Mirrors - yes or no?

FSR_XC

Seeing as I am doing a fair bit of commuting, I keep thinking about getting a mirror.

Is this a stupid idea?

What about something like this?

http://www.aspirevelotech.com/Merchant2 ... ode=MIRROR

Anyone used one of these or recommend another or tell me I don't need one?

ricadus

To a car driver coming up behind you, when you glance back it's an additional visual cue to them that you may be about to do something – change lanes, make a right turn etc – so if you are going to use a mirror in rush hour traffic be very dilligent with hand signals.

Personally I think they are not worth the risk unless you are riding something that restricts you from looking back easily (i.e. a recumbent).

Mr_Cellophane

I would have thought that you would have to have your head in the correct position to get a decent rear view from that. Does not look like there is any way to adjust it for the perfect view either.
I would need to see it on a bike before I bought one.

rouhage

I have actually bought one of these (posted from usa) and have had it on for 6 months now. The first thing to say is that it doesn't look in the slightest bit nerdy and looks like it's part of the bars. Rear vision is excellent and rarely do I have to move about to look into it.
You can obviously still turn your head and look behind if you feel the need, but unless it's a dangerous situation or manouvre coming up, I always use the mirror. When I ride my other bikes without a mirror, I feel a lot more vulnerable and am lost without one.
The only tricky bit is making sure you fit it in the right position. As it is secured under the bar tape and around the bar ends (and hence it's vibration free) it's a phaff to have to redo all the tape again.
Highly reccomended.....
Rouhage

geoff_ss

I've been using a small mirror attached to my glasses for several year and which I find extremely useful. I hate being without it. It helps me to check that my wife is still more or less on my wheel easily and, as much of my cycling is on quiet, narrow lanes with little traffic, it is brilliant for spotting a fast approaching motor vehicle so we can single out easily. Saves a lot of hassle. Most of my Wednesday riding companions have a mirror.

Just because you have a mirror doesn't mean you can't, or don't need to, look over your shoulder. It's an extra rather than a substitute. It's specially useful for me because I find turning my head far enough quite difficult these days.

Having said that, I never had one when I was commuting and didn't find it a problem. Unlike quiet lanes, on busy road you don't need to see if something is coming up behind unless you wish to pull out - there's always something coming.

btw you can see my mirror on my avatar

Geoff

FSR_XC

Thanks for the responses.