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

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[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:

 

[guerney]

Doorback folded:

Once the ball joint is tightened, I have no need to rotate the mirror vertically. I never fold my Dooback down like that, I've no need to... unless I needed to place a slice of pizza or canned drink somewhere? I did say that the Dooback could do with more snap-to angles:

One design improvement for the Dooback, would be a few more horizontally rotatable snap-to angles.

The Dooback suits my particular bike perfectly (580mm Dahon Ritchey handlebar, slightly swept back, and my riding posture is Quasimdo-like hunched forward, my arms are long). The Dooback has a bigger mirror (The Cyclop's teardrop shape is too severe, rendering the outer end practically useless. The Dooback shows you more of the periphery) providing a bigger view of horrors behind, takes no time at all to adjust, and that's the main reason why I like it more than my Cyclop: I always have to attempt guessing the right angle by comparing with my Dooback on the left (I suppose I could try marking angles with white paint marker pen or something), rotating the Cyclop both horizontally and vertically, then I always have to stop shortly after setting off, to adjust all over again. At least two adjustments. Every time. Very annoying. Having to adjust two Cyclops would give me a nervous breakdown. As I said, when it breaks or whatever, I'll get another Dooback.

Both the Dooback and Cyclop make cyclists and escooterists overtaking and under look too small and easily missed. It doesn't help most dress like Ninjas, on their black bikes and scooters with tiny (if any) puny dim lights.

 

[saneagle]

Once the ball joint is tightened, I have no need to rotate the mirror vertically. I never fold my Dooback down like that, I've no need to... unless I needed to place a slice of pizza or canned drink somewhere? I did say that the Dooback could do with more snap-to angles:



The Dooback suits my particular bike perfectly (580mm Richley handlebar, slightly swept back, and my riding posture is Quasimdo-like hunched forward). It has a bigger mirror providing a bigger view of horrors behind, takes no time at all to adjust, and that's the main reason why I like it more than my Cyclop: I always have to attempt guessing the right angle by comparing with my Dooback on the left (I suppose I could try marking angles with white paint marker pen or something), rotating the Cyclop both horizontally and vertically, then I always have to stop shortly after setting off, to adjust all over again. At least two adjustments. Every time. Very annoying. Having to adjust two Cyclops would give me a nervous breakdown. As I said, when it breaks or whatever, I'll get another Dooback.

Both the Dooback and Cyclop make cyclists and escooterists overtaking and under look too small and easily missed. It doesn't help most dress like Ninjas, on their black bikes and scooters with tiny (if any) lights.

Once you have the Cyclops in position, mark the axis of rotation in the horizontal plane. take it off and lock that axis by tightening the adjuster screw. leave the outer screw loose enough that you can rotate the last two axes with some effort. When you want to fold the mirror, just push it across inwards. when you push it back, the only axis you need to adjust is the vertical tilt, and even that doesn't need adjusting if you don't fold the mirror flat.

 

[guerney]

Once you have the Cyclops in position, mark the axis of rotation in the horizontal plane. take it off and lock that axis by tightening the adjuster screw. leave the outer screw loose enough that you can rotate the last two axes with some effort. When you want to fold the mirror, just push it across inwards. when you push it back, the only axis you need to adjust is the vertical tilt, and even that doesn't need adjusting if you don't fold the mirror flat.

The vertical tilt adjustment is also fiddly and annoying, because Zefal thinned the teardrop shape of the Cyclop too soon after the initial bulge (smaller in height than the Dooback), leaving the end of the Cyclop too narrow to be of any practical use for seeing relevant stuff behind plus slightly further out to the side... unless you have it tilted exactly right (a bit diagonally), you miss a good view of cars (compared to the Dooback) and other horrible objects. The Dooback starts bigger and ends wider and flat, is shaped and sized more like some old motorbike mirrors - all of it's mirror is useful. But teardrops are more aero, consequently the Cyclop side of my bike is ever so slightly faster than my Dooback side.

I'll get around to making angles with a white paint marker pen. Once perfect, I'll Dremel grooves using my recently inherited ancient pretend Dremel and infill with paint.

 

[guerney]

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

Why do you hate kids so much? Thwarted by rubber gloves. Apparently doing that to my letterbox to stop junk mail is illegal. It's health and safety gone mad I tell you. I've put up notices everywhere, they even ignore the warning about the dog. Extremely large sparks could corrupt my controller or display's firmware?

 

[portals]

+1 for Zefal Dooback, I have it on right side, none of the rear view mirrors are great IMHO, this was best I found and has it uses when in busy traffic, also on confined paths/crowds you can fold it back as mentioned, usfeul for narrow gates.