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(Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo) Photo: Alvin Holbrook/Velo
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Shimano’s just dropped a trio of new and updated cycling glasses models to their lineup, and all of them use a new lens technology they’re calling Ridescape.
Yes, the same Japanese company we all know and love for their Technium fishing reels (among other things) also makes a range of cycling accessories including cycling sunglasses. Shimano says these new and updated sunglasses glasses – dubbed the Technium, Technium L (for review), and Twinspark – are designed for all-day comfort and are “tuned for different riding conditions and terrain types.” We think they’re solid cycling glasses, good enough to make you wonder why you’d spend any more money.
The updated lens technology in question is called Ridescape. Each of the six lenses is specifically tuned for different riding characteristics. That said, the three new sets of eyewear are only available with four of those lenses: Ridescape RD for road, Ridescape OR for mountain biking, Ridescape GR for gravel riding, and Ridescape HC for general daylight protection. The Technium L glasses receive a photochromic lens option for those who want a light-sensitive lens.
The aforementioned lenses are interchangeable with a clear lens or any other Ridescape style, and all are said to have a scratch-resistant, water-repellant BPA-free lens.
Shimano has released this new lens tech with a trio of new or updated frames: the Technium, the Technium L, and the Twinspark.
The Shimano Technium cycling glasses are built around a full-frame design, meaning the lens is fully encased by the frame. All frames are made with a polyamide material 45 percent bio-based Arkema Rilsa G850 Renew, the use of which is said to reduce carbon emission during the manufacturing process.
Each Technium includes a set of reversible nose pads, flexible arms, and rubberized temple grippers to keep the glasses in place.
Technium models are available in a range of six colors and a choice between Ridescape RD, GR, or OR lenses. Regardless of the combination, all Technium eyewear comes with an interchangeable clear lens for riding in low-light conditions. These are priced at $100 USD/€99.95.
Next on the eyewear docket is the Shimano Twinspark. While the lens is not interchangeable, it still received a Ridescape lens, here the generalist Ridescape HC. The frames are available in four colors. Shimano Twinspark eyewear is priced at $65 USD/€54.95.
Shimano sent over the Technium L in a ‘Bronze Gold’ colorway with their Ridescape GR lenses. The design is similar to the Technium, only in a half-frame design that cuts the bottom off. I’ve only gotten a few rides in on these, but enough to have opinions on how well these work.
There doesn’t seem to be a meaningful advantage to a half-frame design, though Shimano does say the Technium L is about a gram lighter than the Technium (27.4 grams vs 26 grams). Vision is clear with minimal distortion while using these Ridescape GR lenses, and the lenses are just big enough that you’ll have lens coverage wherever your eyes look while riding.
I have a relatively narrow face and found hardly any adjustment necessary. The arms are flexible but don’t seem to have any type of internal wiring that helps keep them in more than the original position.
The nose piece is adjustable between two sizes (small and large), though that only comes from swapping the rubber bridge around. Flipping the noise piece seemed to make a difference in how it gripped my nose bridge, though I did also find airflow to change between the two settings: the small setting being just about right for my nose and the large setting bringing in more dirt and dust.
I’ve only had a few rides with these, but I came away impressed with the anti-fog performance of these glasses, particularly for the coverage the lenses provide. Part of that comes from the anti-fog coating Shimano touts, but the pair of vents at the top corners of the Technium L seems to help, too.
Further, the Technium L seemed to interface well with the myriad helmets I had on deck from Fox, Giro, Specialized, and Lazer. None of them pushed the eyewear down while riding, and the Technium L’s rubberized arms stayed in place in the helmet when shaking my head back and forth. I do worry that the painted frames won’t look as good after years of use, but it’s not like you’re looking at your cycling glasses’ frames while you’re riding either.
Shimano’s new Technium L won’t net you cool points at your next group ride, but they’re proficient at just about everything related to being a capable bit of eyewear for cycling. They worked well enough with my range of helmets and my medium-sized head, the nose bridge offered surprising adjustment for the two sizes. That they come in at a comparatively reasonable price point of $100 USD/€99.95 makes them an easy recommendation.
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