Attaching Mirrors (& a Lot of Other Stuff) to My Surly Long Haul Trucker

I found attaching usable rear view mirrors to a bicycle with drop bars to be an exercise in futility, particularly with my Surly LHT which utilizes bar end shifters. There simply was no place to attach them that didn't interfere with the operation of the brake & shift levers. Whenever I did find a mirror that was advertised as suitable for attachment to drop bars, I found them to ultimately be either too small, shaky, and/or poorly positioned. That is, until I came upon the idea of attaching a second stem and bar. In a nutshell, this second bar provides additional "real estate" to which I can attach, not only mirrors, but also a handlebar bag and the lever for an air horn. As shown in the pictures, by attaching the bag to the lower bar, I then have sufficient space for a second set of brake levers, a Cygo-Lite headlight, a couple of "Incredibells" (I'm left handed, so one beside each left hand brake lever.) and a place to mount a GoPro video camera on the upper bar. My LBS, Full Cycle, installed Tektro AL726 cyclocross brake levers which I find quite useful, particularly when cycling around town in traffic. It also means that I now have three distinct hand positions with full access to brake levers. The Cateye Strada odometer is then mounted to the upper stem. It is the only brand I have found so far that can be mounted in this fashion on the stem. I purchased mine at Bushtukah in Ottawa on Richmond Road.

If you have a bicycle with a threadless stem and enough height on your steering tube to attach a second stem then this set up should work for you. First, I removed spacers equivalent to the height of the second stem. To allow for maximum versatility, I purchased an adjustable stem at Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) for about $22. I then cut a discarded handlebar to an appropriate length and attached  bar ends to each end of the cut bar. I already had a pair, but a pair can be purchased new for less than $20. (If you are in Ottawa I would suggest you head to Re-cycles Bicycle Co-op at 473 Bronson where they should be able to provide you with used parts at a good price.) To these I attached a pair of unglamorous but eminently useful bicycle mirrors purchased from Canadian Tire for $5 each, which I then wrapped with reflective tape. There are infinite possibilities for placement of the mirrors given the adjustable stem and the ability to rotate not only the second bar within the stem, but also the bar ends around where they attach to the second bar. Where I placed my mirrors ensures that my hands do not block the view in any way yet they are close enough to allow me to easily reach them should they need adjustment.

I then attached my handlebar bag to this second bar as well as the lever for my Samui Air Zound Cycling Horn.   Whether I am commuting in the city, or touring on the open road I find them extremely useful. In the city I am regularly checking my mirrors, keeping alert to traffic coming up behind me.  Having mirrors on both sides is invaluable when cycling down one-way streets.  When touring, as soon as I see an approaching vehicle, I immediately check my mirrors to see whether or not they will be meeting a vehicle coming in the opposite direction when they pass me.

Bell underneath light, behind left cyclocross brake lever. Odometer mounted on upper stem. Horn lever on lower bar, right side, immediately next to bar end shift lever.

Adjustable stem angled down.

Bent bar ends protrude outwards, allowing mirrors to be further away from handlebars yet in close enough proximity to outer brake levers to allow for easy reach to make adjustments to the viewing angle. Bag attaches to second bar, riding lower, & ensuring it does not block the headlight or the camera view. 

Cyclocross brake levers provide easy access to braking when riding in an upright position.

A bonus to the installation is that I now have a significantly wider profile in traffic. Vehicles have more of me to get around, and I find that I get that extra space. Not only do I see better, but there is more of me and my bicycle for the other users of the road to see.