We are all cyclists.
While some may identify themselves as a mountain biker, or some of you may be more specific and identify yourself as a cross country mountain biker, or a racer or a marathon specialist… the list goes on. We all seek to find a way to identify ourselves that can group us together, yet single us out.
And with greater numbers of cyclists around, of the road, mountain, commuter, cyclocross and lost-their-licence variety, many cyclists choose to make themselves look distinct. Fluro has made a come back, for better or for worse, in club kit, team kit and casual attire alike. That original “look at me” statement has now become “look at me, but not over there where someone bought the same set of fluro clothing.”
Clothing from brands who are doing short runs, in season, like Attaquer, have really taken off. There are plenty of cyclists who want to be different, and let everyone know about it.
And companies such as Paint My Bike have flourished not just from repainting bikes they have repaired, but from doing complete custom paint jobs on cyclists pride and joy. Letting a bike owner turn a bike that is 1 in 10 000 into a unique specimen unlikely to be found anywhere else in the world.
So why compromise on your accessories?
Rudy Project have been quietly making some of the best eyewear for decades, with sharp optics that place them amongst the market leaders. But what counts now, especially for an Italian brand, is having something unique. Not just lenses that can’t be smashed. Not just malleable arms and replaceable everything – but a custom program that lets you choose from a variety of colours for frames, ear pieces, arms, nose pieces and logos, and match them to the lens type you want.
And you can do it all from your couch, or work computer, right down to the ordering and payment.
There are four frame options, the Rydon, Gozen, Ryzer and Ryzer XL. They are all great cycling glasses, with three being half framed and one being a full frame if that suits your face shape. Unfortunately, you can’t try the glasses on before buying them. But models like the Rydon have such an adaptable frame that they can be made to fit just about everyone. Alternatively, look up your closest dealer – they might even have a model with the exact setup you are after anyway.
Playing around with the custom tools is easy. Pick your frame colour, lens colour (and light transmission), and then the other small parts, depending on the specific model you have chosen. You’ll have an image changing on your screen, so you can tell whether it will look sharp – or sickly. It’s your choice after all, so make the right one.
Best of all, as a treat to MarathonMTB.com readers, Rudy Project Australia have offered a discount code to anyone using the ERudy site to design and buy their custom glasses. Just design the glasses, and enter 10OFF at the checkout.
And just like that, you’ve got some unique eyewear. Something to make you stand out from the crowd.