roadandmountain

I'm thinking about getting some sunglasses with 3 or 4 sets of lenses. Seems like the best of both worlds: multiple sets of lenses for multiple conditions, but without the cost of multiple sets of sunglasses.

Now, for those of you who already own, do you think it's worth it? My only concern is that swapping lenses in and out might be a hassle and so I won't bother doing it. Or, the lenses get scratched up in the process of swapping.

I'm willing to spend up to $100 for a pair. Feel free to recommend.

JC 911

Go interchangeable; totally worth it. Swapping lenses are pretty easy and only takes like 20 seconds. Depending on the quality of the frames/lenses, you won't have to worry about scratches during swapping.
I would recommend bumping up your budget a bit and go with a pair of Oakleys. You pay more but worth it in the long run.

I have heard good things about Rudy Project so that may be an option.

I had a pair of Nikes prior to getting Oakleys and I will never go back.

valleycyclist

I'm currently using Smith Optics sunglasses, and they are great. My only complaint is that there isn't enough ventilation, and they sometimes start to fog when I stop at a light. I like having the options of different lenses for cloudy, sunny, and clear for riding in the dark.

Eclectus

I have some Oakley Iridium blues, with interchangeable uncolored lens for night/low sunlight. They're nice. I have some Revos, the first company to use NASA coatings lenses, polarized. Nice too. Oakley and Revo were both bought by Luxottica.

kleinboogie

I rarely swap lenses but it's nice to have the option. I tried it once on the road and it was a hassle because it was hard to not smudge them. If I knew I'd have two different conditions that one lens couldn't handle then I'd probably go for two glasses. +1 on the Oakleys, the lenses are really clear compared to my pile of $20 ones. No way I'd carry an extra Oakley lense on the road. I'd rather go without than drop a $100 lens on the ground. GL

PeddlingPilgrim

yes... i'm enjoying the oakley interchangeable lenses. when the lenses get scratched up enough i can just replace them @ my LBS. #win.

Nachoman

Yay.

CbadRider

I have some from Performance Bike I got for about $35. It's not very difficult to swap the lenses. I use the clear for riding to work in the morning (I leave my house when it it still dark) and swap to the sunglasses for the ride home.

Eclectus

I don't know how you guys clean your lenses. I use some dish soap and water, and blot-dry them with a cotton towel. Do not rub them to dry.

chasmm

I'm a big fan of the Oakley Flak Jackets. The lens are interchangeable and the glasses don't look "abnormal" if you're wearing them when you're not riding.

That said, I rarely swap lens when riding. I just don't want to scratch them carrying them around in a pack. I did get a pair of lens that are photochromic...the brand name is Transitions. They're great for wearing when you think the conditions might change.

Charles

sfrider 

I bring clear lenses to swap out in case it gets dark or foggy while I'm out. The Oakley Radar lenses come with a bag to keep them in, and I just put them in a jersey pocket.

They get cleaned after each ride with running warm water and soap.

RideIt

I really like the photochromic lenses, that adjust to varying light conditions. I have a pair of Serfas, fairly cheap at $45, and they go from 15% light transmission in bright light up to 50% light transmission. It's great for morning/late afternoon rides when the sun intensity changes quite a bit. Plus I don't have to carry around a spare set of lenses.

However, photochromic lenses are not good for driving, because the U/V light, which causes the lenses to darken, is blocked by your car's windshield, leaving the lenses constantly at their lightest setting

There are a bunch of companies making photochromic, including Smith, Oakley, and Tifosi to name a few.

Forza

Yep...Oakley FlakJacket XLJ user. Totally, worth it...YMMV.

damnpoor

Mine are interchangeable. I never actually change them but having the lens come off is great for cleaning. I've had several pairs crack right in the middle where the one piece lens is thinnest. Right now I'm riding with Serfas sunglasses and I really like them.

https://www.serfas.com/product_details2.asp?ID=669

Eclectus

Serengetti Transitions darken in the car. I'm not into their reddish color. I have some B&L green lenses. Not into that either. I like gray lenses, especially polarized.

roadandmountain

Serfas look quite nice, loaded with features too.

Hopefully it was another brand that cracked?

damnpoor

Yeah it happened to two other brands but I can't remember the names.

VR4

Anyone have experience with Tifosi sunglasses? Some of their models with interchangeable lenses appear to have pretty good ventilation and the price is reasonable ($60 MSRP). I'm tempted to order a pair online but don't know about the quality.

https://www.tifosioptics.com/products/results/search&sport=Cycling|Run&lenstype=interchangeable/

92Esquire

I'm currently wearing a set of Tifosi Tyrants on the bike. I've been an Oakley owner for about 15 years, starting with M-Frames (which I still have 2 frames and about 5 lenses) and adding Half Jackets a few years ago. I'm done wearing Oakleys on the bike, I think.

I don't notice any optical difference with the Tifosis, and replacement lenses are $14. I've cracked or scratched two M-Frame lenses (which were old, to be sure) in the last couple months of riding just dealing with the glasses while messing with my helmet (typically at rest stops when I'm gassed and not focused). It's a lot easier to stomach getting a new $14 set of lenses than $75.

Frame quality is not the same - the Oakley moldings are much cleaner, and the frame coatings are much more uniform. Yes, you do get what you pay for - but these glasses (at least for me) live a much harder life than most glasses.

Cat4Lifer

Swapping out lenses is pretty easy.
I have Performance and Oakley brand glasses, but if I were buying again, I'd get Tifosi glasses, and they're only about $60.

Chef151

I haven't tried them, but nearly everyone in my group ride has them, so I assume they are good. Also, they're pcad approved, which is big.

ACE77

I love my oakley radars and changing lenses in covenient and easy

aham23

i picked up some Oakley Jawbones this year with the two sets of lens. i was never a big fan of swapping out lens. didnt want to scratch or drop or lose them. while i have dropped them and they do have a couple scratches, which i dont notice while riding, i am a big fan. on overcast days the yellow lens can really clear up the view. i find it nice when racing. later.

dstrong 

Tifosi Slips are my main sunglasses and had both the dark lenses (brown and uh...kind of purple-ish) broke after quite a bit of use...but not a problem since replacements are available...except I couldn't find the purple-ish ones...so I bought 2 browns which address 98% of my use. I'll swap to yellow or clear if I'm jogging at dusk, but I'm a morning weekend warrior on the bike, so it's the dark lenses for me.

rollin

Yes.

If you plan on carrying a change of lens with you then I would recommend a) buying a cheap pair so you're not worrying too much about the extra lens, and b) single piece lens rather than two piece lenses.

For day rides I use my Oakley Ms or Radars.

For varying light/ full day rides I have Uxex Crow Pros and a cheap pair I bought from PBK they both work really well. My evening ride is often into the sunset and then back in the near dark.

rollin's rule of sunglasses states that the cheaper the pair of sunglasses, the less chance there is of you, sitting on them, crashing when you're wearing them, loosing them etc. *



* results may vary.