[Jina]

I'd like to use a mirror, but I've never found one that works for me. I like the look of my bike too much to add one of those big things to the bars, but when I've tried those tiny ones that attach to the helmet or glasses, I can't ever seem to get them lined up so that I can see a car approaching from behind. If I'm in the drops, I need one position, while the hoods need another, etc.
What do you guys recommend?

[rayswrld]

I have one that attaches to the helmet with a two sided sticky pad. I have to adjust it every time I put the helmet on, having bumped it at least once in taking the helmet off or on. Once adjusted there is really no way to have it both ways, on the hoods or in the drops. I just adjust it for the hoods which is where I do most of my riding.

[curly]

I'm a new member and was just going through forums, while I realize this is an old post I thought I would reply. I found a great mirror which attaches to top of brake hood.
mirrycle.com: home page - Bicycle Bells and Bicycle Mirrors
Sells for $20

[froze]

I think a mirror it's one of the best defensive items a cyclist can have. You just have to find one that works for you. I use one that attaches to my sunglasses and works great. I can turn my head a little to view more of an area without having to move my body around on the bike to see in a bike attached mirror. I use this mirror: http://www.amazon.com/Bike-Peddler-Cycling-Eyeglass-Mirror/dp/B001VTQNVO I paid $7 for it.

[ksr5]

I tried a couple different ones and i really like the (take a look mirror ) Bike Peddler Take A Look Original Mirror with Adapter Extras Reviews it took a few rides to get use to it and now I hate riding with out it.

[rola643]

I tried several different ones. Ones that attach to sunglasses,helmets, bar ends and in the end I decided I really couldn't see a da@@ thing! I did have to learn a safe way to look behind me I will admit. I found as I turned to look I was drifting the direction I was turning to look to. That was VERY dangerous. I learned to remove a hand from the side I was turning to to keep me straight. I don't look back enough to worry anyway I always try and look forward

[froze]

Originally Posted by rola643

I tried several different ones. Ones that attach to sunglasses,helmets, bar ends and in the end I decided I really couldn't see a da@@ thing! I did have to learn a safe way to look behind me I will admit. I found as I turned to look I was drifting the direction I was turning to look to. That was VERY dangerous. I learned to remove a hand from the side I was turning to to keep me straight. I don't look back enough to worry anyway I always try and look forward

I'll be honest, I don't use the mirror when I'm just riding, I use it only when commuting and touring. Touring it's important because you don't want to be looking over your shoulder and worry about weaving with a heavy loaded bike. Most tourists ride with a mirror. Commuting is important because I ride on busy streets and it's kind of nice to get an idea what's behind me. Otherwise most of my riding is done without a mirror. But once you get use to a mirror is nice to have, and I really like the mirror I showed on Amazon, it's the Bike Peddler mirror, and it gives a pretty good field of vision.

[LarryM]

Originally Posted by ksr5

I tried a couple different ones and i really like the (take a look mirror ) Bike Peddler Take A Look Original Mirror with Adapter Extras Reviews it took a few rides to get use to it and now I hate riding with out it.

For the last 4 or 5 years I've used a Take-A-Look, but attached to my helmet rather than my glasses. I, too, don't like to ride without it.

I like the way an MSF instructor described mirror use. He said "Mirrors have a one word vocabulary. They can only say No". The idea is to check the mirror, and if you see traffic, don't move. But if it looks clear, you still have to do a visual check. The reason is that all mirrors have blind spots, and the only way to be sure it's safe to change lane position is to do an actual look-over-the-shoulder scan.

[photosbymark]

Many roadies look down to look back, ie between their legs. On a recumbent a mirror is an absolute must.

[froze]

Originally Posted by photosbymark

Many roadies look down to look back, ie between their legs.

??? Don't you mean looking down under your arms to look behind? I would find that very difficult to look down between my legs to see what's behind me!!