Tifosi cycling glasses – First look

High-spec eyewear at affordable prices

James Costley-White/BikeRadar

Published: January 24, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Tifosi are a massive brand in the US – where they control about 30 percent of the cycling eyewear market – but they're not well known in the UK. That's something new distributors Zyro are hoping to change.

It shouldn't be too hard a sell – Tifosi claim their glasses are up there with the likes of Oakley and Rudy Project in terms of optical clarity and materials technology, but by slashing the amount spent on marketing, they're able to sell them at much lower prices.

All models have high-end features like flexible Grilamid TR-90 nylon frames, decentred polycarbonate lenses and hydrophilic (ie. they become grippier the more you sweat) nose and temple pieces. Prices start at just £25 for the single-lens Forza FC and top out at £90 for the Ventoux, Dolomite or Tyrant model equipped with a photochromic and polarized lens.

A load of different styles and lenses are available, and several models are compatible with the RX prescription lens system. The Slip is Tifosi's – the name means 'super-fan' – best seller, coming in at £50 with three interchangeable ventilated lenses – clear, smoke and either All Conditions Red or brown (depending on frame colour).

We've been impressed by Tifosi glasses we've tested in the past. Look out for reviews of some of the new models on BikeRadar this year. For more details, visit www.tifosioptics.com or www.zyro.co.uk.

Tifosi slip: - James Costley-White/BikeRadar

The £50 Slip is Tifosi's best selling pair of cycling glasses