Protective eyewear is an absolute necessity for any bike ride—they protect your eyes from rocks and road debris that often gets kicked by passing cars and trucks (and sometimes from junk thrown by mischievous teenagers). Performance Bicycle often puts their Radial II Multi-Lens Eyewear on sale at unbelievably low prices, and last fall I was able to pick up a pair for around $20 at a local Performance bike shop.
Performance Radial II Multi-Lens Eyewear
The Performance Radial II Multi-Lens Eyewear will give you 100% UVA/UVB protection and they are not the worst looking pair of cycling sunglasses you can buy (how’s that for a compliment?). The polycarbonate lenses on these glasses provide excellent optical clarity and are fairly scratch resistant. The lenses also have upper vents that do an excellent job of keeping fog from building up. The frame is made of forged nylon and appears to be very rugged.
Like most of the eyewear sold by Performance Bicycle, these glasses come with a carrying case, cleaning cloth, and three interchangeable lenses (Clear, Grey and Orange). The grey lenses work best in sunlight, while the orange lenses work best on overcast days. Obviously the clear lenses are for riding at night or in the rain.
The only problem I had with these glasses is the hard plastic nose piece—if you change you lenses often you are probably going to break the nose piece. It appears like Performance decided to supply three lenses but hoped that you would not have to change them very often.
The Performance Radial II Multi-Lens Eyewear retails for around $50, but as I mentioned earlier, they are often on sale for as little as $20 both online and at Performance Bicycle brick-and-motor stores. These glasses also have an optional Rx insert that turns your Radial II Eyewear into prescription cycling sunglasses.
While I still occasionally wear these glasses, they are not my favorite pair. If you are looking for great cycling sunglasses I have two suggestions. First, the Ryders Eyewear Hex Polar/Photochromic Sunglasses are the best I’ve ever seen for cycling. However, if you sometimes reading glasses (but don’t want people to know you need reading glasses), then I would strongly suggest the Dual Power Eyewear Dual SL2 Sunglasses.
billgncs
June 18, 2012 at 8:46 AM
have you heard recommendations for people who have to wear glasses? I was thinking I would have to buy regular glasses with photo-grey lenses.
All Seasons Cyclist
June 18, 2012 at 10:02 AM
billgncs — From what I’ve read the optional Rx insert works as advertised. The Rx insert is $20 and is basically a frame that fits inside the Radial II glasses — you just have an eye Dr. put a regular lens into the frame. Click on the link in the next to last paragraph of the above article and it will take you to the Performance Website so you can see what it looks like.
billgncs
June 18, 2012 at 10:24 PM
thanks!
Cherry
June 20, 2012 at 11:15 AM
I have yet to find a pair of cycling glasses that fit my face properly. They always seem to be designed for narrow faces. I have wider bone structure on my face – so I often find glasses squeezing my face!!!!!
All Seasons Cyclist
June 20, 2012 at 2:30 PM
Cherry — These sunglasses are actually a bit wider than most — maybe they would fit you!
Tom Dea
March 20, 2013 at 9:43 AM
Apparently Performance is not making these anymore. I bought a pair last year and while the glasses were cheap, the insert prescription was not. Now Performance is only saying “we dont make them anymore”. Now that i have spent over $100 I am back at square zero. If anyone knows where I can get a pair of glasses I’m interested — Tom 303-882-3749