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Mirrors suck but this one works.

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Mirrors suck but this one works.

Old 12-06-21, 09:30 PM
  #1  
N2deep
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Mirrors suck but this one works.

I know, I know,, mirrors are a true indication of senility and worse, real aged Fred status. However after trashing multiple mirrors I found one that actually works with drop bars. I bought Hafnys bar end mirror, this mirror is 68 mms in diameter and the glass has a blue tint to help with glare. The mirror is easy to install, stays aligned on ****** roads and is large enough to provide a nice and clear field of view of the cars/street. I ride on fast and busy roads and change lanes or turn with the traffic which makes the ability to see the traffic behind a real bonus. If you need a mirror, this one works for me..
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Old 12-07-21, 08:04 AM
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I have. been using Hafny’s bar end mirrors for a few years and agree that they work well and are unobtrusive. The reflected image is clear and the mounting mechanism makes the mirror simple to install and prevents the mirror from falling out of adjustment. Personally, I couldn’t care less if people like or dislike mirrors on bikes. I use it for the safety and piece of mind it provides.
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Old 12-07-21, 03:29 PM
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I use one of the Hafny 68 mm glass bar end mirrors on a flat bar bike that I ride mostly on rural highways.

I can't find much fault with the mirror; they really do a pretty good job with these.
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Old 12-07-21, 03:41 PM
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If I'm going to use a mirror, typically only if on a group ride where I may be responsible for keeping track of those behind me, it'll only be the Take-A-Look helmet mounted mirror. That way I can rotate my head to any angle I like, and leave it there so I can study what's going on, without relying on the turn angle of the bars, and also not having to deal with a distorted view of a convex mirror.
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Old 12-08-21, 02:25 PM
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It can take a while to find a mirror you like. I've used the Take-A-Look mirror for years and been happy with it. I attach it to my glasses. I recently switched to the Hubbub Helmet Mirror. It's a bit expensive at about $35 but I'm very happy with it. In the rain, my glasses get fogged. My prescription is mild, so I take my glasses off in the rain, and then the glasses-mounted mirror does no good. Now that my mirror is on my helmet, I don't have that problem. I could have attached the Take-A-Look mirror to the helmet, but I didn't. The Hubbub is bigger, too.

I won't argue that eyeglass- or helmet-mounted mirrors are better than mirrors on handlebars. Use what works for you. It also takes practice to use a bike mirror. But once you are practiced, I believe you are safer with any kind of mirror.
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Old 12-08-21, 02:32 PM
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I have no experience with mirrors, but I looked up Hafny, so here's the URL:
https://www.hafnycomponents.com/bike-mirrors
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Old 12-08-21, 02:36 PM
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Shoot, the main reason I wear my helmet whenever I ride is because it's got the mirror mounted on it. I have an innate need to know what is going on around me at all times.
I'm afraid if the mirror were mounted on the bike I'd leave my helmet at home more than I'd wear it and from experience I know that would be a bad thing.
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Old 12-10-21, 09:10 AM
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+1 for a bar end mirror. best $5 I ever spent. that said, on the road, I use both a bar end mirror & a glasses mounted mirror, because they compliment each other's features & benefits. I think older guys use mirrors because old guys know stuff
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Old 12-10-21, 01:59 PM
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I want to add a mirror that attaches to the side brim of a hat I wear under the helmet. Know of any?
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Old 12-14-21, 10:22 PM
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This one works well for me. Clearview Micro Mirror ? Cycling safety just became cool!. I actually prefer the smaller one.
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Old 12-15-21, 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
I think older guys use mirrors because old guys know stuff
An commercial pilot friend says There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but very few old bold pilots.

Perhaps there's a connection?
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Old 12-15-21, 08:34 AM
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Never heard of the Hafnys' before. I use a Cateye type. Only "older people" use mirrors? Hmmm. Kind of hard to drive a semi-truck without them and lots of 30 year old drive those. With more noiseless electric cars out there one would think mirrors would be even more of a neccessity on a bike, especially on vehicle shared roads (not bike paths). I feel naked on a bike without one. Will try a Hafnys' if I can find one!
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Old 12-15-21, 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Bluechip
This one works well for me. Clearview Micro Mirror ? Cycling safety just became cool!. I actually prefer the smaller one.
Wow, that's tiny! I'll have to get one just to try it!
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Old 12-15-21, 09:53 AM
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RichSPK- When I bought mine a few years ago they had two sizes. The small one that they sell now is smaller than a dime. The larger one was the size of a nickel. I much prefer the small one. It just takes a little while to find the right spot on the helmet. I bought a bag of similar magnets on eBay and played around with them for a while. Hot glue is your friend here. The only annoyance is you sometimes have to reposition it after removing your sunglasses. It's hard not to bump it in the process. But it is easy to reposition.
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Old 12-15-21, 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Bluechip
This one works well for me. Clearview Micro Mirror ? Cycling safety just became cool!. I actually prefer the smaller one.
makes sense. if it's close enough to our eye, it can get smaller. love the magnetic mount!
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Old 12-15-21, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by prairiepedaler
Never heard of the Hafnys' before. I use a Cateye type. Only "older people" use mirrors? Hmmm. Kind of hard to drive a semi-truck without them and lots of 30 year old drive those. With more noiseless electric cars out there one would think mirrors would be even more of a neccessity on a bike, especially on vehicle shared roads (not bike paths). I feel naked on a bike without one. Will try a Hafnys' if I can find one!
Here's the version I have on my road bike. Seems to work pretty well.

https://www.amazon.ca/Hafny-Mirror-S.../dp/B07WMMQJFW
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Old 12-17-21, 11:23 AM
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I've kind of wanted to get a Giles Berthoud mirror, but the pricing is off the charts.
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Old 12-17-21, 11:35 AM
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Good to see equipment tested and proven. "Hafnys Bar End Mirror" seems to be of good manufacture and reasonable price. That's a good thing for us cheap guys out here. In the old days it was just a look under the shoulder to see whats behind. Now days no. For me I have just recently started using a mirror described in one of "10wheels" posts and have been satisfied. Of course I don't ride in traffic so it is all I need...


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Old 12-17-21, 11:41 AM
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Been using the Zefal Spy mirror for many years of commuting. the first one lasted about 10yrs then fell apart from age. Mounted on downtube, you look down between your legs and get a decent shot of the road behind you. Simple and it works. i tried bar & helmet mirrors, none worked well for me.
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Old 12-17-21, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by zandoval
Good to see equipment tested and proven. "Hafnys Bar End Mirror" seems to be of good manufacture and reasonable price. That's a good thing for us cheap guys out here. In the old days it was just a look under the shoulder to see whats behind. Now days no. For me I have just recently started using a mirror described in one of "10wheels" posts and have been satisfied. Of course I don't ride in traffic so it is all I need...


Is that a lens from a pair of sunglasses?
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Old 12-17-21, 12:18 PM
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Yes it is. One $ from the Dollar Store.
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Old 12-17-21, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Bluechip
This one works well for me. Clearview Micro Mirror ? Cycling safety just became cool!. I actually prefer the smaller one.
Is that mirror flat, or is it convex?
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Old 12-17-21, 02:14 PM
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It is flat.
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Old 12-17-21, 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by zandoval
Good to see equipment tested and proven. "Hafnys Bar End Mirror" seems to be of good manufacture and reasonable price. That's a good thing for us cheap guys out here. In the old days it was just a look under the shoulder to see whats behind. Now days no. For me I have just recently started using a mirror described in one of "10wheels" posts and have been satisfied. Of course I don't ride in traffic so it is all I need...


Oh yeah! I gotta have one of them.
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Old 02-07-22, 10:12 PM
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I use the Take-a-look glasses mirror most of the time, but I installed something called "The Italian Road Mike Mirror" many years ago on both Left and Right bar-ends for additional coverage/backup.
PROS: High quality, robust (never scratched or broken one), aero, light, no vibration, absolutely stays put, doesn't look "Fred"
CONS: You need to remove bar tape to install, minimally adjustable, a bit expensive ($45ea), requires fiddling / re-taping to get it aimed perfectly.
In summary, it's initially a pain to set up correctly, but then it just works forever.
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