Shimano is expanding its range of special lenses for cyclists. The two new Ridescape lenses AR (All-Road) and TR (Trail) have been developed to improve visual clarity and sharpen details in different riding conditions.
Like the existing lenses in the Ridescape series, the new additions are specially adapted to certain lighting conditions and driving surfaces. The lenses are designed to intensify colours and make objects and surfaces stand out more clearly. According to Shimano, this makes environments that would normally appear washed out, dull or flat appear more clearly defined, vivid and three-dimensional.
The lenses are based on an ultra-clear, lightweight polyamide substrate that has a low refractive index for greater visual clarity and a high Abbe value, which reduces chromatic aberration (coloured edges around an image that cause blurring).
Shimano Ridescape: The versatile all-road version
The Ridescape AR (All-Road) is a versatile lens with an eye-catching blue multi-layer mirror coating. With a light transmission of 14 per cent, according to the manufacturer it feels much lighter than the technical value would suggest.
It was developed for a wide range of riding surfaces and light conditions - from sunny days on smooth tarmac to cloudy rides on rough gravel roads. The blue multi-layer mirror coating not only fulfils aesthetic purposes, but also optimises light filtering for different surfaces, such as those found in gravel biking in particular.
Information on the AR lenses
- Light transmission (VLT): 14 %
- Range of use: Versatile for road and gravel
- Coating: Blue multi-layer mirror coating
- Price: still open
The trail variant
With a lighter tint and a light transmission of 38 per cent, the Ridescape TR (Trail) is specially designed for off-road use. These lenses are designed to sharpen visual perception and allow you to react more quickly to stones, roots, ruts and other obstacles.
Another advantage is the reduction of glare effects caused by short bursts of sunlight, which can occur when alternating between shade and light on wooded single trails when MTB riding.
The information on the TR lenses
- Light transmission (VLT): 38 %
- Range of use: Off-road and forest trails
- Special feature: Reduces glare in changing light conditions
- Price: still open
Ridescape glasses: Technical information
All Ridescape glasses have a hydrophobic coating on the outer and inner surface of the glass. This increases water repellency and keeps the glass free from dust, oil and dirt. As a result, they stay clean for longer and are easier to clean. In addition, an anti-scratch coating is applied to the outer and inner glass surface to improve durability.
- MaterialUltra-clear, lightweight polyamide substrate
- External coatingHydrophobic and scratch-resistant
- Coating insideHydrophobic and scratch-resistant
- PropertiesLow refractive index, high Abbe value
Adaptive and clear options
In addition to the special coloured lenses, Shimano also offers adaptive and clear options. The photochromatic lenses in grey with a VLT range of 17 % to 85 % automatically adapt to different UV light intensities, allowing them to be used in almost all light conditions. This makes them particularly versatile for journeys with changing light conditions or longer tours that extend over different times of day.
The PC Clear lenses are Shimano's clearest option with 90.7% VLT and are ideal for night riding where maximum light transmission is required. Both variants are available as replacement lenses and complete the range for situations where the specialised coloured lenses are not the optimal choice.
The new variants
Each of the new Ridescape glasses replaces a previous variant in the Shimano glasses portfolio. The complete overview of the glasses with the respective lens options:
- S-PYHRE SLRD (Road 22 % VLT), AR (All-Road 14 % VLT), TR (Trail 38 % VLT)
- S-PHYRE 2RD (Road 22 % VLT), AR (All-Road 14 % VLT), TR (Trail 38 % VLT)
- EQUINOX 5: RD (Road 22 % VLT), AR (All-Road 14 % VLT), TR (Trail 38 % VLT), Photochromatic Gray 17 % - 85 % VLT - Click here to test the Equinix 5
- PULSAR: TR (Trail 38 % VLT)
- TECHNIUM 2RD (Road 22 % VLT), AR (All-Road 14 % VLT), TR (Trail 38 % VLT)
- TECHNIUM 2 LRD (Road 22 % VLT), AR (All-Road 14 % VLT), TR (Trail 38 % VLT), Photochromatic Gray 17 % - 85 % VLT
A clear lens (90.7 % VLT) is included with every pair of glasses
Stefan Frey
Editor
