Clear prescription lenses for my Rudy Project glasses
Thu, December 11, 2014 
You may remember earlier this year when I wrote about my new sunglasses that I ordered from SportRX, a company in San Diego that specialize in prescription sports eyewear.
I was able to choose from a selection of cycling specific glasses.
I settled for a pair of Rudy Project Horus frames, and when these Italian made glasses arrived I noticed that the lenses were mounted in separate individual frames around each lens.
The main eyewear frame is then flexible enough that these eye-pieces clip in place, making it easy to change lenses for different occasions. (Picture left.)
The silver coated “Win-win” sunglass lenses served me well through this last summer and autumn, when here in South Carolina most days come with extremely bright sunshine. However, winter is closing in, and although temperatures are still good for riding, days are often overcast and cloudy.
Also I sometimes ride early morning when it is still dark. I realized it was time to order a spare pair of clear (No tint.) prescription lenses. I got back in touch with SportRX. They still had my prescription on file, so it was a simple matter of shooting them an email, and my new lenses arrived in a little over a week.
I went with the progressive no-line bi-focal lenses, the same as I did for the sunglasses. I find the distance vision and close up/reading bi-focal set up is not a problem when riding, and it saves having to carry separate reading glasses, should I need to fix a flat or actually read something. You never know.
The thing I like about this interchangeable lens set up is that there is no need to carry a separate pair of glasses. The curved style of these type of glasses, means they fit great on your face, but don't fold flat and so are bulky when in a case. The hard-shell case that came with my original sunglass order is quite large, it measures 6.5 x 3.5 x 2.5 inches. (165 x 90 x 65mm.) Takes up a lot of pocket space.
Often on longer weekend rides, I start out when it is dark or cloudy, then the sun comes out later. The glasses are always on my face while riding, all I need to carry is the spare lenses that fit in a little soft bag they came in. It has two separate pockets inside the bag so the lenses are not rubbing together.
This then fits in a small hard plastic case that is actually a traveling soap case, but is the perfect size to fit in my jersey pocket. (Picture right.)
The thing I love about both the tinted and clear lenses is the size and shape, and the way they fit close to the face.
When I look up, down, or sideways, I don’t see the frames. I have clear all-round vision. This includes my normal riding position, head down, looking up.
I have always been a believer in having the right clothing and equipment for my riding comfort, safety and pleasure. I can’t believe I went so long before getting cycling specific eye-wear. It is one of those things you don’t notice the benefit until you try it.
Then after using the sunglasses through the summer, and I had to go back to my regular glasses when the weather turned cloudy, I soon realized it was time to order some clear lenses for the Rudy Project frames. I’m glad I did.
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Reader Comments (11)
Thanks Dave for the good review ! I just found last week it's time for glasses and this exact topic was brought up about Sport/cycling glasses, perfect timing on your article .
great post. Something we all can use. I struggle with the clear lens issue also...but... not any longer after reading this. Easy peezy.
I realized during twilight bike rides that my 60% tint level was throwing me into premature darkness, so I bought a pair of prescription glasses with 10% tint.
I went the cheapskate route at zennioptical.com
Not a huge selection suitable for cycling, but the price is right.
Dave, I just noticed that you wear your glasses outside your helmet straps. I understand that this is the preferred option for those in the know, but mine are always on the inside. (Shows what i know!). Allegedly my method indicates that my helmet straps are too loose.
Martin,
I find that funny, because I consciously put them on the outside because I knew if I didn't someone would be bound to tell me it was wrong. Maybe I'll start a new trend and wear one side outside the strap and the other side in. Really, who gives a shit, it depends whether I put the helmet on first or the glasses.
Dave
Maybe thats the reason I am always running into something, like a horse one time, on our local all purpose path, I should invest in some glasses? So, and its really none of my business but what did all that lot costs approx? BUT on a lighter note, I tend to remove my helmet each time I stop and with the straps inside the glasses as in your photo I would have to remove my glasses before the helmet? kinda like, why do women remove their pantys before the bra?, that has been bugging me all these 81 years.
Rudy has one-lens prescription solution with Photochromatic RX lens. Like their ImpactRX. They get almost clear in low light, and dark enough for Summer Days.
Nice thing they change rapid enough for Mountain Biking where you transition between sun and shade constantly.
Walk inside for a coffee and you won't have to stop to change lens (to read). One lens covers everything.
To answer Mr. Grumpy's question about cost, my prescription glasses at Zenni Optical are about $35 per pair depending on exact options. I believe Dave's are in the $170-$200 range, but I'm sure he will correct me if I'm wrong.
Grumpy, do you keep your socks on until last?
The prices are on the website http://www.sportrx.com/shopby/best_sports-cycling.html
The initial prices you see are for frames, the cost of the lens will be added to this, and depends on your prescription. Bi-focals cost more than single distance vision.
Dave
(Answer to Martin W. YES). I have Photocromatic lens on my everyday glasses and they work fine, but in the direct sunlight at Colorado's altitude they do not get quite dark enough. Also riding into the sun. late in the day, its sometime hard to see who is in the shade. (like a bloody (h)orse) so mulitpule lens are the way to go. But like everything else in life you get what you pay for USUALLY! If fashion is NOT your bag, you can use regular glasses and get clip on SUN shades that flip up and down as needed.
Have been using a pair or Rudy Project's with separate internal bifocal prescription lenses, but in the damp foggy conditions of recent rides they are misting over on all four surfaces - so I end up riding either blind with them on or blind with them off! These ones look like they may be solution. How do they do with cutting out the wind to the eyes?