SPD Shoe 2010 buyer’s guide Pt. 1 – Casual Shoes

spd_casual

Following up on my last post, I recognize that not everyone wants to make their own SPD-compatible shoes.  So what are your “off the shelf ” options?  Well, I’ve done a lot of research and here is the first installment of my two-part “2010 buyer’s guide” based on the coolest shoes I have seen that are currently for sale.  My criteria here is to list shoes that would look and feel good at a casual office or social occasion, the kind of shoes you can wear all day, anywhere, without looking like a total bike dork.  This first list is of leather low-profile shoes that have a European style.  Part Two of the buyer’s guide will focus on sneakers that are SPD-compatible.

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Bianchi Volpe touring bike

Volpe side view

Another day, another bike post!  This is my geared touring bike that I built up from a 1998 Bianchi Volpe frame. I wanted to build a geared bike for century rides and other rides where a single-speed wouldn’t be the best choice.  I also wanted to try out a bullhorn handlebar setup, which I enjoy.  It’s very stable and perfect for when you really want to go fast.  This bike is still sort of a work in progress; it’s comfortable and fit to me but I’d like to replace the stem to match the rest of the white & blue theme.

More details and pictures after the jump…

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