Is a rear view mirror on a bike any help at all?

novembercp

Anyone use one? Useful or just an extra fragile appendage?

DavidTQ

I loved mine when I had one on the hybrid, my local shop dont stock them for road bikes though so still havent got round to getting one on that.

Very usefull for "awareness" and seeing when a gap in the traffic is coming up in advance etc. Doesnt replace a good look over the shoulder but gives an easier impression of things behind you. I really did like having mine.

dirk_van_gently

YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES,

Might just save your life.

I have one of these.

http://bike-eye.com/new/product.shtml

They work brillinatly, and are out of harms way. I use a crosser for commuting, and also use the crosser on singletrack and the like, and it's still in one piece.

Chriscommuter

Dirk, does your knee hit it when you're peddling?

dirk_van_gently

No it doesn't, it is an amazing bit of kit, it's simple robust. It's barely noticable, and weights very little. It also means you can check out your testi's as you ride :-D

John the Monkey

Dirk Van Gently wrote:

I have one of these.

http://bike-eye.com/new/product.shtml

They work brillinatly, and are out of harms way. I use a crosser for commuting, and also use the crosser on singletrack and the like, and it's still in one piece.

Those look really good - I'd never heard of them before, and only ever seen the handlebar/helmet mounted ones.

cntl

I bought one a few days ago and I will NEVER cycle without one now. Words can not describe the difference.

PrettyBoyTim

I can't help feeling I'd end up with just a nice view of my pannier...

I'm tempted by the on-helmet mirrors as they don't require you to look down - anyone had any experience with them?

Gussio

PrettyBoyTim wrote:

I can't help feeling I'd end up with just a nice view of my pannier...

I'm tempted by the on-helmet mirrors as they don't require you to look down - anyone had any experience with them?

The ones that make you look like a mad dentist?

cntl

I have something similar to this (obviously I have the "right-hand side" version):

http://www.gsr600.co.uk/images/BAR_END_MIRROR_ZEFAL.gif

only the orientation is different--the tip is pointing up--so that it doesn't make the handlebar longer by much. Easily adjustable. It has a wide view angle, so you can easily see what's behind. Fantastic.

dirk_van_gently

I have used the bike eye mirror with panniers on my previous bike, no problems at all.

magibob

Dirk Van Gently wrote:

YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES,

Might just save your life.

I have one of these.

http://bike-eye.com/new/product.shtml

They work brillinatly, and are out of harms way. I use a crosser for commuting, and also use the crosser on singletrack and the like, and it's still in one piece.

Hiya.

looks interesting. does look very "nickable" though. How secure is it?

Andy

dirk_van_gently

Well it would be nickable, if someone was carrying a pair of wire cutters around (as you do), or a spanner of the right size. Folk don't really notice it, because you just don't expect to see it in that location.

If you are totally paranoid about it getting nicked, it comes with a special keyring wingnut spanner, for easy detatchment.

I know it's 16 quid, but you will not begrudge one penny once you have used it.

I tried a mad dentist mirror, and I thought it was a waste of time, nice gimic, but nothing more, bit like those Camelbak bottles.

BentMikey

I must admit I'm ambivalent about mirrors. I don't have one on my upright, but I do on the recumbent. Mirrors are essential on a very low and reclined recumbent like mine for traffic riding, because it's nearly impossible to look behind yourself properly. They are pretty reassuring and it's very easy to stay much more aware of the motorists behind you.

On the other hand, I don't have any trouble looking behind me on the upright, and I'm not sure that having a mirror here would really increase my safety. I might get that mirror you linked Dirk, and give it a try.

In fairness though, accidents involving being hit from behind are one of the least common types, which is why I wonder about the safety benefits if you can already look behind yourself without a mirror.

Chriscommuter

Dirk Van Gently wrote:

No it doesn't, it is an amazing bit of kit, it's simple robust. It's barely noticable, and weights very little. It also means you can check out your testi's as you ride :-D

Fantastic, must get one immediately...

Totalnewbie

Bah, I want one now, damn you...

I used to have a bar-end mirror on the bike that was stolen, but thus far never got round to getting another. The Bike Eye does look better, and there was a letter raving about it this month in the LCC mag, I think.

el_presidente

Totalnewbie wrote:

Bah, I want one now, damn you...

I used to have a bar-end mirror on the bike that was stolen, but thus far never got round to getting another. The Bike Eye does look better, and there was a letter raving about it this month in the LCC mag, I think.

they must be great for chicks as you can do your makeup at the lights 8)

Totalnewbie

el_presidente wrote:

Totalnewbie wrote:

Bah, I want one now, damn you...

I used to have a bar-end mirror on the bike that was stolen, but thus far never got round to getting another. The Bike Eye does look better, and there was a letter raving about it this month in the LCC mag, I think.

they must be great for chicks as you can do your makeup at the lights 8)

Dammit, you guessed my ulterior motive...

el_presidente

Totalnewbie wrote:

el_presidente wrote:

Totalnewbie wrote:

Bah, I want one now, damn you...

I used to have a bar-end mirror on the bike that was stolen, but thus far never got round to getting another. The Bike Eye does look better, and there was a letter raving about it this month in the LCC mag, I think.

they must be great for chicks as you can do your makeup at the lights 8)

Dammit, you guessed my ulterior motive...

I can read women like a book 8)

GraemeT

I've got a Reevu helmet. Its got a prism at the top and you have a little mirror in the peak, quite small but you get a good view of whats behind.
Love it for commuting but its a bit big and bulky when you want to look sleek on your good bike.
I had to search quite hard to find one and I'm not sure they're still produced.
Very good idea though.

cntl

The bike eye mirror doesnt look that good for two reasons:
1. it is near the centre of the bike, unlike the bar-end mirrors that give you a bigger view angle of what's directly behind you
2. you need to look down, whereas with the handlebar mirrors you are aware of what's behind you without much effor (at least in my experience).

so it looks cool, but in my humble opinion it can not be as practical as, say, a bar-end mirror.

dazzawazza

cntl wrote:

so it looks cool, but in my humble opinion it can not be as practical as, say, a bar-end mirror.

Looking cool is important, even if practicality is undermined.

dirk_van_gently

I think you should try one, then you will realise how brilliant it is.
BTW I am not on commission :-D