- This topic has 27 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 2 months ago by
.
-
Topic
-
Can you recommend a bike mirror that’s suitable for a drop handlebar bike?
So far I tried Zefal Cyclop and the CatEye BM-45.
My multiple Zefal’s keeps breaking due to road vibrations, and the CatEye’s mirror is just too small to coverage different riding positions.Links to the above:
https://www.zefal.com/en/mirrors/105-cyclop.html
https://cateye.com/intl/products/accessories/BM-45/Ideally, I’d like something that’s fully positional and that will remain in place (doesn’t flop about), with a good field of view that covers riding up hills or on the flat. There are some at Amazon with a larger diameter convex lens than the CatEye, so maybe that’s an option if they’re sturdy enough.
Thank you.
-
Thanks. I wondered about that
Thanks. I wondered about that mirror, but wasn’t sure if I’d have the same issue with it breaking.
This is a photo showing the Cyclops mirror broken in two. The “crown” part of the mirror is still inside the “holder”.
I contacted the manufacturer, and today they sent me four spare mirrors. Just the mirror part, not the fully assembly.
I used to have a CatEye BM-45
I used to have a CatEye BM-45, but I found it too small to get a good view. Switched to a Zefal Dooback 2, I can see a lot more with that. On the downside it is, as the kids say, fugly.
I have the B&M Cycle Star
I have the B&M Cycle Star 60mm (photo below), which is a tad bigger than the 45mm Cateye. I set the position once and leave it there, it doesn’t need tweaking mid-ride.
It is very sturdy, metal & plastic construction, with a glass convex lens.
It is also available in a larger 80mm diameter.
I’d second that ?
I’d second that ?
Once set I find the cateye great for keeping an eye on what’s happening behind. But it is very small, which means the angle has to be spot on. It holds its position once set, but is a little prone to being knocked when you lean the bike against a wall. Then it takes bit of finessing to get it right again.
I bastardized a Mirrycle MTB
I bastardized a Mirrycle MTB mirror to make mirrors for my fleet of bikes with drop bars. The arrangement has stood the test of time and been in use for ~25 years. Essentially the mirror is just a Mirrycle mirror with the handlebar plug cut off. The important bit is the 2.5mm aluminium attaching it to the brake hood. Up and down movement on the arm is minimised by the depth of the arm, and I have reduced sideways movement by putting a slight roll in the flat metal along the arm.
The wing nuts on the mirror enable it to be easily adjusted if necessary while on the road, as well as allowing the mirror to be folded out of the way when the bike is up-ended to fix a puncture, etc
Over the years, I’ve progressively modified this design slightly to improve on it. Below is the latest permutation.
It no longer looks quite like the original arrangement. The lug at the rear is now only used to stop the rear cable tie from slipping off, and it doesn’t slip under the brake hood as the original model did. Apart from that, the arm itself is the same as before. The use of cable ties enables the mirror to be held more firmly onto the brake lever housing, thus further increasing its stability. The locking ends of the cable ties are strategically placed on the inboard part of the brake lever housing in a position that doesn’t foul one’s fingers. I’ve found this arrangement to be quite comfortable on the hands, so no further padding, etc is required, nor does anything foul the brifters in any way.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.