While the debate on the greatest cyclist of all time rages on, the best looking cyclist has never been questioned: Fausto Coppi. Awkward and gangly off the bike but poised and natural on it, Coppi cut a figure while racing on the rivet that all cyclists should be envious of. Fausto’s glasses of choice were the Persol 649s but we think they’re best saved for your finest Steve McQueen impressions, as the flat lens shape doesn’t lend itself to clear vision once the sweat starts dripping. What then, if you want to look the part but without a total technical loss? Rapha step this way.
With the performance optics market dominated by increasingly futuristic and elaborate glasses (Oakley’s new Jawbreakers comprise 27 separate components), Rapha has decided to buck the trend and introduce its Classic Glasses. Handmade by Italian manufacturer Mazzucchelli, these specs take their style cues from frames worn by the riders in the Coppi era.
‘We tried to create a timeless style with a sense of speed on the bike and the looks to be worn easily off the bike,’ says Rapha designer Miles Gibbons. ‘For me a product must give the user a special feeling even when just picking it up. This is best achieved when the aesthetic enhances the product’s use rather than dictating it.’
The lenses are supplied by Carl Zeiss Vision and are shaped to prevent misting, while the 30g weight makes them competitive against other glasses on the market. If you want street style without sacrificing cycling performance, the Rapha Classic Glasses might be worth a look. Available in three different frame colours: Brown, Black and Grey.
£195, rapha.cc