I have been riding bicycles for a very long time. As a teen and a young man I rode to get places, not in competition or for exercise or for personal amusement. I never needed a mirror because the traffic was lighter, I usually rode faster than most of the traffic, I never rode in groups to speak of, I had plenty of flexibility in my neck and shoulders to twist to see behind me, and most of all since I was young I was certain I was invincible.
I'm getting back into cycling now for exercise and fun. But with more traffic, riding with friends, going at a slower pace so that the traffic is often overtaking me from behind, and mostly now with the wisdom that only comes with age that I will certainly not come out well in an altercation with a cell-phone distracted idiot-automobile operator. I decided reluctantly that it was time to try a bike mirror.
Here is the problem: You are a pretty compact package on a road bike. You neither have nor want things sticking way out to the sides, but if you keep the mirror in tight how do you see past yourself on the bike? You block your own view! And you don't want an over sized wind-dragging mirror, so small and light is good, but where do you put it so you can see behind you when you need to? I experimented with a few of the more popular concepts and concluded that a flat (non-wide angle) mirror on your eyeglasses or helmet is best.
You want a small mirror because you don't want the windage or the sticking out factor. But if the mirror is already small, you really don't want to make the view even smaller by using a wide-angle mirror. So forget about the supposed benefits of a wide angle (convex) mirrors unless it is going to be on your beach cruiser and as big as the side mirror on your SUV...
BUT if it is a small mirror how much can you see? Can you see enough? Well, if it is on your head like this "Take a Look Mirror" it turns out you quickly adapt to tilting or turning your head ever so slightly this way and that as necessary to peer anywhere you please around the vicinity of your 6 o'clock.
If you try this mirror walking around the shop or home, you will not appreciate how intuitive that head tilting is, and how quickly you learn to adjust the mirror so that you can glimpse it in your peripheral vision. Or if you are deliberately looking into it, how you still have your peripheral vision engaged on the road ahead. It is a lot like using your automobile side mirrors: You don't feel as if you have to look entirely away from where you are going, and if you move your head slightly to change your mirror-view a little, it's no big deal. I walked around the house with mine and was totally skeptical that it was going to work for me. Once on the bike it was entierly natural and intuitive.
OK so this is the right design: A small helmet or eyeglass mounted mirror, flat, not convex. But what about the quality? adjust-ability? value? and so on?
Well I was absolutely floored that the quality was so good at this price point. It is a simple thing, but it is also well made from good materials. Perfect! And it comes with a lifetime guarantee from a company that has been around long enough that you know they must mean it. There is a reason this has been such a popular product for so long.
As for adjusting it? You can move it very easily to whatever orientation you like. In my experience so far it stays put where you adjust it. It is also easy to adjust with one hand while riding for fine tuning if you need it.
Size? I got the "original" and I think it is about right, though I suppose some may prefer the newer compact version. It is important to set the mirror up so that it doesn't interfere annoyingly with your forward vision, but isn't too far over so that you can't just glimpse it. With so much adjust-ability in the mounting there are several options. You will have to experiment and decide what works for you. For me the "original" size works great. Not too big to block my forward vision, not too small to see behind. Just right.
I have mine on a pair of aviator style sunglasses that have lightweight thin bows. Not quite wire bows as on RayBans, but nearly so. This is no problem for the mounting. It would also clip easily onto wide bows on wraparound style glasses. And you snap the mirror on and off easily enough to move it to other specs or to your helmet, or if you just want to use you glasses without the mirror while you are having lunch or something. I think there is an "optional extra" to mount it to a helmet, but I also think that for many helmets you might not need it. Just clip it to the shell which might require removing a little foam.
And how do I like it? I LOVE it! I never thought I'd be the sort to say that. I'm not the spandex type, but I'm not into looking like a fool either... and I never thought that these mirrors were "cool." However this mirror gives me a good view astern which has added unanticipated confidence and opportunity when I'm riding. I can speed up or slow down to time my left turns when there isn't an idiot behind me trying to run me off the road; I can cross busy intersections when I know there isn't some soccer mom on her cell phone about to cut me off; if I have to swing wide around a pothole or sewer grate I can look behind in an instant to check for an oncoming dump truck....and best of all I can look back there to see if my mates are still keeping up with me ('cause I'm still way faster than most of them *wink*)
Fist off if you are on the fence about getting a mirror, just get one. Any one. You won't regret it. You will like it.
Next: The "Take a Look Mirror" beats out the bar end mirrors, the frame mounted mirrors, and all the other wide angle helmet or eyeglass mounted mirrors hands down. Don't waste your time with the others. Try this one first and you won't have to try anything else. There is a reason they have been around so long and why they keep getting repeat customers.
Peter
Take A Look Active Original Activity Mirror for Sunglasses, Bike Helmets, or Visors Rear View Mirror for Cycling and Other Ou
4.4 | 4,279 ratings
Price: 18.95
Last update: 01-07-2025
About this item
ATTACHES TO SUNGLASSES OR HELMET VISOR - Our bike rear view mirror for cycling and other outdoor activities attaches to sunglasses or helmet visors, or to a helmet with a helmet adapter, to maintain visibility of what's behind you without turning your head.
WEAR ON THE LEFT SIDE - Designed for use on the left side, this bicycle rear view mirror for sunglasses and helmets offers versatility for all cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts.
MINIMAL VIBRATION - The 3-pronged clip is adjustable for a secure fit to your eyeglasses, helmet visor, or the optional helmet adapter. The outdoor activity and cycling rear view mirror frame has a stainless steel and brass construction, which minimizes vibration.
OPTIMAL VISIBILITY - The Original Activity and Cycling Mirror for sunglasses and helmets is 28mm high by 37mm wide. It extends approximately 70mm in front of the clip and features a frameless design, providing an uninterrupted field of view. Three pivot points provide optimal adjustability in three axes so you can easily adjust the orientation of the mirror for a personalized view.
LIFETIME WARRANTY - Backed by a Lifetime Warranty, our Original Activity and Bike Cycle Mirror promises long-lasting quality, proudly made in the USA.
WEAR ON THE LEFT SIDE - Designed for use on the left side, this bicycle rear view mirror for sunglasses and helmets offers versatility for all cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts.
MINIMAL VIBRATION - The 3-pronged clip is adjustable for a secure fit to your eyeglasses, helmet visor, or the optional helmet adapter. The outdoor activity and cycling rear view mirror frame has a stainless steel and brass construction, which minimizes vibration.
OPTIMAL VISIBILITY - The Original Activity and Cycling Mirror for sunglasses and helmets is 28mm high by 37mm wide. It extends approximately 70mm in front of the clip and features a frameless design, providing an uninterrupted field of view. Three pivot points provide optimal adjustability in three axes so you can easily adjust the orientation of the mirror for a personalized view.
LIFETIME WARRANTY - Backed by a Lifetime Warranty, our Original Activity and Bike Cycle Mirror promises long-lasting quality, proudly made in the USA.
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Top reviews from the United States
PeterOn the Fence About a Bike Mirror? Just Get This One and Be Done! You're Gonna Love It !
Professional Consumer Best mirror I've used.
Professional Consumer
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2022
Boy was I wrong. I commute on my bike and it's in a high traffic area where you definitely want a mirror. I've used many types that install to the handle bars. If you're reading this, please don't buy one of those. As cool as they look, they never work out(the vibration moves them around) and it's dangerous to turn the bars for a better view.
Which brings me to the take a look mirror. The best feature is it is attached to your head so once you learn the movements you can see just about anywhere behind you. Like other reviewers I find this mirror works best attached to your sunglasses. I've tried both and for me the helmet doesn't work as well. It fell off once while riding attached to the helmet.
The most important step to remember is that the middle clip needs to be on the outside and the other two go on the inside. It's very simple and I was able to get it installed the first time in under a minute. If you have any issues there is a website address with more detailed instructions included on the manual in the package.
I find this mirror very easy to use. The little arm that the mirror is attached to rotatates vertically, while the arm that is connected to rotates horizontal. Meaning you can adjust the mirror anywhere you want. I put the clip in the center of my sunglasses so the mirror is just outside my vision and adjust the mirror so it's perfect viewing when my head is looking Straight ahead. Then for fine turning I turn my head to the left to see me behind me and to the right to see more to my outside. Once you have it adjusted and ride a couple miles you will figure out the angles to turn to see where you want.
I can't believe I waited this long to buy one. No more guessing or straining your neck to see behind you. This mirror allows me to quickly scan behind me when ever I need to. Unlike handlebar mirrors that vibrate and bounce and eventually fall off, this little mirror attaches very well. It's simply made but well thought out and works well. I've had zero issues with stability or it detaching outside of the one time it detached from my Hemet but I do believe that's because it hangs upside down from my helmet. I have had no issues with it attached to my sunglasses. Even if it comes off I know where I put it(right in the middle) and then just a couple seconds to look behind me while wearing it to tune it in. The quality of the mirror is good as are all the parts for the mirror. You will be able to see in it. If you ride a bicycle and want to see behind you this is by far the best mirror I've used to do it.
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