Bollé’s B-Rock started life as a mountain bike sunglass acting as a full-rim brother to Bollé’s 5th Element but it is also finding a following among road cyclists. The addition of the full rim provides the B-Rock with closer coverage stopping the ingress of wind, grit and sunlight while meeting the current trend for full frames.
On test was a matte white blue model with a blue violet Cat 3 lens. The B Clear NXT shield has oleophobic, hydrophobic and anti-fog treatments and is interchangeable offering the potential for year-round use. B-Rock is offered in prescription through Bollé’s B-Thin Rx programme which glazes a section of the shield.
During wear the standout feature of the B-Rock is its comfort. At just 32g it is not the lightest eyewear on the market but it is balanced and stays effortlessly in place. B-Rock uses Bollé’s rubberised Thermogrip material which absorbs moisture as the temperature rises creating grip. A Thermogrip bar is set into the brow and further insets in the lower rim. The nose pads and temples use the same material and the temple ends have a B-Shape cushioned section. Although these features have been added for the rigours of mountain biking B-Rock has found a place in the road cycling peloton due to its colour-coordinated, full rim look and protection from the elements. The success of Simon Yates with B-Rock, as best young rider in last year’s Tour de France, is the kind of endorsement that means a lot to style-conscious lycra warriors.
In use during a recent triathlon the B-Rock’s Cat 3 shield offered a fully enclosed feel and a wide, reflection-free field of view with good levels of sun protection. The lenses remained free of smudges, did not fog and the few drops of rain that fell beaded off nicely. B-Rock is a performance cycling spec offering glazeable options and on trend looks and benefitting from the positive endorsement of pro cyclists.