Rear-view Mirror

FrankGrimes

I cycled by a fella yesterday that had a rear-view mirror on the end of a stem coming out from the top of his helmet.

Seemed gimmicky, but I wonder if they're any use. Every time I check over my right shoulder I seem to veer about a foot to the right, so if it stopped me doing that it would be useful.

Has anyone used one and how did you find it?

daymobrew

I have a Zefal Dooback mirror at the end of my right handlebar. I have the Zefal Cyclops (oval shape) version on my road bike.
I find them very very useful. Been using them for about 15 years now.

markpb

I wouldn't fancy using ones that are attached to my helmet. Something about having a small piece of glass in front of my eye if I fall off puts me off the idea. I have one that attaches to my handlebars. Fantastic idea and very handy in city traffic - every cyclist should have one.

Gavin

I like the look of these. A wee mirror inside your glasses.

Fion_McCool

markpb wrote: »

I wouldn't fancy using ones that are attached to my helmet. Something about having a small piece of glass in front of my eye if I fall off puts me off the idea.

Agree... Sounds like a recipe for DIY eye surgery !

;-)

Chips Lovell

Mirror or no mirror, I think being able to look around without swerving is a skill worth developing.

blorg

I have one on my commuter. It is useful in certain situations but really mostly in urban environments. Probably most useful is to see if a bus is coming up behind you if you are not using the cycle lane on the N11. It can also be useful touring if you are cycling with a companion - when you are ahead you can make sure they are still with you.

@markpb- these things are all plastic, they don't use glass.

As tonto says you really need to be able to look around without swerving in any case. I only have the mirror on one of my four (soon to be five) bikes and wouldn't intend spreading it onto the others, I'd say it is useful but of limited usefulness at the same time.

kenmc

Verb wrote: »

I like the look of these. A wee mirror inside your glasses.

one of the lads i used work with had one of these. don't think he kept it long. never mind the fact it looked silly, he had to take time to refocus on the mirror and then the road each time he used it. pretty pointless i think.

FrankGrimes

Mmm, reckon I'll give it a miss so, doesn't seem to be that much use. I'm probably overstating the swerving I'm doing when looking over the shoulder , could be one of those things you start doing after you think you've noticed it. When I'm going full speed I don't think I'm doing it, just when I was thinking about it when going slower.

Turbulent Bill

el tonto wrote: »

Mirror or no mirror, I think being able to look around without swerving is a skill worth developing.

I agree, you're better off developing your bike control. Even with a mirror to show what's behind you in traffic, you should still turn your head to make eye contact with the driver behind to make sure they're aware of you.

Gavin

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Mmm, reckon I'll give it a miss so, doesn't seem to be that much use. I'm probably overstating the swerving I'm doing when looking over the shoulder , could be one of those things you start doing after you think you've noticed it. When I'm going full speed I don't think I'm doing it, just when I was thinking about it when going slower.

A handy trick that someone here recently said. If looking over your right shoulder (for a prolonged look, not a glance), remove your right hand from the handlebar. You stay straight with just the other hand.

Obviously to be done with caution, taking care of oncoming road surface etc.

Stargal

Verb wrote: »

A handy trick that someone here recently said. If looking over your right shoulder (for a prolonged look, not a glance), remove your right hand from the handlebar. You stay straight with just the other hand.

Obviously to be done with caution, taking care of oncoming road surface etc.

Good tip, thanks. I've done the whole veering-right-when-looking-over-my-shoulder thing about a gazillion times so will try this in future.

Planet X

I've got an eye in the back of me head.
Sorted.

Civilian_Target

I have a mirror on my handlebars too.. it's a good first check, if you want to pull out you mirror first and then look over. Don't rely on it though, it has almost cost me, more than once!

BostonB

Turning and giving the following driver a hard look, works wonders for giving you some space.

cormie

I personally look under my shoulder. I think.. find you don't have to move your head as much.