Rudy Project sunglasses?

[roguedog]

Hey, I'm looking at sunglasses.. maybe.

I have an issue where my eyes are sensitive to wind. They get all watery which makes going downhill fun. :)

So I've got some oakleys right now but am wondering if the bigger lenses of a rudy project might help? Are Rudys all that? The Oakleys I have are ok but I still have the wind issue.

If anyone has a suggestion, let me know.

[Dianyla]

The best wind-blocking sunglasses will be the ones that fit your face shape the most accurately. That might be the cheap $20 home depot safety glasses or it might be the $200+ shishi design.

I don't know if Rudy's are really All That And A Bag Of Chips, but when I was looking for sunglasses they fit the best so I bought a pair. They are pretty well made and stylish, but I kinda feel poser'ish wearing them.

[snapdragen]

I've got a pair of RP sunglasses too - not poseurish, practical! I got mine for $20 when the first incarnation of Lucy.com went out of business...

[Dianyla]

I've got a pair of RP sunglasses too - not poseurish, practical! I got mine for $20 when the first incarnation of Lucy.com went out of business...
Ooh, awesome deal. I guess I just get a little annoyed when some pimp racer bikeboy suddenly respects me more because of the brand of my sunglasses. Appreciation for quality is one thing. But that sort of brand snobbery makes me want to go get some really ugly cheapass sunglasses and then drop him going up an 8% grade.

Meh. :rolleyes:

[snapdragen]

Yeah, brand snobbery is idiotic. I know a woman who won't speak to you if she thinks you're not dressed properly (matching kit, sox, etc)

[Mimosa]

The local shop where I buy my contact lenses was having a sales on sunglasses (since the new summerline was coming up). Up till then I was switching to my normal glasses when going out biking and I was bit scared of wearing my contacts also during training (I didn't have them long at that time). So I walked in and they had 2 rp sunglasses, one was the rp kerosene (http://www.rudyprojectusa.com/products/sunglasses/styles/kerosene.htm) with 'racing red' glasses which is one of those full sunglasses. The shopowner recommended that one because they keep the wind well out of my eyes so my lenses to not dry out or get sand/dust in them. And indeed he was correct, I rode a whole year with them now and I have had no problems what so ever.

[Squirrel 2]

I ride with Rudy Project Kerosenes, too. They are awesome for keeping out wind & dirt with a good wrap-around, and they have little vents that you can open or close to let some air in or keep it all out. I have a small face, but the shape seems to work really well so they don't seem to big but give me a lot of protection.

[CyclChyk]

I saw my first pair of Rudy Project glasses in Atlanta and have been in love with them ever since.

Now I just have to find a way to convince my DH that I really NEED a pair!
Any ideas?? ;) :p

[GLC1968]

I don't know how accurate this information is, but I was told that the guy who started Tifosi was formerly a rep for Rudy Project. He felt they were overpriced for what they were, so he went out on his own.

Anyway, I have two pair of Tifosi glasses and for a fraction of the RP price, they totally rock! Similar styles, great quality...great price.

[aicabsolut]

Sort of O/T but I have a question:

Most of the cycling eyewear I see have straighter side pieces, rather than ones that curve around the ear. I can't wear my Oaklies on the bike, because the ends of the ear pieces have to stick under the helmet, which is uncomfortable. I'm not sure if it's the angle necessarily or the thickness, but a pair of Killer Loops that have normal around the ear wire pieces are fine, except that they slide down my nose too much.

Do any of you have temple discomfort from these cycling glasses or are they thin or don't stick up/out as far on top of the ear? Are the brands mentioned in this thread good for this problem?

I'm generally hard to fit for glasses anyway.. I have a problem with them being too close to my lashes and larger styles hit my cheeks. Anyone else deal with this?

[Mimosa]

With my kerosene I have no problem what so ever. The legs of the glasses are so thin that they can stick under my helmet.

[kiwi girl]

I was wearing my almost brand new (I haven't even paid the credit card bill yet) pair of Rudy Projects on top of my head after it got dark on Friday night - they fell off as I got into the cab and got driven over and broke. :mad: :mad: :mad:

They were the first pair of expensive sunglasses I had ever bought. I really like them but it has confirmed for me that I break or lose sunglasses with such regularity that I should stick to the cheap ones :(

[freshsushi]

GLC1968 - I'm glad you wrote up that little tidbit about Tifosi.

When I bought my first pair of sunglasses, I bought it off of Ebay - Rudy Project Graal Sx. The lenses were way too small for my face, I have absolutely no nose bridge so it kept slipping, so it was basically a bit of money wasted. The lense quality was great though, never suffered a scratch. So I didn't learn my lesson and bought the Smith Toaster - this time it was WAY too small for my head, I couldn't see through them because my head was too huge, but again, the frames were of great quality. I never considered Tifosi because they were so much cheaper than Smiths or Rudy Project (based on MSRP comparison with the Toaster or the Graal or the Rydon). And I got the stupid impression that more expensive = much better.

I finally tried on the Tifosi Pave - finally! A good fitting pair of sunglasses. And much better priced, too! I don't know about durability yet, I've only had them for a week, but it echos what everyone else is saying - you need to go and try out the frames first or you'll end up really disappointed.

[Trekhawk]

Love my Rydon Rudy Project glasses. What I like most is I dont even know I have them on. :)

[buddha_bellies]

... bring this thread up to date...

I'm considering getting a pair of Rudy Project, possibly the Exception frame with perscription. Does anyone have this pair in particular? I am wondering how heavy does it get with perscription? My eyesight is not very good -6 and -8. But the eyeglasses place said I can get Hi index and should be better. But since they have to order this frame, I want to know if it will fit a smaller face (I'm 5'1" and wear small helmets, sometimes I can even fit youth ones). I don't want the shop to order it if it doesn't fit neither.

If not Rudy, does anyone know something that would be similar (you can wear this frame 3 ways... stand alone RX, RX with clip on sunglasses or sunglasses alone). Here's a clip of what I mean...

http://www.rudyprojectusa.com/intros/exception/exception_large.htm

[Cataboo]

There's a 50% off sale on Ruby project sunglasses & helmets.

Info in this thread here:
http://forums.goingprepared.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=1598

[Cataboo]

Actually, I can't remember if the deals section of going prepared is closed to unregistered people or not:
e-rudy.com is having a sale on Rudy Project helmets (all 50% off) and some sunglasses with free shipping for orders over $69. Their lenses have a lifetime scratch warranty.
http://www.e-rudy.com/index_inner_all.php?group_id=5
http://www.e-rudy.com/index_inner.php?group_id=5&cat_id=41

[Miranda]

Sort of O/T but I have a question:

Most of the cycling eyewear I see have straighter side pieces, rather than ones that curve around the ear. I can't wear my Oaklies on the bike, because the ends of the ear pieces have to stick under the helmet, which is uncomfortable. I'm not sure if it's the angle necessarily or the thickness, but a pair of Killer Loops that have normal around the ear wire pieces are fine, except that they slide down my nose too much.

Do any of you have temple discomfort from these cycling glasses or are they thin or don't stick up/out as far on top of the ear? Are the brands mentioned in this thread good for this problem?

I'm generally hard to fit for glasses anyway.. I have a problem with them being too close to my lashes and larger styles hit my cheeks. Anyone else deal with this?


In general, to the posted question, my answer is...

:cool: Rudy's *R*O*C*K*

OK, when buying my gear, I had the same issues that aicabsolut did. All my freinds were "Oakley peeps" cuz, they were ya know... "ooo, Oakleys" (aka brand name).

I did not really know what RP were at the time even:o. Then when I saw the price tag I started to get it. All I knew is that I was sick and tired of not having the glasses fit.

My head size is a small Giro helmet, 54cm. I can just about wear a youth size sunglasses to fit the temple, but the lens are not enough coverage for wind.

My Rudy's are "Rudy Girls". They are killer. If we posted a thread on TE of gear we absolutely love, my glasses would be on it.

I bought my Ekynox SX from this link below, E-Rudy.com. Hopefully the link will work, but scroll all the way down to the bottom and look at all the options they glasses have...

The temple piece is totally adjustable coated wire to wrap around your ear to fit, no falling off. The nose piece to totally adjustable (and replaceable) to deal with the eyelash thing. They come RX. All sorts of lens. Plus, I think this is still true... a *lifetime* scratch policy that you can get another set for $10 replacement.

Now, if I had to say one bad thing about my pair now, is that I don't like them so well for the trail, vs my love on the road (or other sports xc ski, etc.). That is simply my frame design. The lens having a frame at the bottom bothers me looking down on drops. I just don't like the least bit of obstruction. So, with that, I'm shopping for some trail glasses.

Oh, fwiw, I think their customer service at e-rudy is good. I really thought I wanted the SportGirl mask (came out after my purchase). The rep could have easily $cha $chinged me. But, he said that the side temples didn't adjust, and with my sizing issues what I already owned was probably better for me. Go figure. Honesty in corporate America. Gotta love that;).

Good luck, here's the link....

http://www.e-rudy.com/index_inner_detail.php?group_id=1&cat_id=6&item_id=SN767124D

[Miranda]

For anyone dealing with the side temple adjustment fit issue, I thought this pic of my Rudy's solving that very problem for me might help.

The temple pieces are spec-ed out by length...

Look how much length I adjusted off the temple to custom fit my head. I curve mine slighly around the whole ear (since I have enough length left over). This is a nice perk that equals secure glasses in the drops on the road.:cool:

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg230/rotarydial/IMG_2354.jpg

[Tokie]

Hey Aicabsolut (sorry about your recent bike mishap by the way:() I have the same problem, my goggles stab into the side of my head at the end of the temples - I almost clipped them off this summer in desperation, but then they would have been sharp plastic ends. I have solved the problem by wearing a do-rag or cycling headband that comes between the plastic adjustable inner helmet band that encircles my head (and stabs the glasses temple into my head). It seems to provide just enough space that the glasses don't stab me anymore. I think it's just that I am a pinhead, and the length of the glasses temples are made for people with larger heads. Tokie

[Tokie]

Hmmm Miranda - I wonder if they can retro-fit my 2005 ekynox sx temples? (without a huge charge) I had them put my Rx directly into the frame, the wire inserts came way too close to my eyes (and lashes) and bugged me. I have met women who actually trimmed their eyelashes to deal with this issue! Crazy! tokie

[Miranda]

Hmmm Miranda - I wonder if they can retro-fit my 2005 ekynox sx temples? (without a huge charge) I had them put my Rx directly into the frame, the wire inserts came way too close to my eyes (and lashes) and bugged me. I have met women who actually trimmed their eyelashes to deal with this issue! Crazy! tokie

Yes... is my short answer, for the $ of Rudy's and especially what you have wrapped up in $ Rx, I would certainly hope so.

I don't know what your temple pieces look like, but I just checked mine out again. Where I have them bent in this pic, there is a break in the plastic. Almost like if you trashed them, it could be repaired at the break point. My nose piece is held in with a screw. I would think if they could get it out, or maybe drill a hole, one like mine could be put in. It works really well. No eye lash worries either.

When I was searching for Rudy's, some eye doc places carry them. Or can order direct from the shop directly. I don't know if this is what you had to do for the Rx.

But any rate, my FIL is a retired optomitrist (didn't carry Rudy's though). In his private shop he had things to adjust temple pieces that were not even designed to be adjustable *to a degree*.

If you have ever gotten your eyebrows waxed at a salon, the device looked like the warmer that holds the wax. The stuff in it looked like kids play sand. Only it was some type of special glass bead. The beads at the hot temp would melt the temple piece just enough to be bent/tweaked for folks.

Plus, the lab they used could modify stuff. Like, maybe they could remove the whole temple piece and add the adjustable one like mine?

Rudy's are not cheap obviously. And I think with their policy on lens, they would try to help out on your adjustment issue (if any way possible to do so). Meaning, I think they sell they are behind you for the long haul on your gear. That was one of the final things that sold me on them, despite the wallet bite.

Lastly, since some extra parts are sold for other models between $5-$25, I would think the change should not be more than that.

Hope something works out for you:).

EDIT: Hmm, now Tokie you have me wondering if an adjustable temple arm could be ordered seperately and switched out on some of the models. They do have some bottom oepn lens designs that I would consider for my mtb situation mentioned above, but the temples don't adjust... unless maybe they could be modified (on mine, the arm is held in by a small flat head screw, thx to the FIL, I already own that tool;)).

[Tokie]

H Miranda (thanks for the PM) Just for everyone's info, I tried bending my temples of my Rudys and - ta-da! I can adjust them just like Miranda's! Hooray! I bought mine on sale at a bike store, and the optometrist had a heck of a time bending the nose pieces to fit me, and didn't ask if I needed the temples adjusted. He had just started carrying the Rudy line himself, so maybe didn't know the temples adjust. Miranda, you have made every bike ride SO much more comfortable for me! Thanks! Tokie

[equus123]

I wanted to add my $0.02 here.....

I bought a pair of the Oakley Women's Radars about a year ago. I have a very narrow head and it's rather small, too. The Radars fit me perfectly. Then about a month later I found out my team was being sponsored by Rudy Project and we had to all buy the Rydon II sunglasses and Actyum helmets (currently wore Bell Sweep R helmet). After wearing the Radars and Bell religiously, the RP box came in and I anxiously tried on my new sunglasses and helmet. The moment I took the sunglasses out of the case I hated them already! :(

The RP Rydon II's were awful compared to the Oakley Radars, in my opinion. They have arrow straight arms, the ends of them have a material that isn't even grippy, the nose piece is the most uncomfortable thing I've ever felt on a pair of sunglasses, and the lens shape obscured a lot of my peripheral vision! In a nutshell, they were extremely uncomfortable and they didn't stay put at all.

The Radars, on the other hand, were the complete opposite. Super grippy arms, very comfortable and balanced fit, the nose grippers actually become more sticky with moisture and lock onto your face, the lens wraps around your complete field of vision, and the lenses also appear to have better clarity. Also, I can't tell you how great hydrophobic lenses are until you ride in any condition that involves precipitation coming from the sky and doing a 3 hr ride without having to touch your glasses once (either to readjust or clean the lens) or have to clean them off afterwards.

In my opinion and experience, RP products were aweful and Oakley is expensive but you can't beat the quality. I tell every person that asks about the Radars - I wouldn't trust my eyes and my vision with any other company.

[erichi]

I do not have a pair of Rudy, but several of my teammates do. Although expensive they say their customer service is top notch. One person broke the arm by accident and Rudy replaced them completely for no charge. That is awesome.

I had a pair of Oakleys that had a similar issue which I sent back, although they sent me a new pair, they never fit the same, maybe the model had changed since I had bought them but never liked them the same. Just got a pair of Tifosi so still need to test ride them.