So I decided to buy one. I went to their website (www.rearviz.com). Firstly, I suggest you get a measuring tape and measure around where you plan to wear the mirror. For me, this is on my right arm, just below the elbow. I make mention of this as the website is confusing. I have been assured by the company they are changing the sizing of the arm bands supplied and the wording on the website to stop any confusion.
RearViz are an Australian company. They are very easy to contact and answer any questions you have.
With the ordering out of the way, I received my parcel quite quickly. The packaging is minimal (thankfully).
As you can see, I went for the black model. There are a number of other colours and I believe yellow will also be available soon.
Unpacking the mirror and the armband, it becomes pretty obvious how it is all put together and how to wear it. There are instructions if needed.
It was 5.40am on a winter morning when I set out. Before I left my property, I sat on my bike and moved the mirror until I thought it was positioned correctly. This is done by rotating the mirror and then opening or closing the mirror to adjust the angle. Very clever.
I got out on the road and it was pitch black. I decided to close the mirror and wait for daylight. After the first car passed with headlights, I decided to open the mirror while riding. A good enough test I thought. After opening it, I realised the angle wasn't quite right. So with my right hand still on the handle bar, I used my left hand to rotate the mirror and open and close it slightly until the mirror was correctly adjusted. Doing this while riding is actually pretty easy.
From that point on I was amazed. Suddenly I could see cars (headlights) and bikes (front lights) from quite a distance before they reached me. I was so impressed I almost forgot I was joining a group for a group ride. Once in the group I then realised I could not only see cars before I could hear them but I could also keep an eye on the other group riders behind me. Daylight came and I was even more impressed.
You know something is good when you realise you can't do without it. I realised by the end of my ride, I had been checking my mirror before deviating to the right and I was doing it without consciously doing it. It was an automatic reaction as it is when you are driving a car.
One thing I must make mention of is the view in the mirror. Other reviews I read mentioned as soon as you changed your view angle by placing hands in the drops (as an example), you could only see the sky. I found none of these problems. I could see the road and cars regardless of whether my hands were in the drops or on top of the hoods. I even had a quick look when I got out of the saddle for a sprint with my hands in the drops. Even though I was throwing the bike side to side, I could still get quick glimpses of the road. It was hard to see anything in the mirror, however whilst in this sprinting position I did suddenly see a car very close on my right. I veered slightly to the left and the car which was going to shave me became a safe distance again. I doubt it was the car's fault but the RearViz certainly helped me out.
Well done RearViz. This piece of equipment should be on every commuters arm. I ride a road bike for fun and it will be on my arm for every ride from now on.
