Bike mirrors

pottssteve

I know this might sound odd, but here goes.

Driving to work this morning we passed a cyclist who had rearview mirrors on his push bike. My son asked me whether racing bikes are allowed to have mirrors during races, because it would make it easier to spot if someone was going to attack. I'm not an expert, but I assume they're not allowed, for just this reason. Those in the know - enlighten me, please...

LangerDan

I don't think they are banned specifically (as mirrors) but you'd probably have them banned on the grounds that they are projecting from the bike and present a hazard to other riders.

I remember seeing a pair of racing sunglasses many years ago that had a small mirrored section at the corners of the lenses for exactly this purpose. The only problem was that when you put them on you couldn't actually see anything worthwhile. Far better to depend on the team manager in the car to be watching the helicopter shots and tell you on your radio.

terongi

What about those little mirrors on stalks which stick to the top of your helmet?

They would not present a hazard to other riders and they would not obstruct your vision. I have never used one, but as I understand it you just position the stalk so that you can glance up and see what's behind you.

celbianchi

You don't need mirrors when racing.
Generally in the bunch if someone is attacking then then people shout at those in front to get their wheel.

Plus we'd all look like muppets with helmet mirrors

terongi

celbianchi wrote:

You don't need mirrors when racing.
Generally in the bunch if someone is attacking then then people shout at those in front to get their wheel.

Plus we'd all look like muppets with helmet mirrors

We'd all look like muppets with:

clipless pedals
integrated brake/gear levers
lycra
earpieces
helmets
wrap-around sunglasses

Someone has to be the first.

celbianchi

terongi wrote:

celbianchi wrote:

You don't need mirrors when racing.
Generally in the bunch if someone is attacking then then people shout at those in front to get their wheel.

Plus we'd all look like muppets with helmet mirrors

We'd all look like muppets with:

clipless pedals
integrated brake/gear levers
lycra
earpieces
helmets
wrap-around sunglasses

Someone has to be the first.

They all have a benefit. Can't see what mirrors would add to racing at all.

Actually, might stop people switching lines in a sprint. but probably wouldn't.

andy_wrx

Puzzled how integrated brake/gear levers makes anyone look like a muppet.

Clipless pedals won't either, unless you're implying walking around like a penguin on the cleats ?

Wrap-around sunglasses are supposed to be cool - never been to Italy, South of France or Rio ?

terongi

andy_wrx wrote:

Puzzled how integrated brake/gear levers makes anyone look like a muppet.

Clipless pedals won't either, unless you're implying walking around like a penguin on the cleats ?

Wrap-around sunglasses are supposed to be cool - never been to Italy, South of France or Rio ?

Oh dear. I try to make a point in a more interesting way so that I don't have to spell it all out pedantically. Then along comes someone who just doesn't get it.

Oh well. Here goes. . .

I have no idea whether helmet mirrors would be good or bad in a race.

But the idea that a rider would look like a muppet does not seem to be a valid argument against it, because the first rider to adopt any innovation (aero bars, aero helmets?) will look different from everyone else until they all adopt it.

I am not literally saying that levers pedals and sunglasses make people look like muppets. Sorry if I chose bad examples.

Do you get it now?

drenkrom

When I was in the juniors, a company came out with small mirrors you could stick inside you shades to glance back. It worked very well on the Oakley M-Frames I had back then. At a provincial team training camp, we tried them out to see if they could be of any use in races. Though they worked, you had to have you head in a precise position to see a particular area behind you. In the end, it was just so much easier to look around. There are people on bikes in the streets that I'd rather give mirrors to, as they'll be facing forwards at all times. Racers have enough skill to safely have their head on a pivot.

And you don't need to see someone to know he's attacking. When you hear "clik-clik-clik-clunk", you know it's about to hit the fan.

terongi

I agree that a mirror is not necessary to know when someone is attacking from your group.

But when I attack on my own, I find that I have to bury myself for a while without being able to look back. It might be useful to know whether someone (or the entire bunch) is simply hanging onto my wheel. I could stop wasting energy on a futile attack.

Or when I have escaped for a while, it would be useful to be able to check how far back the chasers are without having to turn around with the inevitable loss of speed and concentration.

Does anyone share this view?

celbianchi

terongi wrote:

I agree that a mirror is not necessary to know when someone is attacking from your group.

But when I attack on my own, I find that I have to bury myself for a while without being able to look back. It might be useful to know whether someone (or the entire bunch) is simply hanging onto my wheel. I could stop wasting energy on a futile attack.

Or when I have escaped for a while, it would be useful to be able to check how far back the chasers are without having to turn around with the inevitable loss of speed and concentration.

Does anyone share this view?

No, look under your arm and you don't even have to go to the trouble of turning your head. :roll: