Helmet mirrors

[John Pitts]

Since buying a bike to commute/shop/ride for fun last year I've
persevered without mirrors, but I'm thinking that a way of seeing
traffic coming up behind me would be a good idea.

I don't like handlebar-mounted mirrors - they get in the way, and they
vibrate (or at least they used to when I was a kid). I've seen
helmet/sunglass mirrors mentioned here and elsewhere, but I've never met
anyone who uses them. Neither of the two LBSes here seem to sell them.

Anyone tried them? Anyone know where to get them?

--
John >
(Remove hat before emailing)

[TimC]

On 2005-10-16, John Pitts (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> Since buying a bike to commute/shop/ride for fun last year I've
> persevered without mirrors, but I'm thinking that a way of seeing
> traffic coming up behind me would be a good idea.
>
> I don't like handlebar-mounted mirrors - they get in the way, and they
> vibrate (or at least they used to when I was a kid). I've seen
> helmet/sunglass mirrors mentioned here and elsewhere, but I've never met
> anyone who uses them. Neither of the two LBSes here seem to sell them.
>
> Anyone tried them? Anyone know where to get them?

I got mine from Goldcross cycles, Camberwell. I'll have to get
another one, unless I can find my one at the accident site, when I
ride past it tomorrow (might as well see if I dropped anything else
there, that I haven't noticed missing. Oh, and drop into the cafe
that helped me, and see if that nurse is still there. <grin>)

They take a bit of getting used to, but persevere with it, and when
you work out just how to position it, and just how to position your
head, it is wonders.

Without it today, I felt quite vulnerable on the road.

About $20 from Camberwell. Seems flimsy (just light plastic), but
mine survived a year (lost it several times too).

--
TimC
TELESCOPE, n.
A device having a relation to the eye similar to that of the
telephone to the ear, enabling distant objects to plague us with a
multitude of needless details. Luckily it is unprovided with a bell
summoning us to the sacrifice.
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"

[John Pitts]

On 2005-10-16, TimC > wrote:
> I got mine from Goldcross cycles, Camberwell.
>...
> About $20 from Camberwell. Seems flimsy (just light plastic), but
> mine survived a year (lost it several times too).

Thanks Tim. Can't find it on Goldcross' website. What brand is (was)
yours (maybe LBS can get it in for me)?

> ...Oh, and drop into the cafe
> that helped me, and see if that nurse is still there. <grin>

"In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love."
;^)

--
John >
(Remove hat before emailing)

[Gemma_k]

"John Pitts" > wrote in message
...
> Since buying a bike to commute/shop/ride for fun last year I've
> persevered without mirrors, but I'm thinking that a way of seeing
> traffic coming up behind me would be a good idea.

Why do you want to be able to see what's coming behind you? Chances are
that the guy that is going to try to hit you is going to come from in front
of you.... eyes forward!!
:-)

[TimC]

On 2005-10-16, John Pitts (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> On 2005-10-16, TimC > wrote:
>> I got mine from Goldcross cycles, Camberwell.
>>...
>> About $20 from Camberwell. Seems flimsy (just light plastic), but
>> mine survived a year (lost it several times too).
>
> Thanks Tim. Can't find it on Goldcross' website. What brand is (was)
> yours (maybe LBS can get it in for me)?

Nope, don't seem to have the packaging for it anymore. Might remember
to find out when I have to go there tomorrow...

--
TimC
What did you type in wrong to get it to crash?

[Ray Peace]

John Pitts wrote:
> Since buying a bike to commute/shop/ride for fun last year I've
> persevered without mirrors, but I'm thinking that a way of seeing
> traffic coming up behind me would be a good idea.
>
> I don't like handlebar-mounted mirrors - they get in the way, and they
> vibrate (or at least they used to when I was a kid). I've seen
> helmet/sunglass mirrors mentioned here and elsewhere, but I've never met
> anyone who uses them. Neither of the two LBSes here seem to sell them.
>
> Anyone tried them? Anyone know where to get them?
>
Greetings,
Make your own is the quickest and cheapest way. See local dentist for
half a dozen old mirrors (they chuck them out all the time), then obtain
bit of old spoke, small electrical connector, some five minute glue and
a pair of pliers to bend the spoke to desired shape and angle. Can be
mounted to glasses if you wear them, or with large paper clip to rim of
helmet if you don't. Initial adjustment and getting the angle right can
be fiddly, but once you have it set up you have a friend for life. I
certainly wouldn't be without mine.
Regards,
Ray.

[dave]

Gemma_k wrote:
> "John Pitts" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Since buying a bike to commute/shop/ride for fun last year I've
>>persevered without mirrors, but I'm thinking that a way of seeing
>>traffic coming up behind me would be a good idea.
>
>
> Why do you want to be able to see what's coming behind you? Chances are
> that the guy that is going to try to hit you is going to come from in front
> of you.... eyes forward!!
> :-)
>
>

I must say I agree. The only real option open to you if someone from
behind is going to hit you is too accelerate hard. Which on a pushy
works for only the elite few :) swerving left is going to get you into
more trouble. Mostly they just look like they are going to hit you..
its a very rare accident. I would just rather not know.

But different folks, different strokes. Just dont ride on the left of
a guy with a mirror. Can be scarey

[John Pitts]

On 2005-10-16, Ray Peace > wrote:
> Make your own is the quickest and cheapest way. See local dentist for
> half a dozen old mirrors (they chuck them out all the time), then obtain
> bit of old spoke, small electrical connector, some five minute glue and
> a pair of pliers to bend the spoke to desired shape and angle. Can be

What's the electrical connector for?

--
John >
(Remove hat before emailing)

[Peka]

dave Wrote:
> I must say I agree. The only real option open to you if someone from
> behind is going to hit you is too accelerate hard. Which on a pushy
> works for only the elite few :) swerving left is going to get you into
> more trouble. Mostly they just look like they are going to hit you..
> its a very rare accident. I would just rather not know.It's pretty unlikely that a mirror will help for someone who's going to
hit you from behind - by the time you realise they're going to hit you,
it'll be way too late.

I use a bar end mirror on my mtb and you seriously have no idea whether
they'll hit you or not. I like it for that fact that if I have to merge
into the centre lane to go past a bus or some other vehicle, I can see
if there's another car in my lane behind me - I know he won't be next
to me because I generally claim the lane, forcing them to change lanes
to overtake me.

It IS good for spotting d!ckheads who like to overtake and turn left as
soon as they pass you (assuming they indicate), and for seeing when
you're holding up a long line of traffic, or a bus whose stop is just
up ahead but he's not bothering to overtake - I usually put in a sprint
so I don't hold them up too much.

I figure that if people see me making an effort not to hold them up (
:rolleyes: idiots, as if I really hold them up anyway) they'll give me
the space I need.


--
Peka

[Terry Collins]

John Pitts wrote:
> On 2005-10-16, Ray Peace > wrote:
>
>> Make your own is the quickest and cheapest way. See local dentist for
>>half a dozen old mirrors (they chuck them out all the time), then obtain
>>bit of old spoke, small electrical connector, some five minute glue and
>>a pair of pliers to bend the spoke to desired shape and angle. Can be
>
>
> What's the electrical connector for?

The crimp type for joining two wires.
My guess is that you use it to crimp onto the end handle of the mirror
stalk and onto the end of the bike spoke. You chop off the fat part of
the mirror handle.

[Ray Peace]

John Pitts wrote:
> On 2005-10-16, Ray Peace > wrote:
>
>> Make your own is the quickest and cheapest way. See local dentist for
>>half a dozen old mirrors (they chuck them out all the time), then obtain
>>bit of old spoke, small electrical connector, some five minute glue and
>>a pair of pliers to bend the spoke to desired shape and angle. Can be
>
>
> What's the electrical connector for?
>
Greetings,
The elctrical connector, set in the five minute glue, holds the end
of the bit of spoke and the end of the mirror together. There are other
ways of doing it, but this one is simple and cheap, the connectors cost
less than $1 from any Dick Smith or the like, and gives a good solid
join. You want me to draw a diagram and post it?
regards,
Ray.

[John Pitts]

On 2005-10-17, Ray Peace > wrote:
> John Pitts wrote:
>> What's the electrical connector for?
>>
> You want me to draw a diagram and post it?

Thanks Ray, no I've got the idea now.

(Looking up dentists in the yellow pages now...)

--
John >
(Remove hat before emailing)

[dave]

Peka wrote:
> dave Wrote:
>
>>I must say I agree. The only real option open to you if someone from
>>behind is going to hit you is too accelerate hard. Which on a pushy
>>works for only the elite few :) swerving left is going to get you into
>>more trouble. Mostly they just look like they are going to hit you..
>>its a very rare accident. I would just rather not know.It's pretty unlikely that a mirror will help for someone who's going to
>
> hit you from behind - by the time you realise they're going to hit you,
> it'll be way too late.
>
> I use a bar end mirror on my mtb and you seriously have no idea whether
> they'll hit you or not. I like it for that fact that if I have to merge
> into the centre lane to go past a bus or some other vehicle, I can see
> if there's another car in my lane behind me - I know he won't be next
> to me because I generally claim the lane, forcing them to change lanes
> to overtake me.
>
> It IS good for spotting d!ckheads who like to overtake and turn left as
> soon as they pass you (assuming they indicate), and for seeing when
> you're holding up a long line of traffic, or a bus whose stop is just
> up ahead but he's not bothering to overtake - I usually put in a sprint
> so I don't hold them up too much.
>
> I figure that if people see me making an effort not to hold them up (
> :rolleyes: idiots, as if I really hold them up anyway) they'll give me
> the space I need.
>
>
Sounds fair.I prefer to turn my head and look. But horses for courses

Dave

[roshea]

There are reviews of various mirror designs here:
http://www.icebike.org/Equipment/cyclingmirrors.htm

May give you some idea on how to make your own.


--
roshea

[TimC]

On 2005-10-18, roshea (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
>
> There are reviews of various mirror designs here:
> http://www.icebike.org/Equipment/cyclingmirrors.htm

"Every helmet or eyeglass mirror wearer I have ever met remarks that
they become so use to the mirror being there that they will glance
toward the upper left when they hear foot steps behind them while
walking down the street."

Oh good, it's not just me then. :rollseyes:

PITY OTHER PEDESTRIANS CAN'T CHECK BEHIND THEM!

--
TimC
When I'M trying to get somebody fired, I always walk a mile in their
shoes first. That way, when I get them fired and they get all angry
with me, I'm a mile away, and I'VE GOT THEIR SHOES! HAW HAW!
--Beable van Polasm, alt.religion.kibology

[Ray Peace]

TimC wrote:
> On 2005-10-18, roshea (aka Bruce)
> was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
>
>>There are reviews of various mirror designs here:
>>http://www.icebike.org/Equipment/cyclingmirrors.htm
>
>
> "Every helmet or eyeglass mirror wearer I have ever met remarks that
> they become so use to the mirror being there that they will glance
> toward the upper left when they hear foot steps behind them while
> walking down the street."
>
> Oh good, it's not just me then. :rollseyes:
>
> PITY OTHER PEDESTRIANS CAN'T CHECK BEHIND THEM!
>
greetings,
I have mine mounted on the upper right. This is on the outside of the
bike and gives a better view of traffic. I have to swap to upper left
when I get in the car, but long experience allows that with no problems.
I don't wear it when walking, that would be silly, and don't look behind
me in that situation unless there is good reason.
Regards,
Ray

[TimC]

On 2005-10-18, Ray Peace (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> TimC wrote:
>> On 2005-10-18, roshea (aka Bruce)
>> was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
>>
>>>There are reviews of various mirror designs here:
>>>http://www.icebike.org/Equipment/cyclingmirrors.htm
>>
>>
>> "Every helmet or eyeglass mirror wearer I have ever met remarks that
>> they become so use to the mirror being there that they will glance
>> toward the upper left when they hear foot steps behind them while
>> walking down the street."
>>
>> Oh good, it's not just me then. :rollseyes:
>>
>> PITY OTHER PEDESTRIANS CAN'T CHECK BEHIND THEM!
>>
> greetings,
> I have mine mounted on the upper right.

Duh. The page was written for the US, afterall.

> This is on the outside of the
> bike and gives a better view of traffic. I have to swap to upper left
> when I get in the car, but long experience allows that with no problems.
> I don't wear it when walking, that would be silly, and don't look behind
> me in that situation unless there is good reason.

I hate walking down a path, trying to get somewhere, and those old
fogies who are just weaving in and out of everything slowly, without
looking. They need a mirror :)

--
TimC
So y'know, when the girl octopus slaps the boy octopus for being too
forward, he could say it wasn't his fault, the arm just kind of did its
own thing. -- Kasatka in AFAFDA

[DD]

roshea wrote:
> There are reviews of various mirror designs here:
> http://www.icebike.org/Equipment/cyclingmirrors.htm
>
> May give you some idea on how to make your own.
>
>
In the old "Freewheeling" mag of the 80's (forerunner of "Australian
Cyclist") there was once an article on how to make your own sunglasses
mirror. I'm sure that it spawned many ******* inventions.
You start with a trip to the dentist, you or the next one your family
makes, ask your dentist for any old dental mirrors. Most are only
1-1.5cm wide but that's big enough. You don't want it too big anyway,
you'd be trading one blind spot for another.
Then you use the tube from an old biro, connecting the mirror to a
length of old (but shiny) spoke. You can either bend this spoke in the
style of the 3 prongs as that webpage above illustrates or attach it to
one of those small paper clamps/clips/whatever and this clamps onto the
arm of your glasses. Bend and rotate the spoke and mirror to suit. Has
worked for me but you might want to experiment.

[slaw]

DD Wrote:
> roshea wrote:
> > There are reviews of various mirror designs here:
> > http://www.icebike.org/Equipment/cyclingmirrors.htm
> >
> > May give you some idea on how to make your own.
> >
> >
> In the old "Freewheeling" mag of the 80's (forerunner of "Australian
> Cyclist") there was once an article on how to make your own sunglasses
> mirror. I'm sure that it spawned many ******* inventions.
> You start with a trip to the dentist, you or the next one your family
> makes, ask your dentist for any old dental mirrors. Most are only
> 1-1.5cm wide but that's big enough. You don't want it too big anyway,
> you'd be trading one blind spot for another.
> Then you use the tube from an old biro, connecting the mirror to a
> length of old (but shiny) spoke. You can either bend this spoke in the
> style of the 3 prongs as that webpage above illustrates or attach it to
> one of those small paper clamps/clips/whatever and this clamps onto the
> arm of your glasses. Bend and rotate the spoke and mirror to suit. Has
> worked for me but you might want to experiment.
Yeah, been there, done that. First iteration was a bulldog clip and
dentist mirror on a Guardian helmet (remember those?). After going
through a few of those I bought one from the Bikecentennial people in
the US. This served me well for many years, though the mirror kept
falling off the wire arm so I had to araldite it back a few times.
There were two narrow clips which could fit glasses but fitted well to
the edge of my helmet visor.

Lost that one a couple of years ago during the Kona 24 hour race (I
should have taken it off) and tried a cheap $10 one but the ball joint
become loose very quickly. It also had a slightly convex surface to the
mirror which I didn't get used to.

Now I have a Blackburn ($14 I think) which is ok. It has a nice flat
surface, it can clip on and off quite easily although the mount does
need to be stuck on. However the arm vibrates a bit too much for my
liking. I might try to secure it to the visor.


--
slaw

[John Pitts]

Thanks to everyone for their hints and advice.

I looked harder, and found one at the other LBS. It's a stick-on
affair, with an adjustable plastic arm, about $16.

I just installed it - I'll give it a go later.

--
John >
(Remove hat before emailing)