How to choose cycling glasses for cycling and mountain biking?

For each sport a specific pair of glasses. List of information you need to know to make the right choice.

The sun protection index (anti-UV)

Sunglasses are above all useful for protecting you from the sun during your cycling trips. Regardless of their tint, not all lenses protect your eyes the same way from the sun. And this is where we must be vigilant. Look at the protection offered by the glasses. There are 4 categories of protection, ranging from 0 to 4:

• Category 0 : The glasses are transparent or very slightly tinted. They do not protect from the sun. Transmission of 80 to 100% of brightness. These glasses are very useful in dark weather or at night. They protect in particular from insects during your bike training.

▸ All Björka glasses are sold with interchangeable category 0 lenses.

• Category 1 : These glasses protect slightly more. Light transmission of 43 to 80%. They are suitable for cycling in mid-season or in cloudy weather.
• Category 2 : We progress with a light transmission of 18 to 43%. The sun is present, the brightness is average. You can ride your mountain bike (for example) with glasses that have category 2 lenses.
• Category 3 : The most popular protection category for sunglasses. The protection is suitable for summer sunshine. The glasses allow only 8 to 17% of brightness. Glasses suitable for climbing Mont-Ventoux by bike - especially the last unshaded kilometers. All Björka cycling glasses are fitted with interchangeable category 3 lenses - in addition to category 0 lenses.
• Category 4 : Only 3% of light passes. It is the optimal protection of sunglasses. They are perfectly suited to protect against the light of the snow or the sea.

Remember to check that the glasses bear the CE mark. European standard which ensures that the lenses comply with the legislation in terms of UV protection.

Lens technology

At Björka, we offer - as an option - photochromic lenses. Versatile and perfectly suited to cycling, these lenses will darken in strong light or, on the contrary, brighten in dark places.

Each frame of cycling glasses has its own style

For cycling - on the road or on a mountain bike - consider taking light and strong frames. The choice of your frame is a question of style, but not only.
For rimless bicycle glasses, the frame completely surrounds the lens; which makes the glasses more rigid. The frame also protects all of the lens.
Half-rimmed frames do not surround the entire lens. You gain in lightness and field of vision. At Björka you have the choice between semi-rimmed or rimmed frames.

There you have it, you know more about cycling glasses. You are now able to make an informed choice about your sunglasses. Our advice from Björka: choose a pair of glasses with category 3 lenses (ideally accompanied by category 0 lenses for winter) for your comfort and protection; finally choose a frame and its color according to your style. And, go rolling!