Mirrors ?

[cheadle hulme]

but I believe a mirror would make me more timid and likely to swerve out of the way when I saw something bearing down on me.

Quite the opposite in my experience. The mirror helps in judging when you need to be more assertive or when you can relax.

Of course, if its a Range Rover Sport coming doing 60, discretion is the better part of valour etc

 

[jassy-x]

....I have a mirror on my winter bike as I find it handy for picking up distant approaching headlights at night on the quiet roads home...as others doesn't replace the lifesaver.....

 

[xroads]

Blackburn helmet mirror very useful for the commute. Mines sits neatly under my helmet peak on the right, so doesn't look too geeky. Takes a little getting used to and adjusting at first, but becomes a breeze after that. Easy to pann around with slight head movement, and good range of view. Quite often find myself looking up to my right corner to find no mirror, when I'm not wearing my helmet. Recommended (but doesnt replace looking over your shoulder for manouvres).

 

[Amanda P]

Noooooooooooo, just like bells............ you'll be fitting tassels next !!!

... said Sgt Fossy...

 

[HF2300]

... it also lets the more advanced drivers know that you could be about to do a maneuver.

it also signals to following drivers that you might be human, and that you might be about to manouvre.

Just for the avoidance of doubt for those complete novices reading, you guys do follow up your observation with a signal before you actually manoeuvre, I'm sure.

 

[fossyant]

Some of you lot are like the woolie hat brigade......

 

[charliesurf]

Its all about opinions, I use one and its superb. Its great for picking out other quicker stealth riders who creep up behind you and overtake........

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I use a bar end one; it's very useful for a quick glance in every few seconds just to see what's going on behind. Without going into the usual stereotypes, if you catch certain makes of vehicle approaching fast it helps you to be ready ..

But, as everyone else says, you still need to be doing lots of looking around anyway.

 

[dodgy]

Some of you lot are like the woolie hat brigade......

But you've probably never tried one

A tiny unobtrusive mirror is great, even on a blinged up road bike. As I said, I had one on my good road bike, but it fell off. These things are tiny but they're great for seeing that cars are approaching from a distance (before you can hear them). Again (as I've already said), I use it to avoid pointless 'look backs', no point looking back to check if a car is coming if you're already aware of it. I do of course do all the safety checks should I change lane, turn off etc.

I'm going to buy another Zefal Spy http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/id25531.html

Dave.

 

[Mr Phoebus]

Stoopid thread title.

Sally Oldfield, GTF out of my head!!!!

Feel free to share my pain.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

lol - are they having a sleepover party. They're all in their nightdresses.

 

[CopperBrompton]

A mirror makes a big difference to your overall traffic awareness. I would never be without one.

Just as with a car, you should still do a shoulder-check for your blind-spot prior to moving out.

Ben

 

[BentMikey]

I don't think a mirror is necessary on a normal upright, if you're finding it improves things, then you're not looking back enough.

On a bent is a different story, most find it much much more difficult to look back properly without one.

 

[PrettyboyTim]

I don't think a mirror is necessary on a normal upright, if you're finding it improves things, then you're not looking back enough.

I don't think that's true Mikey - I find a mirror look takes less time than a full shoulder look, just because you don't have to move your head as far. It therefore leaves you not looking ahead for a shorter time, which is useful for times when you'd like to see what's behind you but you're not about to make a maneuver.

 

[Origamist]

I don't think a mirror is necessary on a normal upright, if you're finding it improves things, then you're not looking back enough.

You might think differently if you have suffered with neck pain and have mobility issues.