Mirror for road bike

Mike59

Can anyone recommend a rear-view mirror for installation on a drop-bar road bike?

I don't really want a helmet mirror, and would like the least obtrusive as possible.

Thanks in advance.

Mike.

Nuggs

You are going to be in a whole world of hurt when the euros catch up with you...

redvee

Newsagents sell them :P

Mike59

Nuggs wrote:

You are going to be in a whole world of hurt when the euros catch up with you...

:?: Not sure what you mean, Nuggs (or Redvee for that matter :? )

I don't want one but, being 90% deaf, I get a bit startled sometimes as I can't hear anything coming from behind. I do look round, but not constantly. I can hear reasonably well with my hearing aids, but the wind across them during cycling masks out all sound.

Keith Rapley

There is one that fits on the downtube, you look down through your legs. I've heard from people who have them that they work really well. Can't for life of me remember what they are called

Ah ha found one

http://www.timani-ltd.co.uk/index.php?m ... MAodKjNnXg

Mike59

Great, Keith. That's just the thing.

Cheers

feel

THIS says it is designed for drop bars, Mike. If you have an Evans near you might be able to have a good look at it to see if it's any good.

Bob Pringle

That Blackburn mirror weighs a ton, and because of the flimsy mounting bracket it vibrates enough that its usefulness is seriously compromised.

Bob P.

alfablue

I use this Blackburn mirror. It plugs into the end of the bars, works on flat or dropped bars, is easily swept back out of the way when needing to squeeze through gaps, it has a reflector on the reverse side, is easy to position, the joint can be loosened or tightened by hand, on the move, to change ease of adjustability, it gives a very good rear view, is very robust!



I have toured with it for many miles and it has been totally reliable and easy to use. Bashed it a few times, even crashed on that side, and no ill effects. I don't think the weight is a problem at all (it is 107g), and the well built nature of it means it doesn't break (unlike the Cateye one I had before).

Mike59

Thanks, chaps. There's an Evans near me, so I'll have a look at the ones mentioned above.

Must say I do like the look of the one Keith mentioned, though.

Cheers,

Mike.

duckfoot1606

Mike, I use all three of the mirror options mentioned above (on different bikes!!) and would comment as follows;

Bike - Eye - mounted on my flat bar hybrid. Good idea but limited usefullness as you have to stop pedalling to get a really good look; the mirror surface area is a bit small
Blackburn bar end - also mounted on a hybrid, pretty good although in my case I am forever tighening it up to stop it working loose. As mentioned above it hinges up and away.
Blackburn drop mount, used on my Tricross sport. Works well, again though forever tightening up to limit vibration, also the mounting strap results in the drop being bigger which feels odd through your hands. Doesn't hinge like the above.

Overall I would say the Blackburn options beat the bike eye, cheaper too, about a tenner vs £16 the last time i looked.

Best of luck

AP

Mike59

Thanks AP.

Do you mean this one for your Tricross? :

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... d%20Mirror

alfablue

Mike59 wrote:

Thanks AP.

Do you mean this one for your Tricross? :

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... d%20Mirror

I think that is the poorer of the Blackburn ones, this is I believe the better.

duckfoot1606

Mike, the one in your link is the one i'm using. The bar end mounted one is a possibility as alfablue suggests.

AP

geoff_ss

I've used a mirror attached to my specs for several years and wouldn't be without it. By moving my head slightly I can change the view point. After a neck injury I find it difficult (though not completely impossible) to turn my head. You can just see it in my rather blurred icon. I tried a helmet mounted one and found it useless - this is very much better. All you have to be is thick skinned

It's very useful for keeping an eye on my wife and checking that she's on my wheel - or thereabouts .

A friend imported a batch from the USA but I think the firm that makes the Trice recumbents have them on their web site.

Geoff

Mettan

alfablue wrote:

I use this Blackburn mirror. It plugs into the end of the bars, works on flat or dropped bars, is easily swept back out of the way when needing to squeeze through gaps, it has a reflector on the reverse side, is easy to position, the joint can be loosened or tightened by hand, on the move, to change ease of adjustability, it gives a very good rear view, is very robust!



I have toured with it for many miles and it has been totally reliable and easy to use. Bashed it a few times, even crashed on that side, and no ill effects. I don't think the weight is a problem at all (it is 107g), and the well built nature of it means it doesn't break (unlike the Cateye one I had before).

Hi Alfa - can the Multi-mirror be plugged into Road-bike drop bars - if so, is it adjustable to spring it out 90 degrees to the right or left - just trying to work out how it works with a standard Road bike drop bar scenario - am thinking of buiying one.

Thanks

alfablue

Hi Mettan

A picture paints a thousand words...



The mirror plugs into the bar end, and the knurled knob is turned to expand the plug to tighten it. The mirror pivots in 3 places as indicated by the red arrows, so it is easy to position however you want to (infact under the rubber sleeve right beside the mirror it pivots in three planes, for and aft, up and dow, and twists on its axis). I have shown it in the two positions I tend to have it in, the second picture showing it "stowed" when not needed or getting through small gaps.

Mettan

Thanks Alfa - that exaplains it well - is there much wind resistance when on the move - any pulling of the bike to the right or left due to wind - is it easy to get along with.

Thanks

alfablue

Mettan wrote:

Thanks Alfa - that exaplains it well - is there much wind resistance when on the move - any pulling of the bike to the right or left due to wind - is it easy to get along with.

Thanks

Hi Mettan

There is no noticeable wind resistance at all. I find it very easy to get along with, once you get it appropriately tightened so it stays where you put it whilst being able to shift it easily when you have to (you tighten the bar bung, and also he knurled ring on the rubber boot by the mirror, indicated by the right-most red arrow). Once you have the ideal position then I just flip it in or out for use using the main hinge (left-most red arrow) where it joins the bar bung. When stowed out of use it doesn't seem to get in the way either. I suppose I am used to it, but for me it is near enough perfect for the job.

Mettan

Thanks Alfa - that's reassured me - I'll be getting one - will be using it for solo training rides mostly.

Thanks for the explanations and information 8)

blorg

I have this Cateye mirror which works great, although that Blackburn does look better and more adjustable.

alfablue

I had the Cateye mirror first, but unfortunately the thin stem soon snapped, maybe I am clumsy!

carlstone

What about this one:



http://www.timani-ltd.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_26&products_id=75&gclid=CKG9x53ygpICFQXnlAodf3Mj2w

Mike59

Carlstone, I made the original enquiry, and this was one of the ones recommended. It's the one I bought, and have used it on a couple of rides so far. Not perfect, but fine for what I need, which is to verify that a vehicle is approaching from behind. I also look over shoulder to confirm.

Thanks for all the tips.

jimwin

Not sure I'd recommend the Blackburn mirror. I lost mine yesterday going down the 20% Dartmeet hill. Damned expensive to climb back up all the way to retrieve it (you'll know what I mean if you know this hill).

It's well made and good in use, but the fixing clamp has always been its weak spot. Seriously considering the Bike Eye as a replacement.

- JW

alfablue

jimwin wrote:

Not sure I'd recommend the Blackburn mirror. I lost mine yesterday going down the 20% Dartmeet hill. Damned expensive to climb back up all the way to retrieve it (you'll know what I mean if you know this hill).

It's well made and good in use, but the fixing clamp has always been its weak spot. Seriously considering the Bike Eye as a replacement.

- JW

I put some tape around the jaws that fit inside the bar to make it a better fit, been rock solid since (sorry I had forgotten about that! Long time ago).