Collection: Racing Bike Glasses

GLASSES FOR RACING BIKES

Road cycling is the most popular and widely followed genre of cycling competitions. Racing bikes captivate millions of people worldwide, both amateurs and professionals, and have become a true tradition and passion since the earliest official competitions in 1868 in Paris, organized by the Vélo Club Parisien. Over time, road cycling has evolved into a globally acclaimed discipline, with daily updates on news, favorite athletes, and live broadcasts in the media.

Regardless of one’s level—whether a competitor or a casual rider—it’s essential to use and select the right equipment, starting with your racing bike and extending to your technical clothing, to fully enjoy your outing.

When it comes to glasses for racing bikes, cyclists’ needs can vary greatly. Some prefer the typical mask design, while others opt for glasses with separate lenses.

This leads us to a clear distinction in the types of racing bike glasses:

MASK GLASSES: Typically designed with mirrored lenses, these glasses offer a bold and aggressive appearance. They are recommended for those seeking total protection from the air. Unlike glasses with two separate lenses, the mask design provides greater protection, especially at the higher speeds encountered in road cycling compared to mountain biking. Thanks to advancements in lens materials, the structure of the mask maintains a comparable weight to traditional racing bike glasses while offering superior protection from airborne debris and obstacles such as leaves, insects, dust, and small stones.

GLASSES WITH SEPARATE LENSES: Glasses with separate lenses can also be used for activities beyond road cycling. Cyclists who alternate between road cycling and mountain biking don't necessarily need separate pairs of sports glasses; they can utilize the same pair for both activities.

From a construction standpoint, it's advisable for those practicing both disciplines to choose frames with thicker temples. These thicker temples provide additional protection from leaves, branches, and other small obstacles encountered during mountain biking. While they may have aesthetic value for road cycling, their impact on protection in that environment is minimal.

When it comes to lenses, the choice is highly personal for every cyclist. There are no precise rules for selecting the ideal lens for racing bike glasses, as preferences vary widely. However, we can categorize the types of lenses available to help you determine which one might be most suitable for your needs:

PHOTOCHROMIC LENSES: These lenses undergo a reversible chemical reaction when exposed to UV radiation or sunlight, darkening in response to light. Once the exposure diminishes, they gradually return to their original transparent state. They are suitable for both mountain biking and road cycling, so it’s important to specify which type performs best for your chosen discipline:

PHOTOCHROMIC SMOKE: Recommended for mountain biking, these lenses start off completely transparent (Category 1) and darken up to Category 2.5. They remain slightly clearer at maximum activation, aiding the eye in adapting more quickly from light to shadow. This feature allows athletes to maintain performance without needing to remove their glasses when entering shaded areas. In dense forest zones, the lens will be fully transparent, providing protection from airborne debris such as leaves and branches. This gradual transition also makes them suitable for night outings, offering simple protection from the elements.

PHOTOCHROMIC DCHROM: Suitable for both mountain biking and road cycling, these lenses start off slightly tinted (Category 1) and darken until reaching Category 3 (similar to the darkness of common sunglasses). They are particularly recommended for prolonged use without significant light-dark variations. Using this lens for road cycling ensures you have glasses you won’t need to take off. The same applies for mountain biking, except in dense brush areas where it may feel a bit dark. We do not recommend this lens for those seeking glasses suitable for night outings.

Below is a comparison between the Photochromic Smoke lens and the Photochromic DCHROM lens.

DCHANGE: Primarily designed for road cycling, the DCHANGE lens package includes a set of three lenses that allow for the use of cycling glasses in all atmospheric conditions, from intense sunlight to cloudy days, rain, and low-light or night outings. The set of interchangeable lenses includes:

• Smoke lens: Category 3, providing UV protection. This lens offers optimal performance in sunny weather and bright conditions.

• Orange lens: Category 2, also offering UV protection. It provides optimal performance in cloudy weather or low-light conditions.

• Transparent lens: Category 1, ensuring UV protection as well. This lens is ideal for rainy or very low-light conditions, as well as for night outings.

While these cycling glasses can also be used for mountain biking, we recommend opting for a photochromic lens for that discipline to achieve maximum performance.

Below is an example of the included lenses (smoke mirrored, orange, and transparent):

CATEGORY 3 SMOKE LENS: This is the same Smoke lens included as standard in the DCHANGE package. It is particularly recommended for road cycling during sunny days. This type of lens is often preferred by those seeking training glasses, as it provides the necessary protection without the additional features of a more comprehensive lens package.