One thing I don't understand

[summerdays]

Oops @swansonj posted while I was correcting my typos :-)

But as you both recommend the same product it's worth knowing

 

[Shortmember]

I have a lightweight Cateye mirror with a bar end fitting and it's like having eyes in the back of my head. It does useful things like forewarning me if a car is sliding up too close when overtaking, so I can take evasive action, and it stops me having to swivel my head round like a ventriloquist's dummy every time I need to quickly avoid a suicidal pedestrian or swerve around an opening car door etc.
As far as I'm concerned a good quality mirror is essential kit on a bike.

 

[mustang1]

If you want a simple and honest answer, I don't have one because my neck works, and because my rising position varies often enough (on drops, on bars, standing to pedal, sitting to pedal, sitting up straight, going aero) that mirror placement is going to be problematic.

But the main reason is because I can turn my head to look really enough - and importantly, that very act of looking can often alert the driver behind me of a possible move, and alter their driving.

Blxxdy heck, this answer is just perfect.

 

[oldfatfool]

I had one on the trike and tbh it was more dangerous trying to adjust it and tighten it every few minutes than it was to do without, problem mostly caused by our crap roads but still a problem

 

[MontyVeda]

good to see such an open minded approach to variety[\b]


I'm missing no point, if people are fine tuning heads then lovely - I do even with a mirror on my bikes. Like helmets, hi-viz et al, I'm pro do what works for you, but the point I find hard to fathom is why people can be so dismissive and dogmatic on a sample of one or less, it is hardly fair or representative.

I come back to the Asda bike analogy, if someone said they hate cycling because of such a machine, are we all going to agree wirh them and give up? or maybe we'd suggest that a single bad example doesn't tar the whole gamut of bikes as rubbish and they should give other ones a go & they'll eventually find a type & the quality that works for them. It may be the next one they try, it may take them a dozen goes and trying several of each on on drop bars fast flat bars, CXs, hybrids, MTBs.......

I could recommend you the mirrors I find effective if you like. We could turn this thread into something positive but I suspect not.

I shall bid the thread adieu and hide it in the ignore box.

This thread was asking why 'many' cyclists don't use mirrors. Several of us replied with our reasons for not using a mirror, as that was what the OP wanted, then he got stroppy and flounced. You may not feel that it's fair, but he did ask.

 

[Origamist]

I shall bid the thread adieu and hide it in the ignore box.

That's unfortunate as your contributions will be missed.

 

[winjim]

But the main reason is because I can turn my head to look really enough - and importantly, that very act of looking can often alert the driver behind me of a possible move, and alter their driving.

I think a bit of eye contact also helps to identify you as a human being, and not just an obstruction.

 

[Origamist]

My bar end mirror is made by mirrcycle ( an atrocious name I accept) but it really does work, the field of vision is great and it doesn't vibrate loose like some reports suggest that the cheaper ones do.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Generic-Mirrycle-Bike-Mirror/dp/B00JQN3J50

I accept that that not everyone, needs , likes, wants or gives a fart about mirrors but some people are denying the fact that they can be useful. Yes they have limitations but when can having an extra awareness about what is behind you possibly be a bad thing.

When it can distract you from what is going on in front of you. I found using a mirror really quite addictive - I liked seeing what was going on behind me. At first, I put this down to the novelty factor, but after a few months and a few swerves later, I realised that I was not able to use the mirror effectively. This was most likely a cognitive failure on my part.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Another scenario - albeit rather unusual - where a mirror is really useful is when leading another, slower, rider up a long ascent on a busy road. You need to match your speed to theirs, riding in twos is a bit awkward due to the traffic, you don't want to be constantly shoulder checking - and thus appear impatient, and you don't want to ride away from them. In these circs a mirror is just the ticket.

 

[stoatsngroats]

Wow, many views, but most opting for no mirror - myself included.

The reason is it counts for nothing that I cannot achieve without a turn of the head, road position,and the use of my ears - (this is an important point, but my personal choice).

Mirrors allow you to see a small portion of what is behind, but a look gives a MUCH better understanding (my opinion), and gives an indication to other (observant) drivers.

Another point - I don't 'feel' vulnerable on the road, and maybe I'm lucky that where I ride people take the time to consider how they can pass - that's rural/urban Sussex, Hampshire & Guernsey so far, and more historically South London and Surrey.

For all other vehicles, excluding Coach/bus/lorry, a near-side mirror seems to be very little used, yet in larger vehicles they are an important part of driving safely,(generally!!) so mirrors are really horses for courses - if you can't do without a mirror, that's great, but for me, not in any way necessary.

 

[Dan B]

It's interesting to read of some uses people have for their mirrors (nobody's mentioned "snorting coke" yet, what's up with that?) but I am still going to side with the "can't see any benefit for my circumstances" crowd. I ride far enough into the road that I don't swerve for potholes or doors and I generally ride at close enough to traffic speed (this is in London) that I have no reluctance to take the lane if I'm going to turn right. Also any sticky out bits are regularly going to get whacked by another bike either in the stack of bikes in my kitchen or the orderly line of bikes in the bike store at work.

I accept that these circumstances may not be universal

 

[ClichéGuevara]

I think they come in handy when reversing the bike into tight spaces.

 

[Dan B]

I think they come in handy when reversing the bike into tight spaces.

You don't have parking cameras?

 

[EltonFrog]

He did didn't last long did he? That has to be the quickest flounce in history. I bet he woke the internet up when slammed the door on the way out.

I haven't got a mirror 'cos I don't want one. I use "The Force" when I'm out on the bike.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

You don't have parking cameras?

I used to, but it's a condition of my parole that I can't use them. It's all just a misunderstanding down to my poor fettling skills, and not the scenario painted by the prosecution who reckoned them being so far toward the path and pointing upwards was deliberate on my part. I offered unreserved apologies and a copy of the tape to the young lady too.

I find mirrors leave less evidence.