[0-0]

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.

Topic

[hawkinspeter]

Sriracha wrote:

Sriracha wrote:

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 try to avoid it getting knocked by positioning it on the inner side of the handlebar, but it does get moved every so often (I can clip it with my knee if I’m not careful). Takes just a few seconds to nudge it back into position usually.

[levestane]

I’ve used the Berthoud for a

I’ve used the Berthoud for a while. Great quality, unobtrusive and once it’s foibles are accepted it works very well.

[hawkinspeter]

John Stevenson wrote:

That’s the one Ian’s just mentioned. We reviewed it here: https://road.cc/content/review/28706-bike-eye-bike-mirror

Wow – 0g weight? The one I tried was definitely made of matter, but the view behind is quite narrow and constrained by the bike frame and a leg.

Also, it looked quite ugly when fitted.

[John Stevenson]

That’s the one Ian’s just

That’s the one Ian’s just mentioned. We reviewed it here: https://road.cc/content/review/28706-bike-eye-bike-mirror

[John Stevenson]

Oh yeah, it’s a silly price,

Oh yeah, it’s a silly price, but it’s rather lovely.

ETA: I saw a review somewhere that pointed out it was still a hell of a lot cheaper than using a Garmin Varia radar to warn you there’s something coming up from behind, so there’s that.

[IanMSpencer]

I have the Bike-Eye mirror

I have the Bike-Eye mirror which fits on the frame on the down tube up at the steerer. I set it so the view just skims the seat and seat tube.

I’ve used them for about 10 years now.

The pros are that you get a stable image and you can see cars readily. This basic pro far outweighs the following list of niggles.

The cons are you need to learn the habit of using them, you look between your legs and depending on how you cycle you sort of time your view to fit with a lifted leg though these days I am not conscious of doing anything – perhaps my thin thighs are thinner than they were. Occasionally I knock the mirror if I’m scooting around – easily adjusted. Final negative is that the old design was based on traditional tubing and the mega down tubes of modern bikes don’t match the fitting so well, but it works well enough (I think I used my own extra long zip ties and nots of insulating tape to protect the frame to fit them on my Giants). FInal point is that in a group, the mirror being relatively low means that you can’t see around people behind, though I solve that by moving further out if I want a gander.

I’ve tried bar end mirrors but they are a bit more fiddly and prone to being knocked when parked.

I wouldn’t ride a bike without one – I did that last year on an old mountain bike and I thought it was a scary experience. In the club I got the reputation for being the guy who actually was aware what was going on behind.

[Steve K]

John Stevenson wrote:

I’ve been thinking recently that the utility of a mirror probably outweighs its uncool factor. Very tempted by one of these:

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s192p3918/GILLES-BERTHOUD-Bar-End-Mirror 

More than four times the price of the Cateye!

[hawkinspeter]

John Stevenson wrote:

I’ve been thinking recently that the utility of a mirror probably outweighs its uncool factor. Very tempted by one of these:

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s192p3918/GILLES-BERTHOUD-Bar-End-Mirror 

Never seen that one before, but I’m going to stick with my CatEye.

Also on that site is https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s192p1810/BIKE-EYE-The-Bicycle-Mirror which is a non-bar-end mirror. I’ve tried one (on my MTB, might have been a different brand) and it didn’t work well for me as you had to move your leg out of the way to get a decent view.

[hawkinspeter]

I’ve tried a couple of

I’ve tried a couple of different ones:

Italian Road Bike Mirror: https://www.italianroadbikemirror.com/ItalianRoadBikeMirrorWorldwide.html

Sprintech: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/accessories/sprintech-racing-road-mirrors-black/

They both had a similar issue of not being easy to adjust to be in the perfect position and not retaining their position. The Italian RBM is held in place by handlebar tape, which is awkward for making adjustments – maybe someone more skiled than me would get them to work well.

I’ve been using the CatEye BM-45 for a few years and it’s great as it holds its position well and can be adjusted whilst riding (choose a clear bit of road though). It can be tricky getting it just right for switching between tops and drops, but it works well for me.

[Hirsute]

I think the cateye is ok. HP

I think the cateye is ok. HP and Sriracha were using it which lead me to try it.

You do have to set it up carefully and if on the tops I find I have to raise my elbow to see, but fine otherwise.

[John Stevenson]

I’ve been thinking recently

I’ve been thinking recently that the utility of a mirror probably outweighs its uncool factor. Very tempted by one of these:

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s192p3918/GILLES-BERTHOUD-Bar-End-Mirror 

[Steve K]

I’ve only recently converted

I’ve only recently converted to using a bar end mirror.  Unhelpfully, I’m just going to say I’m very happy with the CatEye.

[Author]

Replies