Mirror quest

[ratz]

On to the next project. Finding a great, mirror solution, not a good one but a great one.

I've been riding with Mirrors for what seems like ages. The bullhorns on the Silvio are going to be a mirror challenge. I've got the Zefal Spay mirrors )which I've used for ages) and have an ok mounting for them that I can live with.

I've used a Take a look helmet mirror as well for ages and that works good too. But.... there is always a but... On the Silvio is I situp to attack a hill or handle a tought traffic intersection the mirror quickly wind up in the wrong position. I can use two spy mirrors at different alignments for this, but I'm going to try and simplify.

So I got the idea to try a wrist mirror. Seems like a good idea. So I did a bunch of searching and the selection was week. Was about to give up; and then found http://www.rearviz.com at the last minute. Very pricey for a mirror; but then again it's about being safe and comfortable. Since it's born in the same land as my Silvio; what the heck we'll giver a go.

I'll let you know how it works when it gets here; going to try it on the arm and at the wrist.

 

[ReklinedRider]

RearViz

Those do look good. Very ingenious. They look like they would actually be far better for recumbents than for df's. May have to give them a try myself.

 

[Eric Winn]

I'm curious about how these

I'm curious about how these work on recumbents. I watched the video about looking forward but kept noticing they were looking down and to the right quite dramatically. Just sitting on the bike, I'm thinking you'll do the same thing if you wear it up around your elbow like the video. Might work better at the wrists but not sure how it will feel.

I like my Zefals but have some of the same issue Bob talks about with raising my head or sitting up and reducing or losing my rear view.

-Eric

 

[Gromit]

Wrist Mirror

Dutch recumbent riders have been using wrist mirrors for many years. I didn't try one when I lived over there so cannot comment on how well they work.

 

[TalleyHo]

The mirror solution so far in

The mirror solution so far in my still evolving bull-horned Silvio is the B&M- Cyclestar mirror from Germany, available from Hostel Shoppe. The optics are excellent and they come with 3 and 6 inch stalks. The 3 inch version here is just enough to give adequate view although the longer would be better with my low bars, it seems. But what do I know? Not much, as the training pedals only came off yesterday and so far just one "ride" out of the parking lot. More on a Brag Board post when I get a little further along.

 

[ratz]

First review of the RearViz

Ok I got the Rearviz arm mounted mirror; and I have done 5 rides with it so far on both the quest and the silvo. Here's my initial reaction.

Positives.

1. The mirror is very comfortable I'm wearing in on my forarm half way between my elbow and wrist.
2. I still have my bar mount Spy Mirror, but only one now.
3. In Urban and transition zones I flip this mirror open
4. In the rural quiet road I flip it shut as it's redundant
5. After 3-4 minutes into the ride I don't notice it on my arm
6. When Sitting up I can use the mirror by changing my elbow postion.
7. On a long long climb I can easily reach it and rotate it to a position that works and can see behind me when the bar mirror is blocked

Negatives.

1. It is extremely convex; so you see things as really really far away; then then boom they are on top of you. This takes some acclimation and that's why the Spy Mirror is still on my bike. I might have it upside down I need to spend more time playing with it; Just threw it on and rode because I've been hyper busy.
2. It is a tad large; guys won't mind but women might find it unwieldy
3. It is going to leave a really odd suntan line.
4. Opening and closing takes some practice while riding; to not mess with your balance as you reach one arm across the other and pull on your arm.

For the Silvio I think I'll be using it continually; for the quest there's really no point. Bar mirror is just as good.

Because it's so convex I may try it on my right arm instead of my left that might be a more natural angle for the mirrors images.