The City Biking Accessory I Have on Every Bike
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- It took me almost 20 years to realize that I'm not a nerd, and this should be a requirement on every city bike (along with fenders and a bell!)
Hafny Mirror: geni.us/hafny-...
Axiom is discontinued, closest thing I can find:
geni.us/handle...
Unit 1 Aura Smart Bike Helmet Review
• Unit 1 Aura Smart Bike...
ABOUT ME:
Ex-bike shop owner turned UA-camr helping families get on the bike to leave the car at home ❤️
I owned an electric bike shop and have worked in the bike industry for 20 years. On this channel, I mainly cover e-bikes, cargo bikes, cycling tech, and general bike maintenance.
More in-depth articles: bikeshopgirl.com
Cargo Bike and Kids Bike Guides: cargobikelife.com
DISCLAIMER:
Some products may be provided for review. I also may earn a commission from some links if you purchase through them (affiliate links).
Favourite accessory? A kickstand! Why don’t all bikes have one!?
Ha, lucky all the bikes I review do!
I've been riding with a Take A Look Mirror on my glasses for about a decade. Got new glasses a few times, but still have the same mirror!
I highly recommend this particular mirror. I've bought several.
Bell. Lights. Mirror (can be on helmet or glasses though). Fenders. All of the above, not in that order, just all of 'em.
Every single bike I ride has: bell, mirror, lights, fenders, and rear cargo rack. To me, these feel like the absolute bare minimum utility cycling accessory set, and yet it’s very rare to find bikes in the US sold stock with any of them, let alone all of them.
@@ScottAtwood yes to all of this
Tried mirror once, now I’ve got it on all of my bikes. Can’t ride without them, just filling unsafe, get so used to them, that sometimes I’m trying to watch in a mirror while I’m walking.
For those of us looking for the clock in the upper corner of the book we're reading
I couldn't agree more. I may sometimes ride for short rides to the grocery store without the helmet, but never without the mirror. I love the Zefal Cyclop, fitted inside the handlebar. Honestly, I never understood why I should pay 400€ for a radar when with 10€ of a mirror I get way more information.
Other accessories I try to use on each ride: daylight running lights, dashcam, electric horn (drivers inside cars won't hear a bike bell), mudguards, bag with emergency tools and spare tube. Last but not least, all the required carrying capacity, be it side bags or the trailer.
Also have one on me road bike, can't leave home without it, despite the looks from the "roadies".
I've been using a Mirrycle on commuter bikes for at least 20 years. Absolutely essential!
I rock a helmet mirror every ride. As others have stated, I find myself looking where the mirror should/would be on the rare rides I take without my helmet, or when I'm running or walking. Also, I like a helmet mirror over a handlebar mounted mirror because I can take it with on any ride without having to remount the handlebar mirror, and I find the helmet mirror much easier to use without taking my eyes off the road in front of me. In my opinion, a mirror is the most important piece of safety equipment for any ride.
My personal favorite is the EVT Safe Zone Bicycle Helmet Mirror. No matter which bike I get on, my mirror is there with super adjustability and a huge field of view.
A kickstand! It's such a basic requirement that so many bikes don't come with, and some otherwise respected brands like Surly eschew entirely. With a kickstand, I can park a bike literally anywhere, it makes loading and unloading so much easier, and it makes working on a bike easier if you don't have a proper workstand.
I recently bought a bike from NYC-based Priority (they sell bikes with belt drives and internal gear hubs; I have the L-Train disc 8-speed, a steel frame with classic looks). It came with a kickstand, but it's a 50¢ piece of crap that is so short it literally doesn't work at all. So now I have a basic Greenfield kickstand on order.
I've never tried the two-legged kickstands, and I might order one of those just to see if I like it. Sometimes I'll have 40lbs of groceries on my rear rack, and it would be a lot less tippy if the bike didn't have to lean to one side.
Oh yes, try a dual kickstand and report back. They are amazing
100% agree! I also feel "naked" without one. I spot many reckless drivers coming up on me and can take evasive action.
Immediately guessed mirrors. I always tell people considering an ebike they have to get a mirror, no questions asked.
Thumbs up for the mirror, totally won’t ride without one, but also a bright yellow high-vis vest. Look like an extroverted turkey but drivers seem to get the message that there could be annoying paperwork if they run me over.
A few years ago a tried out a Recombent bike and had to use a glasses mounted mirror because you can rotate around very well to see what is behind you. Anyways I switch off between bikes now and I certainly agree with the feeling of nakedness if I don’t have my mirror. I also ride late at night and it can be a little chilly so gloves and some sort of ear warmers are a necessity as well. Thank you for the very nice videos.
I commuted by bike for years without a mirror and really never felt I needed one. Then I got one and realised how useful it can be, either for checking on other people you're riding with that are behind you, or to anticipate left turns, specially on multiple lane avenues.
Definitely useful on cities with lacking or no bike infrastructure. Not need on cities with good infrastructure. I recently went to the Netherlands and never felt a need to use a mirror.
I always have the mirror on my glasses. You look slightly up and to the left and you see everything behind. Also a very bright blinking tail light.
I never ride without a bicycle computer that gives me the time of day, distance and speed. The next one that I buy weill show temprature.
I also never ride without a mirror, maybe because I am old and cannot turn my head all the way round. A helmet mirror saves the hassle of mounting a mirror on every bike you ride. I use a bar-end mirror with the mirror positioned BELOW the handlebar, There is less shake, it is easier to adjust on the move, and it is more aerodynamic. The bar end mirror, especially the oval shaped ones, is also very effective on drop bars.
I also use a bell, a loud rrrring one. I ring it every time I pass a pedestrian on the pathway. A hundred times a day. The pedestrians are usually very grateful when they get a timely warning.
I also never ride a bicycle without fenders even though I don't ride often in rain, I think a bike without fenders is naked and ugly. Fenders keep the dirt off your water bottle, your front derailleur, and your chain somewhat.
I got a mirror that’s attached to my cycling shades! The upside is that they oriented the same way regardless of the position of the handlebars. So I just move my eyeballs rather than my head to look behind.
They are so useful especially in my area where there are few separated bike lanes.
Agreed! And to repeat ScottAtwood below, a bell and lights are a must! I have the Axiom mirror. Very nice that I can tighten it and adjust it on the fly. I also carry a basic tool kit with tire repair.
Mirrors are definitely great for commuting. I get so much use from mine, that when I'm out running, I still sometimes find my eyes dart to the place where mirror would be on a bike.
yup. mirrors are ofthen forgotten . it is really good for tracking traffic around you
I thought you were going to say a bell😂
I like mirrors too. My Dutch relatives looked at me really strangely when I asked about mirrors on bikes. ‘Why would you want that?’ Context is everything.
Bells come on most city bikes these days thankfully but I also can always yell if I need
I'm so used to listening for cars behind me and judging their distance that way that when I've ridden a friend of mine's bike that has a mirror I was thrown off by also seeing them! I was better able to guess when a car would pass me by sound. With more bicyclists and quieter electric cars on the roads though, I may need to get used to using a mirror. And of course, nothing compares to a mirror when keeping an eye on someone you're riding with who's behind you.
quick glance over my shoulder and keeping an ear out for cars has done me right for the last 15 years. 🤷🏻♀ Everyone has a different tolerances for risk though and I appreciate where you're coming from with this.
I love your channel. I have the exact same Hafny mirror. Bicycling requires that you sorta keep your head on a swivel, and a mirror does what our anatomy can't. Take Care🙂
Thank you!!!
“A mirror”!! My wife and I have 6 bikes, each one has a mirror! Cheapest decathlon one is my favourite €7
I am intrigued and may need to add a mirror to my wishlist! Thanks for making this video.
Hope you enjoy it!
I have a 70 yr. old neck, so a mirror "is" a safety device.
First thing that went on all my bikes are mirrors. The second was light mounts so I can easily move my lights from one to another, I ride with lights day and night and if you move the mounts frequently, they wear out rather quickly.
A front light and preferably a rear blinkie light
Agree Mirrycle mirror on both bikes and my trike. I was remiss in budgeting one for my cargo bike and had a scare doing a head check as a semi brushed pass at 60 mph in a 45 zone. It was the second semi in tandem, so he likely didn't know I was there until it was too late (tailgaiting his truck buddy, kinda) and I couldn't hear a second truck because of the first. California law requires them to move to the other lane to pass, but they never got that memo. Mirror lets you remain rock steady stable when a close car won't even safely allow for a head check. I ride in death ally apparently.
If you consider that a bottle holder is a given, a light mount is a given (or a fixed front light, like on an e-bike), a rear flasher is a given, then I'd have to say that a pouch for wallet, keys, change, is a mandatory accessory. Right now I have four bikes and each one has it's own.
Moi j'ai des rétroviseurs Mirrycle sur tous mes vélos, parfois deux comme sur mon tricycle couché.
Je ne peux pas m'en passer, comme en voiture.
Agree completely. In a city with lots of cars *and* cyclists (like NYC), it's also good to know who's coming up behind you. The only caveat I'd add is that even if you have a mirror (or two), you should still turn your head before turning or changing a lane. Not just to confirm no one is in your path, but also to signal to drivers and other cyclists that you're getting ready to move. For some reason drivers seem to respond to this better than actual hand signals lol.
I agree on the mirror. I have two, a right and a left because I experienced a near miss in a blind spot on my right. My go-to mirror is the Ergotec M88 that came on my European eBike. They give a wide stable view. I also wear a hi-viz apron vest, helmet with a DaBrim, and flashing lights. Keep up the good work.
A mirror is essential on any bike used in an urban, and often rural setting. Why they are not "standard equipment" on a bike, I don't know. Helmet, always a helmet! Head injuries if not deadly, are life changing and not in good way! Thanks for the great video.
I also feel very naked without a mirror on any vehicle that I use. I used a few handlebar mirrors for years. Until I came to the realization that I had to take My eyes off of the road and problems ahead of me as I looked down at the mirror. Now I use the take a look mini mirror. It's closer to the eyeball and half the size of the old one. It can be attached to the helmet, to the visor, to sunglasses or prescription glasses earpiece. It requires a very small tilt of the head, the nice part is your eyes are still up on the horizon line. If something changes in front of you. It is easy to catch in your peripheral vision. I find this to be a much safer option than the handlebar mirror that I used to love. Stay safe, keep the rubber side down!
I use a radar, but it really needs a mirror. That way I know if there is a bus behind me or I can check if a car is simply matching my speed and not getting picked up by the radar.
In this order: fenders, chain guard, rear rack, and internal gear hub. These are my essentials for a quality city cycling.
This is a pointless nitpick, but an internal gear hub is a component, not an accessory.
I have a mirror mounted in the cap on the grip of my city bike, and recently tried a strap on one for my old Giant mountain bike which I mostly ride on the bike paths. I want to try a mirror that mounts on my helmet.
Mirrors are great also lights and a better seat. Lights because I want people to see me on the road and the seat because I’m a bigger guy.
Agree, for commuting or road cycling I have a mirror, lights on day & night, helmet & hivis of some sort 😊
Mirror, on left side with flat bar.
I have a big ole mirror mounted to my helmet. I like it on my head so I can scan if I need to
I love my mirror, even a small one is game changer.
as soon as I saw the video I thought "this has to be fenders, mirror, or a bell" and I love to see that it is a mirror and the other two are in the description!
Mirrors are like an extra sense on a bike, even just one of them!
Didn’t even think about a bell but you’re right!
In rainy Vancouver/Cascadia it's fenders first 😅
Hard same. I find myself checking for my bike mirror in other parts of my life too (walking a stroller, etc). Absolutely the top accessory for any bike I ride.
As for other accessories: a stroller combo cupholder & phone holder is great to drop my sunglasses case and phone into (mounted onto the stem of my bakfiets) for quick on and off of the bikes (mounting into a phone specific mount takes a lot more time).
Yup…a mirror and a bell…essential.
Been using the Hafny for a year or so and it is a ripper, bought it on eBay AU
Mirror and bell.
A bike radar is mandatory accessory for me.
After having an open front basket on my last 3 bikes, and even choosing bikes on the basis that they can fit one, I have to say a front basket/crate is my favourite accessory. Once you get used to it, its very unnatural to not have one to use. I will however be considering a mirror after seeing this video. I find that my glasses which are thicker rims do give a slight blind spot which I don't like.
I love my front basket. I would like to get a mirror soon.
I tried various helmet mirrors, handlebar mirrors, decided to not ride with one and just look. I find the mirrors have a very narrow range of view, and can give you a false sense of security. And there's really not much you can do when cars approach from behind, and you're just riding along in a straight line that's *not* in a car's way. In fact having to look and get distracted by the mirror may make you crash into potholes or sewer grates or some other obstacle in front. Looking around is much wider and can catch things in your peripherals. Most people in cycling friendly cities in Europe don't use mirrors, like in Amsterdam, heavy bike traffic and almost nobody uses a mirror, and they navigate just fine. I think mirrors can help develop bad habits.
Mirror on my helmet is my favorite
I have a handlebar mirror and a helmet mirror. I can’t seem to get my handlebar mirror in a position that has me feeling like I can see what I need to see.
My helmet mounted mirror is great! I like that I don’t have to look down. It’s just a movement of my eyes.
I also only have mirrors on my left hand side.
LIGHTS during day time (they can better see me) > Mirror (I can better see them)
Also: Bike stand (why fight your bike?), Mudguards (It's 🇬🇧) and Panniers (let your bike do the heavy lifting)...
Dropper seat-post lol. I mean I can ride without one but it's so nice even in the city. Especially in the city. Actually though dynamo lights with a usb charger is one of my favorite things, having lights all the time and never needing to plug anything into a wall all day is pure luxury. The dropper is probably cheaper ngl.
Heya!!! Gurl… What Up ??? ??? ??? I Am An E MountainBiker& Also Ride A Road Bike Sometimes In Cochin City, Kerala India
I completely agree with you on the mirror thing. But the way you presented this video is click-baity ("make your life better with THIS thing!", "bosses hate this ONE TRICK", "one item you can't live without"...). I'm guessing this is why you have so many dislikes on the video. Not hating, just trying to give constructive criticism. :)
This is why I have a mirror on my helmet. Efficient Velo's is excellent. I'd rather have the mirror than the helmet, and thankfully I can have both.
I have dual Hafny mirrors on my ebike, but no mirrors on my fitness bike, because I don't feel that I need them. I ride my fitness bike only at night, and only in my residential neighborhood with little traffic, so it's very easy to tell when a car is approaching me from behind. The accessories I want on every bike, though, are a flashlight mount, a rear blinker light, a smartphone mount, and a small pouch to hold keys, glasses, a microfiber towel, a powerbank and USB cable to charge my phone if I forget before going out, or whatever I happen to need for that ride.
For a road bike, I recommend the "Italian Road Bike mirror" which is a bar end, glass mirror. It has a rubber shroud that fits over the bar end, under the bar tape. A bit tricky to get the position right (so do a test ride before putting the tape on), but once in the right position, it does not move, and is very aerodynamic. Optical quality is excellent, and when you ride in a peloton, you can see the people behind you, as well as the cars approaching from behind. Note that this is for dropped bars only, with the bar ends pointing straight back. It will probably not work for drop bars with flares, like gravel bars.
I had the mirror ready and waiting for when the new bike turned up. With cargo bikes they should be standard.
I tried the haffne (SP) and because of my cockpit I couldn’t get a good view. Gonna try another one
What do you think about mirror glasses or a mirror that fits to your helmet? I'm curious to know whether you think those would work as well.
i dig you !
What bike helmet are you wearing?
@@JohnPowell6 Unit 1 Aura Smart Bike Helmet Review: Is it worth $210?!
ua-cam.com/video/c7mR9R3Na1k/v-deo.html
I've wanted a mirror but somehow can't seem to fit it on.
May I know which helmet you are wearing?
Unit 1 Aura Smart Bike Helmet Review: Is it worth $210?!
ua-cam.com/video/c7mR9R3Na1k/v-deo.html
@@BikeShopGirl Thank you
I thought it might be a mirror. It really was a game changer once I installed one on my e-bike. I have a Mirrycle mirror which is a bar-end type that I find works well, and I like that it's made in the U.S.
Flux Capacitor 😉
this is off topic but I am curious---as a mom, as a commuter, as a regular-clothes wearer, have you discovered a way to have your clothes not get stinky? mine still get stinky! I live in San antonio, so it is hot. but it also happened in madison! do you have any tricks? thoughts?
I wear mostly wool close to my body!
Awesome
I have a helmet mounted mirror because I love it and 2 handlebar mirrors so I can mount my turn signals. I have never used the handlebar mirrors as I am not seeing the road ahead when I look down. So helmet it is.. !
Also, if you decide to ride in the UK you can just switch the mirror to the other side of your helmet.
Mirror is great.
100 % agree.
I listen
What visor do you have under your helmet
It’s part of the helmet:
ua-cam.com/video/c7mR9R3Na1k/v-deo.htmlsi=s38jZkqXmkQhTLwI
whoa, yeah europeans have that on the bikes since 4 decades. I guess it's good 👍
Would you put two of the Hafny Mirrors on a Tern Orox? One on each side.
Hmm I don’t have the need on both sides. Do you?
@@BikeShopGirl I have never used rear view mirrors before to know. This is my first e-bike so I am actually concerned I would get use to them on my Tern and become reliant on them. My other bike cannot fit the rear view mirrors.
@@BikeShopGirlI do because one of the main bike lanes that I use has cars passing on my right, I use Hafny bar end mirrors.
Mirrors are stupid, and your kids should be riding ahead of you where you can see them. A bell and fenders are pretty cool though.
Your comment is stupid
Mirrors make perfect sense if you're riding with others through city streets. Makes it much easier to quickly confirm that you haven't lost anyone at an intersection without having to constantly peek over your shoulder.