Comments on: Pair Number 25

By: Barrett

Barrett — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:13:38 +0000

All I can say is, ¡caramba!

Even though I don’t think I can stretch to the price of a custom pair (though they clearly seem worth it) a production pair I might pop for, even though I imagine they’d be significantly pricier because of their limited-production nature. GOOD cycling shoes thst are truly clip/strap specific are extrenmely thin on the ground, as you know.

- Barrett

By: Trevor

Trevor — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:42:49 +0000

Wow, Jeff, what amazing shoes, and what amazing craftsmanship! Gorgeous! Have just used up an hour of my morning looking through your site and oggling your gorgeous designs. $800 is a complete *steal* when one considers that they’re handmade, that each pair is completely unique, like no other in the world, that they’re custom fit, that they’ll last way longer than mass-produced shoes, that they’re made with love and care and skill by a person and not a machine — I’m honestly surprised these don’t cost significantly more!

Keep up the great work and your commitment to exquisite craftsmanship!

PS Found you via the nice photo link on the home page of the stunning Renovo wood bicycles.

By: jeff

jeff — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:57:13 +0000

Alain, as you point out, wet leather on metal would not give you the best grip. I did have a plan…I rode around a bit to get the mark from the rear raised part of the pedal on the sole of the shoe. Some shoes had a cleat that you would attach to get the lock on the pedal. I’m planning to just cut a slot in the leather and see how it goes.

On the price of shoes, here in the US, $800 sounds expensive, but in Europe they start at 800 euros. In the US we don’t go for shoes so much as boots. You don’t even have to leave Oregon to find custom cowboy boots that start at $1,000. See DW Frommer’s site: http://www.bootmaker.com/bespoke.htm and note the 3 year waiting list…

I’m just getting started and I can only hope that someday I’ll have a 3 year waiting list!

By: Alain LeTourneau

Alain LeTourneau — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:55:17 +0000

Nice shoes, however I wonder if the sole being tread-less will allow the shoe to move around too much in wet weather. In fact, I’m certain it will as I have a pair of Specialized Somas, without a real tread (made for clippies), and when its wet they don’t grip the pedal well enough.

Avocet used to make touring shoes that had ridges on the sole where the shoe would interface with the pedal’s edge. It keeps the shoe from floating back and forth. Otherwise, one has to compensate by cinching down hard on the strap to keep the shoe from moving too much.

The other thought is a fixed offering, since $800 is way over my head and probably 99% of people who buy shoes. Can people really afford $800?

By: Mark Stosberg

Mark Stosberg — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:49:10 +0000

I really like this. It’s breathable like a sandal, somewhat functional like a bike shoe, and stylish like a dress shoe.

I can’t justify the cost of a custom pair now, but I think I would enjoy this shoe a lot.

(found via bikeportland.org)

By: jeff

jeff — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:07:58 +0000

If there’s enough interest, I would considering making them in fixed sizes. They are, of course, always available custom.

By: Maria

Maria — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:29:32 +0000

I still ride with clips & straps and struggle to find the right shoes. I also, coincidentally, know Joel from when we were both messengers in SF. Are you planning to make more shoes and sell them because I would love to have a pair!