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.
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.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Bike Eye Mirror
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
The Bike Eye is an awareness aid aimed at(but not exclusively) more performance orientated cyclists.
Tell us some more about the techincal aspects of the product?
Designed along the same lines as a car's interior mirror it is made from a mixture of toughened glass and ABS plastics to keep the weight low whilst employing the frame as a mounting point largely eliminates annoying vibration.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Works very effectively and quickly becomes second nature. Large saddle-bags and panniers will obscure the mirror.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Very lightweight, yet a lot of thought has clearly gone into construction and build quality.
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
8/10
Can improve rider comfort and safety if used properly but I would be wary of becoming too reliant upon it-especially in heavy traffic.
Rate the product for value:
7/10
Competitively priced given the design and technologies employed.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Works very effectively in most contexts.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Low weight, solid build quality and inobtrusive design.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly
Age: 35 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
You're welcome. I find the history of cycling fascinating as so many feats seem to have got lost in the mists of time (or due to the British in...
Nah, the logo looks completely different!
I understand your concerns, having been crew on some long-distance events and seen the riders weaving all over and hallucinating. That's part of my...
wow, she was very calm and collected. I would have been screaming blue murder at the fckwit!
Sorry Brooksby, I'm sure you've sussed this out by now but I was ridiculing his supposed aversion to the word tragedy by thinking of other uses of...
Cheers man, didn't take it as criticism, no worries. I think it was fortunate some people got a little bit of warning and from the sounds of it the...
Carrying heavy sacks with camping kit up and down mountains is one good way to do it, or even just going up and down mountains- the pounding you...
They ban lots of vehicles normally allowed on normal roads, it is not just cyclists.
May be I'm missing something, but you need an XDR free hub to run SRAM 12 speed not a Fulcrum/Campagnolo one. I have a set from Reynolds and a set...
Just prosecuting for the assault with a 'metal pole' which resulted in significant injuries would be an improvement on the usual mitigation because...