Glasses
#1
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From: Welland, ON
Bikes: '90 Bianchi Grizzly, '91 Look mi70, '99 RM Hammer Race
Glasses
It was around 0C this evening on my way to work and my eyes do not like the cold wind! They tear up with sunglasses on on the short descent I have as soon as I leave my place. I cannot have this happen as I need to arrive at work without mascara running down my face. What type of glasses can I purchase that are excellent at blocking the wind and that I can also wear when it is dark out that will get me through the mild winter days?
#3
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From: Calgary, Alberta
You need full-wrap sunglasses to deflect the wind around your eyes, rather than regular glasses which create eddy points at the edges of the lenses -- often wearing the wrong glasses can make your eyes colder than if you wear nothing at all!
Personally, I hate goggles and only wear them in heavy snowfall or when it is colder than -25C. Full wrap glasses are more versatile, and if you have to stop, say at a red light, you can just puch them down your nose so they don't fog up (harder to do that with goggles).
And for winter riding, nothing beats a set of photochromic lenses that adjust their tint automatically to the light conditions.
Personally, I hate goggles and only wear them in heavy snowfall or when it is colder than -25C. Full wrap glasses are more versatile, and if you have to stop, say at a red light, you can just puch them down your nose so they don't fog up (harder to do that with goggles).
And for winter riding, nothing beats a set of photochromic lenses that adjust their tint automatically to the light conditions.
#4
aka Tom Reingold




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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I just got large glasses at the eye doctor. Lucky they're back in style.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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#5
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From: Down Under
Bikes: A steel framed 26" off road tourer from a manufacturer who thinks they are cool. Giant Anthem. Trek 720 Multiroad pub bike. 10 kids bikes all under 20". Assorted waifs and unfinished projects.
Go to a safety wear shop and grab a pair of yellow safety glasses in a wrap round style. The yellow is great for flat light like overcast days and at night as they improve contrast. Being safety glasses they will be UV rated. They also have the bonus that even a top end pair might cost you $10.
You can get yellow lenses for ski goggles too, but I think you'd maybe sweat too much in them if your ride is energetic and it's not too cold, and you'd end up with runny mascara anyway.
You can get yellow lenses for ski goggles too, but I think you'd maybe sweat too much in them if your ride is energetic and it's not too cold, and you'd end up with runny mascara anyway.
#6
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
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Sperian A800 Series Wrap-Around Safety Glasses with Clear Tint Hardcoat Lens and Clear Frame-A800 - The Home Depot
#7
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 2010 Kona Dr. Dew, Moose Bicycle XXL (fat bike), Yuba Mundo V3
Wiley-X makes some sunglasses that have a (removable) ventilated foam seal and head strap that turns them into low-profile goggles. They're in the "Climate Control" category.
I have a pair of prescription Brick sunglasses I really like. In sunglasses mode they do a pretty good job keeping the wind out of my eyes. In goggles mode they still mostly pass for sunglasses, and are very effective at keeping the wind out. The vents in the foam seal do a pretty good job keeping them clear as well.
I have a pair of prescription Brick sunglasses I really like. In sunglasses mode they do a pretty good job keeping the wind out of my eyes. In goggles mode they still mostly pass for sunglasses, and are very effective at keeping the wind out. The vents in the foam seal do a pretty good job keeping them clear as well.
#8
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From: Erie, PA
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others
I found out safety glasses seem to work very well, and my optometrist has them at very low prices, included the lenses. I got polycarbonate lenses and frames for less than $100. I just switch when I get to work.
#9
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From: Black Hills, SD
Bikes: Montague Para Trooper High line
I use cheap shop/safety glasses from The Home Depot. not these exactly but close. I like the ones that come in a 5-pack. but this will give you an idea. also - why not put your makeup on after you get to work?
Sperian A800 Series Wrap-Around Safety Glasses with Clear Tint Hardcoat Lens and Clear Frame-A800 - The Home Depot
Sperian A800 Series Wrap-Around Safety Glasses with Clear Tint Hardcoat Lens and Clear Frame-A800 - The Home Depot
#10
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Minneapolis, MN
You can also buy balaclava's specifically designed to avoid fogging up your glasses / goggles to keep your head warm:
NO-FOG® Mask New 2016
Amazon.com: NO-FOG® Mask New 2016
Klim Glacier Men's Ski Snowmobile Balaclava - Black / One Size
Amazon.com: Klim Glacier Men's Ski Snowmobile Balaclava - Black / One Size
Last edited by PaulRivers; 01-27-16 at 12:50 PM.
#11
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Some of those cheap safety glasses do a great job at keeping wind out of the eyes, but they are very scratch prone.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#12
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Joined: May 2015
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From: Welland, ON
Bikes: '90 Bianchi Grizzly, '91 Look mi70, '99 RM Hammer Race
Well, I've tried large safety glasses, and yellow cycling glasses. Neither work well at keeping the wind out of my eyes. I have also just purchased ski goggles for the really cold winter days. I'm sure they will do the trick, but I'd still like to find something for the milder winter days.
I saw another cyclist with completely clear goggles, much smaller than ski goggles. They would do the trick I think, I just need to find them.
I saw another cyclist with completely clear goggles, much smaller than ski goggles. They would do the trick I think, I just need to find them.
#13
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From: central ohio
Bikes: 96 gary fisher 'utopia' : 99 Softride 'Norwester'(for sale), 1972 Raleigh Twenty. Surly 1x1 converted to 1x8, 96 Turner Burner
Visorgogs might do the trick, if you can get past their odd styling. Don't know if they're available in Canada. But they work for me.





