At first glance, it’s pretty easy to tell if you’ll be a Wide-Eyez customer or not. We’re guessing many people will look at the add-on visor and immediately write it off as a fred-ly accessory that clearly will clash with your full Rapha kit. But, as evidenced by the number of people checking the visor out at the Recumbent Cycle Con tradeshow (yes I went – it was in my home town. I pretty much had too, right?) that there are a number of people who are willing to risk looking like a fred to have a more comfortable ride.
And truthfully? Depending on the helmet, it doesn’t look that bad…
Why would anyone want to mount Wide-Eyez to their helmet? The goal was to provide a buffer against wind, rain, sleet, snow, and of course the sun in a way that was universal fit and easy to use. The design allows for no obstructions to your peripheral vision and also fits over glasses, prescription or otherwise. The visor can be flipped up when not in use, or removed completely to use without or switch between tints.
Completely made in the U.S., the visor attaches to just about any helmet with 3M dual lock adhesive. The mounts then stay in place and the different visors can snap onto the posts. Available in Solar Bronze, Clear, and Smoke lenses, each single lens pack sells for $39.95 and there is a day/night dual pack available for $59.95.
Wide-Eyez creator Graham Hill stated that he knows the product probably isn’t going to win the cool vote, but he is happy with how many people have tried the visor and love it, and hopes to continue to help people improve their rides.
Am pretty sure Respro tried this back in the late ’90s. And no one bought it back then.
This is so Enduro!
Coverage of RCC on BikeRumor. I never thought I’d see the day.
If you’re already riding a bent, how much more ostracized do you care about being? Looks like they found their perfect market for this.
Wide-Eyez. For the guy or gal sporting a TakeYourLane flag.
Wow. Just wow.
“So flippin’ cool” was not the tagline I’d have chosen.
If it keeps people riding more: http://www.wideeyez.com/testimonials/
Do you put function over form every time? Does your trike have a six foot safety flag and four flashing rear lights? Are the words “social media” synonymous with “bentrider forum” to you? This visor is the must have accessory for your demographic.
*Facepalm*…. I’ve seen worse though. In Edmonton a few weeks ago I saw a casual rider in baggy pants and a T-Shirt and a full-on TT helmet with integrated visor sipping a latte inside a trendy cafe…. it was as if he had totally forgotten he was wearing it.
This is gold! Please more content from RCC!
Unfortunately my DaBrim probably precludes using this on my current helmet… But my last two helmets had integrated solar shields (though technically they were powersports helmets) and it’s actually very useful, especially for those wearing eyeglasses. I think for the cost though I’d just spring for a helmet with a shield…
And yes, please, more Recumbent Cycle Con coverage would be nice
[checks calendar for April 1]
With some Boba Fett or Judge Dredd graphics, I could be convinced.
“3 foot law? I am the law!”
The fashion opinion of people who shamelessly wear spandex may not carry the weight they think it does.
It is conceded that this is 100% dorktastic, but so is Lycra if we’re being honest. I have as much pride not to wear these in the hills as I do sense not to kit up for an errand run by bike. I can’t dismiss this. It certainly beats Bell’s concept of the idea for $170 (Annex Shield).
* (in between those two things) I can’t dismiss this
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I see unfair are advantage written all over this non UCI accessory
I see unfair aero advantage written all over this non UCI accessory
Wide-Eyez… because pedaling on a Lazy-boy is just not Fred enough.
looks like those clown glasses
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Looks aero
I’m kinda thinking YES on this. For the winter. I can fog up some goggles pretty fast. This might just keep my eyes from freezing.
Attached to the first helmet it looks ridiculous, but on the second black helmet the darker lense is passable. Definitely a recumbent rider demographic product though. Heck if the company owner can make money selling these then that’s awesome. Better than being involved in the animal fur or weapons trade.
I agree with Craig, the first looks ridiculous, and passable on the second. I think the idea has merit considering many helmet companies are already looking at integrated visors, and this only gives you more options. Haters gonna hate, but function before fashion.
http://www.duxhelm.com/
http://www.abus.com/eng/Mobile-Security/Bike-Safety-and-Security/Helmets/Sport/In-Vizz-Ascent
http://www.casco-helme.de/category.php?id=3
I can see something like this also being useful for public safety cyclists, e.g., law enforcement, EMTs, search and rescue teams, where eye protection while in transit is critical but you want the ability to flip it out of the way and get to work without fumbling with glasses when you arrive on scene. Just saying…
Um… no!
Handy if you need to carry out some welding or grinding on your bike straight after a ride…
Star Wars is back!!!…also in cycling apparel!!
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I’d try something like this for winter commuting. The question is how much they frost up from your breath.
Fredtastic, indeed. I’ll be out on the road this winter sporting one of these while the keyboard commandos here are inside dreaming up more smarmy clever comments on BR products.
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Nope.
@Bald Ben: For the first of my helmets with face shields, I customized it to look like Protoman (from the old school Mega Man series). A lot of people thought Power Ranger but at least one did think Judge Dredd. In any case, it was often noticed!
@bsimon: With the aforementioned helmet, I never had a fog issue, because the face shield was cut out around my mouth. With my next helmet, I had fog issues, because the face shield did extend all the way down. It is helpful in the winter to have a shield, though!
Thanks for all the colorful comments! WideEyez are for those who typically ride a lot and are interested in the benefits-no fog, deflection of wind, sun, rain and does not interfere and actually expands your site lines when you ride!
Keep on Rolling!