POC, the Swedish cycling apparel and accessories brand, has launched Propel, a pair of cycling glasses that the brand says are “designed to enhance aerodynamics and performance" by eliminating the rider's ears causing turbulence.
The large lens and special temple design make the Propel sit closer to the face, with a wrap-around feel and precise side fairings which guide air away from a rider’s ears.
The air is thus directed to flow over the rider's shoulders, instead of allowing a rider's ears to cause turbulence - which creates a smoother airflow and enhances a rider's aerodynamic profile, POC explains.
If you were wondering why aerodynamics have been considered in a pair of shades where any gains are likely to be rather marginal, it's because the Propel glasses are part of POC's 'aero initiative', which aims to make all of its products as aero as possible with the help of technologies such as computational fluid dynamic testing (CFD).
“We know the world of performance cycling is about marginal gains, and every watt saved can make a difference. We tested [the Propel] continually with CFD to research and fine-tune our ideas. The results led us to design the eyewear with the rider's body and position in the forefront of our minds. The result is the most aerodynamic eyewear we have ever produced,” POC’s eyewear manager, Tilda Håll summarised the Propel.
It goes without saying that one place where marginal gains are crucial is World Tour racing, and we’ve already seen the Propel debut at the Tour Down Under with EF Education First women's and men's teams.
The Propel shades come in six different frame colours and eight lens options are available, with each pair also coming with a clear lens. The glasses are constructed with a bio-grilamid frame, three nose bridge sizes are included, and the temples are fully adjustable in both length and grip for absolute comfort.
The glasses are available now and retail for £230.
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5 comments
The idea of more aerodynamic ears seemed at first to be appealing but then I realised they would be less effective air brakes on our steepest descents so I'm sticking with what I've got.
If there's less turbulance over the ears, will these improve hearing? I often find convesation difficult due to wind noise. But £230 is a lot to splash out to find out when they cost as much as a fistful of Bob's photochromic eyewear.
But sunglasses go under the straps. (Tee hee, runs away and hides.)
We all know us cyclists don't mind looking a bit daft.. these could go down well if they reduce wind noise.. who's owned a pair of Cat Ears! (.... asking for a friend...)
Wow!