Anyone use a Mirror on their bike ?

[J4CKO]

I do, on both the MTB and a bar end on on the road bike, anyone else ?

[bakerstreet]

Nope. I learned to ride a motorcycle years a ago and that teaches you the importance of the lifesaver glance.

[Roman]

I tried one of these on my cross bike:
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p50356/Bike-Eye-Rear-Vie...

You get a small view between your seatpost and leg. OK for leading rides, checking wheelsuckers, who's been dropped or following traffic behind on a straight though you don't see an awful lot - not enough to keep taking your eyes off the road in traffic with so much to look out for ahead.

[Vipers]

Offside mirror on both bikes. When your concentrating on the road ahead, a quick glance in the mirror before moving out or turning right is safer I think than turning around.

Dont forget the bell either guys.

[finishing touch]

I did buy one, but had great difficulty finding the best place to put it.


Eventually I came to the conclusion that the bottom of the wheelie bin was ideal.

Paul G

[Watchman]

I use a small bar end mirror - no stalk just a 3" round mirror on the end of the RHS of my (flat) bars. I'm a habitual mirror user in the car - having one on the bike just gives me extra info. Doesn't replace the over-the-shoulder safety check when necessary though.

Also helps to see the kids in the trailer behind.

[THX]

I spotted a guy with a couple wing mirrors on his bike. I immediately thought "HA! YOU fkING LOSER!", but then he spotted me with his, you know, mirrors and stuff, fast approaching from behind and pulled over to let me by...

So, I felt very silly. What a nice chap.

[numtumfutunch]

bakerstreet said:

Nope. I learned to ride a motorcycle years a ago and that teaches you the importance of the lifesaver glance.

I agree strongly

[Vipers]

So much for mirror, signal, manouevoir then!

[anonymous-user]

bakerstreet said:

Nope. I learned to ride a motorcycle years a ago and that teaches you the importance of the lifesaver glance.

A mirror compliments this. Not instead of....

[LotusMartin]

I've seen a fair few people in the US wearing these devices (or similar) Always thought they looked stupid.

[Watchman]

LotusMartin said:

I've seen a fair few people in the US wearing these devices (or similar) Always thought they looked stupid.

They're actually probably more useful than a bar-end-mounted mirror.

I fancy trying one but all the small ones I've looked at are RHS mounted. The Halfords one looks a bit too big.

[anonymous-user]

bakerstreet said:

Nope. I learned to ride a motorcycle years a ago and that teaches you the importance of the lifesaver glance.

Lifesaver every time too, it shows the drivers behind that you have noticed them and if you can make eye contact with them, all the better.

[MadDad]

LotusMartin said:

I've seen a fair few people in the US wearing these devices (or similar). But then American's always look stupid.

[Mr Will]

Vipers said:

Offside mirror on both bikes. When your concentrating on the road ahead, a quick glance in the mirror before moving out or turning right is safer I think than turning around.

I disagree. Looking over your shoulder signals your intentions to those around you.

[v12Legs]

I can kind of see it might be useful in some situations. For example, approaching a pinch point, you can see that there is nothing coming up behind so you don't need to bother taking primary.

Probably quite limited utility, so I doubt I'd bother with one.

[Vipers]

Mr Will said:

Vipers said:

Offside mirror on both bikes. When your concentrating on the road ahead, a quick glance in the mirror before moving out or turning right is safer I think than turning around.

I disagree. Looking over your shoulder signals your intentions to those around you.

Each to their own. Your intentions by looking around are meaningless until you stick your arm out.

When I am riding in the country I want to be looking ahead for wild deer etc, which we have quite a lot up here. Glance in the mirror, no traffic, I can safely make my right turn.

Then again maybe you cN turn your head further than me, seriously maybe you can.

[yellowjack]

Vipers said:

Mr Will said:

Vipers said:

Offside mirror on both bikes. When your concentrating on the road ahead, a quick glance in the mirror before moving out or turning right is safer I think than turning around.

I disagree. Looking over your shoulder signals your intentions to those around you.

Each to their own. Your intentions by looking around are meaningless until you stick your arm out.

When I am riding in the country I want to be looking ahead for wild deer etc, which we have quite a lot up here. Glance in the mirror, no traffic, I can safely make my right turn.

Then again maybe you cN turn your head further than me, seriously maybe you can.

I've often considered adding a mirror, but I never found one that really met it's brief all that well. The closest I got to buying one was the 'Bike Eye' frame mounted one (link above, courtesy of 'Roman') at the Olympic Road Race/cycling festival event at the Denbies Wine Estate near Box Hill. They had them fitted to bikes there and it seemed like a great idea. Having said that, I've never really been bothered by the lack of a mirror, so saw no real need when it came down to parting with cash.

I tend to find, on local residential roads, anyway, that a good rearward look will begin the negotiations with following traffic. Proper "chin on shoulder" look, mind you, not a snatched glance. Once a driver sees that, they know something is likely to occur, and most will play ball by slowing and staying in behind you. A second rearward look to confirm this emphasises the point, followed up with a signal if needed. Although in many cases the intention to make a turn has already been conveyed by the looking, and by drifting the bike across (safely, of course) into the centre of the road. When it comes to more open roads, especially where your lane splits at junctions, etc, then the signal element of the manoeuvre is more important, and I usually signal before the confirmatory look, and I prepare myself for the increased likelihood of being overtaken 'mid manouevre' by the terminally impatient.

It's 'horses for courses' and each situation needs proper assessment. There certainly isn't a 'one size fits all' solution to negotiating junctions and such like.

[Vipers]

yellowjack said:

I've often considered adding a mirror, but I never found one that really met it's brief all that well. The closest I got to buying one was the 'Bike Eye' frame mounted one (link above, courtesy of 'Roman') at the Olympic Road Race/cycling festival event at the Denbies Wine Estate near Box Hill. They had them fitted to bikes there and it seemed like a great idea. Having said that, I've never really been bothered by the lack of a mirror, so saw no real need when it came down to parting with cash.

I tend to find, on local residential roads, anyway, that a good rearward look will begin the negotiations with following traffic. Proper "chin on shoulder" look, mind you, not a snatched glance. Once a driver sees that, they know something is likely to occur, and most will play ball by slowing and staying in behind you. A second rearward look to confirm this emphasises the point, followed up with a signal if needed. Although in many cases the intention to make a turn has already been conveyed by the looking, and by drifting the bike across (safely, of course) into the centre of the road. When it comes to more open roads, especially where your lane splits at junctions, etc, then the signal element of the manoeuvre is more important, and I usually signal before the confirmatory look, and I prepare myself for the increased likelihood of being overtaken 'mid manouevre' by the terminally impatient.

It's 'horses for courses' and each situation needs proper assessment. There certainly isn't a 'one size fits all' solution to negotiating junctions and such like.

Good post, sums it up nicely.