Bar end mirrors

[UphillSlowly]

I am toying with the idea of bar end mirrors. This is not because I commute but because I ride with the GLW and because I am.much heavier I tend to pull away on downhill and flatter sections. I am quite erratic with my power output and she is much steadier and smoother. Overall we average the same speed but I would rather ride together and let her draft when I can.

I thought a bar end mirrors would help me keep her in view. Anyone else use them for this purpose? Or for group riding. Have found two that might be useful. Which would you go for?
1. Larger, fully adjustable

2. More discreet

 

[abcd efg]

I used a bar end mirror on a bike with turned down 'bars and thought it was remarkable as a safety device.

 

[Chief Broom]

I use the larger one and wouldnt be without it, perfectly adequate for getting info on whats behind. Theyre cheap as chips about £6 and wonder why theyre not used more by cyclists...could save your life.

 

[Cycleops]

The problem with bar end mirrors is they can get damaged or knocked out of adjustment.
I tried a frame mounted device which worked quite well but you need to swing your leg out.

 

[abcd efg]

The problem with bar end mirrors is they can get damaged or knocked out of adjustment.
I tried a frame mounted device which worked quite well but you need to swing your leg out.

View attachment 718989

Sorry, just reread your note and realised I got it wrong.

 

[a.twiddler]

As a recumbent rider I find a mirror essential but I rode for years on conventional bikes with a mirror and got to the stage where I felt uncomfortable without one.

There are many available, but for some years I've used various versions of the Mirrycle. A bit pricier than some, but for flat bars a Mountain Mirrycle stays put yet is easily adjustable and doesn't suffer from vibration. It has a slightly convex glass lens which gives a good field of view allowing you to judge distance without the fisheye effect that some have. Despite being glass it's quite tough and will take some knocks. You can fold it in for storage, parking, train travel etc though will need to reset it afterwards as it's not a click in/click out design.

I would recommend a slightly larger mirror for a bar end as your eyes are further away from it than something on a stem nearer to your eyes. If it moves slightly you can still see behind without having to adjust it. If you have a mini mirror adjustment is more critical.

 

[ColinJ]

I use the larger one and wouldnt be without it, perfectly adequate for getting info on whats behind.

True. I have been using them recently and they are helpful.

The problem with bar end mirrors is they can get damaged or knocked out of adjustment.

Unfortunately, also true! I have damaged/lost a couple so far. The latest is lasting better because I am being more careful to fold it away when not in use.

 

[oldwheels]

I used a mirror for years and they are essential on single track roads. I used a mirror on our European trips way back in the early 1960's and continued when back at home.
Currently I ride a recumbent trike where it is certainly essential.

 

[Chief Broom]

The problem with bar end mirrors is they can get damaged or knocked out of adjustment.
I tried a frame mounted device which worked quite well but you need to swing your leg out.

View attachment 718989

Cycleops I find this reasoning illogical! Any mirror on any vehicle can get damaged and knocked out of alignment. Its not about aesthetics by any chance why youve gone for the more svelte and largely useless option To realign a mirror takes seconds and theyre fairly robust- ive had the same mirror for a couple of years

 

[Mike_P]

I use mirrors on straight bars, on drop bars I found I usually had it tucked under the drop bar and, having a Garmin Varia, by the time I realised it would be useful have it aligned was too late. On the last change of bar tape consequently I removed it. On straight bars I find it possible to site the mirror under the bar still with appropriate visibility and hence less likely to get knocked. Certainly useful in town where the ebike spends it's life, even when using the Varia as well as that detects cars that far away there is still plenty of scope normally to a right. The mirror allows you keep a eye on any appalling road surface ahead.

 

[FrankCrank]

I have these on a couple of my recumbents
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/100-bike-rear-view-mirror/_/R-p-512?mc=8158024
Do the job admirably

 

[Sea of vapours]

I have a Zefal Spy mirror on the end of drop bars. They are very small, but fairly convex, so the positioning is not too critical. They stay in place very well and are well insulated from road vibrations, so the view is good. It's just a secure band around the bar and I have one mirror and two bikes, so I remove it as a matter of course after every ride, which takes 1-2 seconds to remove and 3-4 to replace and adjust. That's advantageous since any knocks don't matter; you just move it back into place. Invaluable, especially when combined with a Varia radar.
Amazon product ASIN B000FY05PGView: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zefal-95293-Double-Adjustment-Mirror/dp/B000FY05PG?th=1

 

[Sharky]

I tried a bar end mirror with drops, during recovery from broken colorbone. Wasn't able to turn my head easily for a while. It helped, but discarded it when fully recovered.

One of my work colleagues used a helmet mirror and really recommended one.

 

[ColinJ]

I have a Zefal Spy mirror on the end of drop bars. They are very small, but fairly convex, so the positioning is not too critical. They stay in place very well and are well insulated from road vibrations, so the view is good. It's just a secure band around the bar and I have one mirror and two bikes, so I remove it as a matter of course after every ride, which takes 1-2 seconds to remove and 3-4 to replace and adjust. That's advantageous since any knocks don't matter; you just move it back into place. Invaluable, especially when combined with a Varia radar.
Amazon product ASIN B000FY05PGView: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zefal-95293-Double-Adjustment-Mirror/dp/B000FY05PG?th=1

And (according to some of the pictures on the linked Amazon page) they can be mounted on the handlebar stem too. Transparent cyclists find that very convenient!

When I eventually kill off/lose the last of my current mirrors I will give the Spy a go.

 

[Drago]

The danger is, as they are with car drivers, they become a substitute for proper observation skills.

It's simply human nature, and unless you know the drills to avoid it you'll inevitably do the same yourself and the NET result will be no safety gain.