I started riding with a helmet mirror over 10 years ago and now find it pretty much impossible to ride without one. As a matter of fact, I ride more than I walk and when I walk I constantly find myself instinctively looking up for a mirror that is not there. It really drives me batty if for some reason I ride with a different helmet that does not have a mirror mounted to it.
The mirror of choice for me is a CycleAware Reflex. I have never ridden with any other kid of mirror but I can imagine that a handlebar mounted mirror would suffer from excessive vibration.
I also wear glasses when I ride and I know there are glasses mounted mirror options, but my frames are super light and I don't like heavy glasses on top of my nose.
Thus the helmet mounted mirror is the winning choice for me. The only downside I found over the years is that I bang my helmet around and have managed to pop a couple of the CycleAware mirrors off. The mirror does have a quick release of sorts, you can pop it off of the mount, but doing this repeatedly can lead to dislocation of the mount which comes with a sticky pad from the factory for attaching it.
For me the solution came with Gorilla Glue. I don't much care about the tidiness of my hacks but for those who are concerned about such things, be warned that Gorilla Glue will foam up. I had never used it prior to this project and slathered a liberal amount on. You can easily see the result on my helmet -
* * * *
It may not look pretty but I will tell you one thing though, that bad boy ain't coming off! I'm pretty sure that the helmet would break away from the mirror rather than the other way around =)
If you don't ride with a mirror I would highly recommend giving it a whirl. It is especially useful in an urban setting. I have enough to worry about with potholes, manholes, etc. and to have to look over my shoulder is just one more thing to distract me. If you do ride with a mirror and have your own advice or recommendations to pass along please chime in with comments.
How many times do I have to tell this? When you fall and hit the ground, that mirror will go through your helmet like knife and break your fucking skull.
Your helmet is a fucking safety device.
YOU DO NOT GLUE OR FASTEN ANYTHING TO YOUR HELMET!
Posted by: Torben Putkonen | 04/19/2012 at 02:33 AM
Torben,
Wow, can you please show some passion? I can't figure out really how you feel. =)
Choice A: Risk what you say "might" happen. (especially considering that this mirror housing is plastic and would likely shatter if hitting the pavement at any rate of speed).
Choice B: Get tangled up with a motor vehicle because I do not see it (taking into account I ride around hundreds of motor vehicles each and every week).
Hmmmm, let me think about this . . . ummmm, choice B for me.
Posted by: Matt | 04/19/2012 at 08:06 AM
I'm a fan of the "Safe Zone Bicycle Helmet Mirror" made by "Efficient Velo Tools". I'm sure you'd like the way it mounts to the helmet: Zip-ties!
When I get where I'm going I often put my helmet in a pannier bag, and sometimes the mirror and stem "pop" off the helmet-mount-part. No problem... They just snap back together. It's a pretty slick system.
Torben might even approve of the large surface area and low profile where the mount contacts the helmet.
Posted by: atom | 04/19/2012 at 09:43 AM
I have the EVT Safe Zone as well and it is magnificent, especially at night, compared to the handful of others that I've used.
That mirror would disconnect with the slightest provocation in an accident. It seems a smaller risk than being hit by a taxi while going around an obstruction.
Posted by: James Kingston | 04/19/2012 at 11:31 AM
Not a fan of helmet mounts...I use the Ortlieb handlebar mount mirror and it is rock solid, no vibration at all, holds its position over bumps and potholes. It's also a great elongated shape that makes it easy to get a wide view.
Posted by: Linda B. | 04/19/2012 at 03:57 PM
Hi Torben,
I actually did crash with a similar mirror mount on my helmet. Did a face plant into dirt over my mountain bike handlebars. The mirror left a round bruise and tiny cuts on my cheek, but did not penetrate the helmet or my skull. Turns out I have a professional certification in mechanical engineering and my neighbor is a helmet designer for a leading manufacturer. He is not concerned with my mirror mount either. Unless you hit the stem exactly head on, it would twist out of the way and snap out of the socket, a vanishingly small possibility. See http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=309450415790066&set=a.213172088751233.47573.100001753312327&type=1&theater for picture. Jack, who posted zip tie mirror mount on April 19, 2012
Posted by: Jack | 04/20/2012 at 02:31 AM
I cant get used to the mirrors different focus point,in relation to whats ahead, tried several brands and even hacked one from an old spoke and car auxiliary mirror. But that Gorilla snot is the best!!!
Posted by: John h | 04/21/2012 at 08:31 AM
I used to ride with a mirror that mounted to my glasses but got tired of knocking it out of alignment all the time when I would adjust my helmet, scratch my nose and so on. I now use bar-end mirrors on dropped handlebars and like them better, no problem with vibration at all.
Posted by: MLC40 | 04/22/2012 at 07:02 PM