Mirrors for a Bicycle

[Seahawk]

I bought myself a bike for Christmas, a Fuji Absolute Step Through. I am trying to delay having my second hip replaced so I wanted to add a bike to my elliptical and walk/jog/box routines.

Since using CBD oils, I am able to comfortably work out, which has been great.

In HS and college I biked quite a bit, right up until I was t-boned on my bike by a guy running a red light. I have only mountain biked since then, having owned a few Treks. When the arthritis got nasty I stopped riding and sold the bikes.

Enter the step though model Fuji, which makes getting on and off the bike so much easier for me.

So, I plan on riding the rural roads in my area, the safe ones!

I still have my old helmet, bought lights for the bike and a reflective vest. Last on my list is a mirror...something I never used. The options are many and all inexpensive. I know there are some experienced riders and would like your input on helmet versus handlebar versus ??? mirror.

Lots to choose from: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Sports-Outdoors-Bike-Mirrors/zgbs/sporting-goods/3403241

Thanks!

[stevej37]

#2 Mirrycle. I've tried many and this one is the sturdiest and most adjustable for me.
I have one on each of my bikes.
They make various mounts for them...not only handlebar end mounts.

[Tobra]

Throw away the helmet and get a new one.

Old safety gear is old and maybe not so safe. New helmet is cheaper than new head.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Throw away the helmet and get a new one.

Old safety gear is old and maybe not so safe. New helmet is cheaper than new head.

Copy.

Thanks, Tobra...I appreciate the reminder.

Stevej37...thanks!

[billybek]

Helmets do have a life cycle.
I should look at my ski helmet. I have had it a while.

The mirror suggested above looks pretty good at a reasonable price. I like the fact that it has replacement parts.

[stevej37]

A couple years back...I was hit by a car while on my bike. The wheels looked like wire cones..everything was gouged, bent, or scratched. I had a broken femur, which they inserted a titanium rod into..which is still there.
The Mirrycle bike mirror came through fine. I still use it on another bike.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by stevej37

#2 Mirrycle. I've tried many and this one is the sturdiest and most adjustable for me.
I have one on each of my bikes.
They make various mounts for them...not only handlebar end mounts.

Just ordered two of these - thanks, Steve. And also thanks to Paul for starting the thread - and good luck with your cycling endeavours. I'm trying to ramp back up myself!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Baz

Just ordered two of these - thanks, Steve. And also thanks to Paul for starting the thread - and good luck with your cycling endeavours. I'm trying to ramp back up myself!

Baz, good luck and beware the blue-hairs!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Copy.

Thanks, Tobra...I appreciate the reminder.

Stevej37...thanks!

You may want to get a helmet with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System)
https://www.bicycleroots.com/blog/mips-helmet-technology-what-it-is-and-why-you-need-it/

[Baz]

Originally Posted by masraum

Baz, good luck and beware the blue-hairs!

Ha! You remember how it is here, huh Steve?

Truth be told, I do a lot of riding on the beach when tide is low and there's no danger of being run down.

Also, we have an incredible bike trail that was built over the past 5 years and goes through mostly countryside - only crosses a few highways and some of those have a dedicated overpass for the cyclists. Goes all the way south into Brevard country and also into West Volusia from here. It's really amazing.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Tobra

New tangerines!

Thanks, Toby - they just arrived!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Baz

Ha! You remember how it is here, huh Steve?

Truth be told, I do a lot of riding on the beach when tide is low and there's no danger of being run down.

Also, we have an incredible bike trail that was built over the past 5 years and goes through mostly countryside - only crosses a few highways and some of those have a dedicated overpass for the cyclists. Goes all the way south into Brevard country and also into West Volusia from here. It's really amazing.

Wow, very nice bike trail. From here I can ride about 18-19 miles one way along a bike trail, so I can get 35-40 miles on a round trip which isn't bad. It looks like yours is quite a bit longer (and more scenic).

[gchappel]

I use a garmin rtl510 radar. Gives a beep and tracks the cars behind you.
This works really really well, I was surprised.
I ride in a rural area, might have a car every 10-20minutes. This is not worth it if you are riding where cars are everywhere.
Still need a mirror, but this really helped me relax. When it says the coast is clear I know there are no cars sneaking up behind me.
Gary

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by gchappel

Still need a mirror, but this really helped me relax. When it says the coast is clear I know there are no cars sneaking up behind me.

Wow, things have changed since 1979

I need to try that...thank you.

[David]

Originally Posted by masraum

You may want to get a helmet with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System)
https://www.bicycleroots.com/blog/mips-helmet-technology-what-it-is-and-why-you-need-it/

I just bought a new MTB helmet with MIPS a couple weeks before I broke my neck MTB'ing last year. Don't know if it helped lessen the injury but better safe than sorry. And yes, that relatively new helmet is retired forever.

I've tried a handlebar mounted mirror and it vibrated too much for me to see anything. The cameras and radar look promising but cost is pretty high.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

duplicate post

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I didn't read the responses, but, I've ridden a bit, and been run over by a car (cut across my path from the front, not from behind). Cost me a hip, and probably long term, my leg.

I have tried many versions of handlebar mirrors, but prefer a helmet/or glasses mounted mirror. When something comes up from behind, you can determine quickly if they are giving space or not. If not, it is a lot easier to track them by having the mirror on your helmet so you can watch exactly what they are doing by a slight twist of your head, and steering your bike independently of worrying about keeping the car in your handlebar's mirror line of sight.

It's like a heads up display/targeting system in reverse.

On the open road, I would not ride without a glasses/or helmet mounted mirror. It is a little more finicky setting up than a bar mount mirror, but allows me look at what needs to be looked at.

edit- I looked at the amazon link. I have the #2 setup, #5, and #25 setup. I use the 5/25 setup exclusively depending on which set of glasses I am using. The #2 setup is in a drawer out in the garage.

[rwest]

Never used a mirror and it seems like those who put them on their bikes haven’t either as they seem surprised when I pass them.

I just kept practicing looking back so I can do it without veering out of my “lane”. Years ago when I rode the track, I could look back for as long as I wanted, just using the lines on the track for straight reference- no potholes on the track though!

Quick look over the shoulder every once and a while works for me.

[stevej37]

live and learn

[jyl]

Mount the mirror on your helmet, not on your bike.

A helmet mirror will have a wide field of view, be large and easy to see, and can be aimed by moving your head to see anywhere needed. It is right there adjacent to your vision and your brain will learn to see things in it without you consciously having to look. It also does not suffer from vibration.

A handlebar mirror requires you to look down and peer at a small image on a vibrating mirror that is itself pretty far from your eyes. It sucks and what sucks even worse is crashing into a parked car or pothole because you're trying to look in the mirror instead of at the road.

Put another way: a helmet mounted mirror is like a HUD, a bar mounted mirror is like a display somewhere low on the instrument panel around your knees.

I actually use a mirror that clips to my glasses, which is even better than a helmet mirror (even closer to your eye) and this model happens to be real glass, optically excellent, with a sturdy brass arm. Bike Peddler Take A Look Cycling Eyeglass Mirror (Compact) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AO7ETQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MQQcEbKBKJMKV