Fifty Plus (50+) - Reading glasses for biking

Oh, I've got reading glasses but what a pain to
read a map
read my gps
see who is calling before answering
read my power meter-odometer
make a minor road side repair.

I used to do most of those things without stopping.

I wear sunglasses for eye protection so doing any of the above means stopping, taking off the sunglasses, pulling out and putting on the reading glasses then accomplish the original task.

I'm avoiding buying bifocal sunglasses because I am cheap, wear 3$ reading glasses (including case) and have a good pair of sunglasses.
Anyone have experience with those add-on bifocal lenses for sunglasses?

Or just ignore all the distractions, specially the cell phone, and ride the bike.

I don't know what power your reading glasses are but Lowes has safety glasses/sun glasses with a reading lens built it. They are pretty inexpensive.

I'm avoiding buying bifocal sunglasses because I am cheap, wear 3$ reading glasses (including case) and have a good pair of sunglasses.


I've got trifocal progressive lens sunglasses... not cheap, still less than perfect vision at any distance.

Just posting to say ... "wish I had your problem".

Oh, I've got reading glasses but what a pain to
read a map
read my gps
see who is calling before answering
read my power meter-odometer
make a minor road side repair.

I used to do most of those things without stopping.

I wear sunglasses for eye protection so doing any of the above means stopping, taking off the sunglasses, pulling out and putting on the reading glasses then accomplish the original task.

I'm avoiding buying bifocal sunglasses because I am cheap, wear 3$ reading glasses (including case) and have a good pair of sunglasses.
Anyone have experience with those add-on bifocal lenses for sunglasses?

I've tried the $7 bifocal stick ons. The work for a while, then fall off. My far vision is still 20/20, so I buy these a three or four at a time in both gray and clear at the appropriate magnification I need.
Dewalt makes good tools.

http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/product/DeWalt-Reinforcer-Rx-Bifocal-Safety-Glass-Smoke.html

We encountered the same problem last year on the first day of week long tour of the Michigan shoreline (http://tracywilkins.wordpress.com/michigan-west-shoreline-tour/). We ride a tandem, and my wife typically reads the maps/cue sheets from the stoker seat. Last fall was the first ride where her eyes had gotten so bad that she couldn't read the maps. We found a CVS drug store that sold sunglasses with built in bifocal 'readers'. I think they cost us 20 bucks, but solved our problem.

We kept the glasses for our next trip!

I have bought several pair of bifocal safety glasses from these folks.

http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/safreadglas.html

My visual deficit is primarily close focus so bifocals are fine for cycling and yard work, etc.

I have never had a pair of progressive addition glasses that would keep the wind out of my eyes at speed. (translation: downhill)

Just be patient. As you age and your lenses yellow, you won't need sunglasses anymore, just trifocals, like me!:)

I got photo transition lens and safety glass in twistoflex frames damn near indestructable covers everything sunglasses safety glasses and I can't kill the frames but man there expensive .

I use the stick on bifocals- have only had one come off in three years of use, and it was my fault- left an edge sticking out that caught on my glove as I wiped my face.

Trick: only use one- it works just fine once you get used to it. ANd, put them on upside down- round edge up

What also might be a nice related thread, if anyone would care to start it, is a comparison of bike computers and how large the readouts are. Good stuff for the over-50 crowd I would think. I've been using an older Avocet computer that isn't too bad. A friend had a Trek model (I think) which had terribly small numbers.

I REALLY should upgrade my computer to perhaps a wireless model.

+1 for stick ons.

Have 2 pr of biking glasses with stick on lenses - work great, never had any come off. Perfect solution in my opinion.

I wear contacts when I bike (to improve my peripheral vision), but can't wear contacts for long indoors...so I wear prescription progressive glasses. I am starting to wonder why I bother with expensive progressive lenses at all - maybe I should use stick ons all the time:)

High quality glasses and quit being a crybaby: 4
Safety glasses/inexpensive off the shelf: 3
Stickon: 2
Look for bigger font display: 1

I ordered $8 dollar bifocal safety glasses. I'll try those first.
Regards,
Crybaby

PS.
Planet Bike odometer on one bike. It had the biggest font at the time (four lines character ht- TOP= 5/16IN *MIDDLE TWO= 1/4IN *LOWER= 3/16IN) but it looks like several have at least one line with large font.

I use the stick on lenses as well. They work great. You look over the reading glass part of the lens to see in the distance, but when you look at your computer or anything close, you're looking through the reading glass lens.

I've been buying safety glasses with the bifocal reading glass lens built in for a while now. Last time I ordered, I also picked up a pair of tinted safety glasses to try on my bike. They work great, too. They wrap around your face enough to stop the wind, just like good cycling glasses.

I just slide my glasses down my nose a bit until I can read the route sheet, then shove them back up again to see where I'm going. Nothing to buy, no bi-focals needed . . . well, that is until the day when my nose is too short!

I've been doing this for at least 20 years now, so the end may be near!

Rick / OCRR

I use safety glasses from the site that JanMM recommends. I've had them for the last two riding seasons, work great, good quality and cheap!

Anyone have experience with those add-on bifocal lenses for sunglasses?

Yes. They work. They cost $10 a pair at Wallgreens. Go buy a pair.

SP
Bend, OR

ps - if they cover too much of your lenses, get a good sharp pair of scissors and cut 'em down like I did.

I've used the stick on lenses for 8 years now. I've never lost one while riding, it is always when I stick them into a bag between rides. I've always used the optx 20 20 brand and have ordered them online because our pharmacy isn't too reliable about stocking them.

Oh, I've got reading glasses but what a pain to
read a map
read my gps
see who is calling before answering
read my power meter-odometer
make a minor road side repair.

I used to do most of those things without stopping.

I wear sunglasses for eye protection so doing any of the above means stopping, taking off the sunglasses, pulling out and putting on the reading glasses then accomplish the original task.

I'm avoiding buying bifocal sunglasses because I am cheap, wear 3$ reading glasses (including case) and have a good pair of sunglasses.
Anyone have experience with those add-on bifocal lenses for sunglasses?
I just use clip-on sunglasses over my regular bifocals.

When I first saw the title of the thread I was curious as to what kind of reading you are doing while riding. After reading the thread, I now know what you were referring to. It was still funny for a moment though. I was like keep your eyes on the road. :)

Have been using the stick on-add on's to my good sunglasses since last year....not a problem...cheap and easy....

Had the same problem you have, and didn't want to buy bifocal sun glasses....

Bought a pair of inexpensive clear safety glasses, and added the stick-on's for rain and dusk bug conditions....

Or just ignore all the distractions, specially the cell phone, and ride the bike.

Another that suffers From not long enough arms and this is one reason Why I do not do well marshalled rides on my own. I learnt many years ago that if I have entered a ride and in the return envelope I get a list of "Turn left at the A297" etc. It was time to get on the computer and re print in Large Print.

Didn't bother me too much as I always did these rides with a mate of mine- Mike. He had no trouble reading the directions- But we still got lost as he couldn't understand them.

Another that suffers From not long enough arms and this is one reason Why I do not do well marshalled rides on my own. I learnt many years ago that if I have entered a ride and in the return envelope I get a list of "Turn left at the A297" etc. It was time to get on the computer and re print in Large Print.

Didn't bother me too much as I always did these rides with a mate of mine- Mike. He had no trouble reading the directions- But we still got lost as he couldn't understand them.

Hey, I know Mike! Thank God for Mike. I don't mind getting lost, it's not being able to share the blaime or pool resources when asking in a pub for directions...... It is impolite to ask directions and not have one?

One word: MONOVISION.

I had been wearing glasses all my life (started in 5th grade) until 3 years ago when I was diagnosed with cataracts at age 49. I was near-sighted so at that time I was removing my glasses for reading but needed them for everything else including bike riding (inserts).
The surgeon offered me to try monovision meaning one eye would be set for long distance and the other for reading. Life has been so convenient since, no more glasses to wear, no ugly inserts in my cycling shades. At first I thought it would be weird but the brain adjusts very quickly to it so I would say the transition period was closed to nil.

Now I don't recommend that you get a surgery but you might be able to work around your situation by wearing one contact lens set for reading distance while your other eye provides you regular vision. Ask your eye doctor if this is feasible.

Cool,
Got the bifocal safety glasses in the mail and will try tehm. As safety glasses they are wider than my regular sunglasses and may not be as effective at wind blocking. If not, on to the stickies!

I have bought several pair of bifocal safety glasses from these folks.

http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/safreadglas.html

My visual deficit is primarily close focus so bifocals are fine for cycling and yard work, etc.



I bought a couple pair from this site and have been real satisfied with them. I bought sunglasses and a clear pair for night rides.

OK, Rode 37 milkes today, answered my text messaging 14yr old. $8 Bifocal safety glasses are great! Thanks kids for your advice.

Yes. They work. They cost $10 a pair at Wallgreens. Go buy a pair.

SP
Bend, OR

ps - if they cover too much of your lenses, get a good sharp pair of scissors and cut 'em down like I did.

I've tried three Wallgreens in the Philadelphia area this week looking for them, and no one seems to have them. Any other ideas of where one can get the stick-ons?

I've tried three Wallgreens in the Philadelphia area this week looking for them, and no one seems to have them. Any other ideas of where one can get the stick-ons?

The Walgreens at the corner of SR135 and S.Co. Line Road in Indy had them a couple of years ago, before I converted to bifocal safety glasses. Not much help, huh?:o

I've used the stick-on lenses for a couple of years. Yesterday the left one fell off. Rather than reattach it, I tried the glasses on. I actually like this! It gives me more unobstructed vision for distance, but yet when I look down at the cue sheet or the computer, I can read it just fine with my right eye. I used to sometimes get a "cross-eyed" effect when I shifted from distance to close-up. With just one lens, I don't get this at all. Sweet!

Stick on bifocals are available at Amazon.com (the brand is Optx)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw_0_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=stick+on+bifocals&sprefix=stick+on+bifo

Bought me some +2.00 bifocal sunglasses at the flea market last weekend for $7. I figure they'll be good for riding and for reading outside.

I've tried the $7 bifocal stick ons. They work for a while, then fall off.

I've used the 3M brand of these for years including a cross-country tour with no problems whatsoever.

I have been wearing progressive bifocals for a few years now. I don't like clip on sunglasses or the kind that go over your existing frames. It was getting to be a problem for me, and I found safetyglassesusa.com, got a couple pair, and couldn't be happier with them.

Just started using reading glasses in addition to my normal contact lenses but use them strictly for reading, at home, haven't found a need for carrying them around yet. Can't imagine needing them for repair work, but maybe that's coming later; don't use electronics on the bikes (and never answer a phone while riding). I'd think it extremely distracting to use a bifocal on the bike, though I'd probably lean towards trying contact lenses first since I already wear.

I've got trifocal progressive lens sunglasses... not cheap, still less than perfect vision at any distance.

Just posting to say ... "wish I had your problem".

Where did you get your glasses and what kind are they.