:54 AM
#8
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 5,424
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2196 Post(s)
Liked 4,666 Times
in
2,461 Posts
What comes before a first world problem?
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
”Your lips move but I can’t hear what your saying” DG
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
”Your lips move but I can’t hear what your saying” DG
03-20-23, 11:32 AM
#9
Senior Member
Obviously, because of supply line problems, they were unable to get the third size Allen bolts, and had to settle for only two sizes.
03-20-23, 11:46 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,548
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 409 Post(s)
Liked 677 Times
in
422 Posts
Maybe they wanted to ensure their reputation for a decent product would be upheld by making certain only those of some intelligence would be using their product? So, if you figure out which wrench to use, you pass!
03-20-23, 11:50 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,407
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5181 Post(s)
Liked 3,488 Times
in
2,290 Posts
good rant
03-20-23, 12:09 PM
#12
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8185 Post(s)
Liked 9,087 Times
in
5,052 Posts
Allen came into the Mirrycle offices one day and said "Sure is nice that I sell one of my wrenches with every mirror, but I think we might all find life a bit easier if you make me twice as happy. Sure be a shame if them nice mirrors started breaking mysteriously."
Likes For Lombard:
03-20-23, 12:27 PM
#14
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 6,334
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2742 Post(s)
Liked 2,777 Times
in
1,401 Posts
I just want to rant a little bit, granted it's not a huge deal, but it just leaves me wondering....Why
I've been using Mirrycle mirrors for years; however, just recently I bought one and noticed it came with two allen wrenches. Mirrycle mirrors I've bought in the past have always come with one allen wrench, which fitted all three screws required to mount the mirror.
And, of course, the two allen wrenches are two different sizes, the smaller of the allen wrenches is for the screw that fastens the mirror base into the handlebar and the larger allen wrench is for the other two screws.
Why did they do this? I've never had a problem with all screws having the same size head...what's the deal?
I've been using Mirrycle mirrors for years; however, just recently I bought one and noticed it came with two allen wrenches. Mirrycle mirrors I've bought in the past have always come with one allen wrench, which fitted all three screws required to mount the mirror.
And, of course, the two allen wrenches are two different sizes, the smaller of the allen wrenches is for the screw that fastens the mirror base into the handlebar and the larger allen wrench is for the other two screws.
Why did they do this? I've never had a problem with all screws having the same size head...what's the deal?
But if this is the mirror in question:
It sure looks like the long screw mounting to the handlebar is the fat one. They probably were forced to use a bigger screw here, as small screws don't come in very long lengths.
The use of 3 washers under a screw looks hinky to this old engineer. Maybe they're using them as spacers. Hinky.
__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat
Ride, Rest, Repeat
03-20-23, 12:29 PM
#15
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,164
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5843 Post(s)
Liked 4,466 Times
in
3,078 Posts
Allen came into the Mirrycle offices one day and said "Sure is nice that I sell one of my wrenches with every mirror, but I think we might all find life a bit easier if you make me twice as happy. Sure be a shame if them nice mirrors started breaking mysteriously."
03-20-23, 12:30 PM
#16
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8185 Post(s)
Liked 9,087 Times
in
5,052 Posts
Assuming Mirrcycle are doing real engineering, they've selected screws for the clamping force they provide. There's little reason to choose a bigger screw, when a smaller screw will do the job.
But if this is the mirror in question:
It sure looks like the long screw mounting to the handlebar is the fat one. They probably were forced to use a bigger screw here, as small screws don't come in very long lengths.
The use of 3 washers under a screw looks hinky to this old engineer. Maybe they're using them as spacers. Hinky.
But if this is the mirror in question:
It sure looks like the long screw mounting to the handlebar is the fat one. They probably were forced to use a bigger screw here, as small screws don't come in very long lengths.
The use of 3 washers under a screw looks hinky to this old engineer. Maybe they're using them as spacers. Hinky.
Be honest, do you really care about the topic, or did you just want to type "screw" a bunch of times?
Likes For livedarklions:
03-20-23, 12:55 PM
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlantic Beach Florida
Posts: 1,865
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3575 Post(s)
Liked 934 Times
in
706 Posts
Assuming Mirrcycle are doing real engineering, they've selected screws for the clamping force they provide. There's little reason to choose a bigger screw, when a smaller screw will do the job.
But if this is the mirror in question:
It sure looks like the long screw mounting to the handlebar is the fat one. They probably were forced to use a bigger screw here, as small screws don't come in very long lengths.
The use of 3 washers under a screw looks hinky to this old engineer. Maybe they're using them as spacers. Hinky.
But if this is the mirror in question:
It sure looks like the long screw mounting to the handlebar is the fat one. They probably were forced to use a bigger screw here, as small screws don't come in very long lengths.
The use of 3 washers under a screw looks hinky to this old engineer. Maybe they're using them as spacers. Hinky.
I have an old mirror that I keep on hand for spare parts, everything there (mirror is cracked). I verified that all three screws are the same size as the old "design", that's both in length and thread size.
The only difference is that the allen size for the two top cap screws are about a 1/2-mm larger. I'm guessing they're 3.5-mm screws, but I don't have a 3.5mm allen wrench in my tool kit. The bottom (long bolt) is a 3-mm allen and on my old mirror assembly the 3-mm allen fits all 3 screws.
There is absolutely no perceived difference in assembly, using the larger allen wrench.
.
03-20-23, 01:14 PM
#18
Senior Member
Oh my God! Thank you for the warning. If it had happened to me, and I had no previous knowledge of it, I'm not sure I could go on. What are we going to do to end this catastrophe, and ensure no one else needlessly suffers? Maybe we can divert some African famine resources to the cause...
Likes For wheelreason:
03-20-23, 01:55 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,417
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3576 Post(s)
Liked 6,517 Times
in
2,632 Posts
I just want to rant a little bit, granted it's not a huge deal, but it just leaves me wondering....Why
I've been using Mirrycle mirrors for years; however, just recently I bought one and noticed it came with two allen wrenches. Mirrycle mirrors I've bought in the past have always come with one allen wrench, which fitted all three screws required to mount the mirror.
And, of course, the two allen wrenches are two different sizes, the smaller of the allen wrenches is for the screw that fastens the mirror base into the handlebar and the larger allen wrench is for the other two screws.
Why did they do this? I've never had a problem with all screws having the same size head...what's the deal?
I've been using Mirrycle mirrors for years; however, just recently I bought one and noticed it came with two allen wrenches. Mirrycle mirrors I've bought in the past have always come with one allen wrench, which fitted all three screws required to mount the mirror.
And, of course, the two allen wrenches are two different sizes, the smaller of the allen wrenches is for the screw that fastens the mirror base into the handlebar and the larger allen wrench is for the other two screws.
Why did they do this? I've never had a problem with all screws having the same size head...what's the deal?
Likes For tomato coupe:
03-20-23, 01:58 PM
#21
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 6,334
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2742 Post(s)
Liked 2,777 Times
in
1,401 Posts
The only difference is that the allen size for the two top cap screws are about a 1/2-mm larger. I'm guessing they're 3.5-mm screws, but I don't have a 3.5mm allen wrench in my tool kit. The bottom (long bolt) is a 3-mm allen and on my old mirror assembly the 3-mm allen fits all 3 screws.
There is absolutely no perceived difference in assembly, using the larger allen wrench..
There is absolutely no perceived difference in assembly, using the larger allen wrench..
I don't know what you have there that might be between 3 and 4 mm hex. An ANSI screw?
__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat
Ride, Rest, Repeat
03-20-23, 02:22 PM
#22
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8185 Post(s)
Liked 9,087 Times
in
5,052 Posts
Allen wrenches are damn useful:
Likes For livedarklions:
03-20-23, 02:50 PM
#23
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8185 Post(s)
Liked 9,087 Times
in
5,052 Posts
Likes For livedarklions:
03-20-23, 03:08 PM
#24
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 32
Bikes: Orbea Onyx, Surly Disc Trucker, Trek 850
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times
in
11 Posts
I have that product. In fact I have both the road and the mountain bike version, and both I've had to re-engineer to make them useful for me. The road version kept breaking from pothole jarring so I had to configure out the weekness, and the mountain bike version I had to adapt to my touring bike, to attach to the end of my drops. I like the product, mainly because it is adaptable. The second wrench will be looked forward to with glee when I have to replace one of my mirrors. 
