glasses or helmets first?
02-02-13, 08:49 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 561
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
glasses or helmets first?
looking to invest on a nice helmet and sunglasses combo but not sure which to buy first and what if it doesnt look good with the helmet or sunglasses or vice versa?
02-02-13, 10:04 PM
#2
Mostly Harmless
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chittenango, NY
Posts: 56,583
Bikes: Have two wheels
Mentioned: 169 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13706 Post(s)
Liked 4,523 Times
in
2,502 Posts
02-02-13, 10:40 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 160
Bikes: 2005 Felt CA-1, 2006 Bianchi Pista Concept, 2007 Pinarello Galileo, 2007 Trek T1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
02-02-13, 11:10 PM
#5
Senior Member
02-02-13, 11:15 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Eastern Shore of MD
Posts: 155
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
02-02-13, 11:17 PM
#7
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
I've been wearing a helmet when I ride for 22 years. I've never had cycling-specific sunglasses.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
02-02-13, 11:24 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,415
Bikes: 2010 Litespeed Icon, 1987 Nishiki Olympic 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you already have a helmet, get the glasses. A cheap helmet works the same as an expensive one when it matters. The same cannot be said for cheap sunglasses.
02-02-13, 11:29 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 354
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For sure, helmet first, and glasses second. You can get your glasses custom colored to match it.
This assuming you have a functional helmet and glasses already.
This assuming you have a functional helmet and glasses already.
02-03-13, 12:07 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 63
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Agreed, go with the helmet. At one time I rode with more expensive Oakley's but anymore I would prefer to just go with a cheap (~$20) pair of polarized sunglasses that fit well. Glasses tend to get dropped and beat around pretty good if you cycle a lot and personally I would rather not have to be super careful with an expensive pair. I think of them as semi-disposable.
02-03-13, 12:21 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 752
Bikes: CAAD10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oakleys are pretty darn tough glasses. Just ask me and all the other guys who have worn them through combat deployments overseas. I think they [or any high quality optics] are well worth the investment. I've used cheap glasses before and the optical distortion drives me crazy on the bike - you look higher off the ground and car headlights are subject to glare and bloom effect.
02-03-13, 06:19 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Boone, North Carolina
Posts: 5,094
Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-6 2014 Trek Domaine 5.9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
02-03-13, 08:22 AM
#15
Lover of Old Chrome Moly
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NW Minnesota
Posts: 2,949
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 23 Times
in
17 Posts
Really, your big concern about your helmet and eye protection is if they work together as a fashion statement ?!?!?
How about first being concerned about their performance as safety devices, then considering creature comforts and ease of operation, then, and only then worrying about the "bling" factor.
BTW, do these spandex shorts make my ass look fat?
How about Specialized Snell certified helmet and DeWalt ANSI Z87 certified safety glasses (anti glare, 100% UVA/UVB protection, in both amber and dark smoke)? These are the $20-30 protective glasses intended for the professional market where they are worn frequently for extended periods. While not Oakleys, they have very low distortion, are scratch resistant, comfortable, and pass the ANSI high velocity, but not ballistic, tests. I've got nothing against Oakleys or at least certain models of Oakleys as they do make some excellent protective eyewear. Giro also makes great helmets so no argument, just my personal choice. Point being that how much protection you get is far more important than how good it looks. The good news is that there are some good looking glasses and helmets with good safety records available for reasonable prices.
I suggest the OP get a good helmet first and a pair of less expensive safety glasses for now. Upgrade the eye wear at a later date and keep the less expensive pair as backups (for when you lose or smash the expensive Oakleys).
How about first being concerned about their performance as safety devices, then considering creature comforts and ease of operation, then, and only then worrying about the "bling" factor.
BTW, do these spandex shorts make my ass look fat?
Giro helmet, Oakley glasses. Nuff said.
I suggest the OP get a good helmet first and a pair of less expensive safety glasses for now. Upgrade the eye wear at a later date and keep the less expensive pair as backups (for when you lose or smash the expensive Oakleys).
Last edited by Myosmith; 02-03-13 at 08:57 AM.
02-03-13, 08:44 AM
#16
well hello there
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
206 Posts
I'd say get a cheap helmet first, then save your money and buy some expensive shades.
Personally I don't feel a big difference in helmets, but I'm very picky with my sunglasses.
Personally I don't feel a big difference in helmets, but I'm very picky with my sunglasses.
__________________
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
02-03-13, 08:57 AM
#17
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,302
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1447 Post(s)
Liked 724 Times
in
371 Posts
Thought this was going to be which one went on first.
Pro answer is glasses over helmet straps.
Pro answer is glasses over helmet straps.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
02-03-13, 09:00 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Zang's Spur, CO
Posts: 9,082
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3374 Post(s)
Liked 5,508 Times
in
2,853 Posts
No need for separate purchases: https://www.duxhelm.com/
02-03-13, 09:13 AM
#19
Senior Member
No need for separate purchases: https://www.duxhelm.com/
EDIT: Couldn't find specs for the lens though so I'm assuming it is not polycarb and polarized.
Last edited by ARPRINCE; 02-03-13 at 09:40 AM.
