Bi-Focal Cycling Glasses
 

Greetings All -

I've been wearing "regular" bi-focal glasses and sunglasses while cycling for years. Been thinking lately of getting prescription "blade-type" cycling glasses (e.g., Bolle, Oakley, etc). Always wear bi-focals, as obviously need the distance vision, plus need the reading part to be able to read the bike computer.

I've been searching online, have found some sites that carry such things, but finding 2 issues:

1. Haven't found any that offer bi-focals, just single vision
2. The prices I've been seeing are INSANE -- like $700 and up for the frames and lenses (and again, those are just for the single prescription, not bi-focals).

Grateful for any advice/suggestions out there! :)

I had my local optician make up a set of wrap around bi-focal sunglasses for me. My distance correction isn't very much which, he said, was the factor that made it possible. Not cheap, however.

There are a number of "reader" type wrap aroundsif you can tolerate the lack of distance correction. I use Bikershades.com. Just ordered two pair for $19.95 each, variety of styles and prices. Plenty of threads on the subject, but yes, full prescription are expensive.

I have Rudy Project Rydons what used standard interchangeable lenses with a prescription insert that you have your local eye glass shop make up.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r..._202315050.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r..._202340908.jpg

Check out Dual Eyewear Sunglasses and Bifocal Sunglasses - Official Site I've bought a couple pairs here and quite like them.

I have contacts I wear when cycling. I carry a reading glasses "front" that I can slip behind my cycling glasses if I need to make a phone call... or fix a flat.

I have Rudy Project sunglasses with prescription inserts. You are right about the prices being insane! I definitely go with lined bifocals as the progressives lenses don't have as good side vision and you have to move your head around a lot. With cycling, or car driving, it's either down the road or looking at the computer/cue sheet/dashboard.

If you want to go cheap, you can get a pair of single vision glasses and then stick on some lenses for the bifocal part. Something like:
http://www.amazon.com/Stickon-Bifoca...ses+magnifiers

I had progressive lens in a wrap around pair of Oakleys. Something about the wrap around doesn't work so good. Also, the depth perception and peripheral vision aspect was giving me problems. I finally was fitted for contacts and wear them for running and cycling/biking (depending on whether I'm wearing lycra or not :p They only seem to work for me when I'm outside, being inside they dry up too soon.

Once I started cycling I really didn't want to use the prescription sunglasses since I'd had a fall or two when running which I attribute to the progressive lenses.

I used and liked stick-on reading lenses like these years ago, before committing to bi-focals (and now tri-focals!) Perhaps they would work on the curved glasses. They're available at Walmart.com for $15.http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=478156

I use these too. I got tired of the cheap bifocal readers from Amazon breaking. The dual eyewear glasses are well made apparently and they don't break the bank. But my vision is fine, just need something for reading/close-up. http://www.dualeyewear.com/

I wear contact lenses while riding and have a pair of stickon cheaters that I can use on my Oakleys. However, the more reclined I am, the less satisfactory this is, as it puts the magnification in the wrong part. I now generally carry a pair of separate cheater reading glasses in my bike bag.

I recently started using "Lenscovers" sunglasses that fit over my regular bifocals:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...SR160,160_.jpg

So far, they seem fine, and certainly much less expensive than a dedicated set of prescription bifocal sunglasses.

I bought a pair of sunglasses that have a stick-on reading lens, but I find the whole thing annoying. My distance vision is still fine and I only need them to see the computer, but overall I don't think it's worth it.

Go to a welding supply store. You can get cheap blade style safety glasses both tinted and clear in different strengths.

FWIW: If you put glasses over glasses, you have 4 surfaces to look through. Each reflects some light which can reduce contrast or cause glare, gets dirty, smeary, and/or fogged up. A single lens with its two surfaces is bad enough. The new anti-reflection coatings and self cleaning coatings can help.

Just want to say thanks to all of you who took the time to post responses. As us military types would say -- great GOUGE!

Again, many thanks -- keep on rollin'!

I do the same thing, using XL SolarShield wraparounds. Main issue is to keep them as clean as possible, and don' t go too dark with the tint. I also have some yellow-tinted wraparounds for low-light situations.

I have a pair of Wal-Mart that cost about $175, the best value for the money, but a bit clunky.

I have a pair of WylieX from my optician that cost about $500.

Neither are progressive, which is what I wear for regular glasses. Both are better than using a clip-on with my regular glasses, or wearing a set of $15 safety glasses with a magnifier.

I've been wearing these for the last few years. Cheap, (under $15), and they work great for me. The best part? When I lose or break them, I'm not out big bucks.

Nemesis ? RX Readers | GEMPLER'S

I won a pair of Oakley Five Squared sunglasses in a raffle. Had no problem getting them fitted with my Rx - astigmatism & progressives plus all the anti-glare and other coatings. Should be available at any shop that carries them, including an Oakley store. Even with my vision plan applied they cost an arm and a leg, but I was really tired of clip-ons over my regular glasses.

Tifosi makes readers that are reasonably priced. Can't read your cyclometer, GPS or scorecard? Try Tifosi readers! - Tifosi Optics Sunglasses

Shop for deals on cycling glasses with prescription lenses. Places like Costco and BJs, if one is near you, are inexpensive. Several of the chain shops have sales occassionally. They are worth it. As Looigi noted, multiple lenses add lots of problems and fogging can be very bad in cold weather.

While this is surely true in principle, my experience suggests that it isn't a serious issue in practice.

Bumping an old thread.... anybody riding Tifosi Veloce Reader Fototec +2.0? I got new contacts with stronger distance correction and made it much harder to read my cyclo-computer. I have a couple 24-hour events coming up next month and need to be able to read directions and computer, in day and night. These seem to be the best option. Lisa and I both have used Tifosi and like their product a lot, so I'm ok with the brand.

https://www.tifosioptics.com/product...r-2-0-fototec/

Any reviews? Other options with both photo-chromatic and bi-focal lenses?

I wear progressives ("office" type) with magnetic clip-on sunglass filters. They work out well for me.