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Home > Product Reviews > Glasses > Specialized Chicane Glasses Reviews

Specialized Chicane Glasses

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Specialized Chicane Glasses
More about Specialized

Average Rating: 4 out of 5
No. of Reviews: 12
RRP: £79.99
Year: 2005

Description: The Chicane’s larger frame design and exclusive trail specific lens formulation suits both shaded woods and exposed single track. As with the other optics, the vented design prevents fogging. Specialized AdaptaliteTM lenses adapt to varying ambient UV levels, providing optimal performance in low to bright light conditions without having to change lenses. By varying the amount of light transmission, AdaptaliteTM lenses maximize comfort without sacrificing optical clarity. AdaptaliteTM lenses provide 100% UVA and UVB protection throughout the full range of light transmission. AdaptaliteTM NXTTM lenses are 10-20% lighter than other plastic lenses. AdaptaliteTM NXTTM lenses are 10-20% lighter than other plastic lenses. Exclusive Mountain Lens formulation works in low light to bright conditions. Vented design prevents fogging. Lens and frame angles are designed for cycling-specific application in the riding position. Larger frame and lens provides more coverage.

REVIEWS

1 to 10 of 12 reviews, to post a review you need to be a member - Join now.Page: 1 2

Graeme MacLean

Posted: 11/02/08

'VERY, VERY GOOD'

Strengths:
They change colour in a subtle enough way that I normally don't notice "real" changes in the weather, they're really comfy and they don't fog (well, apart from track-stands at traffic lights if I've been riding hard). Spesh replaced my first pair (which were quite a lot darker) after I managed to break an arm of the frame in the bottom of my bag. New version comes in a semi-hard case. Despite being trodden on in a Morzine bike wash, they came out (almost) unscathed.

Weaknesses:
Difficult to avoid looking fairly daft in them - certainly not for wearing off the bike. The lens tint can freeze either light or dark when it's really cold. Say top of Deux Alpes in January cold. The darkest tint is perhaps a bit marginal in really bright sunshine, but I've not found it a problem and the flipside is that they're now usable at night and they're not so dark that you crash into a tree when you hoon into the woods on a sunny day...

Overall:
The only pair of cycling glasses you'll ever need. But get something different for the beach...

Performance		100%
Reliability		80%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

80%

paul manton

Posted: 08/02/08

'GREAT AND GOOD VALUE'

Strengths:
a pair of glasses that changes its tint is hard to beat, the early models were a bit to dark even in low light but this was improved recently, they come in many different shapes but dont buy what you like the look of try them on and buy what fits the best these are not for fashion i see somebody above mentioned they used them in the car and they wern't dark enough and somebody else could not get them to work with there halogen lights, there is a reason they only work in UV sunlight which is blocked buy car windscreens and certanly not in cateye lights

Weaknesses:
some colours are a bit rare unless you have the matching outfit

Overall:
try before you buy and enjoy

Performance		80%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

93%

J D

Posted: 08/11/04

'ACTUALLY DOES WHAT IT SAYS IN THE BLURB.'

Strengths:
First duties for these glasses was a xc race,which turned out to test all the clamied features.From the start line the usual dash for the first corner saw me take a barage of crud from the 10 riders infront.One bit of gravel bounced of the lens with a loud crack,and despite my fears the lenses were unscratched.No mud found its way any where near my eyes.Not suprising though as they fit right up against my face from temple to cheek bone,they are a real good fit.Despite this very close fit ,which feels natural and i was going to say comfy but its better than that as i didn't notice i was wearing them at all,i had absolutely no fog issues at all.Even when going very slowly up the climb.(even when i was walking!).This mtb specific lense, which reacts to light and darkens in bright conditions,starts at a very low tint.Spesh say i enhances the light in low light conditons.I have to agree.On a course which was 99% in woods on a gloom day,everything was very clear in terms of contrast and clarity,even at the edges of the lenses.Despite saying the fit is cycle specific i have been wearing these apres bike,and found them as good as any other shade and not to freaky a look.
They are light,lighter than my racing jackets,but i can't see thats a feature to be honest.

Weaknesses:
Wife said the look was a bit Ali G!!
Even after adjusting its self i don't think it would be ideal for bright conditions,(so i still have a use my racing jackets ;¬))Tried them in the car against a low and bright winter sun and i still had to hide behind the sun visior.
Could be a strength for some,but i would have liked them to be less subtle with the Specialized branding.Its only on the arms in small letters.

Overall:
Strong and scratch resistant.
Great fit that doesn't fog up.
Lenses clarity is spot on with good low light visibilty and it will adapt to all but the brightest conditions.
I also feel the price is fair for all these features.If Oakley had got their hands on this new bullet proof(aparantly its the same stuff they make apache windscreens out of) light reacting lenses you can be assured you'd be paying twice the price.

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

100%

Dave White

Posted: 13/12/04

'GREAT GLASSES IN ALL CONDITIONS'

Strengths:
Great fit, fantasticly clear lense that has the ability to make very low and flat light situations seem somehow brighter, and, tint in bright light to stop you squinting. Very clear, very light, and you dont get any distortion with them either. To be fair, you forget you have them on, A feeling I can only remember getting wearing Oakley M frames. ( yes, I still wear them on occasion )

Weaknesses:
None, that I can think of, ok, they mist up a bit if you've been sweaty if you stop, but as soon as you start off again they instantly clear. They could do with tiniting a little more when its bright, but, they are designed more for Mountain biking in woody and slightly darker lights. They still do a great job and on full tint I would liken them to the Oakley G30 lense, not massivley dark, but enough to make life comfortable.

Overall:
Four colours, and an optional smaller sized Slalom model. Your optic problems are solved here. You have to wear them in low light to really appreciate where the R and D went on these bins, but as I said, give just enough tint in the direct sun... Go git sum...

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

100%

Nick Rawle

Posted: 11/01/05

'DOES WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN?'

Strengths:
They're comfortable and they fit my face, which is a rarity. They really do have superb optics which increas contrast in low light conditions, such as under forest cover, or driving down the A34 on a murky January afternoon!They clear quickly when fogged and they don't fall off (yet!)
I've had mine only a few days, but went for a loop in Queen Elazabeth Forest Park in Hampshire the day I bought them, just to test them out, and like the other reviewers have mentioned, they were so comfortable as to be forgotten about... until you take them off and realise how grey and dismal the world can be.

Weaknesses:
Er.... price? No, I paid a bit less than RRP for mine, cos my LBS like me, so I can't complain there. I have been unable to demonstrate to myself that they are in any way photosensitive, despite numerous tests with my Cateye halogens...
When I said that they fit my face, I was omitting the fact that they don't quite fit perfectly. Nothing does, except maybe custom made frames, so I'll ignore that.

Overall:
I would buy them again, should I need to.
I haven't had cause to test their durability yet, but the shape, fit and tint all add up to a comfortable and functional piece of kit that you soon forget you're wearing, until you either take them off or ride through mud at 30 mph!
As to the claim that they chane with the lighting conditions, I remain to be convinced, but they seem to work well in the conditions under which I've used them, so I've no complaints.

Performance		80%
Reliability		80%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

80%

Martin Nicholls

Posted: 27/02/05

'OKAY '

Strengths:
These glasses are comfortable and the lenses are nice and clear.

Weaknesses:
Thje main problem i find with these glasses is their nightime use.

Overall:
Being a roadie i sometimes leave the house in the day and get home in the dark. I saw these and thought great and after discussing it with the salesman bought a pair. In the day time i have no complaints at all but when night comes i find that they are slightly too dark. If i am going out at night i wear other glasses with a yellow tint lense but if i am out and it becomes dark i perserve with these.

Basically don't rely on their nightime properties - use a pair specifically for nightime if you can.

Performance		60%
Reliability		80%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

67%

Four Assed Monkey

Posted: 05/03/05

'THEY WORK!'

Strengths:
Comfy
Don't fog easy
Great lense tint
No distortion

Weaknesses:
Frame design looks a bit garish

Overall:
I've tried a few glasses when biking and these are the only ones I'm comfy with.

The lenses are photochromic (only slightly) but in any conditions they seem to sharpen the details. They take a while to fog up (trust me - I rum warm) and clear well once you get going into the breeze.

The only niggle I have is the 'Euro-Roadie' styling. I chose the silver frames as even the matt black looked odd!

Peformance wise I love them. Like most components/products, you know when you've got one that's just right. I know these are the right biking glasses for me.

Reliability I can't really comment on as I've only had them for 3 rides so I'll give it 3.

Performance		100%
Reliability		60%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

80%

Edward Middleton

Posted: 20/05/05

'DECENT!'

Strengths:
comfy, reliable, they work

Weaknesses:
look a bit gay

Overall:
i work in a specialized dealer and got these damn cheap so its a bit unfair for me to comment. but - for £80, they're still pretty decent value.

Performance		100%
Reliability		80%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

80%

adamx .

Posted: 15/07/05

'GOOD GEAR'

Strengths:
contrast enhanced while wearing them. looks. comfy. close fit around face. difficult to fog up, fog clears well when they do.

Weaknesses:
pricy.

Overall:
well pleased, I wear them for riding my motorbike as well as my pushbike, they work brilliantly at keeping the breeze of my eyes at up to *ahem* 70mph *ahem*. I had an insect strike at 50ish and it just left a smear on my lens ;-)

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		80%

Overall Rating

93%

Richard Hill

Posted: 11/08/05

'GOOD QUALITY GENERAL PURPOSE EYEWEAR'

Strengths:
Comfortable (although this is subjective) and stay on. They don't mist unless you are stationary. Good tint levels. Have resisted scratching so far and are optically good.

Weaknesses:
I don’t think they reach full tint capability when shaded by the visor built into most lids. Not the cheapest.

Overall:
They do react to light and are optically good. They tend towards being light in tint, but for me not a problem, as I don’t wear sunglasses much.