Of all the precision work, design, and effort that Harald, Richard, and David Gordon invested into the Avatar, I never quite understood the one paragraph on page 2 of the sales brochure:
“Under heavy traffic conditions, and from a lower sitting position, we initially encountered some difficulties in judging what is coming from behind, in terms of distance and relative speed. Getting into the habit of momentarily sitting upright and turning half around in the seat, however, affords one the timely detection of vehicles approaching from the rear.”
To their credit, the owner’s manual/instruction does suggest considering the use of an eyeglass or helmet-mounted mirror. However, the above statement still precedes the mention of using a mirror within the instructions. The sales brochure was obviously printed earlier than the manual.
I almost never find a need to physically look behind me as outlined above. My helmet mirror gives me 98% confidence in traffic . Only occasionally, do I find it helpful to look off to the side, or maybe 110 degrees, and the reason is usually to simply do a double-take at something interesting other than traffic. Actually, I find that doing what is suggested in the brochure is awkward and less safe, if for no other reason you are no longer looking where you are going.
Here is a picture of Len Vreeland from 1981 wearing an eyeglass-mounted type.
To me, it tends to indicate that the makers had not done a lot of riding prior to the publication of the brochure. I would certainly have thought that David Gordon Wilson, who did a tremendous amount of riding of recumbents in congested situations would have always wore a mirror. In fact, here is a picture of Wilson with a helmet-mounted mirror. Exact date, however unknown.
