Prompted by a post in the "indicators" thread, I thought I'd mention this. I expect that people will want to come into this thread and post about their X-fantastic mirror, which I encourage.

 

If you have a bike, where it's not possible to fit a mirror to your bar-end or anywhere else where it'll actually work, you could consider one of these, which I use when riding my road bike. It's nowhere near as good as a fixed mirror, but at least you can see when there's a car coming up behind you or check that your mate is able to keep up with you on his electric bike. The sticky pad didn't last 5 minutes, so I bolted mine to the helmet with a single screw through the mounting plate.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-Helmet-Mounted-Mirror-Rear-view-Mirror-360-degree-adjustable-DU-M1AM-/161899800580?hash=item25b1fae804:g:a1gAAOSwxN5WWDwd

I just fitted a bar end Cateye one - no idea whether it's really useful since my key discovery on first outing was that the "factory" tightness is woefully sloppy and the road surface round here jiggled it out of position in no time at all. It needed a cross head screwdriver so it waited until I got home to get tightened up and hopefully it will perform better on the next outing.

I just fitted a bar end Cateye one -

 

I've always used the Cateye ones, mainly the BM500G model. As you found the end screw does need to be slammed up very tight and they can get knocked out of alignment easily if manoeuvring the bike carelessly, but once you're familiar they can do the job ok.

.

I standardised all my bikes and trikes with cheapo ebay "motorcycle" bar end mirrors.

 

I use quotes because they're a bit on the small side for most motorbikes, so I find them ideal for push bikes.

 

They're all alloy (ok, just the usual monkey metal, but strong and light enough for many years on bikes.)

 

They can be bolted directly on the outside of 7/8" bars, and they also come with an internal expanding plug, so they can be fitted internally instead.

 

They're slightly convex, so give a good field of view.

 

If you file the jaw opening slightly wider, they can then be easily flipped inwards to avoid damage in a crowded garage or bikeshed, (like mine)....

 

Best of all, they're about £8 a pair, and are surprisingly well made for that sort of money.

I must get a mirror.

I must get a mirror.

 

They do come in handy at times.

I've always used the Cateye ones, mainly the BM500G model.

 

Yes, that's the one. It was the screw at the top of the arm (where the ball joint is) that was the major problem - floppier than Pinocchio with his strings cut!

I had an old handlebar mirror in which the glass had broken. It wasn't big enough to fit around my comfort grips. So, I used some cable ties and another piece, the plastic convex mirror, from another broken mirror that I had left over from elsewhere. I used some double sided tape to stick them together. I wouldn't be without it now that I've had it on for a while.

 

I prefer a convex mirror over a regular mirror. Even though things seem further away with them.

 

 

Yes, that's the one. It was the screw at the top of the arm (where the ball joint is) that was the major problem - floppier than Pinocchio with his strings cut!

 

If you want a better one, the one most recommended by a large number of members is the Mirrycle.

.

I prefer the Zefal Cyclop to the Mirrycle. Its a lot cheaper and more robust. It still folds out the way and the slightly convex mirror gives an excellent view,

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0010VTQBM/?tag=googhydr-21&hvadid=26097224454&hvpos=1t3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5161801711472838883&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007151&hvtargid=kwd-11360923140&ref=pd_sl_6kdb1dj6ip_e

 

http://www.acycles.co.uk/zefal-cyclop-bike-handlebar-mirror-690.html?utm_source=google_produit_cpc&gclid=Cj0KEQjwi_W9BRD_3uio_Jz-p8UBEiQANU80vq6K-6nmLhoNB68VuGMexXOUBzn6jd1iHVKHulkTVNIaAsP58P8HAQ

I prefer the Zefal Cyclop to the Mirrycle. Its a lot cheaper and more robust. It still folds out the way and the slightly convex mirror gives an excellent view,

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0010VTQBM/?tag=googhydr-21&hvadid=26097224454&hvpos=1t3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5161801711472838883&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007151&hvtargid=kwd-11360923140&ref=pd_sl_6kdb1dj6ip_e

 

http://www.acycles.co.uk/zefal-cyclop-bike-handlebar-mirror-690.html?utm_source=google_produit_cpc&gclid=Cj0KEQjwi_W9BRD_3uio_Jz-p8UBEiQANU80vq6K-6nmLhoNB68VuGMexXOUBzn6jd1iHVKHulkTVNIaAsP58P8HAQ

I think too it has a better view, but the Mirrycle's joints are better for me. They can tightened just so, the Zefal tends to wonder to much.

Ideally I'd want the Zefal structure with Mirrycle joints and the Cateye BM500G view!

.

on reflection i think i will get one

I've just ordered one. It's always nice to see who's behind you.

I've just ordered one. It's always nice to see who's behind you.

 

And even better to see the fast moving car that's just about to get in front of you at the most dangerous possible moment.

.

Struggling to find anything useful for the drop bars on a road bike.

i said that to a guy today on a race bike with legs size of tree trunks, why dont you have mirrors ?

 

looks back and says cos you cant over take me on that thing and went for it pmsl.

 

stopped changed to 18t engage turbo mode and kicked his ass

If you want a better one, the one most recommended by a large number of members is the Mirrycle.

.

 

Happy to report that the Cateye was much more stable on my short run out today having tightened up that bolt. I didn't actually have any traffic behind me at any point but that's by the by!

I wouldn't be without the Mirrcycle on my Carrera, robust and steady. Bought one for the wife's Big Bear but Woosh advised me not to cut the end off the throttle grip. Haven't found one yet that will do the job. She really needs it as there's a serious wobble each time she looks over her shoulder, and that's before the pub:rolleyes:. Anyone know what will fit a Big Bear LS?

I prefer the Zefal Cyclop to the Mirrycle. Its a lot cheaper and more robust. It still folds out the way and the slightly convex mirror gives an excellent view,

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0010VTQBM/?tag=googhydr-21&hvadid=26097224454&hvpos=1t3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5161801711472838883&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007151&hvtargid=kwd-11360923140&ref=pd_sl_6kdb1dj6ip_e

 

http://www.acycles.co.uk/zefal-cyclop-bike-handlebar-mirror-690.html?utm_source=google_produit_cpc&gclid=Cj0KEQjwi_W9BRD_3uio_Jz-p8UBEiQANU80vq6K-6nmLhoNB68VuGMexXOUBzn6jd1iHVKHulkTVNIaAsP58P8HAQ

 

How far do these swivel? I have those swept back handlebars, would that matter for these end type?

I think too it has a better view, but the Mirrycle's joints are better for me. They can tightened just so, the Zefal tends to wonder to much.

Hmmm!. I've not found that at all. I've been using the Zephal for several years and I've never known it move by itself. Its joint tightness can also be adjusted. You did know that?

Hmmm!. I've not found that at all. I've been using the Zephal for several years and I've never known it move by itself. Its joint tightness can also be adjusted. You did know that?

Yes d8veh, but still not as good in my opinion. I have the Zephal on my Birdy, it suits it better and therefore gets used less. But I do prefer the image it gives, the Mirycal cuts down on the width of the rear view.

 

Come replacement time I may well change back again.

Bought one for the wife's Big Bear but Woosh advised me not to cut the end off the throttle grip.

 

Why on earth not? If Woosh can't give a good reason for what they say, and I bet they can't, cut that end off and make your wife much safer.

.

I wouldn't be without the Mirrcycle on my Carrera, robust and steady. Bought one for the wife's Big Bear but Woosh advised me not to cut the end off the throttle grip. Haven't found one yet that will do the job. She really needs it as there's a serious wobble each time she looks over her shoulder, and that's before the pub:rolleyes:. Anyone know what will fit a Big Bear LS?

 

If you really can't cut the end off the grip for a bar-end mirror could you go for one of the ones that clamps round the bar further in? The Big Bear's bars do look as if you might have to bring it quite well towards the centre to find clear space but you can get ones with quite long stems that are flexible so you could probably angle it out enough to be useful (sorry, didn't note any names on my travels but an eBay or Amazon search will get you examples).

Why on earth not? If Woosh can't give a good reason for what they say, and I bet they can't, cut that end off and make your wife much safer.

.

I think it's because thefull width throttle bar grip has a domed end and they (and me) are not sure if a bar end mirror will interfere with the rotation of the throttle. Daren't experiment with the wife's precious Bear, life is hard enough:eek: