Mirrors for dropped handlebars

MadammeMarie

Hello all!! I need to buy a couple of mirrors for my bike, which has dropped handlebars (Specialized TriCross sport). Went to bike shop but was told the only bikes that can have mirrors are mountain and hybrids. Bollocks, I thought. I'm sure the good people of bike radar can help!

I see Wiggle have a few that might fit. Does anybody here use mirros on drops? If so, can you give me some advice?

Thanks.

Poacher

http://bike-eye.com/ do a neat mirror which nestles snug against the frame - less liable to be damaged than a bar-mounted one, but it's not so good if you use panniers/rack-pack etc.

beverick

I've just fitted one of these:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... i%20Mirror

It sticks out quite a long way but it's failry stable and gives a good field of vision.

Bob

Crapaud

IME mirrors attached to the bike are pretty much useless; they never point where you want, or need, them to and need constant adjusting.

A better bet is a glasses mounted mirror. A slight turn of the head and you can see exactly where you wish. On the down side, you end up looking like a 'borg' or a super soldier.





They take a few days to get used to, but once you're over the sensation that an artic's heading straight for you they're fine!

blorg

I use the cheap Cateye one on my commuter and it works fine, if you adjust it properly it does give you a good view of what is behind you. Tighten the screw up tight and you don't need to constantly fiddle with it to get it in the right place, once at the start of the ride is enough.

I reckon the Blackburn linked above is a bit better than my one. They stick into the bar end.

MadammeMarie

Thanks everybody for the advice. I will be getting the Blackburn ones, though they might stick out a bit, they seem the best for my bike (the handlebars are quite thick).

blorg

Another thing to consider- you probably only need one on the traffic side (e.g. right handlebar.) But get two if you think it would benefit you.

alfablue

I have the Blackburn one, it is very good, very adjustable, when not needed just pull it back and it goes in line with the bars. One tip, to get a tight fit I put some electrical tape around the splayed fitting that goes inside the bars.

alfablue

I have the Blackburn one, it is very good, very adjustable, when not needed just pull it back and it goes in line with the bars. One tip, to get a tight fit I put some electrical tape around the splayed fitting that goes inside the bars.

gs3

There is also this option of the Blackburn designed specifically for use with drop bars but is also detachable!

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 140c003575

.

Cunobelin

The ultimate bike mirror is the Mirrycle which fits on to the bar end

http://www.mirrycle.com/_derived/assemmmirrycle.htm_txt_parts_mountainmirrycle.gif


You can leave the middle arm out of the equation to take up less space.

Alternatively the "Cycle Star" comes in three lengths "No neck" which allows a snug fit to a "Long neck" which allows some positioning.






Senn on a road bike

mateotu

Blackburn mirrors are not the best, I've tried all three designs. They need constant adjustment, no matter how hard you tighten the screw. In hilly terrain, a round mirror shape is also much better than Blackburn's oval one.

The Blackburn 'road' mirror - the one that fits to your shift/brake levers - has a couple more problems too. The velcro strap is uncomfortable; and on rough roads the mirror vibrates badly on the end of that long plastic arm. Avoid.

+1 for the Mirrycle, the 'Mountain' mirror works very well when mounted to the end of a drop bar without the middle section. It looks fairly neat, does not vibrate loose or stick out too much, and will not spoil any of your hand positions. Note that you can flip the mirror piece round to get two alternative side-to-side mounting positions. Why the manufacturer doesn't suggest this use, I have no idea!

alfablue

mateotu wrote:

Blackburn mirrors are not the best, I've tried all three designs. They need constant adjustment, no matter how hard you tighten the screw. In hilly terrain, a round mirror shape is also much better than Blackburn's oval one.

I can't agree, with my electrical tape mod the mirror stays exactly where I put it all ride long, unless I shift it. It does need to be tight, and the tape makes it possible to tighten it enough. If I want to flip it out of the way it stays put, then one more flip and it's back in position. I have done many tours with this mirror, no probs. It is also very robust and has stood up to various knocks. The view is also good (fine for seeing approaching cars, no vibration of note, but mostly I use it because I need to keep an eye on my touring partner, so I don't leave her behind :roll: ).

Note that you need to tighten both the "bung" that goes in the bar, but also the nut that is under the rubber sleeve.

I previously tried a Cateye, now that was floppy, and the arm snapped after a while.

I obviously can't comment on your recommendations, they are probably very good, but the Blackburn (that plugs in the bar end) is as near to perfect as I could imagine. It also fits on my flat bar bike if I want to use it on that.

gs3

I have used the Blackburn ATB/Hybrid Mirror (velcro attachment) for a few years now and have had no problems with it moving or vibrating. It has also survived some serious knocks in it's lifetime and still comes back for more. I can't comment on the comfort of the "Drop bar" version but by association, I reckon it would be fairly good. Easy to mount and remove as and when required and not that expensive either!!

As with all things "bike" - you have to find what suits you so try, try and try again!!

.

mateotu

Well, maybe I'm just too weak to get that adjustment screw tight enough. Never rule out user error!

dirk_van_gently

Poacher wrote:

http://bike-eye.com/ do a neat mirror which nestles snug against the frame - less liable to be damaged than a bar-mounted one, but it's not so good if you use panniers/rack-pack etc.

I've got one of these, absolutely brilliant. Until you try one, you just won't believe how useful they are.

Yorkshireman

These look like the dogs bollocks
http://www.wildoo.co.uk/mirrors.htm
Interesting discussion re mirrors here
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=14074