Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Specifics first, philosophy (and mounting tips) second: The Pros: * Reasonably rugged (it has already survived one bad fall) * Glass mirror that won't scratch easily * Convex surface (affording panoramic view) * Easy to assemble and mount * Replacement parts are sold separately ($6 for the mirror itself, a few bucks for the other parts) * Aesthetically pleasing * Lightweight The Cons: * Glass breaks * Instructions could be clearer * Convex surface (causing things to appear more distant than they are) The BLAH, BLAH, BLAH: At the beginning of this month, I bought a bike, after many years of not having ridden one. My previous bike was a mountain bike. This bike is a mountain bike. And you know what they say: You never forget... I hadn't forgotten how to ride. However, the first time I rode this bike (on city streets), I realised how vulnerable I was to the great FEAR FROM THE REAR (as it's called now). Somehow, that wasn't even a consideration when I was younger, but now, I'm a bit more cautious... not paranoid, just cautious. Well, consider this: Together, my bike and I weigh a bit over 200 pounds. Odds are that even the most gas-efficient hybrid bearing down upon us from behind weighs in excess of 2000 pounds. While I am pumping two pedals hard to achieve 20 mph, the person -- eating a sandwich and talking on his cell -- at the helm of that hybrid is doing in excess of 40 mph with only the weight of his big toe on one pedal. Is it fair to postulate that if great effort requires great concentration, then little effort requires little concentration? The well-meaning, gas-saving, NPR-listening, sandwich-eating, cell-phone talking father of two behind me could kill me; and whether that happens through ill-intent or accident is irrelevant. I'll still be dead. So, I bought this mirror. I mounted it DOWN, and screwed the mirror into the arm backwards (so that the mirror would be further outside when used in the DOWN position), figuring that even in a fall, the mirror would survive. It did. If you have a big, wide tush, this mounting position may not work for you. The instructions advise that the longer bolts (which can be installed and tightened with the Allen-wrench provided) will be TIGHT. They are. I have included some photos of my installation, hoping that I have answered most questions that might arise. As I said, the instructions provided are basic, yet I was able to install the mirror in about five minutes.