Entry-level Twinspark shades also shed 2.5g
Shimano has reduced the weight of its Twinspark and Technium sunglasses, adding a photochromic lens option to the latter.
Besides each shedding a couple of grams, their new frame material is more environmentally friendly, according to the brand.
The all-new Technium L and updated Technium cost $100 / €99.95, while the entry-level Twinspark glasses are priced at $65 / €54.95.
Shimano Technium sunglasses
The Shimano Techniums are full-frame cycling sunglasses intended for “all-day comfort on the road, trail and everything in between”.
Fog vents in the top and bottom of the lens are designed to stop them from steaming up.
You can reverse the nose pad to better suit the shape of your snout.
The Technium is available with a choice of three Ridescape lenses: RD for road riding, OR for mountain biking and GR for gravel cycling.
Shimano says Ridescape lenses enhance the detail of your riding environment in different light conditions. The GR and OR lenses, for example, are claimed to help you differentiate between trail surfaces and spot obstacles quicker.
An interchangeable clear lens is included with each option.
Shimano has switched the frame material of the existing Technium cycling sunglasses from Grilamid TR-90 to Arkema Rilsan Clear G850 Rnew.
Made from “45 per cent bio-based materials”, Shimano claims the new frame produces fewer carbon emissions in manufacture.
- Frame colours: Matte Black, Matte White, Teal, Teaberry, Matte Grey, Dark Olive, Bronze Gold
- Frame material: Arkema Rilsan Clear G850 Rnew 45 per cent bio-based materials
- Claimed weight: 27.4g
- Lenses: Ridescape RD, OR and GR (spare lens: clear)
- Price: $100 / €99.95
Shimano Technium L sunglasses
The Technium L glasses are a half-frame version of the Technium, claimed to weigh 26g.
Shimano says the wide, one-piece lens is suitable for big days on roads, trails and gravel.
In addition to the three Ridescape lens types, the Technium L also comes with a photochromic grey lens. This changes how much light passes through the lens according to the UV level, turning clear in low light and darkening in bright light.
All four lenses are scratch-resistant and water-repellent, according to Shimano, and come with an interchangeable clear lens.
- Frame colours: Matte Black, Matte White, Crimson, Smokey Navy, Dark Olive, Bronze Gold
- Frame material: Arkema Rilsan Clear G850 Rnew 45% bio-based materials
- Claimed weight: 26g
- Lenses: Ridescape RD, OR and GR, and Photochromic Gray (spare lens: clear)
- Price: $100 / €99.95
Shimano Twinspark
The Shimano Twinspark glasses are half-frame, budget cycling sunglasses available with only one daytime lens, costing $35 less than the Technium.
Shimano says the one-piece Ridescape HC lens dulls the glare from asphalt while enhancing surface details.
The Twinspark sunglasses feature the same high-clarity and lightweight BPA-lens and new frame material as the pricier models, according to Shimano.
The Twinspark’s 25.3g claimed weight is almost 10 per cent lighter than the previous generation.
- Frame colours: Black, White, Deep Red, Smoky Navy
- Claimed weight: 25.3g
- Lenses: Ridescape HC
- Price: $65 / €54.95
What about the Shimano S-Phyre sunglasses?
So far there’s no word from Shimano about an update to its S-Phyre sunglasses.
The brand updated its flagship sunnies along with the mid-range Aerolite last year. Currently, only the latter is available with a photochromic lens.
You might expect Shimano to incorporate the Arkema Rilsan Clear G850 Rnew frame material into these models at some stage to reduce its environmental impact.
We’ve asked Shimano for more information.