Strengths: Lightweight, fits well on the bike, lack of a full frame around the lens allows excellent side vision, lenses allow you to set it up for different conditions, about a third the cost of some cycling glasses
Weaknesses: None yet.
Bottom Line:
I've used Optic Nerve shades for a while, along with Ryders and a few other brands, but the Optics are the one to get. For the listed price -- 59$US -- the Banshee shades cannot be beat. Optic Nerve generally is very good quality for the price. With established brands being priced a third to half of what they used to a market has grown for budget and midlevel sports shades. Brands like Ryders, Native, and Optic Nerve have moved to fill the gap, with shades around 100$US or less, give or take. I find the quality on the Optic Nerves is a cut above the Ryders, at least some Ryders models, just to use one example, but then the Optics are well made by any standard. Without comparing them, just on it's own, the Optics are stand out. They would stand out even amongst shades costing 150$. Really.
Features: If you ride where there is a lot of tree cover, eithe ron or offroad, you'll appreciate the orange and yellow lenses they offer which allow enough tint to cut sun but don't make it too dark to see hazards in the shade or shadows of overhanging branches. Likewise, if you commute year round -- the lighter tints allow use on rainy or cloudy days without being too dark for safety. I wouldn't constantly change lenses; find a pair you like and leave em in, but if the need arises you can switch, which is nice. Or if one pair of lenses is damaged in some way, there are enough options to render the shades still usable in most conditions.
The clear and yellow lenses are both good for low light; the orange and grey for sun and even the grey isn't dark enough you can't wear it on a long ride under somewhat cloudy skies or under tree cover. Heck, at the price of these babies, you could get two pair, put in lenses of your choice -- one yellow or clear, one darker -- for different conditions.
The review format asks you to choose a description. "weekend warrior" being the only thing that didn't involve racing competitions I had to put that. I don't race. But to be more accurate, here's what I do do, and what these shades have done:
I commute by bike almost every day, long road rides on Sunday average between 40 and 70 miles. I typically do between 100 and 200 miles a week, though usually closer to 150. This summer I did a 100 mile ride and the next week a very hilly 80 mile ride -- commuting to work all the while.
I was hit by a car on the way home from work last year. I had to have shoulder surgery, but I rode with my arm in a sling.
I ride in the winter and in the rain. Until it gets below 20 degrees. I have to draw a line somewhere. Last year I went out in 18 degree weather and it wasn't pretty.
In all of this there were the usual things to gripe about -- flat tires, sore feet, my damn pants won't fit me again, but my shades didn't merit a single complaint. Both pairs of Optic Nerve glasses I have -- the Banshee and the older pair, with full frames around large lenses, are quality gear. I've had welts on my face from overhanging tree branches saying hellow -- but never worried about damaging my eyes, or my shades.
As said, I've been commuting to work at least mostly by bike year round and these shades are the type of thing I wish they had years ago. My guides with gear are, does it work in varying conditions, will it last, and how much will it cost. And sometimes, does it look cool. The Optic Nerves fit all these requirements. I've used all sorts of shades -- but these are my fav so far. Like the old muffler commercial, you won't pay a lot, but you'll get a lot.
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