New mirrors day

[ava1ar]

Installed new pair of mirrors today.

I was using popular Hafny E13 mirrors and they were fine - big enough, easy to mount and worked fine. However the main problem is durability - due to vibrations the mounting connector on the mirror itself just breaks after some time, like this:

Once this happens first time I suspected some manufacturing defect and just bought new one. However less than in a year the 2nd one broke same way. So, this looks like not single-time issue, but flaw in the design/implementation. So instead of spending more on same faulty parts, I start looking for higher quality and more robust (metal) construction. I didn't want a model which mounts on bar ends - these mirrors add too much width and make riding in city between cars, but this is what most of vendors offer. Then I decided to look in motorcycle mirrors and found this pair. It is definitely on heavier side comparing to previous model, however looks and feels much more solid (and extra weght is not a big issue for ebike). I had to re-purpose the old mount for new mirrors (motorcycle mounts are way too bulky for my already dense handlebar setup), but it ended up quite nicely. Going go test them during today evening ride, but so far they looks and work great from my very limited testing.

What are you thouhgs about mirrors on bikes? I ride in NYC and suburbs a lot and consider mirrors to be a very essential safety device of my bike - I would not ride that often and that far without them for sure. What about you?

 

[Sparky731]

Mirrors are absolutely essential. Thank you for promoting.

Personally I prefer the Sprintech Compact Handlebar mirror on straight bars. https://www.sprintech.eu/products/sprintech-compact/
A bit more pricey but the brightness, clarity and low profile are worth it.

 

[ava1ar]

Sprintech Compact Handlebar mirror on straight bars. https://www.sprintech.eu/products/sprintech-compact/

These are good ones. Please share the photo of your cockpit at some point to check them out on the bike.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Installed new pair of mirrors today.

They won't live long.

 

[ava1ar]

They won't live long.

Why? Anything wrong with this model? It is new and not many reviews for it available. But it is well made and designed to be handled motorcycle speeds, so they can easily handle the life on ebike.
Obviously I need to be careful with riding close to walls and barriers, but I had to do same with older mirrors as well.
So not sure I follow you thoughts here. Can you elaborate?

 

[tomjasz]

Why?

Pay no attention to the narcissist. Zero to expert and severely limited experience beyond one brand.

 

[Sparky731]

These are good ones. Please share the photo of your cockpit at some point to check them out on the bike.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Refreshing an old thread.

I've been a fan of Mirrycle mirrors since 2019. The Mirrycle was one of a few bike rear view mirrors that were totally symmetrical and could be installed below the handlebar grip (not extending the bike width and protecting the glass).

A Wahoo 1 on the stem indicates it all started a long time ago...

Yes, the Mirrycle was not perfect. While the glass never broke, the vertical part could, on impact. As the mirror was inexpensive and easily obtainable, I have gone through several Mirrycles over past years. Unfortunately, importing from the U.S. has become tough. There is also a matter of (probably) degraded quality control at Mirrycle. The vertical part has a tiny brass socket normally fixed inside a channel. On one of last rides, that brass part fell out from the vertical part, with the mirror part flying off onto the asphalt! I could probably fix it but I lost my interest in doing that...

So, it is the time for a new mirror (I will use the last Mirrycle as long as it holds). You might ask "Why not a bike radar?" The answer is:

• I need to see my cycling group I lead: How close is the nearest cyclist? Has a member of the group fell back? (Not interested in the number of cars following me)
• With my saddle bags, I have no place to install the radar.

So I need a good big rear view mirror.
I thought I was cheated by an online bike store that sent me this funny piece mounted on a rubber band somewhere (for instance, on a bar-end): an XLC product.

Turned out, that toy was not as hopeless as I thought. It holds well, has a great angle of view even if the image is tiny, and it is fully adjustable even if somewhat flimsy. Well, I need something permanent. Now, I ordered this mirror:

Cateye BM-45.

Well, not exactly my dream but what else could I do?

 

[stompandgo]

You could buy a bar end 60mm stainless lens Hafny mirror, but for some reason, you don't like them. I think they're great. At 2 for $25, if I break one, I have a spare. Image quality is excellent. They fold out of the way for storage. I have a radar so I don't need a large mirror.

 

[Gionnirocket]

You could buy a bar end 60mm stainless lens Hafny mirror, but for some reason, you don't like them. I think they're great. At 2 for $25, if I break one, I have a spare. Image quality is excellent. They fold out of the way for storage. I have a radar so I don't need a large mirror.

View attachment 209028

Love the Hafny mirrors but found the stainless version image to be on the dark side compared to glass. This was especially noticeable around dusk. I'm finding the glass version much brighter in general and also find them to be indestructible.

I've whacked the housing countless times and it has some road rash marks but the glass never broke and it's still solid in use with a steady image.

This pick was taken about 3 years ago and it's even more bang'd up now

And a nice & bright clear image



ymmv

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You could buy a bar end 60mm stainless lens Hafny mirror, but for some reason, you don't like them. I think they're great. At 2 for $25, if I break one, I have a spare. Image quality is excellent. They fold out of the way for storage. I have a radar so I don't need a large mirror.

View attachment 209028

One may dislike some names such as Hafny or Bontrager

 

[stompandgo]

One may dislike some names such as Hafny or Bontrager

I support your right to do that.

 

[stompandgo]

Love the Hafny mirrors but found the stainless version image to be on the dark side compared to glass. This was especially noticeable around dusk. I'm finding the glass version much brighter in general and also find them to be indestructible.

ymmv

Agreed, it is not as reflective as glass.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I could eventually fix the second Mirrycle using Loctite and an "almost good" wedge from one of old Mirrycles I kept. The other flaw of the mirror is the mounting wedges often crack inside the handlebar. The wedge I reclaimed was cracked but still good to use.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Reminds me of of a typical MAGA supporter... No matter how wrong, ignorant or delusional things get, I'll never change my mind.
 So stay obtuse to the end... as it's the best

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Turns out, Mirrycles can still be imported in Europe from Amazon.com. The end-user price and shipment cost are now high but I can get two new spare mirrycles within 7 days. So I go for it.

P.S. I've just realised Mirrycle is the only American made product I really need, so I'm glad I can financially help the American business in its hard time!