Author Tim Hallworth is a triathlete, adventure racer and ultra marathon runner and with his wife is co- founder of AMO sunglasses.
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Not all bikes are the same You know that well. Some are better than others, and sometimes it's for very subtle reasons. It's the same with your cycling sunglasses. As a bicyclist you probably know more about your bike than your eyewear, but there are a number of important features about your cycling sunglasses that affect both performance and price and to get the best value for your money it's a good idea to understand these.
Here are the key facts that cyclists should keep in mind when shopping for sunglasses specifically for use while bike riding:
1. Sunglasses Provide Safety and Protection for Your Eyes
If you're a cop and don't wear a bullet-proof vest, most people will think you're a dope. Why pass on this easy-to-use layer of safety? The same applies to cycling sunglasses. They offer protection from the rocks and debris that can be flicked up from the, road or from the cyclist in front of you, dust from vehicles and insects. This is the same reason you see shop workers, lawn care people, etc., wearing protective eyewear.
Because of this protective function, you should wear cycling sunglasses in any weather and in any light, not just as factor of the sun's brightness alone. If it's dark choose a clear or low light lens.
While all sunglasses must meet minimum impact standards, however, plastic lenses are less likely to shatter upon impact than glass lenses.
Fashion sunglasses or lifestyle sunglasses like Ray-Ban, offer very little protection as the lenses are thin and may not be made from polycarbonate.
Top cycling sunglasses have thicker lenses (usually about 2mm thick) and are made from NXT or polycarbonate lenses, which offer better impact resistance than regular plastic.
If you're really serious about safety impact resistance, look for glasses that comply with ANSIZ87.1, which is the American National Safety Institute standard and will protect your eyes from a 1/4 inch ball bearing travelling at 150ff/sec. This is a high standard for both frames and lenses and only a few sports sunglasses can reach this standard. For comparison, a BB shot with a velocity of 45 m/s (150 ft/s) has skin piercing capability, and a velocity reaching 60 m/s (200 ft/s) can fracture bone. And BBs are much smaller and lighter than the 1/4 ball bearing referenced above.
2. Sunglasses provide UV protection from the Sun's Harmful Rays
Most sunglasses will block UV light. You know that. It's a low standard. These days UV protection can be achieved even by the cheap knock-offs from China or the sunglasses you buy in your local gas station, and does not depend on the price.
Sports sunglasses which have NXT or polycarbonate lenses naturally absorb some UV light. UV absorption is improved by adding chemicals to the lens material during manufacturing or by applying special lens coatings.
But to certain that the cycling sunglasses you are considering will give you 100% UV protection. You need that. Always choose cycling sunglasses that are labeled as blocking 99-100% of UV rays or look for a label which says "UV absorption up to 400nm." This is the same thing as 100% UV absorption.
3. Wraparound sunglasses are not just to look good
Wrap-around cycling sunglasses have been around for a long time. It is not just a marketing gimmick or current fashion trend. You need cycling sunglasses with more curved lens and that wrap around the side of your face. They cover more area than simple frontal-only facing sunglasses.
If you do not wear wraparounds it's like having a slow leak in one of your bike tires. Sure, it'll hold air but it will still go flat over time. It's the same way with non-wrapping eyewear as the sun’s rays and UV light will enter around the frames to reduce the protective benefits of your sports sunglasses.This wrapping around design prevents the sun’s rays from entering your eyes from the sides.
4. Adjustable Fit is Key
Bike design allows you to adjust your bike for your specific body measurements. Now there is a whole bike fitting industry built around this. It's because people -- even those who are the same height -- are not all the same size. Different length arms, legs and torsos make this adjustment necessary for more perfect bike fit.
Some, so called cycling sunglasses allow zero adjustment. Would you buy a bike where you could not adjust the seat?You need cycling sunglasses that will fit on your head. You do not want sunglasses that move around or slide down your nose.
Really good cycling sunglasses will have adjustable nose pads and temple arms, so you can mold them to fit your face.
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As a special premium for readers of About.com's Bicycling site Tim Hallworth, owner of AMO Sports Sunglasses and the author of this piece, is offering you an additional 10% discount on the purchase a new pair of AMO sports sunglasses. Just enter discount code "BLOG10" at the AMO Shop.
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