One thing I don't understand

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I think these 2 pictures show it better than I can explain. In the 2nd, the centre or 12 o'clock is just off to the left of the picture. But I have never needed to look into the mirror to know if something like a car or bike is in it. Any change to the 'empty' is known to me without having to look into the mirror (same as with driving and the driver's wing mirror or internal mirror). that is the trick behind peripheral vision, you don't look directly at the mirror. It is there in your periphery and you know the change has occurred without needing to divert your attention (until safe to do so).



But don't get me wrong, there are enough for and against points on mirrors that I am neither for or against them. My trike has them so I use them. My other bikes including my tourer do not, so I use other things around me to compensate for that (and compensate fully imo).

 

[winjim]

I'm starting to feel that I'm the only person who rides down the centre line of a busy dual carriageway at speed. I was thinking about it this morning and it would slow me a lot if I didn't have a mirror.

Every morning, sans mirror. However it is a 30mph limit at rush hour so it's half filtering half sprinting and I'm usually going at a similar speed to the rest of the traffic.

 

[martint235]

Every morning, sans mirror. However it is a 30mph limit at rush hour so it's half filtering half sprinting and I'm usually going at a similar speed to the rest of the traffic.

I tend to be going quicker than the traffic but they really do have an annoying tendency to switch lanes with no notice. Then there's the motorbikes that share my space, I'm fairly considerate and don't like holding them up unnecessarily and you can't always hear them when you're between two trucks.

 

[Salar]

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.

I've never used a mirror, however this mirror certainly gets lots of positive comments and good reviews.
I would expect most of the reviews are from casual cyclists, not hardcore riders, although I might be wrong.
But, if it makes them feel safer in traffic and it works, good for them.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Incidentally it was a "Mirrcycle" that I used to have that fitted onto the top of ye olde fangled Weinmann brake hoods with top cable entry. That was really good, but I've not managed to get one as good for modern bikes. Not that I've tried terribly hard, but I have used a couple. There was a bar end one that fell off somewhere on its first ride and a rather wobbly one that clamps onto the side of the brake hood that I still sometimes use when riding in company (good for awareness of friends behind, to rein in my incredible speed and power to avoid riding away from them).

 

[Lurpak]

I can't look over my shoulder and still cycle in a straight line. Once I veered so much into the middle that I had to style it out by actually indicating right and turning up a sidestreet I didn't want to. I felt a right plum and no mistake. Now I'm trying out a new technique of looking down and back through my armpit. Less veering to report so far.

 

[Ihatehills]

I can't look over my shoulder and still cycle in a straight line. Once I veered so much into the middle that I had to style it out by actually indicating right and turning up a sidestreet I didn't want to. I felt a right plum and no mistake. Now I'm trying out a new technique of looking down and back through my armpit. Less veering to report so far.

Lol, I tried the armpit technique and couldn't stay remotely straight plus everything was upside down, I don't have any trouble looking over my shoulder though

 

[MontyVeda]

I can't look over my shoulder and still cycle in a straight line. Once I veered so much into the middle that I had to style it out by actually indicating right and turning up a sidestreet I didn't want to. I felt a right plum and no mistake. Now I'm trying out a new technique of looking down and back through my armpit. Less veering to report so far.

Can you 'glance' over your shoulder without inducing a wobble? Most of my shoulder checks are mere glances out of the corner of my eye. When i want to have a proper 'look', i tend to put my right hand on my right lap and look over my right shoulder, thus giving my shoulders much more movement without affecting my steering.

 

[Origamist]

I can't look over my shoulder and still cycle in a straight line. Once I veered so much into the middle that I had to style it out by actually indicating right and turning up a sidestreet I didn't want to. I felt a right plum and no mistake. Now I'm trying out a new technique of looking down and back through my armpit. Less veering to report so far.

A bit of deviation is normal, but if you're having real issues, try removing your right hand from the bars and placing it on your thigh when you look back. Keep your left closer to the stem too. It sounds counter intuitive to remove a hand from the bars, but it makes it easier to pivot round, IME, for a good look back. Check ahead for obstacles or crappy surfaces first though! If you still struggle with shoulder checks, try practicing on quiet roads or in a large car park.

 

[Smokin Joe]

That's the best flounce we've had for a long time. The only thing he missed was, "And it's no use disagreeing with me because I'm off now and I won't be back".

Mod note: fun though it may be to discuss flouncing, it is off topic. Posts are about to be removed.
Please stick to the subject of mirrors.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Glancing over shoulder, one technique that can help is bringing your chin to your shoulder rather than thinking about swinging your whole body round.

 

[cd365]

Mirrors are just ugly on a bike!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Glancing over shoulder, one technique that can help is bringing your chin to your shoulder rather than thinking about swinging your whole body round.

Not all of us can manage that anymore, hence the need for assistance in this matter.

 

[Spinney]

Yes you do. Look it up. And stop handing out advice on stuff you know nothing about.

The image in a mirror is the same distance behind the mirror as the object (the car behind you) is in front. If you were looking at the traffic ahead, the distance at which your eyes are focussed will be very similar to the distance they need to focus on cars behind.

Perhaps you can explain why you think I'm wrong?

Or was your 'yes you do' referring to the amount of head turning involved? If so, please explain why a movement of about 30 degrees for me to look into my bar end mirror does not qualify as 'not as far' as a movement of well over 90 degrees to see behind me (allowing for the extra angle I get by moving my eyes as well). Or why you assume that a larger head movement doesn't take longer?

Which of these two things (the physics of images in mirrors or how I look in my own mirror) is it that you think I know nothing about?

 

[EltonFrog]

Mod Edit: Post Deleted

Why do you have to make unpleasant comments?