[Farnsworth]

I got harassed by an old man yesterday that I didn't have mirrors. I thought maybe I should get some but I don't think it's illegal to operate with out them? Do you guys use them? I saw some thing in the Bike shop that was a helmet mounted mirror. Wouldn't that block Visibility?

[Engyo]

Hi, Farnsworth -

I ride a recumbent, and mirrors are IMO necessary at least for recumbents since it is harder to turn your head to look behind you than it is on a DF bike. On my DF I can duck my head and be looking behind (past my shoulder). That said, I use a mirror on my Trek as well.

I have two Mirrycle mirrors with Evo mounting hardware on my V3. I am very favorably impressed with the Mirrycle's construction and adjustability. They aren't cheap, but they don't move once set. They also are minimally convex just enough to widen the field of view without creating enough distortion to make judging distances a problem. They also work well at night, which to me is the true test of a mirror. If you can judge an oncoming car's distance in the mirror at night, it's a good mirror.

[Cyclomatic]

I had them on my bikes when I was a kid my parent insisted on it. I like to think of myself as beyond the need for it. I don't know anywhere were they're the law though.

[Industry_Hack]

I used to ride with (and still have it after nearly 20 years!) one of those little mirrors that go on your glasses. But you have to use it like a car or motorcycle mirror - it's only there to confirm the presence of a vehicle or threat, not the absence of one.

[chh55]

Are we talking roadbike? these fit in the bar end and aren't too ugly
BikeSomeWhere.com | Mirrors | Handle Bar Mount | CycleAware Roadie Bicycle Handlebar Mounted Mirror

[Engyo]

Originally Posted by chh55

Are we talking roadbike? these fit in the bar end and aren't too ugly
BikeSomeWhere.com | Mirrors | Handle Bar Mount | CycleAware Roadie Bicycle Handlebar Mounted Mirror

My problem with bar-end mirrors is that on my Trek I have bar-end shifters already in place, and on the V3 the bar-ends are pointed in a direction that most bar-end mirrors won't conveniently adjust for.

The other problem with the V3 is that the bar ends are low enough that I wanted a handlebar mount to get some additional height for a better viewing angle - one that is in my general range of vision while in a normal riding position.

This may also have to do with lineless bifocals - I need to turn my head if the mirrors are outside of my normal view field to be able to focus on the image in the mirror(s).

[Xela]

Originally Posted by chh55

Are we talking roadbike? these fit in the bar end and aren't too ugly
BikeSomeWhere.com | Mirrors | Handle Bar Mount | CycleAware Roadie Bicycle Handlebar Mounted Mirror

Engyo, I know you said they won't work for you, but as a general comment, I have a riding buddy who is blind in his left eye. He uses these to help compensate for that and is really happy with them.

[Engyo]

Originally Posted by Xela

Engyo, I know you said they won't work for you, but as a general comment, I have a riding buddy who is blind in his left eye. He uses these to help compensate for that and is really happy with them.

Believe me I'm not down on bar-end mirrors; they just didn't work for my two specific bikes. For most bikes they are a great way to add mirrors.

[Xela]

Originally Posted by Engyo

Believe me I'm not down on bar-end mirrors; they just didn't work for my two specific bikes. For most bikes they are a great way to add mirrors.

Yeah, I didn't take it as that. I just wanted to comment on those in case someone else was looking for road mirrors and came upon this thread.

[JTGYK]

I wear bifocals and use a helmet mounted mirror.
It helps that I can slightly turn my head and check blind spots.
I always had too much vibration with bar mounted mirrors.