bikecrate

...bug strikes. I was riding a few days ago when a really big bug hit my glasses. It knocked my head back a bit, but I didn't think anything of it. When I got home it had actually cracked my glasses. Glad I was wearing them and it didn't hit my eye. So do you think these glasses are toast? I would be worried if something else hit them pieces could go in my eye.

Ogsarg

Wow! Hard to imagine a bug breaking glasses. Kind of a freak thing.

If they are glass lenses, I'd get rid of them. If acrylic and the crack isn't in your vision, I wouldn't worry about it.

Milton Keynes

I get hit by bugs all the time while riding, but never anything big enough to crack my glasses.

I'd probably just replace those glasses anyway since I'd hate to wear any with a crack in them.

Slightspeed

Last Sunday my helmet mirror got hit and knocked around by some kind of flying critter. Be careful out there.

FBOATSB

Would you replace your helmet if it had a crack?
Cool shades are no longer cool if cracked.
Your safety eye wear has done its job by saving your sight; please replace.

FBOATSB

By the way; hard to tell but those look like standard safety glasses with replaceable lenses.

Jon T

How much $$ is your eyesight worth?
Jon

Cyclist0108

This is the correct answer. At least replace the lenses.

It is great that it worked, but maybe invest in something a bug can't crack.

bikecrate

Basic inexpensive cycling glasses off of Amazon. They do have replaceable lens, so I will put in one of the clear shades to use when it gets dark out. I like them though and will order another pair. I guess they did the job of protecting my eye.

livedarklions

Why were you biking on Skull Island?

rollagain

I have a hard time believing that a bug did that. I've been hit by a lot of bugs while riding motorcycles. Some of the big hard ones, like June beetles, hit hard enough to make substantial noise hitting the goggles, but I've never seen damage from one.

Anyway, treat those glasses as expired and replace them.

canklecat

Glasses that meet the ANSI Z87.1 standard should not crack from a bug or bird strike. I've tested safety glasses by shooting them with high power pellet guns and .22 caliber rimfire. Those that meet the ANSI standard won't break. The frames will crack but the lenses will not.

After three sets of regular sunglasses cracked on me just from routine wear and handling I switched to these Radians bi-focal safety glasses, one pair in smoke for daytime, another in clear for night. Had 'em a year, they work fine, help me see my phone, etc., without needing to carry reading glasses, and with reasonable care haven't scratched or scuffed.

There are several makers and models of eyewear that meet the ANSI Z87.1 standard. The only tricky bit is finding a pair that don't block your view when you're in the drops on a road bike. But those are available too. The only compromise may be that a strike from a bird, bug or gravel might break the lens loose from the frame. But the eye should still be protected, even if it compresses the lens against the eye socket.

These Radians should have better peripheral vision from the drops looking upward, with a less substantial frame, but also meet ANSI Z87.1 standards. I may try these since occasionally my other glasses do hinder my view slightly from the drops.

DanBraden

Hell, at least it didn't sting you too!

Maybe it WAS bird strike. A bird of the humming variety perhaps? Those little buggers can go pretty fast!

Any chance that it was a rock? Did you find guts and such?

Ghazmh

Patriot1

superpletch

whats the last thing going through a bugs head when it hits your glasses?




*its ass*

swampboy62

I'm guessing it was probably a horse fly.

Those things get pretty big, and can fly at up to 90 mph! I've had some collisions with them that shocked me so much I almost lost control of the bike.

Be thankful you had on those glasses. Could have really caused some damage to your eye.

Korina

Yeesh! You sure it wasn't a rock?

ColonelSanders

That should buff right out.

MadKaw

Replace. They did their job, and that lens no longer has the integrity to withstand another strike.
Several people have recommended glasses that meet ANSI Z87.1 specs (specifications, not spectacles ), and that is a huge step up.
A couple of years ago, because of some history not involving a bicycle I switched to MIL-PRF-31013 ballistic glasses. (goggles use a different spec). Unfortunately, there is no standard marking for glasses that meet MIL-SPEC, so it is hard to give a complete list of glasses which do meet this spec. However, there is a good (if not perfect list) out there—the APEL list…worth checking. While some glasses on the list are pretty pricey (cough…Oakley…cough), the Honeywell UVEX Genesis is at the opposite end of the price spectrum at about $10.

bikecrate

To answer the bug or not a bug question...there was a little bug gut goo on the lens. Also got a glimpse before struck and it was definitely a bug. Who knows why it cracked. Maybe hit the perfect spot near the edge of the lens.

Gosh, I sure hope the bugs okay.

Witterings

We could set up a prayer group for him ???

rgconner

It was a bug... carrying a rock!

bikecrate

Thoughts and prayers to the bug...done.

canklecat

The corners are common stress points. I've had glasses crack there without any impact, just from the stress of making and mounting lenses with poor quality control.

That's why the ANSI Z87.1 standard is a good starting point for any cycling glasses intended to protect the eyes from anything harder than sunbeams. The ANSI standard requires satisfying impact testing standards. The glasses should crack at the frame, if at all, not the lens.