BBB Chester PH sunglassesSelf-tinting lenses with style and good quality

Marc Strucken

 · 27.06.2024

No solar eclipse, just the new photochromic sunglasses from BBB Cycling called Chester.
Photo: Marc Strucken

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Self-tinting sunglasses are no longer expensive - but they are incredibly practical: one lens for (almost) all situations. The Chester PH(otochromic) from BBB Cycling is comfortable to wear and looks great with its golden coating.

Update: We have added a supplement to this test, which only became necessary after using the glasses for a longer period of time.

The Chester sunglasses from BBB Cycling combine the advantages of glasses with a full frame and without a frame in one pair of cycling glasses. At first glance, they appear to be frameless, but the frame is concealed behind the large shield lens. As a result, they offer the elegant design and clear vision of frameless glasses, coupled with the robustness and secure feel of full-frame glasses.

Full frame - sturdy glasses. From the front, however, the BBB Chester looks like frameless sunglasses.Photo: Marc StruckenFull frame - sturdy glasses. From the front, however, the BBB Chester looks like frameless sunglasses.

The rubber nose bridge is adjustable and ensures a perfect fit on the nose and under the helmet. The rubber coating on the temple ends provides additional grip. Thanks to the large lens, the BBB sunglasses Chester PH distortion-free vision and a fairly wide field of vision when cycling.

In our test, we liked the fact that the goggles are quite light to wear (37 grams) and also fit very well under different helmets. The straight temples are not too long so that they collide with the helmet behind the ears.

The temples are almost completely rubberised and hold very well on the head - or on the helmet.Photo: Marc StruckenThe temples are almost completely rubberised and hold very well on the head - or on the helmet.

The self-tinting lenses do not react excessively quickly to changes in light, but the pleasant, very natural tint means that you are not left in the dark even when entering shady wooded areas. The lenses are not polarised, which means that displays can be seen from all directions without any problems.

Environmental aspects of the self-tinting BBB sunglasses

According to BBB Cycling, the frame of the Chester PH sunglasses is also made from 45 per cent renewable raw materials, in this case the castor oil plant. The material is called Rilsan Clear G850 Rnew. The manufacturer also points out on the packaging of the glasses that the lens can also be easily replaced if it is damaged. This extends the service life of individual parts and protects the environment. Speaking of packaging, it is also plastic-free. Only the replacement or additional lens comes in a plastic film. And the price for the self-tinting sunglasses is also right.

Bio Based Materials - this refers to the castor oil plant.Photo: Marc StruckenBio Based Materials - this refers to the castor oil plant.

Practical test of the BBB Chester PH sunglasses

The BBB Chester PH can really be used for anything. It looks good on MTBs and gravel bikes, is also very comfortable to wear in everyday life and the straight but not too long temples probably don't cause any problems with most helmets. After a few weeks of testing, the hinges of the temples creak a little when opening and closing. This is not noticeable when wearing the helmet.

The lenses - if you have both versions available - can be changed quickly. However, they sit tightly on the frame, so you have to bend the lenses a little to insert them. However, this is not usually necessary as the Chester has self-tinting lenses. The only criticism of the sunglasses is that there is a wafer-thin gap between the lenses and the frame, into which fine dust can fall. This happens both on the dusty trail and when you don't change the lenses for a long time. And this dust forms fine abrasion marks on the lens. However, these are not relevant when wearing them, as the frame covers them. However, after a long period of time, they may look unsightly, "worn out" so to speak.

Fine dust collects between the glass and frame...
Photo: Marc Strucken

The details of the BBB sunglasses in brief

  • Full frame glasses
  • Photochromic lenses with a light transmission of 82 - 17 % (Cat. 0-3, manufacturer's specifications)
  • Made from unbreakable Grilamid with 45% renewable raw materials
  • Rubber temples and adjustable rubber nose pads
  • Adjustable nose piece: Yes
  • Lens interchangeable: Yes
  • Weight: 37 g
  • Price: 119 euros // 109 Euro (without golden glass coating)


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Marc Struken is a passionate bike journalist and editor at Delius Klasing Verlag. After working in radio, radio, TV and online marketing, he has been contributing his experience to digital content for BIKE, EMTB, FREERIDE and MYBIKE since 2022 - whether mountain bike, gravel or road bike.

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