halocon

im wondering what set of shades do you all use for cycling? anyone here using "light adaptive" shades? if so, are they and good? how's the response time? how much did you get them for? any good recommendations for a good set of cycling shades either with or without light adaptive technology. (preferably with). thanks all!

cyclezealot

might I ask, what are light adaptive shades.I assume you mean shading that changes with light conditions.

halocon

yeah, those are the ones im referring to.

badkarma

I just got some Rudy Project Rydons, and I got the racing red lenses. I must say that these lenses rock. Although they're not great on really sunny days, they're great for all other lighting conditions.

hmai18

Rydons with multilaser blue lenses. I'm surprised at how well they work on overcast days, but I'll probably pick up a set of racing red and clear lenses for those really dark days.

Thomill

In the warmer months, I do wear these transition lenses on a Rudy Project frame. Forgive me for not knowing the model. I have two complete pairs, actually, one with a brown transition and another, older backup with grey transition lenses and like them both equally. Now these are prescription lenses, and I am not sure if you require them as well. I bought mine from https://www.heavyglare.com/ and got fairly quick turn-around, knowing my prescription data from a recent eye exam. I have also bought some goggles (with lens inserts) from them as well. Several folks I know locally wear Rudy Project frames and like them, but as always, it is best to go with whatever fits you best. But to you original question, I very much so like my transitions lenses. Response time is a few minutes or less, and they do get dark enough for a comfortable ride. Polarisation, anti-reflective coatings, and using polycarbonate lenses are also additions (in cost, too) that you should consider as well.

Take care,
T

badkarma

I picked up some laser black lenses as well, and I find that the racing red lenses are superior in all lighting conditions except really bright days - just my 0.02.....

bbattle

I got the Oakley XX's with polarized black lenses. Excellent contrast. No more squinting and they keep the wind and bugs out of my eyes. I got them with prescription lenses; inserts sound like too much trouble for me.


My winter headband has holes to slide the temples in. I just take off the headband and the glasses at the same time.

Jakey

I just wear Oakley M's. I think they are great. Though I have had my eyes on some rudy's.

Singlespeedster

I've been using the Specialized adaptive sunglasses for almost a year now. The lens quality is amazing, some of the clearest optics I've seen, and I'm comparing them to Oakleys, Smiths and Rudy project, all of which are gathering dust because I only use the Specialized.

I started out with the mountain bike glasses, which have a slightly lighter range of light transmission. Last fall I got a set of the road glasses, which are tinted slightly red, and are darker in their range of light transmission. Specialized also angles the lenses differently on each. These may not have all of the style and brand name cachet associated with Smith Oakley or Rudy, but if you are in the market for cycling glasses, they are well worth considering.

The adaptive technology is quite good. I've never found myself wanting to change lenses, or wishing for more or less light transmission.

jazzy_cyclist

I'be been using Rudy Rydons with a bifocal Rx insert; I am very happy with them. I have brown polarized (bright sun), racing red (overcast), and yellow (low light) lenses which all see use. Not familiar with contemporary adapative lenses, although the rap on them many moons ago was that they were quite heavy.

Cypress

Smith Axis. I just change the lenses when the weather gets dim. The Amber lenses work well in all lighting conditions for summer time, but I have to use the darks in winter due to the snow factor.

bbattle

You can now get photogrey lenses in plastic. I had the glass ones, then the plastic ones and the weight difference was significant. My new rimless frames feel like I'm wearing nothing at all.

Cypress

Gay Flanders!!! I giggle like a school girl everytime I see that stuff.

budster

I've been a huge fan of Serengeti photochromic shades for years.

The ones I use now aren't cycling specific, but they work great for me. They adjust to pretty much all light conditions, all the way from blinding snow glare to near dusk. They seem to adjust as fast as my eyes do.

I prefer glass lenses for durability and optical quality, but they now make polycarb lenses which are both photochromic and polarized.

https://www.serengeti-eyewear.com/products/polarmax.cfm

I've always bought mine on ebay for about 25% of original retail. My last pair cost me $45, including shipping. I've been using this pair for 3 years, not just for cycling, but also for skiing, snowshoeing, sailing, car driving -- et cet.

brianappleby

+1

They're only $50 at performance right now and they work fine... anything else is just overkill....

but nothing's wrong with overkill.

reneuend

I wear smith&wesson sunglasses (1) yellow and (1) dark-amber lenses for $10 each.

jazzy_cyclist

YMMV of course, but the primary reason I got cycling-specific glasses was because my eyes would tear up and blur when going fast (as in downhill) with my regular glasses.

feltdude

I don't wear any unless I'm riding at sunrise or sunset. I'll take the once a month mosquito in the eye in exchange for having my eyes open.

squeegy200

I've used Smiths, Raybans, Oakleys, and Rudy Project glasses for my riding.

And the Spy sunglasses have outlasted them all. The lenses are the clearest when compared to the other brands I've tried (With the exception of the Oakleys which always seem to be 2X as much as everyone else)

Interchangeable lenses on the models I choose (Scoops and Microscoops) and they have anti-fog air vents in the temples for when I'm riding.

When I've broken them, I just got an RMA when submitted with a purchase receipt, they graciously repaired them for free (Looks like they just sent me a brand new pair)r. On my other Spy sunglasses when I didn't have the original sales receipt, they charged me $15 and once again sent me what looked like a new pair.

Best of all, They sell for around $75-150 in local bike shops but can be found for half that amount online.

Propofol

DOH! Stupid sexy Flanders!

Singlespeedster

I'm confused by this. Do you close your eyes when you wear sunglasses?

mingsta

The best glasses I've found for my face are the specialized arcs. Adaptive lenses and they provide enough coverage so that you still get a clear view when low on the drops. Unfortunately they cost about as much as a 2nd hand bike, so in a rare moment of self restraint I haven't bought em.

Portlandonian

A guy on my team has some specialized adaptive glasses, and they only came with the adaptive lens. They don't get very light at all and I don't see any point to them. I much prefer to be able to switch between my different Rudy Lenses to get it right.

SpongeDad

I have a pair of adaptive sunglasses that I use for skiing or walking around, but not cycling. The transition is too slow to be useful. I'm better off with sunglasses that aren't quite as dark to begin with.