Take a Look Cyclist Mirror

I started using a mirror as a ride leader for a local cycling group so I could keep an eye on cyclists behind me. Once I got used to it which really didn't take long, I felt I was missing a critical piece of cycling gear whenever I rode without one.

The regular version may be a bit too close to the eyes for most people since it blocks a lot of your peripheral vision. I find the extended versions works better.

The mirror slides onto the eyeglass temple pieces. Some eyeglasses, particularly the fancier cycling eyewear, have oddly shaped temple pieces that may make it difficult to mount these, so take this into consideration.

In general, I found the eyeglass mounted mirrors to be more effective than helmet mounted or bike mounted mirrors. Helmet mounted mirrors inevitably get dislodged since they are generally attached with simple adhesive. Bike mounted mirrors tend to vibrate too much for my taste, and don't have a wide enough view to get the full picture of what is behind you.

What I like most about it is you can angle it and adjust it to any position that works best for you. It's lightweight but still sturdy. I tried both the handlebar and the helmet mirrors and I like this one so much better.

If you're switching from regular glasses to sunglasses it helps if the thickness of the frame is about the same so you don't have to readjust every time.

I agree with the other reviewers in that this mirror is one of the best. Because of the recommendation of Camp Connell Steve, I ordered the compact mirror. I thought I would replace my broken helmet mounted mirror different make with an eyeglass mounted one. Reviewer Jay warned that it may not mount correctly on some cycling glasses and that was the case for me. It does mount nicely on the small visor of my helmet and the compact model puts it closer to my eye giving a wider field of view. My visor is a bit flimsy but the shorter length of the compact and the light weight of the "Take a Look" design keeps the mirror stable. Just as a precaution, I secured the mirror to the visor with small zip-ties.

Over the years I have ridden with handlebar, helmet, and eyeglass mounted mirrors. The handlebar mirrors suffer from not being able to select field of view when turning. The helmet mirrors jiggle. Only the eyeglass mirrors offer great stability PLUS ability to scan entire read view.

But there are many eyeglass mounted options. I have been through virtually all of them. None comes close to the durability, quality, adjustability, and field of view of the Take-a-Look Mirror. That said, adjustment is critical as is true with all these eyeglass mounted mirrors. Get the mirror moved closer to the midline plane of your face towards your nose than you think reasonable or necessary. That's the secret. Also, buy only the Compact mirror for your eyeglasses. The Regular one puts the mirror way too far out to offer a decent field of view to the rear.

By the way, I do not agree with Jay comment above on this point. I think the short Compact one which Jay calls "regular" is superior to the longer Regular one which Jay calls "extended". The short one, the Compact option, allows a much better field of view. Jay says that it interferes with forward vision. I do not agree with this, as your right eye can see everything that is blocked by the mirror in your left eye. You will quickly become used to this. Having the Compact mirror mounted closer to your glasses gives you a much larger view behind through the mirror and you don't have the extra weight cantilevered out in front of your eyeglasses. Friends and I have tried both the Compact and Regular on our glasses, and we are uniform in our view that the Compact is superior.

The Regular one which Jay calls extended is a better choice if you want to mount this on your helmet in case you don't wear glasses.

Once properly adjusted, you can view behind you from gutter to gutter across the sweep of the street with a simple slight move of your head. Takes about three to six months before you come to trust it, and that's a good thing because the consequences of not seeing an approaching vehicle can be dire. But once you master this mirror, you will NEVER go back.

Mirrors are indispensable on single bikes, and doubly so on tandems since moving your head as captain can cause a slight swing in your forward tracking, no matter how careful or experienced you are. When riding a road with a narrow shoulder and being concerned about traffic coming up from the rear, this wiggle can be very uncomfortable. With the mirror, that problem is obviated. I wish I owned this company.

I have sent a couple of emails to the product selection folks at [deleted] over the years encouraging them to carry this Take a Look mirror. It's great to see it available now. For the record, I have no financial interest in this product and I d

Whether keeping tabs on the traffic behind you or watching out for the rest of the riders on a group ride this is, in my opinion, the best riding mirror available. Hand made here in the good old USA, of quality materials, the light weight stainless steel wire and brass tubing frame will adapt to virtually any shape of glasses temple. A helmet adapter is supplied but I find mounting the mirror on the glasses works better and my experience is that if you helmet mount it it forget it is there when you take your helmet of and put the helmet in your gear bag or back of the car.

Available in two different arm lengths, standard and compact, allowing those among us with aging eyes, myself included, to pick the right length to get a clear sharp focus on the mirror image.

Unconditionally guaranteed and if you should ever accidentally break it the good folks who make the "Take a Look" Mirror will repair or replace it for $2.00. You can't beat that kind of service!