I don't really know where it hit me from but last summer I got the idea to try out a helmet mounted mirror for cycling. Maybe it was the classic picture of Sheldon Brown in spd-sandals wearing the famous helmet with the eagle and the mirror? It just looked so cool! Anyways, I've been trying to generally keep an open mind concerning different bike stuff and actively try them out and a mirror seemed like definitely one of those stuff.
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised how useful it is! It seems to be one of those things in life you don't miss if you never had one, but after using one for a week and then taking it off I was constantly trying to look into it and was a bit frustrated when I realized it was not there. Turning to look back started to feel cumbersome, like a physical deficiency. The mirror was probably the most cyborgy upgrade I have ever had installed on me(if one doesnt consider the bicycle itself as one), and almost instantly it became an integral part.
I do have to admit, a small problem in city riding is that the helmet mirror creates a small blind spot in front, which could possibly be dangerous in some situations, but I think those cases are very rare.
A relative of the helmet mirror is the handlebar mounted side-view mirror. My experiences are only with a drop bar model, which works decently but seems to lack the preciseness of the helmet mounted mirror, which you can easily move around and see in different angles. With a handlebar-end mounted one, one's hand tends to be in the way every now and then. Loose fitting clothes make this problem even more pronounced. I also noticed when using a wide Carradice saddlebag and narrow handlebar that the rear bag actually blocks my rear-view…
A flat(ter) and wider bar would probably work much better with mirrors. Still, even a drop bar mounted mirror is better than no mirror at all. All handlebar mounted types are probably prone to getting destroyed when the bike falls over though.
But most importantly, philosophically and aesthetically (which is a subgenre of philosophy of course) I enjoy how the helmet-mount mirror totally moves you into a different category of cyclists and even people. You're not a mere mortal controlled by peer pressure and social norms anymore. You transcend into a higher realm of nonconformity, awareness and almost superhuman power. I think this is what Nietzsche was trying to say all along! Becoming a full person and leaving the meek slave-morality of “public opinion and appearances” behind.
Like they famously said:“The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.”
Which leads us to what Sheldon said about the Eagle:
-A J A Viren
ps. Töölön Pyörä sells mirrors for drop-bar, flat bar and helmet mounting.
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