Bike Eye Mirror

The bike eye is a surprisingly effective awareness aid that is likely to challenge preconceptions held about mirrors. Weighing a mere 60g, the Bike Eye is closest in principle to a car’s interior mirror. It attaches with zip ties to the head tube, giving you a view down the length of the bike and directly behind you.

The mirror itself is glass, which is mounted with double-sided foam tape. it gives an accurate view of conditions and tape means it's unlikely to splinter and injure you in a spill. Fitting is very simple but the Bike Eye is reliant upon an uninterrupted view from the inside leg and along the line of the frame. Therefore, variables such frame (and pannier) size and head tube length will determine its effectiveness. Compatibility is a bit hit and miss on bikes using down-tube shifters and you're probably better off with more traditional designs for touring or heavily laden commuting.

The mirror is designed to work by the rider swinging their thigh outward whilst simultaneously looking into the mirror- this quickly becomes second nature and offers a very clear view of conditions behind. Frame mounting means vibration’s kept to a minimum, even through rutted bridle paths, so long as the nylon bolt is kept tight.

I found it a boon with both tag-along and trailer meaning I could alter course or time manoeuvres more effectively. It's no substitute for periodic glances over the shoulder but it could definitely prove useful to riders with more limited neck or shoulder movement and those regularly time trailing on busy A roads.

The bike-eye certainly changed my perception of mirrors and is more versatile than most. A sibling better suited to the demands of laden touring is also in the pipeline.

Verdict

Mirrors have an image problem but the inobtrusive design and build quality mean it's better than most on bikes that aren't heavily laden.