When you go searching for a mirror for your road bike, you will probably find, as I did, that your choice is mostly of which bar-end mirror to get.I find those mirrors to be too low to see easily and my arm blocks their view as well.Long ago (though I still have it) Mirrycle made a mirror that mounted onto where the cable comes out of the brake hand grip.So, it was above your hands and not down so low that you had take your eyes off the road and look down to see it.But, brake levers changed and so that product had no market.Following that, I had found a model that clamped with velcro strap around the brake handle.That was in the right place, but made the grip large and feel different and awkward.
So, I was excited to discover online that Mirrycle was making a mirror specifically designed for the Shimano STI brake levers/shifters.I bugged my local shop to get them, but they never did.FInally in January, I gave up on the local shop and decided to go online to buy, only to discover that they had been pulled from the market.Seems the original design was failing (breaking) sometimes.I kept watching and finally found one shop get them in back stock and bought it - presumably a modified design (hasn't broken).
Installation of the mirror is pretty straight forward.It is well designed to attach to the STI handle using the features that are molded in place to hold the rubber grip in place.I have to say that Mirrycle could do their less mechanically inclined folks a favor by assembling the mirror a bit more in advance.You basically get a bag of parts.3 screws, 6 washers, 3 plastic tubes, mirror, and a crumpled up instruction sheet.I didn't have any trouble putting it all together in about 5 minutes with the included allen hex wrenches, but I am an engineer and enjoy such things.I am sure others might be frustrated by it.
In use, I am again very pleased to have a mirror that is easy to find in my field of view, so I can actually see cars while my eyes are on the road.You do have to play with the screw tightness a bit to get where the mirror stays in place without it being so tight that it will break when pushed hard rather than turning.I have started erring on the loose side.
I do notice that road vibration can be a bit annoying as compared to the more rigidly mounted bar-end mirrors leading to a fuzzier view - this is what prevents me giving it a full 5 star rating.Personally, I think this is a worthwhile tradeoff for being able to see it well.I know of no better mirror on the market.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Mirrycle Road STI Bicycle Mirror
Product Description:
Developed exclusively to fit Shimano STI shifter/brake levers, the Mirrycle Road STI bicycle mirror makes it easy to tell when a car is pulling up from the rear. The mirror is easy to mount: just pull the rubber hood off the Shimano STI lever clip, slip the mirror base over the top, and then replace the hood. Once mounted, the mirror is located in the best possible position for watching the road behind. Just a flick of your eyes allows for a quick view of approaching cars or other cyclists. Best of all, the mirror doesn't get in the way of the STI levers, so you can shift and stop safely at all times. The Mirrycle road mirror--which attaches to either the left or right side lever--comes with all the necessary tools and is engineered to fit almost any STI lever.
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