rear view mirror

[stuartmacg]

I fitted the "Hafney new handlebar mirror". It was OK, but tended to move out of position over bumps (may just need tightened).
However I broke it when I forgot about it while turning the bike upside down for wheel access. It did stick out and tend to get moved out of position when moving the bike in the shed.

I was on holiday recently in Italy with a hired ebike which had a mirror which could fold back out of the way and return to its position, but don't know the make. That would be a good feature.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good mirror?

 

[saneagle]

Zefal Cylops is the best I've tried. There are other mirrors from Zefal that are also pretty good, but I find the Cyclops better in the way it folds when you park your bike at the shops.
Zefal Cyclop Triple Adjustment Bar End Mounted Bike Mirror | eBay UK

 

[guerney]

I like the Zefal Dooback because it can be quickly snapped back to the right angle, for my bike - the turn and snap-to angles are preset, chances are good that one will work well. I had two Doobacks, but I broke one (central mirror part was bent out of shape by a pedal) while folding my bike, after having epoxyed a large refelector to it's back (I've stuck silver reflective tape on tha backs since, to resemble giant rabbit eyes in headlights)... so now I have a Cyclop on the right hand side and Dooback on the left (for those big horrible multi-lane roundabouts and other scary multi-laned road environments). The Cyclop requires adjustment at least twice every time it's folded away (Dooback simply turns and snaps to), and it provides a smaller view, so I'd like another Dooback. Trouble is, the Cyclop refuses to break. The Dooback on the left went off flying after a fall once, but I simply snapped it back on.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326583678793

One design improvement for the Dooback, would be a few more horizontally rotatable snap-to angles. Both the Dooback and Cyclop could do with flatter mirrors - potentially injurious heavy objects hurtling towards you, may be closer than they appear. You can have a wide view or an accurate one, can't have both. Unless your mirrors are massively long. Projections up to 40cm long are allowed? According to @WheezyRider's quote, on his dual reflector ended 3D printed pole with red lamp to keep drivers further away thread, a rule or law which may only be applicable to agricultural equipment. I look forward to seeing someone make 39.999999999cm long handlebar mirrors.

 

[Benjahmin]

I use the Mirrycle mirrors. Endlessly adjustable and foldable on friction joints. Stays where you put it.

https://www.swinnertoncycles.co.uk/mirrors-mirrycle-mountain-mirror-p81601/s220889?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=mirrycle-mirrors-mirrycle-mountain-mirror-mirrycle&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&cid=GBP&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17339565271&gclid=Cj0KCQjw953DBhCyARIsANhIZobvUDS3JHisuQFI8Smsu9gN1dZjPHKC_leVS4VPo3xs5ZTCypFm0I8aAvTbEALw_wcB

 

[Sparksandbangs]

Stealth mirror on my folder.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Jodel]

I don't understand why so many cyclists ride without a mirror. I started using them many years ago and I just haven't looked back ..... (I'll get my coat).

 

[RoadieRoger]

After finding the ones clamped to bars tend to get in the way storing or coming loose , I find the one attached to the wrist with Velcro to be the best . Handy if you have several bikes as your wrist stays with you .

 

[RoadieRoger]

Described as a Wristband Rear View Mirror on Ebay for £5.99 . I fully recommend it .

 

[saneagle]

OK, So I thought I'd try the Zefal Doorback 2, based on above recommendation, as I'm just fininishing a new bike build. My conclusion is that the mirror's fine, but the folding is shite. Basically it doesn't fold. It just changes angle so that you can get your bike through a gate or whatever. The Cyclops is much better because it folds flat against the handlebar, so nobody would mess with it when parked up.

 

[guerney]

OK, So I thought I'd try the Zefal Doorback 2, based on above recommendation, as I'm just fininishing a new bike build. My conclusion is that the mirror's fine, but the folding is shite. Basically it doesn't fold. It just changes angle so that you can get your bike through a gate or whatever. The Cyclops is much better because it folds flat against the handlebar, so nobody would mess with it when parked up.

Also convenient if you want to lean your bike against a wall. Snap in, snap out to the right angle again.

I did wonder if I should mention that I never leave my bike parked anywhere, but unfortunately I decided not to - I assumed everyone knew I never leave it unattended, because I keep going on about it. Sorry. I fold my bike into shopping trolleys, or corners of rooms, under tables, on big shelves etc. My GPS tracker light sends me a text if it's moved using it's "Shock detection" function. The other week, a snotty little kid decided to touch it. Alerted by text, I went and had a word a few seconds later. The bike had been out of my sight for about half an hour behind a sound deadening acoustic foam screen stand.

 

[Sparksandbangs]

Also convenient if you want to lean your bike against a wall. Snap in, snap out to the right angle again.

I did wonder if I should mention that I never leave my bike parked anywhere, but unfortunately I decided not to - I assumed everyone knew I never leave it unattended, because I keep going on about it. Sorry. I fold my bike into shopping trolleys, or corners of rooms, under tables, on big shelves etc. My GPS tracker light sends me a text if it's moved using the "Shock detection" function. The other week, a snotty little kid decide to touch it. Alerted by text, I went and had a word a few seconds later. The bike had been out of my sight for about half an hour behind a sound deadening foam screen.

Maybe you could convert one of these for added peace of mind.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey3XDc27RCw&ved=2ahUKEwjy1NjwhaaOAxWBTUEAHcz4GIQQtwJ6BAhCEAE&usg=AOvVaw3p_mn345AITVn_XMMG8wQX

[/URL]

 

[saneagle]

Today, I tried both the Zefal Doorback and Cyclops mirrors. Here's the difference:

The Cyclops has three axes of rotationfor for the adjustment, so can easily be put in whatever position you want it. The Doorback only has two and a bit axes, and one of them is a ball joint limited to around 10 degrees movemment in each direction and you can rotate around the handlebar axis, which makes it much harder to get right. That's not a problem if you lock the ball in the position you want, then only turn the mirror on the other axis to lean against a wall or pass through a gate.

The Cyclops can be folded right out of the way and is very quick to put back in the normal position because the folding axis is locked in one plane, so you just swing the mirror over and adjust the tilt. The Doorback can be folded flat if you don't fully tighten the ball joint, but then it's hard to get back in position because you have to get the ball right in both axes while you rotate the mirror to the right angle in two planes.

I have swept back bars or this bike. There's insufficient adjustment on the ball joint to get a decent view. You can just about get it to a position where you can see something, but nowhere near as good as the Cyclops. My conclusion is that the Cyclops is still the best bicycle mirror. It's cheaper than most of the others, has a pretty good view and has the best folding mechanism.

Doorback in normal position:


Doorback folded:



Cyclops in normal position:



Cyclops folded: