Mirrors?

Thick Mike

May well regret this as I imagine it might be one of those topics that raises hackles, but...

I cycle mainly on country roads with few cars. I can usually hear cars behind, but sometimes if I am going faster, or it is particularly windy, I can be unaware of cars approaching from behind. I was thinking that a small mirror on the end of my drops would allow me to be more aware of cars approaching from behind.

Does anyone use this type of mirror? Any suggestions for models?

sloppyschleckonds

If you feel you need a mirror then get one, thing I'd rather not know how dangerous cars are driving behind me but I see the benefits.

natrix

Back in the day I used to use a mirricycle for road commuting and found it very useful at certain locations.

There's bike eye http://road.cc/content/review/28706-bik ... ike-mirror or the Cateye BM45 bar end mirror or the Zefal spy mirror

Another option is the Italian racing Mirror, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yp6_CWibSc

Thick Mike

natrix wrote:

Back in the day I used to use a mirricycle for road commuting and found it very useful at certain locations.

There's bike eye http://road.cc/content/review/28706-bik ... ike-mirror or the Cateye BM45 bar end mirror or the Zefal spy mirror

Another option is the Italian racing Mirror, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yp6_CWibSc

That Italian racing mirror is exactly what I have been looking for. Not a substitute for a shoulder check, just easier to know when someone is following.

Funny thing is, when I was looking for info on mirrors on the forum, all I found was people bitching about drivers not using them. Yet few cyclists I see seem to use mirrors themselves!

cgfw201

the ones I see out and about stuck to drops look so small that they must have enormous blind spots, and I feel if you rely too much on it you could get complacent and not check over your shoulder quite so often, which is way more effective.

fenix

I dont think you get blind spots so much with them - you can get them pretty convex -y.

The good thing about bikes is that we dont have pillars to get in the way - and we dont have windows and radios blocking the noise out.

I know there was one successful triathlete who used mirrors well. To spot the draftbusters coming up so he could get off a riders wheel and not get penalised. Sadly there was no mirror that could tell him when the doping people would turn up....

sungod

that one that fits on the bar end seems rather stabby, looks like it could be very nasty in a crash

Thick Mike

sungod wrote:

that one that fits on the bar end seems rather stabby, looks like it could be very nasty in a crash

The videos I watched on YouTube made the housing look quite flexible, but obviously that depends on angle and speed of impact I guess. The actual mirror is glass I think

davep1

I've seen ones that come in a pocket, which you turn inside out and it goes round your wrist and velcros to itself. Or there are small ones on a stalk that attach to your helmet, could either of these work for you?

Thick Mike

DaveP1 wrote:

I've seen ones that come in a pocket, which you turn inside out and it goes round your wrist and velcros to itself. Or there are small ones on a stalk that attach to your helmet, could either of these work for you?

I saw the wrist strap one on Facebook. Looked pretty clever, but not sure how it would work when you put your hands in different positions. I tend to move my hands around quite a bit to relax shoulder and neck muscles.

Might investigate the helmet mirror...

bungle73

I'm using this one >>> https://www.evanscycles.com/cycle-aware ... r-EV163324

Very useful for seeing what's coming up behind me, and you can swivel it around for the best position.

Thick Mike wrote:

sungod wrote:

that one that fits on the bar end seems rather stabby, looks like it could be very nasty in a crash

The videos I watched on YouTube made the housing look quite flexible, but obviously that depends on angle and speed of impact I guess. The actual mirror is glass I think

I doubt that any bicycle mirror would use glass - it would be far too dangerous. All the ones I've seen have used plastic.

fenix

I like that evans have shown their pic on the left hand side. I wonder how many people have put it on like that before realising ?

kawaspresso

Just get a CatEye BM45, it's the best one.
I've got the italian road mirror, but I find it difficult to ajust.

bungle73

kawaspresso wrote:

Just get a CatEye BM45, it's the best one.
I've got the italian road mirror, but I find it difficult to ajust.

The one I've got is much more streamlined, and unlike other similar looking ones it has a ball joint so is fully and easily adjustable, and you don't have to unwrap all of your bar tape to put it on either.

Thick Mike

The Italian racing mirror was a bit tricky to get hold of, so I've given this one a punt from sjs:

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/accessories ... b8544799a2

dj58

Mike, can you post up a review when you have fitted and used this mirror please?

Thick Mike

DJ58 wrote:

Mike, can you post up a review when you have fitted and used this mirror please?

Will do.

Man Of Lard

Zefal Spy. Straps on to your bar (end) - handy for a quick glance at what's behind. Totally removable too and not a big anti-aerodynamic sail.

agentorange88

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1768125/apps

anyone got a 3D printer?
Assume that mirrored plastic is readily available to cut to fit to create the mirror its self

peat

I've got the Zefal thing.

I can actually vouch that it has saved my life. I was touring in NZ, long straight road, I saw this red car in the distance (in the mirror), first car i'd seen for an hour. It got closer, I took another glance "He'll pull out in a sec". It got closer "Bloody hell, he's not moving an inch!". I swerved onto the grass, the car passed under my right elbow at about 60mph. The kid driving had a tablet strapped to the steering wheel, he was watching a video.

A couple of quid well-spent.

I tend to only use it on long rides, or if i'm leading a group. You get some stick from the snobs, but they are really useful.

Thick Mike

Ok, haven't fitted this to the bike for a while due to summer duties, but I got to try out my recent purchase from SJS.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/accessories ... b8544799a2

Very easy to fit first of all. I had put off fitting it thinking it would be a faff, but it was literally a 30 second job. It is a plastic bung (more rigid than rubber, but not hard). The instructions say to moisten the bung before insertion (no sniggering), so I just gave it a suck and stuck it in! The mirror then has a ball mount that fits into the bung that allows adjustment of the viewing angle.

I set it up to show the road behind while I had my hands on the hoods (my usual grip), but the view was acceptable from the drops or nearer the stem. The view of the road behind was great. I loved the security of knowing what was behind me and when cars were approaching. I usually cycle on country roads and cars passing are less frequent than in town (maybe 25 an hour), but today I went into town to try it out in heavier traffic. I particularly liked having the confidence to nip around potholes and stay further out from the kerb going uphill when there was nothing behind. It doesn't remove the need for a shoulder check, but it is very clear to see when there are cars behind or when the road is clear.

As for aerodynamics, I'm not sure I'm the best person to comment on that. The mirror is not bulky or particularly large, but I think it is larger than the Italian racing mirror mentioned above. It's pretty discrete to be fair and it didn't rattle around or get blown about today (in quite blustery conditions).

For me it is a no brainier for any leisure or commuting cyclist. I am going to buy another one for my n+1.

bungle73

Thick Mike wrote:

Ok, haven't fitted this to the bike for a while due to summer duties, but I got to try out my recent purchase from SJS.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/accessories ... b8544799a2

Very easy to fit first of all. I had put off fitting it thinking it would be a faff, but it was literally a 30 second job. It is a plastic bung (more rigid than rubber, but not hard). The instructions say to moisten the bung before insertion (no sniggering), so I just gave it a suck and stuck it in! The mirror then has a ball mount that fits into the bung that allows adjustment of the viewing angle.

I set it up to show the road behind while I had my hands on the hoods (my usual grip), but the view was acceptable from the drops or nearer the stem. The view of the road behind was great. I loved the security of knowing what was behind me and when cars were approaching. I usually cycle on country roads and cars passing are less frequent than in town (maybe 25 an hour), but today I went into town to try it out in heavier traffic. I particularly liked having the confidence to nip around potholes and stay further out from the kerb going uphill when there was nothing behind. It doesn't remove the need for a shoulder check, but it is very clear to see when there are cars behind or when the road is clear.

As for aerodynamics, I'm not sure I'm the best person to comment on that. The mirror is not bulky or particularly large, but I think it is larger than the Italian racing mirror mentioned above. It's pretty discrete to be fair and it didn't rattle around or get blown about today (in quite blustery conditions).

For me it is a no brainier for any leisure or commuting cyclist. I am going to buy another one for my n+1.

That's very similar to the one I have - I find it very useful too. The only issue I have with mine is that it's easy to get knocked out of position. Sometimes I don't notice until I get going again, and then I have to start faffing about with it.

Thick Mike

Bungle73 wrote:

Thick Mike wrote:

Ok, haven't fitted this to the bike for a while due to summer duties, but I got to try out my recent purchase from SJS.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/accessories ... b8544799a2

Very easy to fit first of all. I had put off fitting it thinking it would be a faff, but it was literally a 30 second job. It is a plastic bung (more rigid than rubber, but not hard). The instructions say to moisten the bung before insertion (no sniggering), so I just gave it a suck and stuck it in! The mirror then has a ball mount that fits into the bung that allows adjustment of the viewing angle.

I set it up to show the road behind while I had my hands on the hoods (my usual grip), but the view was acceptable from the drops or nearer the stem. The view of the road behind was great. I loved the security of knowing what was behind me and when cars were approaching. I usually cycle on country roads and cars passing are less frequent than in town (maybe 25 an hour), but today I went into town to try it out in heavier traffic. I particularly liked having the confidence to nip around potholes and stay further out from the kerb going uphill when there was nothing behind. It doesn't remove the need for a shoulder check, but it is very clear to see when there are cars behind or when the road is clear.

As for aerodynamics, I'm not sure I'm the best person to comment on that. The mirror is not bulky or particularly large, but I think it is larger than the Italian racing mirror mentioned above. It's pretty discrete to be fair and it didn't rattle around or get blown about today (in quite blustery conditions).

For me it is a no brainier for any leisure or commuting cyclist. I am going to buy another one for my n+1.

That's very similar to the one I have - I find it very useful too. The only issue I have with mine is that it's easy to get knocked out of position. Sometimes I don't notice until I get going again, and then I have to start faffing about with it.

I had a puncture yesterday for the first time in ages. Had to put my bike down on the canal towpath, then move it to the other side of the path in some bushes. I was expecting it to have moved, but it was ok. Maybe I was just lucky. It's not too bad to adjust though, in fact I did it on the fly as I was setting off experimenting with different positioning.