Though I tried on the highly-recommended Oakley Jawbones in my local bike store, I told myself I needed a few more months of serious riding to prove to myself the cost aligned with my commitment. Having drawn that rather philosophical line in the sand, I moved on to shop’s low-end alternative: the Tifosi.
Having now broken them in via cold-winter riding in Indianapolis, I can say that they are a comfortable, solid, and more than adequate armament for the cycler’s eyes. I attach an adjustable mirror to mine. The Tifosis provide a solid platform for this gizmo and do not shift at all on my head under the added weight.
Optics are satisfactory. It takes a faster, more adventurous cyclist that I to need more clarity.
Yet, in an ideal world, I would have spent double what the Tifosis cost me and snagged the Jawbones. Here’s why: It grows dark in Indy near 5:00 p.m. in the winter. The adjustable darkness of the Tifosis doesn’t go to the extreme I need in order to see well at that hour. The Oakley’s interchangeable lens solve that problem easily.
Still, this is a small criticism of a fine entry-level optical package for the moderately serious biker.
I’ll probably wear a pair of Jawbones some time in the future, when I carry ten fewer pounds and several thousands of additional road miles. But not yet. My Tifosis’ll do me.
Canter Bridge 
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