Prescription Cycling Glasses

smr · 27 Jun 2017 at 18:55

Hi all,

I'm after some prescription cycling glasses but having never bought any before and being new to cycling I don't know whether it's best to go for inserts or normal prescription glazed lenses, is there one type of lens that's suitable for all light etc.? and which frames, lenses/system would you recommend?

Shamrock · 27 Jun 2017 at 20:07

I use the Bolle Vortex with a prescription insert that clips in behind the main lens. They do the job and there are a few lens options. I have photochromic lens for most riding and a low transmission lens for bright sunny days.

A few brands do frames that support "Rx inserts" as they are called.

I'd look at these sites... https://www.eyekit.co/ and http://www.rxsport.co.uk/

In an ideal world I'd have directly-glazed prescription Oakleys but they are like £350+ and I'd probably drop them!

smr · 28 Jun 2017 at 09:04

Shamrock said:
I use the Bolle Vortex with a prescription insert that clips in behind the main lens. They do the job and there are a few lens options. I have photochromic lens for most riding and a low transmission lens for bright sunny days.

A few brands do frames that support "Rx inserts" as they are called.

I'd look at these sites... https://www.eyekit.co/ and http://www.rxsport.co.uk/

In an ideal world I'd have directly-glazed prescription Oakleys but they are like £350+ and I'd probably drop them!

Thanks. Those glasses look very nice! £189.99 about right from rxsport?

Roady · 28 Jun 2017 at 09:09

I posted this in the large Road thread but just incase you miss it:

I don't wear them (yet! it's only a matter of time!) but my cheap Foakley Jawbreakers came with a subframe (for normal prescription lenses) which would then clip into the sunglasses on the nose bridge. It's a neat idea & concept (if accurate) to genuine Oakleys as you could swap them between different glasses. Mine's a poor fit to the frame but I think it's the nose bridge connection & cheap plastic my fakes are made out of. Interestingly I own some genuine Jawbreakers but I've not seen if the subframe fits in them.

Basically; buying sunglasses which work with a sub frame which your inserts fit into will be a much cheaper option. My Foakleys cost £14!

Shamrock · 28 Jun 2017 at 09:19

smr said:
Thanks. Those glasses look very nice! £189.99 about right from rxsport?

I think you can do better than that actually.

Frame and photochromic lens: https://www.eyekit.co/sunglasses/bo...ing-mountain-biking-running-motor-biking.html

(this is the lens I use for most of my riding, even at night)

Optical insert: https://www.eyekit.co/accessories/o...ert-for-men-and-womens-sports-sunglasses.html

The cost of the insert will vary depending on the lens options you go for.

smr · 28 Jun 2017 at 17:11

Shamrock said:
I think you can do better than that actually.

Frame and photochromic lens: https://www.eyekit.co/sunglasses/bo...ing-mountain-biking-running-motor-biking.html

(this is the lens I use for most of my riding, even at night)

Optical insert: https://www.eyekit.co/accessories/o...ert-for-men-and-womens-sports-sunglasses.html

The cost of the insert will vary depending on the lens options you go for.

Thanks for that.

I can't seem to select photochromatic tint though for some reason on the inserts.

edit - nvm I've just realised I was having a 'duh' moment

The lenses on the actual glasses are photochromatic, that's cool - so they'll change depending on the light conditions which is what I was looking for - just one thing though - when it's overcast and the chromatic changes to clear does that make the inserts visibly very obvious to see ?

smr · 28 Jun 2017 at 17:54

with regards to the insert i'm a bit confused as to whether to choose impact resistance or everyday use under lens options, any advice?

Shamrock · 28 Jun 2017 at 18:32

The inserts are slightly visible even when the lens is at its darkest. It's not really anything to worry about.

I think the best value option is the "Rimmed Clip-in Insert : Lifestyle Lenses - Crystal Clear" for £50.

Begbie · 28 Jun 2017 at 18:36

You can get Oakleys reglazzed which is a lot cheaper than getting the offical glazing done.

https://www.reglaze-glasses-direct.com/

I plan on getting it done soon.

£125 (not incl frames) which includes transition and Polycarbonate lenses.

smr · 28 Jun 2017 at 18:54

Begbie said:
You can get Oakleys reglazzed which is a lot cheaper than getting the offical glazing done.

https://www.reglaze-glasses-direct.com/

I plan on getting it done soon.

£125 (not incl frames) which includes transition and Polycarbonate lenses.

Nice idea, hadn't thought of that. If you get them reglazed it alters the reflective colouring though doesn't it?

Is that for Jawbreakers as well?

Begbie · 28 Jun 2017 at 19:03

smr said:
Nice idea, hadn't thought of that. If you get them reglazed it alters the reflective colouring though doesn't it?

Is that for Jawbreakers as well?

Not sure, I've not got Jawbreakers. Yet to get mine done.

Also they don't reglaze your lenses they make new lenses so you only send back the frames. Well that's the info they gave me.

saitrix · 29 Jun 2017 at 12:35

Begbie said:
Not sure, I've not got Jawbreakers. Yet to get mine done.

Also they don't reglaze your lenses they make new lenses so you only send back the frames. Well that's the info they gave me.

You are right, I bought a cheap pair of cycling glasses with a lense insert from China for ~£15. Then i got ciliaryblue to change the lense to my prescription for a total of £15 delivered. All in all I now have pescription cycling glasses for £30 and as I do mountain biking too I didn't want anything expensive.

smr, not sure where you are but ciliaryblue is Market Bosworth. Contact them, I found them very helpful.

Begbie · 29 Jun 2017 at 16:47

saitrix said:
You are right, I bought a cheap pair of cycling glasses with a lense insert from China for ~£15. Then i got ciliaryblue to change the lense to my prescription for a total of £15 delivered. All in all I now have pescription cycling glasses for £30 and as I do mountain biking too I didn't want anything expensive.

smr, not sure where you are but ciliaryblue is Market Bosworth. Contact them, I found them very helpful.

Awesome, I do want the decent lenses etc in mine which comes to £120. But even still a LOT cheaper than alternatives. I'll get them sent off soon

jpaul · 1 Jul 2017 at 09:34

Begbie said:
I plan on getting it done soon.
£125 (not incl frames) which includes transition and Polycarbonate lenses.

so can you buy a genuine oakley frame and have a prescription lense made up by these folks -
their web site is not easy to navigate, I guess an email is in order.
[I had posted on an earlier similar thread and nice to know you could replace ]

Begbie · 1 Jul 2017 at 09:59

jpaul said:
so can you buy a genuine oakley frame and have a prescription lense made up by these folks -
their web site is not easy to navigate, I guess an email is in order.
[I had posted on an earlier similar thread and nice to know you could replace ]

Their website seems easy enough to me. But I've emailed them before and they were very responsive.

But yeah, you can. So much going on at the moment, but plan on sending them soon.

jpaul · 1 Jul 2017 at 11:04

OK thanks, yes I got web site to work now (ad block) - only reservation I can see for Oakley is the colour/light transmission match,
they appear to to do brown or grey pol'd with 75/50/25 light blocking £135 so would need to see how that compares to bronze I use now,

a1ex2001 · 3 Jul 2017 at 07:19

Considered contacts? I use daily disposables for sport and sunglasses days!

platypus · 3 Jul 2017 at 09:33

Inserts will only work for you if they fit your face. You won't get a decent fit otherwise.

No transition lens will cover all light situations. You can get 1-3 or 2-4 transitions, 4 being the darkest and 1 being clear. You won't get 1 grade transitions that block out bluebird days, but given the weather in the UK you need to toss a coin as to whether thats worth it to you or not.

I would advise strongly against buying prescription glasses online, as getting the fit perfect will be next to impossible and you cannot beat a good dispensing optician.

smr said:
with regards to the insert i'm a bit confused as to whether to choose impact resistance or everyday use under lens options, any advice?

Decent lenses will be impact resistant anyway.

£1,200 to the likes of you

.

jpaul · 3 Jul 2017 at 14:45

$$$ are they next generation Microsoft Holens augmented realities with overlayed road obstructions and power output.

Inserts may fog up too, on >drizzle days, also, for me, although polarization is great to cut glare it does seem to reduce acuity to inspect road surface
(even more so, for ski piste)

PermaBanned · 3 Jul 2017 at 14:56

platypus said:
I would advise strongly against buying prescription glasses online, as getting the fit perfect will be next to impossible and you cannot beat a good dispensing optician.

Bit of an aside, but is there any particular reason you say this? I've got my glasses online for the past few years and had no issues. Spend about £20 on a normal pair, once you know your PD it's fine really.