Aside from being a bit of a mouthful, the Van Rysel Cycling NXT Photochromic Sunglasses RoadR 900 Perf are good value, and a great option for anyone who rides in a range of conditions.
Ollie Smith has already reviewed these frames with a sunny-weather Cat 3 lens and he really liked them. A lot of what he said there I’ll agree with and not replicate in detail for this review, but to précis: they have a nicely made frame that’s light, secure on your head and pretty easy to stow in most helmets. They offer good coverage, and they don’t fog easily.
I’ve been using the glasses for a couple of months now and they look as good as new. I can’t even complain about the logo being off-centre on mine, because it’s not.
I’d like an adjustable bridge, but I didn’t have a problem with the fit.
Enough of the similarities and on to the differences: £20 extra buys you an NXT photochromic lens which changes from Cat 0 (basically clear, nearly 90% transmission) up to Cat 3 (dark, 15% transmission) to cope with any conditions that you might be riding in. That means you can use the same glasses for sunny and cloudy days, and when it’s raining, and when it’s dark.
Any downsides? Well, you don’t get any kind of shiny finish on the lens, so they don’t look as cool. That may or may not be an issue for you. I don’t look cool anyway, so it isn’t really a concern. The lens does have an oleophobic treatment that’s meant to help it shed water, and it’s pretty good in the rain.
I use photochromics quite a bit, because I like to do daft stuff like audaxes that go overnight. Having one set of glasses you can wear the whole time that adapt to the conditions is one less thing to think about. I’ve been riding with some Julbo Fury glasses for a while now, and I like them, but for around half the price the Van Rysels are certainly compelling.
A photochromic lens doesn’t change especially quickly; compounds in the plastic react to ultraviolet light and darken over time. So if you’re riding along a sunny ridge and then you dive into a gloomy holloway back down the plains you’ll have dark lenses for the first bit. Similarly, they don’t change quick enough for diving in and out of shadow when there’s broken tree cover. The lens in these Van Rysels also darkens more quickly than it lightens; that’s true of all photochromics I’ve tried. Decathlon claims 20 seconds going one way, and 30 seconds the other, which seems about right.
The first thing I’d say about the NXT lens used in the Van Rysels is that it changes at about the rate I’d expect, from using a range of photochromics over the years. Quick enough that for the most part it feels right. The second is that it’s a bit lighter than some, for example the Julbos. Not at its darkest, just generally: it tends to need a bit more light to darken. This isn’t a bad thing, and actually I found that the glasses work a bit better in the early mornings and moving into the dusk. The lens clarity is excellent, all the way to the edges. There’s an etched NXT logo in one corner, but it’s not in your field of view.
Value
At £79.99 these are more than the standard-lens RoadR 900 Perf glasses, but this tech costs more than just a nice coating. I’ve already said they’re half the price of the Julbos, but you can buy cheaper: Magicshine’s Rouleur photochromics reviewed very well last year and they’re 60 quid. For the same money as the Van Rysels, the Madison Cipher glasses are more off-road orientated but are also a great buy.
If you want your lenses to react to light in an instant then you could always splash out £350+ on the Ekoi E-Lens Evo (if you can find them for sale).
For more options, check out our guide to the best cycling sunglasses.
Conclusion
Overall, the RoadR 900 Perf glasses are very well priced, and they perform very well. If you’re tired of hunting around for the ‘right’ glasses for any given day’s riding, they might be exactly what you need.
Verdict
Good value photochromic riding glasses for eye protection in any weather
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Van Rysel Cycling NXT Photochromic Sunglasses RoadR 900 Perf – Black
Size tested: One size decribed as Unique
Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Van Rysel/Decathlon says: “The 900 Perf sunglasses are elegant and athletic, offering great coverage for cyclists who want maximum sun protection so that they can ride fast with confidence.NXT® photochromic lenses.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Decathlon lists:
Features
Design benefits
sun protection
Category 0 to 3 photochromic lens. 100% UV filter: ideal for all weather
robustness
Polyamide lens
coverage
Wraparound design: protects the eyes from wind, objects and the elements.
field of vision
Large lens size: provides enhanced peripheral vision.
Design details
NXT® photochromic lens
Photochromic lens that transitions from category 0 to 3
Filters 11% to 85% of light at 23°C
In cold weather (less than 10°C) the colour changes less quickly
UV filter that complies with standard ISO 12312-1.
Nylon lens for flawless vision
Lens base: 5.2
Lens thickness: 1.2 mm
Lens height: 59 mm
Lens width: 135 m
NXT® PHOTOCHROMIC TECHNOLOGY
Photochromic lenses automatically adjust to light intensity.
NXT lenses are among the most effective on the market because they change colour faster and with a broader spectrum (cat 0 to 3)
The lens takes around 20 seconds to darken (30 seconds to deactivate it).
The brightness that you experience will vary very little, even if the external light levels change, because your eye is constantly adapting. But having the right lens tint allows your eye to rest so that you can be more alert.
LENS TREATMENT
Cylindrical lens with a transparent base colour.
Oleophobic treatment that stops grease sticking to the surface and helps water to run off faster.
Frame
Frame material: polycarbonate. Arm tips: rubber.
Sizing: fits medium to large faces
Temple length: 122mm
PRODUCT CARE
The lenses are sensitive to scratching, so we recommend storing them in their case to protect them from impacts.
To clean your glasses, we recommend the following:
– Wash in soapy water
– Rinse them
– Let dry
– Wipe any residual marks with the microfibre cloth
Never rub dry glasses with a sports jersey, as this risks scratching them.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well: glasses that are light and comfy and adaptable to a range of conditions.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Good quality, lenses are excellent.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
An adjustable bridge would be nice.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
There are others that are cheaper, eg Magicshine, but they’re the same price as Madison’s Ciphers and great value compared to bigger brands.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
These are excellent glasses for all kinds of riding. I wear them in all but the sunniest conditions.
About the tester
Age: 52 Height: 189cm Weight: 99kg
I usually ride: whatever I’m testing… My best bike is: Lauf Úthald, Kinesis Tripster ATR, Dward Design fixed
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track
14 thoughts on “Van Rysel Cycling NXT Photochromic Sunglasses RoadR 900 Perf”
Why do they describe the lens
Why do they describe the lens as a Polyamide and Nylon, which is plastic?
wikipedians wrote:
It would be useful to see
It would be useful to see them on an actual head – could you get a dummy head for things like this, hats, etc so we can see comparative sizes, etc?
sorry, meant to add one in.
sorry, meant to add one in. have done so now
Nice dummy.
Nice dummy.
But are those loose-fitting
But are those loose-fitting glasses on a tiny head, or extremely tight ones on a large one?
my head’s like an orange on a
my head’s like an orange on a toothpick
Cleaning tip for either glass
Cleaning tip for either glass or plastic spectacle lenses.
Using a single drop of dishwashing liquid on each lens, clean thoroughly with forefinger and thumb under warm running water until all soap residue is rinsed off and the lenses go squeaky to the touch. Then adjust the tap to give a fine, cold, non-turbulent stream of water. Rinse any water droplets from the lenses by gradually running the stream of water from the top of the lens to the bottom, taking in the full width of the lens. Do not shake the specs or you will need to start over (OK, try it and see). Finally, remove the last drips from the frame edge by touching it gently on a towel.
For those not from a military background, it’s called water beezing and is, in another application, the final stage in producing those immaculately shiny boots you see soldiers wearing.
Respectfully, that’s not a
Respectfully, that’s not a good idea; over time the surfactants (grease-busting chemicals) in washing-up liquid can attack the lens coating on glasses and start “crazing” it. Ph-neutral hand soap without additives is much better, but specialist spectacle cleaners cost bobbins and last for ages.
The lens does have an
“The lens does have an oleophobic treatment that’s meant to help it shed water”
Doesn’t it mean it’s fat/grease repellent? So it’s not a fingerprint magnet.
They meant oreophobic – it
They meant oreophobic – it keeps crumbs off.
No – it’s oléophobic – it
No – it’s oléophobic – it blocks out bullfights.
mdavidford wrote:
And football chants? If so put me down for a pair.
As of 6 months ago Decathlon
As of 6 months ago Decathlon don’t sell a replacement rubber nose bridge. So if you lose it or it perishes or tears (which will happen after a few years of regular use), you have to buy a whole new set of shades.
For those who don’t regularly lose or sit on sunglasses (ruling out premium options), a lack of replacement nose piece makes these Decathlon shades pricey compared to Oakley.