Last few pieces to purchase...glasses

badboybennyg

Right I now have a:

-Road Bike on it's way (retro Shogan Team Issue in electric blue -Campag Ergo 8spd Athena Groupset, Mavic Rims and Cinelli Bars and stem) ,
-I have matching electric blue road shoes (Shimano SH-R150's)
-and pedals to clip into (Ultegra SPD-R's),
-I have sourced a cool jersey from LBS's with their team kit replica
-Found some good bib shorts online that i'm about to order.

Soooooo Glasses. I have very little cash left so..

A- Are they essential?
B- If they are will a clear pair do, or so I really need 5 different lenses for different conditions?

Hornetto

You definitely need glasses (the number of times I've had a bit of stone or an insect hit them!). Most glasses will come with replacement lenses with different colours and they don't need to be expensive.

I was looking to get something like these:

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=G1010

Comes with 5 sets of lenses and less than £15 so if they get wrecked it isn't a problem.


EDIT: Clear only is fine but it's handy to have the option to change them to shaded lenses during a ride if it gets bright, or orange lenses if it gets a bit dark.

hopper1

Well done.... So far....
IMHO glasses are pretty much essential, make it easier to see in the rain and if you get multi lens type, easier to see in the Sun, or dull grey days, keep the Lady Birds out of your eyes, too!
The multi lens glasses are not necessarily expensive either, I bought some BBB multi lens glasses, not very expensive and easy enough to change the lenses, too.

sherer

i've always been a fan of the Rudy Projects. Got the Rydons for about £80 and they work fine for me. Helps for keeping the wind out of the eyes too when you get up to speed

dennisn

"Last few pieces to purchase" couldn't be further from the truth. You are about to embark on a hobby / pastime that will cost you more than you ever thought. You have only just begun to buy.

badboybennyg

Thanks guys! Based on that info I shall stretch the budget that extra bit and purchase.

Hornetto- I could have saved myself a couple of hours at work reseching bargain glasses if I'd come on here first and been pointed to those...nice one!!

Cheers

Ben

Surf-Matt

You could spend £7.40 on these utterly brilliant Bolle glasses - cheap because they are officially "safety" glasses. They even react to the light!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bolle-Contour-ESP ... 286.c0.m14

MattC59

Surf-Matt wrote:

You could spend £7.40 on these utterly brilliant Bolle glasses - cheap because they are officially "safety" glasses. They even react to the light!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bolle-Contour-ESP ... 286.c0.m14

Or you can get them from here for £6.89
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/95382/Workwear-PPE/Protective-Clothing/Eye-Protection/Bolle-Contour-ESP-Lens-Spectacles

I use these and the're fantastic ! I recently spoke to a Bolle rep at a trade show and asked why cycling glasses, which fall into the leisure wear category, cost so much. He told me that it's simply because the leisure/sports market is willing to pay more.

In fact, he told me that the lenses in the Bolle safety glasses are optically identical to the cycling glasses (obviously with out the range of tints).

I've been using the above glasses for a while now. The fit is good, they're light weight and unless you're up on Alpine snow fields, I find the tint absolutely spot on.

Glasses are definitely a must, a fly or piece of grit in the eye at speed isn't funny !!!

No one will even notice that they're not cycling glasses, but if they do, just think of the ££££££ in your back pocket and feel smug

Cheers....... Matt

Surf-Matt

I have £85 Bolle Anacondas (sunnies) and those Contours - I honestly reckon the Contours have better lenses...

Redsteveb

I bought a pair of these from Wiggle for £22.50 and would definitely recommend them.

Woodchip

Another vote for Rudy Project Rydons.

Oh, unless you're on a budget then Blocs win everyday. Always used Blocs on the MTB as if I came off and wrecked them I wouldn't be too financially gutted.

Chrissz

It depends on how your eyes work but personally I can't get on with glasses that have frames down the sides of the lens - I can only use the ones that are 'frameless' or partially fraimed lenses as otherwise they block my peripheral vision too much! Not good when looking over your shoulder for cars!!

Woodchip

Chrissz wrote:

It depends on how your eyes work but personally I can't get on with glasses that have frames down the sides of the lens - I can only use the ones that are 'frameless' or partially fraimed lenses as otherwise they block my peripheral vision too much! Not good when looking over your shoulder for cars!!

Same as. I got a set of Shimano glasses on the cheap, but they were horrible. It was like looking through a little TV set as I could see the frame all the time.

Mark73

+1 to what the two Matt's said. The Bolle safety glasses are brilliant. Never leave home without 'em. keeps the wind rain and flies out of my eyes.

They are cheap, tough and look the part too, if that's important to you. Can't recommend them highly enough.

AGNI

I struggle with my glasses steaming up. May be down to the fact that I sweat like John Prescott in a cake shop.

haggisinlondon

I wear glasses all the time but like AGNI says they steam up so easily and the sweat pours over them. Have taken to putting vaseline above my eyebrows to stop that happening, but the steaming still happens.

Is it my cheap lenses?

sherer

if you get the Rudy Projet Rydons they have vents in them, I ride with them closed but you can open the vent to create a small gap which is still ok for airflow and it should clear the steam up problem

topher9

I bought some Bolle contours too - £7.40 off ebay inc postage (think Screwfix charge for postage so works out more expensive). They're brilliant. I am a big fan of Oakley and have had a few pairs for non-cycling wear. Latest ones aren't suitable really (crosshair) and couldn't afford more. So bought the contours and they are surprisingly good - and you don't look ridiculous either.

If you can afford £80, then fair play but after trying these, I don't think I could justify it. And if they break, who cares.

Stewie Griffin

Chrissz wrote:

It depends on how your eyes work but personally I can't get on with glasses that have frames down the sides of the lens - I can only use the ones that are 'frameless' or partially fraimed lenses as otherwise they block my peripheral vision too much! Not good when looking over your shoulder for cars!!

+2, thats what made me get the Blocs. Apparently washing up liquid stops your lenses from misting up, motorcycle riders recommend it. Do wash it off before riding in the rain though .

Woodchip

Washing up liquid is great, or just slide your glasses down you nose about 1/2" when you stop. That way the hot moist air goes up through the gap and you don't steam up.

AGNI

Woodchip wrote:

Washing up liquid is great, or just slide your glasses down you nose about 1/2" when you stop. That way the hot moist air goes up through the gap and you don't steam up.

I have tried the washing up liquid. Didn't seem to work. Must be because I am like a boiling kettle. I tfind that I take them out less and less now.

TBH, I could do with getting a better lightweight pair.

hugh1982

The bolle glasses look terrific value i have to say but (sorry to hijack this thread) could anyone recommend any decent value glasses that don't make you look like a douche once you step off your bike? ie. ones that are more general purpose?

nielsamd

Nice tip on those cheapo Bolle glasses.

Now... can you get prescription inserts that fit for them? I have chatted to someone who had Bolles (no idea which model though), with inserts
but as it was a chance meeting I didn't ask him the right question like: did you get the insert -with- the glasses or are there general inserts available at opticians?

topher9

Not sure nielsamd - I wear contacts.

They don't actually look ridiculous when you're not on the bike. I wouldn't wear them on the beach but then I wouldn't (personally) wear Radar Path's or Jawbone's to the beach either. Great for the bike though.

fungus_the_muffin_man

nielsamd wrote:

Nice tip on those cheapo Bolle glasses.

Now... can you get prescription inserts that fit for them? I have chatted to someone who had Bolles (no idea which model though), with inserts
but as it was a chance meeting I didn't ask him the right question like: did you get the insert -with- the glasses or are there general inserts available at opticians?

Rudy projects do both prescription lense glasses and ones which have the snap in insert. I wear glasses and am looking into them at the moment.

doog442

MattC59 wrote:

Surf-Matt wrote:

You could spend £7.40 on these utterly brilliant Bolle glasses - cheap because they are officially "safety" glasses. They even react to the light!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bolle-Contour-ESP ... 286.c0.m14

Or you can get them from here for £6.89
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/95382/Workwear-PPE/Protective-Clothing/Eye-Protection/Bolle-Contour-ESP-Lens-Spectacles

I use these and the're fantastic ! I recently spoke to a Bolle rep at a trade show and asked why cycling glasses, which fall into the leisure wear category, cost so much. He told me that it's simply because the leisure/sports market is willing to pay more.

In fact, he told me that the lenses in the Bolle safety glasses are optically identical to the cycling glasses (obviously with out the range of tints).

I've been using the above glasses for a while now. The fit is good, they're light weight and unless you're up on Alpine snow fields, I find the tint absolutely spot on.

Glasses are definitely a must, a fly or piece of grit in the eye at speed isn't funny !!!

No one will even notice that they're not cycling glasses, but if they do, just think of the ££££££ in your back pocket and feel smug

Cheers....... Matt

+1

Got 2 pairs, use them for running, cycling and driving..

Grazy81

MattC59 wrote:

Surf-Matt wrote:

You could spend £7.40 on these utterly brilliant Bolle glasses - cheap because they are officially "safety" glasses. They even react to the light!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bolle-Contour-ESP ... 286.c0.m14

Or you can get them from here for £6.89
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/95382/Workwear-PPE/Protective-Clothing/Eye-Protection/Bolle-Contour-ESP-Lens-Spectacles

I use these and the're fantastic ! I recently spoke to a Bolle rep at a trade show and asked why cycling glasses, which fall into the leisure wear category, cost so much. He told me that it's simply because the leisure/sports market is willing to pay more.

In fact, he told me that the lenses in the Bolle safety glasses are optically identical to the cycling glasses (obviously with out the range of tints).

I've been using the above glasses for a while now. The fit is good, they're light weight and unless you're up on Alpine snow fields, I find the tint absolutely spot on.

Glasses are definitely a must, a fly or piece of grit in the eye at speed isn't funny !!!

No one will even notice that they're not cycling glasses, but if they do, just think of the ££££££ in your back pocket and feel smug

Cheers....... Matt

Nice one guys i have a screwfix round the corner so i might get a pair to try out as i need a pair badly as i am always getting flies in my eyes and specially when i am at speed my eyes just start streaming

nielsamd

topher9 wrote:

Not sure nielsamd - I wear contacts.
.

Thanks topher9. I can wear contacts but wouldn't really want to have my current single vision contacts in while changing a tire or do any fiddly roadside repair work where I would, at my age now, take off my Rx glasses (am getting varifocals soonish).

I think I'll further investigate how `universal' Bolle inserts are as well as Rudy Projects (thanks Fungus) etc. I will report back here if I find anything, to assist those who follow in these thread footsteps.