Who uses a mirror?

[Yellow7]

Having just read 'I'm With Stupid's post concerning safety on his Asian tour I wondered how many of us use a mirror when touring.

For safety reasons and peace of mind I've always rode with one.
Initially I had used the Blackburn bar end type, but when cruising along out of town I found it hindered my comfort as was just slightly in the place where my palm rests, on the top corner of my bars. One advantage of this mirror being it can be mounted either side. (It's shown mounted on the R.H side just for the purpose of this forum post photo)

Wanting to remove this comfort annoyance on this years tour I bought an old school (almost moped?) style mirror. Initially a reluctant change as the mirror has a slightly different concave surface so the reflection was slightly different, but have since come to prefer it now it's mounted out the way from my hands. I fitted two additional washers on the top-nut so it wouldn't chew up the plastic bar-clamp, and enables it to be turned inward slightly if required (when going through occasional doors) or even reducing chances of damage if it gets knocked.

I know many prefer riding with a helmet and - although maybe not true in all circumstances - I feel prevention is better than cure. So who else uses a mirror?

 

[numbnuts]

I use one all the time it is another aid to safety in my books

 

[ufkacbln]

One of the few downsides to a recumbent is the inability to twist fully back to see behind you, so mirrors are essential.

THen found that when on the other bikes I missed them, so they had them fitted as well.

 

[welsh dragon]

I started using a mirror when I started cycling again last year because I was scared witless of the traffic. This year however, I have taken the mirror off, as I found I was looking at it every few seconds, so it became more of a distraction and hindrance than a help.

 

[raleighnut]

I use one when towing a trailer just to keep an eye when going through narrow gaps, bollards etc NOT filtering through traffic. Nearside has trailer hitch arm, but offside is square tube joint and stops very quickly.

 

[Donger]

I have two Blackburn mirrors on my road bars, as I ride abroad as well as at home. Most of the time I don't need them, but they do come in useful when riding in groups or in mass participation rides when cyclists are all over the place behind you - and are liable to overtake on either side. There haven't been too many occasions when I can honestly say they have been necessary in traffic, but they are sometimes a reassurance.

p.s. 2 other uses for mirrors:
(1) I caught someone wheel sucking a couple of weeks ago .... riding close behind me as I struggled into a headwind. Spotting him in my mirrors, I managed to seem oblivious to his presence, subtly winding up the speed gradually until he was struggling to keep up. I made sure he saw me occasionally sitting upright and gazing over hedges at the views across the fields as we went. Every time I glanced in my mirrors, I could see he was putting in a real shift trying to keep up, and I delighted in looking like it was all effortless for as long as I could. I sensed he was just about to really go for it and overtake me after a couple of miles, so I suddenly hung a left and took a different way home, still apparently oblivious to him. Such fun.
(2) Whenever I ride along the path along the Severn near Over, the rabbits all scarper and hide. The moment you pass them, they think it is safe to come out again, and you can watch dozens of bunnies crossing the path behind you!

 

[Aushiker]

All my bikes have mirrors. The Surly Long Haul Trucker, my touring bike has a Zefal Spy mirror on it. My two recumbents have Busch & Muller CycleStar mirrors ... 50 mm on the LoGo P-38 and 80 mm as of today on my Bacchetta Giro ATT 20.

Zefal Spy Mirror

Busch & Muller Cyclestar 50 mm mirrors on the LoGo P-38

Andrew

 

[22camels]

Yes. I started using a bar-mounted mirror recently and have done one week-long tour with it. It is difficult to judge the effectiveness of safety aids as they are designed to prevent extremely rare events, but I would say I now feel the mirror is more important than the helmet. Gives me a lot of reassurance. I was doing a lot of neck-twisting anyway and still sometimes do to make sure but with the mirror I can see most of the stuff going on behind me which I feel allows me to judge the road situation better. I've heard it said that you're very unlikely to get hit from behind on a straight road away from junctions, but the mirror really makes windy roads and junctions/roundabouts a lot more reassuring. I've also heard that drivers rely on cyclists turning their heads as a signal that they're about to do something and so using a mirror takes that away but I think that's a load of nonsense, as there are also all those other drivers who don't pay attention to you at all, however I do try to turn my head as well at key moments to make sure. A couple of downsides (I am using an Axiom Fastflash DLX universal mirror)

- on really busy stretches of road, i.e. the more important ones, constantly looking at the mirror to see every passing car (to e.g. make sure it's giving you enough clearance), diverts my attention away from the road ahead. But I think it's possible to optimise my set-up so that I can look both backwards and forwards at the same time. Part of the problem is I have to look down to see behind. I am going to try a helmet-mounted mirror which I hope will help with this.

- mirror often gets shifted out of position e.g. from putting bike down or when taking it off/putting it back on. This is pretty minor as with practice you get used to re-adjusting it quite quickly.

- it's not very good for putting on your make-up in the morning

 

[stuee147]

iv always liked mirrors on bikes i think they should be fitted on all new bikes as standard they are a lot safer and easier than trying to look behind you.

stuee

 

[Yellow7]

iv always liked mirrors on bikes i think they should be fitted on all new bikes as standard they are a lot safer and easier than trying to look behind you.

stuee

Agreed, as with bells, they should be fitted on all newly sold bicycles.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I'm a big fan of mirrors, all of my bikes have them, I've used them for many many years. I favour the Zefal brand, never had a Blackburn mirror with the same stability and vibration free view.

as to fitted as standard to bikes, yes a far far better idea than a bell but on balance I'd rather see bikes come with a set of lights, for the simple expediency that passable lights are cheaper than a passable mirror, a cheap mirror is IME a cr@p mirror which would be quickly removed as useless and see even greater antipathy to them than the snobs and sneerers already generate.

 

[Profpointy]

iv always liked mirrors on bikes i think they should be fitted on all new bikes as standard they are a lot safer and easier than trying to look behind you.

stuee

I rather take issue "safer than looking behind you". I'd strongly say there should be an "and" in there somewhere.
In motorcycle training you have to physically look behind you as well, twice !

 

[doog]

I rather take issue "safer than looking behind you". I'd strongly say there should be an "and" in there somewhere.
In motorcycle training you have to physically look behind you as well, twice !

Easier said than done when cycling abroad fully loaded for example. When touring I really struggle to glance over my left shoulder after a lifetime of glancing over my right on a daily basis, so for me a mirror is invaluable when touring. No issues over here as I can glance behind a quick as you like and as you say often twice for good measure if required.

I have a Zefal, very good.

 

[Profpointy]

Easier said than done when cycling abroad fully loaded for example. When touring I really struggle to glance over my left shoulder after a lifetime of glancing over my right on a daily basis, so for me a mirror is invaluable when touring. No issues over here as I can glance behind a quick as you like and as you say often twice for good measure if required.

I have a Zefal, very good.

Ah, not thought of the driving on the right thing - but do recall having cricked my neck then having to ride my motorbike home virtually unable to look behind. Mirrors only was pretty worrying

Not tried a push-bike mirror. Not silly in principle, but I'd very much see it as an "as well" thing

 

[Crankarm]

I have a couple of Zefal Spy mirrors, one on each side. I like 'em as they are small and discreet so don't create a load of wind resistance or look naff and don't seem to suffer from vibration at all. Plus they are very easy to put on and take off and also position and adjust. They stay in position as well. Highly recommended.