This week I had the pleasure of working with the tremendous of us from CycleAware (an organization situated in Aptos, California that makes mirrors and different bicycle security merchandise) on the 2008 Interbike Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. I used to be requested to work the CycleAware sales space after writing a assessment of the assorted sorts of bicycle mirrors… and I used to be completely happy to just accept their invitation.
Whereas working the sales space was plenty of enjoyable and I obtained to fulfill some unimaginable individuals, the perfect half was that I discovered much more about bicycle security and mirrors basically. I really feel it’s essential I go on this info… so right here it’s:
Mirrors Aren’t For All people:
Of all of the individuals I met this week, most of them mentioned they’ve ridden with a mirror at one level or one other. Mirrors have been particularly standard with commuters, day riders, and lengthy distance vacationers. However out of all of the individuals I met this week, just a few cyclists exclaimed that they’ve by no means and can by no means journey with a mirror. Of those few, most of them have been both mountain bikers or highway bikers. Their purpose for not carrying a mirror: aerodynamics and (within the case of mountain bikers) tree branches which may knock the mirror from their head.
That being mentioned, there have been a variety of mountain bikers and highway bikers who got here by the sales space and swore by way of the CycleAware Viewpoint – a mirror that attaches to the within of your sun shades and offers you a surprisingly massive image of what’s developing behind you.
After speaking to a couple of those individuals who had by no means used a mirror earlier than, I might inform that they have been caught of their methods. They have been comfy using with no mirror and so they didn’t really feel there was a necessity for such an merchandise of their biking pursuits.
I feel that is tremendous. You don’t need to journey with a mirror if you happen to don’t need to. After this week, I truthfully imagine that using with a mirror is just not for everybody. It’s extra of a private selection.
However this web site is about bicycle touring… and within the case of most touring cyclists, I feel using with a mirror is a good suggestion. You will be spending massive quantities of time in your bike and using with a mirror eliminates the effort and stress of regularly having to look again to see what’s developing behind you.
Once I purchased my first bicycle mirror in 2001 for my tour down the California Shoreline, I assumed it felt humorous. I wasn’t certain the way it was speculated to work and I used to be self-conscious of this lengthy plastic arm jutting out of my helmet. However by the point I obtained to the Mexican/American border, I used to be so comfy with my helmet-mounted mirror that I had nearly utterly forgotten it was there. It was aside of me and it performed a significant function in permitting me to efficiently navigate my approach to my remaining vacation spot.
Bicycle mirrors will not be for everybody, however you simply need to determine whether or not or not they’re best for you. And also you received’t know whether or not you want using with a mirror till you give it a attempt!
Your Bicycle Mirror Ought to Be Protected To Use:
One thing I failed to speak about in my first assessment of the assorted sorts of bicycle mirrors is security.
Clearly the entire level of using with a mirror is so you possibly can see behind you with out having to whip your head round each time you hear one thing approaching from the rear. However what in regards to the security of the mirror itself? What if you happen to have been to get into an accident and fall into your mirror? How protected would that be?
One of many causes some cyclists refuse to put on a mirror is as a result of they concern that if they’re ever in an accident the mirror or the arm the mirror is prolonged on will probably be pushed into their eye or head, probably inflicting critical injury.
A crash of this sort isn’t quite common, however it’s a chance. And as I’ve mentioned earlier than on this web site, when touring by bike, you ought to be ready for something. That’s why the CycleAware mirrors are so nice!
CycleAware mirrors, not like lots of the different bicycle mirrors available on the market, are designed with security in thoughts.
Initially, CycleAware mirrors haven’t any sharp edges and no uncovered wires. Should you do get your self into an accident, there may be nearly no likelihood of you reducing on poking your self to dying.
Secondly, CycleAware mirrors are designed to interrupt away within the case of an influence. Take the CycleAware Reflex mirror for instance. The mirror has two pop-away joints, the place within the case of an accident, the mirror and the arm of the mirror will come out of their sockets and fly away from the rider’s face, thus stopping any kind of damage to the bicycle owner. The HeadsUp and ViewBar mirrors have related breakaway options.
The Weight Of Your Mirror Is Vital:
One of many massive complaints many riders at Interbike had about using with a bicycle mirror is that the mirrors they’d used prior to now have been just too heavy for his or her liking. Weight is essential when choosing a mirror in your bicycle tour… and also you need to hold that weight down as a lot as potential.
One other beauty of the CycleAware mirrors is that they’re extremely light-weight. The HeadsUp mirror, which hangs out of your sun shades, is lighter than you suppose (solely 3.1 grams)… and people at Interbike who had by no means tried this sunglass-mounted mirror earlier than have been fairly shocked at simply how light-weight this small however highly effective mirror actually is.
You Don’t Have To Look At It All The Time:
Lastly, some riders use the excuse that carrying a mirror offers them a headache. As a result of the mirror is of their area of view whereas they’re using, they really feel thrown off by its presence and find yourself ditching the mirror after a brief time frame.
However what these riders don’t notice is that they don’t have to take a look at the mirror on a regular basis. The mirror in your bike is supposed for use just like the mirror in your automobile. You don’t take a look at it on a regular basis. You solely take a look at it while you need to. And while you do take a look at it, you simply give it a fast look after which alter your eyes again on the highway forward of you.
As I mentioned earlier than, I felt slightly uncomfortable with my mirror at first too. The Reflex mirror (which is the one I often use) does cling down on the aspect of your face and it does take slightly getting used to. However after just a few days of using with the mirror you overlook that it’s even there.
My experiences at this yr’s Interbike Expo have been above and past my expectations. I discovered rather a lot, met plenty of nice individuals, and obtained plenty of nice info to share with you within the days to return. I hope you’ve discovered one thing right here about bicycle mirrors and when you have any questions, please use the feedback field under to ask away.
Should you’d wish to learn my first assessment of the CycleAware merchandise, please click on right here. And if you happen to’d wish to seize a mirror or two for your self, go to the BicycleTouringPro.com Retailer.
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