D
David Newman
Guest
I often think David's responses on this NG are thoughtful and reasonable, but his response to this
reasonable question looks to me like an anti-mirror zealot preaching the dogma rather than a
reasoned response based on real experience with a mirror.
In article <[email protected]>, "David L. Johnson"
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Most guys with bar-mounted mirrors can't use them. When riding behind them, I usually see just the
> sky in the mirror, rather than their head. The image bounces around too much to be useful.
This is a complete straw man. When using a mirror, I don't want to be looking at things that are
five feet off the ground and four feet behind my rear wheel, I want to see things that are
considerably farther back, farther to my left, and usually a bit lower. I've used a bar-end mirror,
and it worked fine. I had no trouble getting a good look behind me, and I didn't have a problem with
too much bouncing. My main problem with the bar-end mirror was weight and the fact that it tended to
vibrate loose and fall off on rough roads.
> Helmet-mounted mirros avoid this, but all you see is your ear...
This is just false. I used a helmet-mounted mirror, and the only time I saw my ear was if the mirror
was completely mis-adjusted.
> I saw one mirror that mounted on the top tube. Gives you a good view of the front of your shorts,
> but that seems a bit narcissistic.
I advocate both mirrors and turning your head. I use a glasses-mounted mirror, and it definitely
helps me keep track of what's going on behind
me. Just as when driving a car, I make frequent checks in the mirror to be aware of what's going on.
When a car approaches, or when I'm preparing to change lanes or turn, I turn my head. I'd say a
mirror is a useful tool in spite of it's nerdy reputation, though it's clearly not a magic
talisman that will prevent all accidents. Try a mirror on a couple of solo rides -- it won't
hurt your rep, and you'll learn if you want one badly enough to put up with the negative
stereotypes.
David Newman
reasonable question looks to me like an anti-mirror zealot preaching the dogma rather than a
reasoned response based on real experience with a mirror.
In article <[email protected]>, "David L. Johnson"
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Most guys with bar-mounted mirrors can't use them. When riding behind them, I usually see just the
> sky in the mirror, rather than their head. The image bounces around too much to be useful.
This is a complete straw man. When using a mirror, I don't want to be looking at things that are
five feet off the ground and four feet behind my rear wheel, I want to see things that are
considerably farther back, farther to my left, and usually a bit lower. I've used a bar-end mirror,
and it worked fine. I had no trouble getting a good look behind me, and I didn't have a problem with
too much bouncing. My main problem with the bar-end mirror was weight and the fact that it tended to
vibrate loose and fall off on rough roads.
> Helmet-mounted mirros avoid this, but all you see is your ear...
This is just false. I used a helmet-mounted mirror, and the only time I saw my ear was if the mirror
was completely mis-adjusted.
> I saw one mirror that mounted on the top tube. Gives you a good view of the front of your shorts,
> but that seems a bit narcissistic.
I advocate both mirrors and turning your head. I use a glasses-mounted mirror, and it definitely
helps me keep track of what's going on behind
me. Just as when driving a car, I make frequent checks in the mirror to be aware of what's going on.
When a car approaches, or when I'm preparing to change lanes or turn, I turn my head. I'd say a
mirror is a useful tool in spite of it's nerdy reputation, though it's clearly not a magic
talisman that will prevent all accidents. Try a mirror on a couple of solo rides -- it won't
hurt your rep, and you'll learn if you want one badly enough to put up with the negative
stereotypes.
David Newman