Phil (ascentale)

What about mirrors? @ai6yr asks:

Q7. Question for the #BikeTooter community: I've been trying to switch from driving to bicycling, and keep wishing I had a rear view mirror (as a speeding SUV comes rushing past my left side...)... thoughts on mirrors for bicycles? Yay? Nay? If Yay, what kinds would you recommend?

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

Dec 2, 2023 at 12:48amWeb
Show threadPhil (ascentale)Dec 4, 2023

@ai6yr

A7. Not sure if I agree with this, but I remember as a teenager buying my first (overpriced*) bike and asking a shop employee about having a mirror. He said something about how if you have to look somewhere else to see behind you, it's not too different than turning your head.

I've tried the glasses mirror before and didn't find it too useful because it seemed to move around too much. I also had a mirror that mounted to the end of the handlebar, and didn't find that too useful either. But I've been on rides where one person with the helmet/glasses mirror was also the first to be able to call out "car-back" so it seems like some people have it dialed in.

*I don't think I've bought a more expensive bike since

#BikeNite

Show threadAxel 🚴😷🐧🐪⌨ | #WeAreNatenomDec 4, 2023
@ascentale @ai6yr #BikeNite A7 followup: Before I used the helmet attached mirror from #MonkeyMirrors I had one attached to the side piece of my glasses. But my glasses seemed to have been too lightweight for it and it caused my glasses to always be slanted. It was unusable…
Show threadChristopher SchmidtDec 2, 2023

@ascentale @ai6yr A7. I have an inexpensive handlebar-mounted mirror that I've tried to use, and I find that both my muscle memory for looking over my shoulder and the fact that it really doesn't reach far enough to the side to get around my hand/arm make it useless... especially as we get into winter (bar mitt season) and I have to remove it anyway.

#BikeNite

Show threadBrownian_motionDec 2, 2023
@ascentale @ai6yr #bikenite A7 I can't imagine riding without a mirror. I have a bar end mounted one on my old bike, and an over-the-bar one on the new bike. I ride a fair number of miles on county and state highways with lot's of big rigs and trucks. I generally stay out in the driving lane until I see an overtaking vehicle start to move over, then pull in. I would be very uncomfortable riding without knowing what's coming up behind me.
Show threadFrank Bennett 🇯🇵Dec 2, 2023
@ascentale @ai6yr A7: I've used a tiny folding bar-end mirror for camp touring on a cargo bike, and it definitely helps. I could use a larger mirror (I have astigmatism and I'm not getting any younger), but I like that it folds away when I don't need it, so there's near zero possibility of it being damaged.
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/boma-plaza/qyh21090704/
#BikeNite
Show threadVirginia HollowayDec 2, 2023
@ascentale @ai6yr I'm have a small folding bar end mirror on my recumbent because it's harder to turn and look over my shoulder, but I've never found a satisfactory mirror for a diamond frame bike. But I do have pretty good next flexibility (and hearing) which I think makes me more comfortable about how well I can see what's happening behind me when I need to make a move. I've never tried a helmet mounted mirror, but I think if I feel the need for a mirror I'd start there.
Show thread🚲Dec 2, 2023
@ascentale @ai6yr #BikeNite A7. I love mirrors on bikes.
Show threadeddDec 2, 2023

@ascentale @ai6yr A7. I've had a bar-end mirror before, but I found it finicky and seriously more annoying to use than side mirrors in a car. If I were to try a new one, I'd go for a helmet mount, but at this point I'm just used to turning my head and keeping an ear out.

#BikeNite #BikeTooter

Show threadSecond Chance BikesDec 2, 2023

@edd @ascentale @ai6yr
I must have a helmet mirror.
No big deal on trails, just nice to have.
But on the shoulder of a busy road, especially when needing to cross over for a left turn, i find it essential. I will turn my head to look back once to confirm, but watching for a break in traffic while staying on edge of pavement every head turn is a risk of a swerve into traffic or ditch.

I've never had a bar end thst stayed put, & they cannot be manipulated to scan wih a slight nod.
#bikenite

Show threadEat This PodcastDec 2, 2023
@edd @ascentale @ai6yr Keeping an ear out has almost failed me a couple of times with near-silent e-cars.
Show threadkimuDec 2, 2023
@ascentale @ai6yr A7 #BikeNite I have a hard time now riding without a mirror! I’ve tried a couple of different designs, and found one that straps onto my handlebars works best for me. Everyone has their own preferences though - a lot of people like the ones that mount on a helmet but that just didn’t work well for me.
Show threadkimuDec 2, 2023
@ascentale @ai6yr A7 #BikeNite also I still look over my shoulder pretty much any time I’m turning or moving into a lane. I view the mirror more as a way to be aware of what’s coming up behind me, otherwise it can be really startling to have a close pass from an SUV or pickup.
Show threadAI6YR BenDec 2, 2023
@kimu @ascentale That's exactly the thing that prompted the question!
Show threadAxel 🚴😷🐧🐪⌨ | #WeAreNatenomDec 2, 2023
@ascentale @ai6yr #BikeNite A7: I dig my helmet attached #MonkeyMirrors mirror so much that I miss it when I'm walking: https://www.hpv-parts.de/epages/63540537.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/63540537/Products/10003 (Original site at https://www.monkeymirrors.com/ seems to have issues currently.)
Monkey Mirrors

ingeniuos helmet mirror made out of stainless steel wire. Does attach to the helmet using friction and the mirror adjustment is secured direktly imported from USA

Show threadDaigoro ToyamaDec 2, 2023
@ascentale @ai6yr A7: I have a barend mirror on my e-cargo bike. It helps me stay alert on the vehicles approaching from behind. #BikeNite
Show threadAI6YR BenDec 2, 2023
@daihard @ascentale Seems like almost unanimous that a mirror is a good thing (whether helmet or bar mounted)! Boy, I love the #BikeTooter community here, it's such an awesome resource.
Show threadTroubleDec 2, 2023
@ascentale @ai6yr A7. Mirrors tell you if a car is present, but they never prove that a car is not present. A shoulder check is required! #BikeNite When installed, I 1- check Mirrcycle (con: requires wrench to adjust lest you break the plastic. con: sticks out, hitting doorways), 2- raise head and check my helmet mirror (currently mounted with binder clip to my diy visor), then 3- shoulder check. Not all my bikes have all the mirrors, but I feel naked without any (i.e. the folder lacks mirrors)
Show threadAI6YR BenDec 3, 2023
@ascentale hopped on this one! (Well... live near an Amazon delivery center, LOL). Thanks for all the suggestions! #bike #mirror #BikeTooter #BikeNite
Show threadJohn GordonDec 3, 2023

@ascentale @ai6yr I don’t know any of my serious bike friends with a mirror. I used a helmet mirror 40y ago and discarded it.

If I were to do something today I’d buy rear radar. I’m pretty good at looking back without crashing/veering though — and that is harder than it looks.

Show threadDemianDec 3, 2023
@ascentale @ai6yr Many years ago I used a mirror that velcro’d on my left brake hood (of my road bike). It worked pretty well. I stopped using it when I started racing and then continued without for 30ish years, long past when I stopped racing. But I recently started using one mounted on my glasses. It works pretty well but is finicky in terms of positioning to see well.
Show threadDioramic LifeDec 4, 2023

@ascentale @ai6yr A7. I use a helmet-mounted mirror. Same product across three helmets since the 2000s.

https://www.efficientvelo.com/tools/safe-zone-helmet-mirror-1

#bikenite

Safe Zone Helmet Mirror — Efficient Velo Tools (EVT)

FREE Shipping in the USA! 5 Year No-Fault Warranty! The World’s Only Oversized Heavy-Duty Bicycle Helmet Mirror Established. Proven. Credible. We designed our only accessory product as an industrial-grade tool that reliably provides mega information and greater awareness for cycli

Efficient Velo Tools (EVT)
Show threadWillDec 10, 2023
@ascentale thanks for asking this. Great discussion. I had a helmet mirror for years and it broke off a year ago. I’ve been meaning to replace it but wasn’t sure with what. Looking over my shoulder leaves me feeling unstable. I think I’ll try the folding bar mirror a few have mentioned