Best known for its ultralight carbon saddles and accessories, Berk Composites has unveiled its latest unexpected project – a pair of handmade carbon-framed sunglasses weighing just 32g.
Still in the prototype stage, the cycling glasses were shown for the first time at Eurobike 2025.
Built entirely in Slovenia, the frames use dry-laid carbon fibres formed in moulds and reinforced with resin injection.
This is a process co-founder Jure Berk admits is far more labour-intensive than traditional injection-moulded glasses: “You won’t see the big guys playing with carbon because it’s too labour-intensive, but we wanted to try something different with a different approach.”
While Berk emphasised that the brand doesn’t plan to become a mainstream eyeware manufacturer, the idea was sparked by the opportunity to collaborate with a Slovenian optics firm and apply Berk’s carbon expertise in a new way.
“All the stuff we do out of carbon is done in-house,” Berk explained. “And we recently got in contact with a company in Slovenia which produces lenses, so it just made sense to try it out.”
Berk’s prototype includes a carbon case that doubles as a compact tool box. The cylindrical case is designed to mount to a bike, offering riders on-the-bike utility and safe storage for the eyewear.
Berk is aiming for a retail price of around €250 and hopes to release the glasses towards the end of the season, pending refinements to the moulds.
A second model, featuring a more traditional half-frame design, is also in the works: "This [Z-shaped] model is more like something to show off – to get people to remember it,” said Berk. “Then we’ll see where it goes.”
Berk eyes return to custom frames
Berk previously offered custom carbon road frames aimed at the weight-weenie market, but stepped back from production during the shift to disc brakes because it was unsure of how the market would develop.
“The arrival of disc brakes made it harder to make truly lightweight bikes,” Berk explained. “And for a while, we didn’t know which direction the industry would go in.”
Now that disc brake dominance is well-established, the brand is exploring a return to frame building.
Berk has built several prototype bikes this year, and it’s considering offering fully custom tube-to-tube frames once again – including gravel bikes, for the first time.
Further details on the bikes and sunglasses are expected later this year.