[CR] Slotted Cleats, Shoes and shameless plugs

(Example: Production Builders:Tonard)

Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:37:26 -0500
From: "Wayne Bingham" <blkmktbks@gmail.com>
To: Classic Rendevous <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] Slotted Cleats, Shoes and shameless plugs


With all the talk about shoes and cleats and clips and straps, I thought it might be a good time to let folks know that we (MPI/Velo Classique) have a sizable stash of vintage cleats available (or at least they will be available soon). I have not had time to inventory the cleat supply yet, but I do know that there are lots of Barelli, TA , Cortina, and lesser numbers of other brands. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure there are no cleats for Dettos. If anyone is interested in something in particular, I'll be in the warehouse packing tomorrow, and can try and check availability.

As for modern cliplesss systems (and another shameless plug that has nothing to do with MPI/VC), I fall squarely in the camp of using clipless pedals on vintage bikes. For me at least, it's just a better, safer, more comfortable system. However, I do try to find "classic looking" shoes. I like the way Sidi shoes fit, and they still offer their top shoes in plain black (well, mostly black anyway).

However, I did discover a shoe a few years ago that really fits the "classic look" perfectly. A few years ago Adidas made a limited edition shoe called the Super Pro Classic. These shoes have a fully modern carbon sole (with Look drilling) and heel cup, but are made of leather (really!) When was the last time you saw a modern all-leather cycling shoe?. The shoes are all black, with a small Adidas logo on the outside of the toe, and the classic three white stripes on the heel. They use quick-cinch laces and a flap to cover the slide-lock. They even have "Limited edition" and a serial number stitched into the side of each shoe. They really are quite nice, and really do look like "old" cycling shoes. I ended up with two pair because I couldn't figure out how to judge the fit properly. "Back in the day" everyone always bought cycling shoes small, because they were going to stretch. These Adidas seem to run a little large. I wear a 42.5 in Sidi, but the Adidas in 42 fit better.

Consequently, I have a pair of these Adidas Pro Classics in a slightly larger size for sale. The way the size reads on the box is UK-8, F-42 2/3, US-9, but they probably fit a bit larger. They are new, in the box with a shoe bag, but the right shoe has a small scuff on the sole where the cleat attaches (where someone tried in one at the Westminster swap meet). Original price on these shoes was somewhere around $250. I'm offering this pair for $95 shipped domestically. Pictures on request.

Thanks -
--
Wayne Bingham
Lovettsville, Virginia USA