One device, many small freedoms — and a glimpse of what’s next
For years, weekend bike rides have been my personal reset button. A couple of hours on two wheels is usually all it takes to clear my mind. The simple rhythm of riding—legs turning, wind in my face, silence broken only by the sound of tires on pavement—never fails to pull me out of the static of a long week. Like many cyclists, I’ve accumulated my share of gear: cycling computers, fitness apps, wireless earbuds, camera mounts. And like many, I’ve also learned the hard way that tech can quietly start to steal the joy from the ride.
That’s why discovering the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses felt like a small breakthrough.
What I didn’t expect was that a single device—a pair of stylish sunglasses—would make my rides feel less cluttered, less distracted, and, in some ways, more connected to the world around me. Not to social media, or to screens, or to metrics—but to the ride itself.
One Device to Replace the Stack
The promise of smart glasses isn’t new. We’ve seen plenty of hype over the years, from clunky augmented reality to fitness-focused headsets. But the Ray-Ban Meta glasses do something simpler and smarter: they strip the idea of smart eyewear down to just the essentials.
And in doing so, they add something subtle, but significant, to the cycling experience.
Instead of juggling headphones, sunglasses, a GoPro, and a smartphone—all of which I’ve tried cramming into a ride—the Ray-Ban Meta glasses offer:
- Eye protection
- Music and podcast streaming via open-ear speakers
- A camera for capturing moments on the go
- Voice-activated AI assistance
No switching devices. No fiddling with mounts. No batteries to swap mid-ride.
That kind of simplicity is what every rider craves—because when you’re out there, you want to pedal, breathe, and take it all in—not tap, swipe, and troubleshoot.
A Surprisingly Good Ride Companion
Let’s start with the basics: the form factor. These are real Ray-Bans. Mine are the classic Wayfarer frames, but with a twist: subtle camera lenses and speakers built into the arms. Under a helmet, they fit snugly enough, although long rides with bumpy terrain can sometimes nudge them out of position. They aren’t optimized for the aggressive fit of cycling-specific eyewear, but they’re good enough for casual to moderate rides.
What they excel at, though, is functionality.
With one press on the top of the right arm, I can instantly snap a photo or record a short video of what I’m seeing—without stopping, pulling out my phone, or risking a one-handed wobble. On one ride through San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, I captured a heron landing on the lake, rolling fog over the dunes, and sun filtering through eucalyptus trees—all in moments I wouldn’t have reached for my phone to capture. The images weren’t professional-grade, but they were real, and surprisingly immersive.
What’s most powerful about this feature isn’t the camera’s quality—it’s the ease. I took more photos in one ride than I usually take all month. Not because I was trying to document anything, but because it was just… there. One button. One second.
Sound Without Isolation
The open-ear audio in the Ray-Ban Meta glasses is another unexpected win. It lets me listen to podcasts, playlists, or take a quick call—all while staying aware of my surroundings.
On a bike, that’s crucial. Traditional earbuds often block traffic sounds or distort ambient noise. That’s not just annoying—it can be unsafe. With the Meta glasses, audio sits just above your ear canal. It’s clear and immersive enough for music or conversation, but it doesn’t isolate you from honks, conversations, or other cyclists passing by.
This makes the Meta glasses feel far more “ride-ready” than I expected. On solo rides, I find myself enjoying long podcast episodes or chill playlists without worrying about safety.
Talking to the Ride
What surprised me most was how naturally I started using Meta’s built-in AI assistant.
I didn’t think I’d want to chat with AI while riding. But curiosity got the better of me, and I tried it—asking questions about trees, animals, or landmarks I passed. “Hey Meta, what kind of tree is that?” or “Tell me more about this building.”
The answers weren’t always accurate, but the experience was… oddly nice. It didn’t break my focus like a phone would. It didn’t require screens. It didn’t ask for my attention—it simply responded when I asked. It felt more like a conversation with the ride itself.
It wasn’t about replacing disconnection with connection—it was about redirecting curiosity without breaking the rhythm.
Where It Misses the Mark
Let’s be clear: the Ray-Ban Meta glasses aren’t perfect.
The fit, while fine for a casual stroll, isn’t always great for performance cycling. On hills or bumpy routes, they slide down the nose or block the upper part of your vision, especially when in a tucked position.
The AI assistant, while charming in concept, has its flaws. In tests, it misidentified trees, confused car models, and sometimes corrected itself with unconvincing backpedals. Asking it to identify a eucalyptus tree and getting “oak” in return—only for it to agree when corrected—highlights that the vision-based AI still has a long road ahead.
The integration with apps like Spotify or navigation tools is inconsistent. I had to pull out my phone more often than I liked to correct music playback or check a map. There’s no Strava support yet. And the iPhone integration is limited, likely due to Apple’s tight controls.
These things matter. And for the Ray-Ban Meta glasses to truly become a cyclist’s best friend, they’ll need to improve—not in what they offer, but in how seamlessly they work.
A Glimpse of What’s Possible
Despite the drawbacks, there’s something undeniably promising about biking with Ray-Ban Meta.
It’s not the smartest device. It’s not the most rugged. But it’s one device—and that alone changes the experience of the ride.
You listen, you capture, you explore, and maybe even learn—all without taking your hands off the bars or your eyes off the road.
That’s a rare kind of tech. It doesn’t demand attention. It fits in the flow. It almost feels like it wants you to keep riding.
The Verdict: Not Quite Joy, But Close
The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses aren’t the endgame of wearable cycling tech—but they might be the beginning of something real.
They’ve already made my rides lighter—both in gear and in mindset. I worry less about juggling devices. I experience more of the ride, in real time. And when I do reach for a photo or a song or a question, it’s smoother. Less of an interruption. More of an extension of the moment.
Joy isn’t in the tech—it’s in the ride.
But with the right upgrades, Meta’s smart glasses might help bring us a little closer to it.
