and they’re also good for dancing.
(Photo: Jeff Mandel)
Remember Jeff Mandel of ExIT Shoes?
Back in January I shared photos and a story of his handmade leather bicycle saddles.
The other day, I came across his latest creation — a bicycle touring shoe.
According to his blog (Mandel posts an entry for each pair of shoes he makes — these are #25), this is Mandel’s first bicycle touring shoe. Mandel was inspired by a pair of shoes made in 1960 that he reproduced from photos brought to him by his friend Joel Metz (a veteran Portland bike messenger).
Mandel writes that he “really loved the classic look and the straightforward design. No liner, big holes, low heel. Best of all, there was no messy cleat interface to accommodate.”
As for ExIT Shoes pair #25, Mandel says they have been reinforced to be stiff in the ball of your foot and were designed to be used with clip and strap pedals. He also says that they’d “make fine summer dance shoes” (Mandel is an avid tango dancer).
See more about this stylish pair of handmade bike shoes at Mandel’s blog.