Smith Pivlock V90 Cycling Glasses Review

August 17, 2010 in Cycling by Greg Borchert

I obtained a set of Smith Pivlock V90 Bike Glasses this spring, and after wearing them for several thousand miles and almost a full season of riding, I have become a fan.

The first thing I noticed was comfort, even on longer 5 to 6 hour road rides. The Smith Pivlock frames have enough spring in the temple arms to hold snugly in place, but aren’t so tight that they dig into your head like some glasses do. The ends of the temple arms that rest behind your ears are covered with a pliable rubber material that both cushions and grips. Smith calls this material “Hydrophillic Megol”, but it’s basically rubber to me. The nosepiece is constructed of this same material, and is the most comfortable nosepiece I have ever worn. These glasses are so comfortable that you tend to forget you have them on.

Lens changes couldn’t be easier. Both temple arms swing up to remove easily, and snap into another lens in seconds. The nosepiece is also easily removed by squeezing the sides together, and snaps into the lens with a confident click.

These glasses replaced some much more expensive glasses I have with interchangeable lenses that are individually snapped into the frame. I found that system, which is common in several high-end brands, to be cumbersome and time consuming compared to Smith Pivlocks. My Black Platinum Mirror Pivlock V90’s came with a dark mirror smoked sunglass and two additional lenses, one a clear mirror lens for riding before dawn or after dusk, and the other a rose colored multi-use “ignitor” lens that I found best for everything but full afternoon sun.

I carry a change of lenses in a jersey pocket, safely enclosed in the lens bag that comes with the system. Showing Smith’s attention to detail, the lens bag is made of a material that lets it double as a lens cleaning cloth. I have often changed lenses mid-ride, on occasion even while stopping at a stop light, literally in seconds.

The Pivlock system is also surprisingly durable. After months of hard use they still clean up to look and work like new. I had my doubts when I first saw them, but I’m a believer. I’m looking at buying a second set in the slightly larger Max size, as a backup and to give me different lens color options.