Print PDF
Favorite
Email
Build this simple, lightweight, inexpensive, and practical rear view mirror for riding your bicycle. It alerts you to traffic approaching from the rear, and reduces the number of times you must turn your head to look.
Safety warning: Do not rely exclusively on any mirror when pulling into traffic lanes. Always turn your head and look directly, to be sure.
No parts or dimensions are critical. Use the photos and instructions as a guide.
Parts:
- Plastic safety glasses
- Inspection mirror with swivel mount and extendable handle
- Shrink wrap tubing (I used 0.5in (12.7mm) diameter tubing)
- fine wire or scotch tape
Tools:
- Heat gun
(All parts and heat gun were purchased at Harbor Freight Tools.)
Assembly:
- Position the mirror handle against the left side arm of the glasses.
- Temporarily attach the mirror handle to the glasses with tape or fine wire.
- Slide shrink wrap tubing over handle and arm.
- Heat and shrink the shrink wrap tubing, being careful not to melt eyeglass arm.
Photos:
- The first three photos show different views of the completed assembly.
- The last photo gives a demonstration: See Frankenstein approaching.
Usage:
- Put on your bike helmet.
- Put on the new glasses.
- Adjust the mirror so you can see behind you. Do not block your main field of view forward. (I find it gives good perspective to adjust the mirror so I can just barely see the side of my head at the edge of the mirror.)
- Practice riding where there are no cars (on rail trails or parking lots).
- When riding in traffic, always turn and look to confirm the way is clear.
- For storage, retract the mirror handle and fold the glasses normally.
Caveat:
- This design does not adapt well to wearing with prescription lenses or sunglasses.
Enjoy.
Note: See version 2 here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Sunglass-mounted-bicycle-mirror/
Safety warning: Do not rely exclusively on any mirror when pulling into traffic lanes. Always turn your head and look directly, to be sure.
No parts or dimensions are critical. Use the photos and instructions as a guide.
Parts:
- Plastic safety glasses
- Inspection mirror with swivel mount and extendable handle
- Shrink wrap tubing (I used 0.5in (12.7mm) diameter tubing)
- fine wire or scotch tape
Tools:
- Heat gun
(All parts and heat gun were purchased at Harbor Freight Tools.)
Assembly:
- Position the mirror handle against the left side arm of the glasses.
- Temporarily attach the mirror handle to the glasses with tape or fine wire.
- Slide shrink wrap tubing over handle and arm.
- Heat and shrink the shrink wrap tubing, being careful not to melt eyeglass arm.
Photos:
- The first three photos show different views of the completed assembly.
- The last photo gives a demonstration: See Frankenstein approaching.
Usage:
- Put on your bike helmet.
- Put on the new glasses.
- Adjust the mirror so you can see behind you. Do not block your main field of view forward. (I find it gives good perspective to adjust the mirror so I can just barely see the side of my head at the edge of the mirror.)
- Practice riding where there are no cars (on rail trails or parking lots).
- When riding in traffic, always turn and look to confirm the way is clear.
- For storage, retract the mirror handle and fold the glasses normally.
Caveat:
- This design does not adapt well to wearing with prescription lenses or sunglasses.
Enjoy.
Note: See version 2 here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Sunglass-mounted-bicycle-mirror/
Remove these ads by
Signing Up| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
4
comments
|
Add Comment
|
Nov 21, 2008. 5:12 AMmacrumpton
says:
I was thinking that if you got a plastic dental mirror you could heat it and move the mirror to the proper angle. It would be lighter weight and cheaper (they are $6 for 12 on ebay).For that price you could put them on both sides.
Reply
Jun 11, 2010. 9:46 AMtoby
says:
brilliant idea, just in the process of building one...will try this idea as i have a cheap dental mirror from princess auto
Reply
Oct 11, 2009. 3:21 PMtheguyfromplt
says:
LOLOLOLOL - Is THAT FRANKENSTEIN in the last pic? Or the Boogie-man?!! That's hilarious!! BTW - I was thinking (with the first two extensions - like in your sunglasses mirror instructable - why not use a thick piece of rubber of some kind with the three holes like the one out there on the market). That is how I'm making mine (because I wear prescription lenses). Like the Messenger Mirror... Here is a linky: http://www.messengermirror.com/
Reply
Dec 24, 2007. 9:20 PMThe Mad Scientist
says:
Clever idea. You could reduce some bulk/weight by only using one or two of the tubes in the extendable handle.
Reply
 |
Add Comment
|
