Winter Cycling - How do I know if I need goggles?

I have biked in low 20's F but now the temps are going into the low teens . I have never used goggles, how do I know if I need them? My commute is around 50 minutes.

Also at what temps do I need to get concerned about frost bite ?

Goggles: try them, and see if you like them.

Frostbite: IIRC, the number is 23F.

Only thing is where I great eye-glass mounted mirror, so I guess I would need to buy a helmet mounted one?

Ayup.

That or a handlebar mount.

I feel naked without my mirror, so I hear what you're sayin'....

if your eyes water up, even with close fitting riding glasses, while you are riding, then that is a good sign.

eyes frozen shut is usually a good indicator.

Only thing is where I great eye-glass mounted mirror, so I guess I would need to buy a helmet mounted one?


Ayup.

That or a handlebar mount.

I feel naked without my mirror, so I hear what you're sayin'....

Nay, nay. I use clear safety glasses over my prescription eyeglasses to keep my eyes warm and avoid fogging glasses. They have a rigid earpiece to mount the Take-A-Look eyeglass mirror. I found that I kept knocking off helmet mirrors, and handlebar mirrors can't be used when standing on the pedals and they take too long to find when you need to quickly look behind.

Today I rode 14 miles at 12 degrees. See photo below (the mirror is attached on my left), and my original post; this was an issue even back in August!

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=450685 post #5

I biked the other day with -20C temp (-5F) with clear sunglasses, I didn't feel that I needed goggles. But my commute was only 25 min not 50... though I think my toes would have gotten too cold before problems with my face. Also probably depends on how strong the wind is.

I biked the other day with -20C temp (-5F) with clear sunglasses, I didn't feel that I needed goggles. But my commute was only 25 min not 50... though I think my toes would have gotten too cold before problems with my face. Also probably depends on how strong the wind is.

"Clear sunglasses"?

"Clear sunglasses"?

I use MEC espresso sunglasses, which have interchangeable lenses.
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302882530&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442586453&bmUID=1232054344258

The clear ones state
Clear, with light transmission rates of 93% visible light and 93% blue light. The only lens we recommend for use at night, but also good for low light or dull, cloudy conditions. Despite being clear, this lens still fully blocks UV to the same UV400 standard as our other offerings.

Basically something to protect my eyes from dirt and debris, block the wind in cold temperatures, and hold my take-a-look mirror :)

When it hurts not too ;)

Usually for me that's something below 0 (F). It depends on the wind. I've tried safety glasses at those temps and they fogged (iced actually) pretty quick.

I still have icing issues with the goggles but it doesn't happen as fast.

I switch to goggles when it is below 15 degrees F. Below 15 my eyes started to hurt and I got headaches. The goggles obviously block the wind and keep my eyes from watering. I haven't had a problem with fogging. I'd recommend trying them.