I Still Recommend This Mirror (including discussion on why you need to use a mirror on the road!)
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- čas přidán 16. 04. 2022
- In this video I discuss the mirror I use on my gravel bike and sometimes my mountain bike (when riding to the trailhead).
Link to the Third Eye Mirror: amzn.to/37J4Vll
Review of Garmin Varia: • Garmin Varia Review - ...
Follow-up review on Garmin Varia: • Garmin Varia after 5 m...
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Absolutely NO NEED to apologize for mentioning practical safety info! Keep up the great videos.
Hi from the UK, I have been riding with mirrors for years found them a really useful addition to safe riding, I have used the Hafny ones which are available in polished stainless steel as well as glass so that they can be a bit more robust. Another informative video, keep up the good work.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing about the danger posed by negligent motorists, and your review of safety equipment. I haven't done any "road" biking (i.e., on a highway or similar), but I'm equipping a new e-bike for riding around Denver, and researching what mirrors I want to use (I'll probably get a Varia, as well).
This video is great. I have been riding with a cheap mirror just strapped to my drops for many years. Also use the Varia but the mirror is KEY. The combination makes cycling MUCH safer. One additional thing I do is I mount a 700 lumen headlight also on the left handlebar drop pointed backwards on strobe. It's crazy bright, even in daytime. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks for the recommendation - just got one. Good luck with that new jet! 😉
My arthritis is so bad I can't look back if my life depended on it. Thanks for this timely info. I'll be buying one immediately. Stay safe.
Great information. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing. I ordered mine today!
Well done Clint, great video, I shall be ordering one of these
Thanks for the vid. Had my commuter bike stolen a few days ago in the evening. (I'm car free). Next morning I walked to a the local bike store and bought a gravel bike and was on the road to work within half hour. No time to buy a mirror (actually I forgot) so boy did I feel naked en route without one; I kept staring to the left handlebar expecting to see what was behind me. I believe mirrors are essential for my commuting. Loved the informative video; and thanks for keeping it real with the tough stories. It is important to share. Best.
Just got one for my gravel bike as well! It’s basically for safety! Tried it today and worked well!
Bravo for focusing on safety Clint! The Varia works fine with Wahoo head units.
Big fan of mirrors and can’t imagine riding without. Just got the Varia also … works well with my Wahoo Bolt.
Never thought about having one, will do now
Hey just started road cycling, cool to see somebody from Florida so close. I’m just south of you in Citrus County. I am riding the trails next to the Suncoast Parkway, some decent inclines on the new section.
Have a mirror and a varia on my road bike. Game changer I enjoy my rides more as I'm not constantly looking down at the mirror
100% agree! I wouldn't ride on roads with traffic without a mirror. I love the B&M Cycle Star at the end of my drop bars
Great video and cogent safety tips. I have a friend who is a motorcyclist and he once told me that when he's riding, he always wants to make sure other traffic can see him. A bit different than a bicyclist, who travels much slower, but relevant. In the aviation world, it's called "see and be seen."
I ride with a cateye mirror for years. It looks still new. Same as you I don't want to ride on my roadbike without it. It seems smaller then yours but you can see all you neef. Even my wife saw the advantage and she has one on her commuter bike!
Can't be safe enough on the road.
Though I haven't been on a road for years. I used to do the over the shoulder check, but a mirror and radar is better.
I use a Cateye BM 500 on my straight bar ebike and its brilliant.
100% essential for road riding. And yes the Varia pairs with a Wahoo!
I recently upgraded to the Garmin 1083 + and the Varia. The cateye product was installed very easily looking forward to testing it. Update 5 / 1 /22: I finally was able to get out on the road to test the Varia. This is something I should have bought a long time ago. When you pair the cateye mirror they make a great combination. The alert is perfect in that the alarm allows you time to see in the mirror do you need to make a correction now and how is the behavior of the driver.
Another option is the cateye bar end. If you prefer a really minimal look.
I had the same mirror and it only lasted 25-30 years before the mount broke. It never developed the black edge, but I live in Indiana and don't have the same humidity as you. I couldn't find an exact replacement so I went with a similar, but slightly smaller Cateye 45.
I also use the Garmin Varia with my Wahoo Element Bolt V2. Works great, won’t ride without it. Looking to add a mirror for that additional safety.
do you know if it works with Element bolt original ?
@@g.fortin3228 it should, you might have to do a firmware update
I also use a Garmin radar unit. But I also use a mirror. Would not ride without a mirror. But I use a mirror mounted to my glasses.
I have a similar mirror on my gravel bike that was made by Zefal and I wouldn't be without it, if I'm out riding and am switching lanes due to parked cars I always give it a glance for the reassurance that a car isn't going to try and overtake and wipe me out. I agree we shouldn't have to compensate for bad drivers but like you say, it's a small compromise for the peace of mind of staying safe.
I don't have a mirror on my other bike, a lightweight single speed, and I feel a bit lost without it when the roads are busy.
Not sure how it is in other cities, but in Houston most drivers will respect a rider, but some will not and a lot more will be distracted. The worst driver I saw was face timing and making eye contact with her camera. The mirror I have is not silvered glass, but polished metal and it gives me a good view. I will look this one up for my commuter bike.
Alterative product - Cateye BM-45... same price on Amazon - no discoloration after 3 years of use...
Thanks. I'll have to try that one next! Do they have rubber shims? That seems to really help with mirror vibration.
Have the BM-45 on all my bikes, great product, no vibration at all. Tried many different mirrors, these are best I've used.
@@ClintGibbs No they are solid with an opposing wedge type design that are VERY solidly mounted with an allen bolt - not the dampening you are looking for with the rubber or with the ability to simply unscrew it at the trail head by hand but easy to remove with a 3mm allen... All that said, it has never given me anything but a rock steady / solid image... Coupled with the RTL515 there is definitely a synergy - as you suggest - love my Varia but when coupled with the mirror this combination is indispensable on the road... Because I in live in Japan and we drive on the left here, I moved my Di2 port to my left side and mounted the mirror on the right / non-curb side / to face traffic better - - was reminded of that when I saw yours mounted on the left...
I am sincerely sorry about your friend.....I hope the good memories stay with you.
Thank you
BEST mirror around, hands down! Mount needs reworked, but works great. Glass reflector and not plastic.
Got two mirrors through your link, happy to help. Funny thing is that I asked about this mirror probably 2 years ago and never got it.
Sorry bro. I try to respond to all my comments but there are definitely seasons where that's difficult.
@@ClintGibbs No, no, you did respond, I never bought it.
@@aligferrari Gotcha
Another thing I do on the road is always "take the lane" all you need to do is slow one car behind you and then you are good. Mirror makes this very easy and safe to do. Never let cars try and squeeze by you.
I would not recommend that strategy in rural areas where most cars are traveling well over the 55mph limit.
@@jefferycampbell2243 seems like you didn’t read the rest of the sentence about slowing just one car.
Thanks for the video! I've been meaning to get a mirror for awhile and this made me pull the trigger on this one. I just got it in the mail and the spacer still wasn't enough to make it fit in my handlebar, but I just added a few more layers with some black electrical tape and it fits nice and snug. I look forward to seeing (pun intended) how it works on my commute tomorrow!
nice man
In the country side and single lane roads a must have. ..trucks don't always get over. Also, could get a mirror that attaches to the helmet and eye level.
The helmet mirrors block my peripheral vision. Also it's easier to pack a helmet in my bag without one. But they are an option and it's of course a matter of preference.
@@ClintGibbs Good points. Agreed.
@@ClintGibbs I’m a noob cyclist, could you recommend a bike computer and cadence and speed sensor combo?
@@JitinMisra What is your budget? GPS devices (like Garmin) are going to have a lot more features beyond just speed time and distance but they of course are more expensive. But set up is the easiest with them.
@@ClintGibbs I was hoping under 200$ but I suppose if it’s really future proof then maybe more, I can only cycle for 45 minutes to up to an hour at most when going 75 percent my max heart , I’m not going very far , or exploring unknown routes yet , maybe some day when I have enough fitness and confidence …but I value cadence , speed and ( power meter down the road), I have my Apple Watch for heart rate , and would like to show on computer screen as well
Love your channel man!
Garmin Varia have never failed me.
I have a GoPro attached to my seat and it records anyone coming from behind. I got hit once from behind and the camera recorded everything, including the license plate and the person looking at their phone. She proceeded to make a Right-On-Red turn and hit me hard, while she was looking left. I now ride with an additional camera on my helmet and it really captures drivers' attention because they avoid coming close to me.
I have a similar mirror...but mine is slightly convex shaped...so bigger field of view.
and varia.... won't leave home without it....I think it is as important as a helmet.
mirror no matter the model, is the best.
Italian road bike mirror + Garmin varia. Feel exposed without them. Swivelling the neck constantly just doesn’t cut it.
❤️❤️
I use a Cateye 45 mirror on my road bike. A cheap brilliant upgrade. Looking to get one for my flat bar.
I prefer the
CATEYE BM-45
Very very light weight 35g
I have a number of friends who swear by those radars. And many who also rock a rear view mirror on their road bikes.
Knock on wood, haven't lost any friends to bad drivers though (would like to keep it that way too).
Have you tried helmet/ glasses mirrors? I use one almost every time I ride. I am definitely going to try this mirror though. It will be good to have something always installed on my bike for when I don’t want wear the glasses mirror, and should be useful when I’m in the drops which makes my glasses mirror less comfortable to use effectively!
I don’t like the way a helmet mirror blocks my peripheral vision. I know it’s a matter of personal preference but I much rather would have the mirror on the handlebars. I tried helmet mirrors in the past but just couldn’t get used to them.
A mirror gives the biker advance warning. I'm a bicyclist and I use a mirror - but even as a bicyclist, I'm human, and I was inattentive (no phone though) and I almost hit a bicyclist immediately after the crest of a hill. - At a place I always ride on the side of the rode - or completely off the road, because it's just too easy to not see a bike for a crucial 2 seconds that means a collision is likely. Therefore, when I ride I always have a flashing light on the back and I watch the "behavior" of traffic as it nears me. Some cars give me the entire lane, as they should, others just some room, and pull over well in advance, some pull over at the last minute, and others never pull over. All car drivers don't know how to treat bicyclists, so ongoing education and a nice attitude is important from us.
Have similar….. GAME CHANGER!
Never ride without a bar-end plug. Pop one in when and if you remove mirror. I impaled my pubic bone area once. missed the artery there. 3 inch scar shaped just like this
I got a Varia after I saw your review a while back, now I won't ride on the road without it and a mirror on my bike. However, in the last few months I decided to mostly avoid road rides, because it's just too dangerous.
I 100% agree, after 22yrs of riding road & trails I’ve given up road. In mid December a car blew a red light & almost hit me, I surely would have been killed as he was doing at least 50mph. At that very moment I decided it wasn’t worth it anymore & now only ride mtn & gravel. I had lights, mirrors, high viz kit, none of that mattered, it sucks that people are so distracted & just don’t care about us cyclists
I hear ya', brother.
on the road, i'll often do shoulder checks to let drivers know that i know that theyre there.. e.g. when entering a narrow constuction zone, or in busy areas .. also, FL has the higherst rate of pedestrian/cyclist fatality in the USA
It’s Durian Rider
I feel naked if I ride without my 3rd Eye mirror attached to my glasses. I like being able to move my head to see cars/people all around me.
I use a helmet mirror that I’ve had forever.
I saw your original video when you posted it. If it makes you feel safer that's great. Been riding 40 years on the streets of NYC and never needed a mirror. I use all my senses to keep safe. Using a mirror in a congested city with many vehicles is not really practical since you'll be glancing constantly at the mirror. Likely you don't ride roads that much these days so you feel less safe around motor vehicles. Yes, distracted drivers are dangerous but if someone is hell bent on hitting you it's likely going to happen.
On two lane country roads, I'm not worried about someone hell-bent on hitting me, I'm worried about someone hell-bent on checking the text message that just came through!
@@ClintGibbs I agree. I didn't mean they were purposely trying to hit you but by their actions they were likely to hit you. Do what you feel makes you safe. As I said mirrors are not very practical in a dense urban environment.
One of the most important things is to run flashing lights front and rear even during the day.
@@ClintGibbs I think the constant worry (and very real fear) of being hit by a car would take all the joy out of riding for me. Maybe you should think about getting a motorcycle again for road rides? and stick to mountain biking for bike riding? I'm sure your family worries about you too. Prayers for your safety 🙏
@@AJMacDonaldJr I doubt the statistics for motorcycles fair any better than bicycles. I had a Africa Twin for a year and in that time had 2 incidents where a driver looked right at me then proceeded to pull out in front of me. I sold it shortly after and went back to off-road motorcycles. The mirror is another tool to be pro active in your own safety while negotiating the urban jungle.
Mobiles must be forbidden in cars more strictly.
Totally agree
Ive been riding Trieye the 1st ever formal pair of sunglasses a total revelation in cycling safety for two plus years after a almost fatal cycling accident as a semi pro 13 years ago. If it wasnt for Trieye id never have started road again. These should be main headline cycling news. It will bring back road cyclist. Why these are not main headline news is likely due to the brand loyalty and sheep mentality most cyclist get locked into. Im not one of those. Trieye has so sinked with my riding road i cross duel lanes never looking behind me. I have ZERO blind spots unlike a car or motorcycle. I can warn groups well ahead of time of on coming trailers behind cars somethung garmin will not pick up. It has totally givem me control of the road versus sitting on my bike a helpless victim. Itsthe quickest growing cycling glasses on the market yet few road bike shops stock these thanks to their brand loyalty. Sad
I just look over my shoulder... But i only wear soft clothing, to reduce wind noise. Ive never been surprised by an approaching vehicle, although im oftern given less the 2ft of clearance by passing cars at 30-40mph.
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