Search for the perfect touring bike mirror

[DaveT]

Another vote for Take-a-look mirrors. Have been using one on my glasses for many (15? 20?) years.

The thing about glasses- or helmet-mounted mirrors is they do take getting used to. When you start using one you will spend a lot of time trying to adjust it just perfectly so you can see everything from your normal cycling position and normal head position, but it will never be quite right. Then a few weeks down the road your brain figures out how to subconsciously move your head ever so slightly to position the mirror where you need it. After that you can see everywhere behind you, even into the lane to your right if necessary. You can never get that wide but close field of view with a handlebar-mounted mirror.

[Figaro]

After reading all the responses here I may give my helmet mounted mirror another try along with the breakhood mirror...that is if it ever warms up enough around here to ride again :-) I don't feel safe riding on the road without a good view behind me, so need to find a good solution for my touring bike.

[canalligators]

I think the key choice is flat mirror vs. convex.  Mirrors on the helmet and eyeglasses are closer, so they can be flat mirrors (and almost always are).  Mirrors farther away have to be larger and convex to give you the needed field of vision.  I prefer flat mirrors because you can tell passing clearance more accurately, and you can see farther back to see trouble brewing earlier.  That said, some folks can't get used to an eyeglass or helmet mirror because their dominant eye is on the non-traffic side, or they don't like the obstruction.

Bottom line: get a mirror that you like and get in the habit of using it.

See https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1mr&doc_id=5276&v=22.

[DaveB]

That said, some folks can't get used to an eyeglass or helmet mirror because their dominant eye is on the non-traffic side....

That's my problem.  I'm right eye dominant and, of course, traffic is on your left.  However, the majority of the population is right-eye dominant (like they are right handed) so I'm surprised the problem isn't nearly universal.

[canalligators]

Maybe the problem isn’t worse because eye dominance comes in degrees. I’ve been told (in shooting instruction) that I can lead with either eye.

[Figaro]

Still too cold here to ride, but warm enough to at least attach to my bike. Looks promising...should be warm enough to go for a ride and test it out by mid-week...the one on top is the new one.

[DaveB]

Maybe the problem isn’t worse because eye dominance comes in degrees. I’ve been told (in shooting instruction) that I can lead with either eye.

I can't and, since I'm left-handed (cross dominant), I have to shoot with only one eye open.

[Figaro]

Finally warmed up a little here today for the first time in a long time--38 degrees. So, was able to take an extended lunch and get in a 21 mile ride. First time I used my Blackburn brake hood mirror. At first I thought it was going to be no good due to the amount of vibration from the road. But over the first 3 miles or so, I kept looking at the mirror and thinking how poorly it was designed--didn't follow the contour of the break hood well at all...see the first photo below. Then it finally hit me--I had installed it upside down. So I stopped, flipped it over (second photo) and that took care of the vibration quite nicely.

Overall, as far as the mirror goes it was great--had a very clear view of what was behind me and since the mirror is flat, I could see vehicles that were close much better than with the other curved mirror. However, it seems that everything comes with a cost. The cost was that now I had a much less comfortable hand position when riding on the break hoods. The mirror mount makes the gripping surface a lot larger and the mirror stem is resting against the bottom of my left hand. This resulted in it being far less comfortable to ride on the break hood and less freedom for positioning my hand over the break hood in various positions and not nearly as good and comfortable a grip when I stand to climb. After about 10 miles or so into the ride, I had noticeable pain in my left wrist just from not being able to get a comfortable hand position on the break hood--I probably ride on the break hoods 75-80% of the time...just my most comfortable riding position. Although I like the mirror, I don't think it's going to be a good solution for me. So, I think I've decided on one of two actions.
1. I'm either going to convert my left bar end shifter to a downtube shifter and clear the way for me to add a nice quality bar end mirror. Or,
2. Convert both my shifters to nice quality brake lever shifters--again, clearing the way for a nice bar end mirror and additionally solving the minor problem I have with effectively shifting with the bar ends. I currently spend most of my time on the large chainring up front and just shift through all my gears on the back. This may partly be due to being a bit lazy in my shifting, but mostly because I just can't efficiently shift when I have to reach down on both sides.

So, which way I go will really just depend on cost and the advice of my bike shop tech. But, I'm done trying to find a good mirror solution with these bar end shifters. I know a bar end mirror will work fine for me, so I just need to clear the space so I can use one.

[Inge]

I have switched from mirrors that stick out from the dropbars to ones that I can keep on the inside of the bars. Like this much better since I can lean my bike now against anything without having to worry about mirrors.

Currently I am using: https://www.cyclebrother.com/accessories/rear-view-mirror/zefal-spy-side-mirror?gclid=Cj0KCQiAkNfSBRCSARIsAL-u3X_9jcOwP51Td9N2RUg39z44iYCgTfUWQdE1BhR4-0zo6axzXyDgC0kaAh76EALw_wcB



Though I can see a bit less I still prefer it over the one I used before.

[Ty0604]

I have the same mirror in your bottom right photo. Personally I love it and it's the best mirror I've owned. I don't have a problem with vibration as it doesn't move anymore than my handlebars do. You really have to crank down on both screws to stop it from moving though.

I've tried helmet mounted mirrors and never got use to them. My left eye is pretty weak and it was a big distraction to me.

Hope you find something that works for you. I rode the other day without my mirror on accident and wasn't comfortable not knowing what was behind me.

Also I found this mirror works better (for me at least) when it's attached up higher.

[hikerjer]

I like this one. It's inexpensive and very flexible so if your bike tips over it, bends rather than brakes. The only problem, as with other mirrors is that bumps in the road  knock it out of whack but it's easily readjusted. Wouldn't tour without mine.

http://www.outsideoutfitters.com/p-31195-axiom-fastflash-dlx-mirror.aspx?variantID=114089&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgLaLp6ak2QIVD4N-Ch2CiQgaEAQYASABEgLUifD_BwE

[Figaro]

After trying several mirrors and not being satisfied with any of them, I've finally found what works best for me on my Trek 520. I removed the left bar-end shifter and replaced with a downtube shifter--leaving the right bar-end in place. That freed up the left bar end for me to install a nice Hafny Bar-end mirror. Took it out for a 20 miler today and love it. The mirror is in the perfect place--doesn't interfere with my hand positioning and I can always see it regardless of whether I'm on the breakhoods, dropdowns, or any other position on the handlebar. There is virtually no difference between reaching down to shift a bar-end and reaching down to shift on the downtube--I think it would be a little less ideal if it were the right shifter (with the more frequent shifting), but on the left it's no problem. The Hafny mirror is great quality--can see very well with it. After a lot of trial and error and going through a lot of mirrors, I'm very happy with the end result.

[RussSeaton]

I rode the other day without my mirror on accident and wasn't comfortable not knowing what was behind me.

Agree with this.  Every great once in awhile I ride without a mirror.  Rarely.  But I know I don't have a mirror and do not like it.  Once you get used to riding with a mirror, on sunglasses for me, you will never consider riding without one.

[Dai]

The Ortlieb is easily my favorite touring mirror. Attaches to drop bars with or without bar end shifters. https://ortliebusa.com/product/bike-mirror-10/

[Goodaches]

While in the saddle the Take-A-Look mirror has performed excellently for us. We've attached them to our helmet visors. Stable and an extra couple inches from our eye compared to mounting on glasses. Plus the visor holds it up just high enough to not create a blind spot when looking ahead. I adjust so that I can just barely see my ear for reference and I can pan the area behind me like that eye in the back of the head that my mother had. Never a problem remaining in position while riding....but nearly every darn time the helmets come off one or both of our mirrors end up wacked. So am now considering switching to one of those mirrors that mount inboard of the handle bar grips.