Which sunglasses for biking?
#1
Thread Starter
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 15,762
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From: NYC
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Which sunglasses for biking?
Ok, I'm at a crossroads, which ones would you guys prefer for biking?
https://www.peepers.com/detail.asp?PID=26047
https://www.peepers.com/detail.asp?PID=14736
https://www.peepers.com/detail.asp?PID=14640
https://native.greatsunglasses.com/st...6391&do=detail
The native glasses come with 4 sets of lenses, are polarized, and they have a no-questions asked lifetime warranty on both frame and lens. The rudy projects are lens only.
https://www.peepers.com/detail.asp?PID=26047
https://www.peepers.com/detail.asp?PID=14736
https://www.peepers.com/detail.asp?PID=14640
https://native.greatsunglasses.com/st...6391&do=detail
The native glasses come with 4 sets of lenses, are polarized, and they have a no-questions asked lifetime warranty on both frame and lens. The rudy projects are lens only.
#2
Work hard, Play hard

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,596
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From: San Diego, California
Bikes: Cannondale super V 500, Bianchi Piaggio(hopefully getting a new road bike when I get some money)
I have a pair of native Hexx's and my dad has the RP Freeon.
I like my glasses because of the polarization and I have already used the lifetime warranty to replace the lenses. Native has pretty good service, replaced my glasses with no q's asked but it did take them 2 weeks to ship them to me.
The freeon's look better and fit my head better, but were way to expensive for me to buy. The frame seems durable and the lenses are pretty high quality. I also liked the adjustable nose pieces taht my natives don't have.
All in all, The RP freeon fit my lumpy head better but I liked the polarized lenses on the natives.
I like my glasses because of the polarization and I have already used the lifetime warranty to replace the lenses. Native has pretty good service, replaced my glasses with no q's asked but it did take them 2 weeks to ship them to me.
The freeon's look better and fit my head better, but were way to expensive for me to buy. The frame seems durable and the lenses are pretty high quality. I also liked the adjustable nose pieces taht my natives don't have.
All in all, The RP freeon fit my lumpy head better but I liked the polarized lenses on the natives.
#3
Thread Starter
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 15,762
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From: NYC
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Polarized lenses let me see inside cars I normally wouldn't be able to see to spot drivers about to come out but for some reason they make certain road imperfections kind of "muted".
#4
Super Biker

Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Spokane WA
Bikes: 2014 Curtlo, 2006 Serotta Coeur d’Acier, 2005 Independent Fabrication Steel Delux, 2003 Surly 1x1, 2003 Surly Cross Check, 1986 Schwin Worldsport SS commuter, 1980's Mongoose Supergoose
Yeah I got some Native Dash SS' with 3 interchangable lenses. I like em. Pretty good quality for the money, and they have a good replacement policy.
Rudy's are certainly nice, but I don't know if the increased quality justifies the price. Also the Rudy warrantee policy is a little deceiving. They say "lifetime" replacement lenses, but what they really mean is lifetime while that lens is still being produced. So if they change models, you're screwed.
Rudy's are certainly nice, but I don't know if the increased quality justifies the price. Also the Rudy warrantee policy is a little deceiving. They say "lifetime" replacement lenses, but what they really mean is lifetime while that lens is still being produced. So if they change models, you're screwed.
#6
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 295
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From: SE Michigan
Bikes: '03 Litespeed Blue Ridge; '15 Litespeed T5; '17 Jamis Renegade Exploit; '17 Salsa Fargo 27.5+
I use tinted safety glasses, the smaller more modern looking ones, not the big bulkly ones w/sideshields. They wrap around the face in one piece, just like sunglasses. But these cover the eye more completely blocking out light and wind alike. I found with regular sunglasses my contacts would still dry out on a long ride from the wind. Plus I picked these up from work for nothing. I've seen similar ones in industrial catalogs for about $10.
Mark
'03 Litespeed Blue Ridge
'01 GF Tassajara
Mark
'03 Litespeed Blue Ridge
'01 GF Tassajara
#7
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 249
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From: Stoughton, WI
Bikes: Specialized Rock Hopper, Felt F-70, lemond Buenos Aires, Trek T900 Tandem, Bianchi Volpe
Originally Posted by markm109
I use tinted safety glasses, the smaller more modern looking ones, not the big bulkly ones w/sideshields. They wrap around the face in one piece, just like sunglasses. But these cover the eye more completely blocking out light and wind alike. I found with regular sunglasses my contacts would still dry out on a long ride from the wind. Plus I picked these up from work for nothing. I've seen similar ones in industrial catalogs for about $10.
#8
Super Biker

Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,183
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From: Spokane WA
Bikes: 2014 Curtlo, 2006 Serotta Coeur d’Acier, 2005 Independent Fabrication Steel Delux, 2003 Surly 1x1, 2003 Surly Cross Check, 1986 Schwin Worldsport SS commuter, 1980's Mongoose Supergoose
slvoid, another piece of advice is to go and try on the glasses you're thinking about ordering for the fit. I'm an Optometrist, but I have no interest selling sunglasses to you.
Go mail order! I don't think you can go wrong with either the Native or RP. You get what you pay for in the quality of sunglasses. The variables are in the quality and durability of the construction, the optical quality of the lens, the quality of the optical coating on the lenses, and the replacement policy.
Almost all sunglasses are sufficiently UVA/B blocking, even the 7-11 or Walmart type. "UV blocking" is a natural property of polycarbonate, which is used in almost all sunglasses these days. If they are made of ophthalmic crown glass, such as some of the high end botique glasses like Revo or Maui Jim, they have to have a secondary UV blocking layer. The pupil dilation thing is an urban myth about cheap sunglasses, although I would certainly look for the "100% UVA and B" label on any pair I bought. Even the cheapest lenses have this feature.
As far as Nashbar and Performance brand glasses, I think they make a sacrifice in quality in order to make the price point. If price is an issue, they do offer a good way to protect your eyes from the UV and the other elements. For me, I feel like my vision is worth the extra cost of more expensive glasses. Just my 2 cents.
Go mail order! I don't think you can go wrong with either the Native or RP. You get what you pay for in the quality of sunglasses. The variables are in the quality and durability of the construction, the optical quality of the lens, the quality of the optical coating on the lenses, and the replacement policy.Almost all sunglasses are sufficiently UVA/B blocking, even the 7-11 or Walmart type. "UV blocking" is a natural property of polycarbonate, which is used in almost all sunglasses these days. If they are made of ophthalmic crown glass, such as some of the high end botique glasses like Revo or Maui Jim, they have to have a secondary UV blocking layer. The pupil dilation thing is an urban myth about cheap sunglasses, although I would certainly look for the "100% UVA and B" label on any pair I bought. Even the cheapest lenses have this feature.
As far as Nashbar and Performance brand glasses, I think they make a sacrifice in quality in order to make the price point. If price is an issue, they do offer a good way to protect your eyes from the UV and the other elements. For me, I feel like my vision is worth the extra cost of more expensive glasses. Just my 2 cents.
#9
Full Member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 303
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From: Camarillo, The VC, California
I've been using Julbo's. They are meant for use on glaciers at high altitude but they seem to work good for biking. They come with leather side things and the lens block out 92% of sunlight. Due to my poor eyesight they are perscription. For more information www.opicusa.com
#10
Thread Starter
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 15,762
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From: NYC
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Originally Posted by Mtn Mike
slvoid, another piece of advice is to go and try on the glasses you're thinking about ordering for the fit. I'm an Optometrist, but I have no interest selling sunglasses to you.
Go mail order! I don't think you can go wrong with either the Native or RP. You get what you pay for in the quality of sunglasses. The variables are in the quality and durability of the construction, the optical quality of the lens, the quality of the optical coating on the lenses, and the replacement policy.
Go mail order! I don't think you can go wrong with either the Native or RP. You get what you pay for in the quality of sunglasses. The variables are in the quality and durability of the construction, the optical quality of the lens, the quality of the optical coating on the lenses, and the replacement policy.
#11
Thread Starter
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 15,762
Likes: 5
From: NYC
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Originally Posted by RonH
Why not try looking for the same or similar sunglasses at Nashbar or Performance? The prices will probably be much better.






