Your mountain biking glasses are one of the most important pieces of gear you own. They protect your eyes from debris, branches and flies while allowing you to see the trail clearly. Taking proper care of your glasses ensures they’ll provide years of protection and clear vision on the trail.
With some basic maintenance and careful handling, you can keep your mountain biking eyewear looking and functioning like new. Following a few simple guidelines will help prevent scratches, breakage and other wear over time.
Cleaning Mountain Biking Glasses Properly
Keeping your glasses clean is the easiest way to care for them. Dirt, oil and sweat can gradually damage lenses or frames. Getting into a regular cleaning routine helps your eyewear last longer.
After each ride, use warm water and mild soap to gently wash your glasses. Handwashing allows you to remove stuck-on dirt without being too abrasive. Make sure to thoroughly rinse off all soap residue, which can also cause damage over time.
While washing, check for any debris stuck in the joints or nose pieces. Carefully remove anything wedged in crevices with tweezers or a soft brush. Don’t forget to wash out the storage bag too, since it harbors dirt and bacteria.
Finish by patting your glasses dry with a clean microfiber cloth designed for lenses. Rubbing or wiping could lead to scratched lenses or bent frames. Store them in the clean bag or case until your next adventure on the trails.
Preventing Scratches
Scratched lenses are no fun. They make it harder to see obstacles and gauge terrain when flying over the handlebars. Protect your glasses from scratches with smart handling and storage when not in use.
Never set your mountain biking eyewear directly on hard surfaces. Rocks, wood tables or concrete can all cause lenses to scratch. Instead, always place glasses inside their protective bag or case. Microfiber pouches prevent contact between lenses and abrasive surfaces. Hard cases provide padding and protection in your pack or luggage as well. Silica gel packs in cases keep moisture from accumulating too.
Glasses stacked loosely in bags or pockets can also get scratched. Make compartments in your hydration pack or jersey to separate them from keys, tools or electronics. Some sunglasses feature primarily plastic lenses which resist scratching better than glass. Upgrading to impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses provides even more durability from drops and bumps when riding rugged terrain.
Scratches lead to reduced visibility and safety over time. Handle your mountain biking glasses gently and store them properly after each outing to prevent future damage.
Repairing and Replacing Parts
Through frequent use, parts like nosepieces and ear socks can eventually wear out. Replacing them lets you refresh older glasses cost-effectively. Many replacement parts install easily at home.
Start by checking with your glasses manufacturer. Major brands sell replacement nosepieces, ear socks, pad arms and sometimes lenses for their frames. Measure the sizing and dimensions of your current parts to match new ones accurately. Installation simply pops into place or uses miniature screwdrivers for small screws.
If factory parts aren’t available, examine specialty shops or websites carrying generic accessories fitting various brands. Bring your glasses to test different sizes and styles firsthand. Seek out non-slip material to avoid future slipping problems.
For loose or wobbly arms, a drop of clear nail polish layered into the joint can tighten things back up. Remove debris before applying sparingly with a toothpick. Rotate the arm fully open and closed to set the polish completely.
Refreshing key components prevents you from buying whole new glasses yearly. Replace pads and grips early on to avoid loose frames slipping down unexpectedly on bumpy terrain.
Protecting Lenses From Damage
The optically-correct curved lenses help focus images clearly while protecting your eyes. But the material can be vulnerable to chips, cracks and breaking without proper precautions.
Never use paper products like tissues or paper towels to clean lenses. The wood pulp fibers easily scratch surface coatings leading to impaired vision. Use designated spray cleaners and microfiber cloths instead. Avoid wiping vigorously in a circular motion.
Chemicals like ammonia, bleach or alcohol can damage specialized lens treatments too. Stick to mild soap and water, then pat dry. This keeps anti-reflective, polarized and photochromic lenses looking their best for years.
When riding in extremely cold temperatures, switch from clear to darker lenses beforehand. Lighter tints become brittle below freezing while darker lenses hold up better. Going from warm areas straight into freezing cold makes them more prone to cracking or shattering due to rapid temperature shifts. Consider carrying an extra lens for emergency swapping if riding in unpredictable climates.
Dropping glasses onto hard ground can easily crack lenses too. Attach a secure neck strap when riding challenging terrain where crashes or loose handling could occur. They’ll hang safely around your neck rather than falling to the ground. Protect your investment from post-crash damage on daring trail rides.
Storing Properly
Keep glasses safe from crushing or warping by storing properly between rides. Lay them inside the included pouch or hard case, with lenses facing up to avoid pressure points from contact.
Never pile heavy gear on top when packed in luggage. Wrap them in a sock or shirt for padding if needed. Heat can also degrade lenses and frames inside hot vehicles. Bring them inside rather than leaving them sitting on a blistering car dashboard all day.
Invest in sturdy storage so your glasses avoid getting crunched. Broken frames or lenses make for an abbreviated ride when safety suddenly becomes compromised. With attentive care and handling, you’ll enjoy many seasons of clear optical performance.
Maintaining Frames and Bolts
Inspect mountain biking glasses frames routinely for loosening or fatigue that appears over time. Vibration, crashes and accidental drops take a toll on materials and construction. Weak points like hinges, arms and nosepieces should get extra scrutiny to maximize safety.
Grab each arm firmly and flex gently to feel for loosening near hinges. Ensure screws remain tight on models with visible fasteners. Arms shouldn’t feel wobbly or loose when opened fully. If so, use included repair kits or contact manufacturers about replacement options.
Nosepieces support glasses comfortably and securely during bumpy riding. Seek out durable yet flexible modern materials that retain grip better with wear. Exchange worn pieces for fresh grippiness helping them stay planted reliably on steep descents.
Check that frame materials haven’t cracked or bent out of shape over time too. Sturdy frames constructed from modern polymers withstand damage better than vintage plastic materials when abused. Frame reinforcement ribs add strength to critical high-stress junctions as well.
Bolt-on lenses allow riders to swap out tints for changing light conditions. Maintain their threaded fasteners with medium strength thread-locking adhesives so lenses won’t loosen mid-ride. Reapply sparingly as needed, being careful not wet adjacent frame surfaces.
Routinely inspecting frames, joints and hardware reduces safety issues dramatically. Addressing loose, worn or damaged components immediately cuts down on unexpected problems later on.
Extending Your Mountain Biking Glasses’ Lifespan
Caring properly for your mountain biking sunglasses might seem tedious but pays off hugely in saved money and consistent safety. A few moments after each ride keeps them functioning flawlessly for years of off-road adventures ahead.
Consistently clean grime off frames and lenses to prevent gradual damage accumulating over time. Handle them gently when storing to prevent scratches which impair optics and durability. Replace worn parts periodically to refresh old glasses cost-effectively.
Guard against crushing injuries inside protective cases and bags whenever possible. Seek out impact-resistant lens materials better able to handle abuse from drops or crashes too. Routinely inspect frames and hardware to catch developing issues early on.
With attentive care and maintenance, expect many seasons of reliable performance from high quality mountain biking sunglasses. Consistent upkeep results in money saved and optical clarity maintained as you charge down miles of dusty singletrack. Protect your eyesight for adventure and take steps so your glasses withstand abuse as ably as you do.
