[Old Cranky]

To me, the highlight of a long cycle ride is a stop for a great cup of coffee (and possibly some cake). For the rare occasion I am not out on my bike, I have a cheap filter coffee machine at home and am tempted to buy a Nespresso machine. I don’t know anything about them, what to look for or even if they are any good.

How can I get something which makes a cup of coffee akin to what I get in my favourite cafes without spending the earth?

Topic

[dreamlx10]

Got one of these last August,
Got one of these last August, it’s pretty good:

Enjoy. 🙂

[Spooks]

Another Silvia user, loved
Another Silvia user, loved coffee longer than cycling so I am allowed to have an opinion =)) For a good starter budget machine, a Gaggia classic is a nice recommendation, alternatively a Moka pot does a great job.
Best getting good beans, remember if it doesn’t have a roast date leave it alone, grind as needed and enjoy coffee

[jellysticks]

This is hilarious
This is hilarious

[Shades]

I’ve only had occasion to use
I’ve only had occasion to use a Nespresso machine at a friends place, who didn’t use it much. Seemed pretty versatile but needed an understanding of the different coffee pods and setting up the milk side of things. I just ‘bodged’ my way through but there were some pretty revolting brews on the way. Struck me as being a mid week machine when time’s pressing.
I used to have a Gaggia (ground coffee only) at home but it packed up a few years ago. I bought the replacement, a Magimix machine, based on a Which magazine test report. Very pleased with it and I grind the beans using a small Gaggia grinder. I get my beans from a local shop who get them from a small local roaster. I reckon I mix a good brew but it’s definitely a weekend activity as there isn’t enough time on a work morning.

[PJ McNally]

700c wrote: if the beans go

700c wrote:

if the beans go straight from fridge to machine for grinding and making a shot (where they get wet), then how does the condensation, if any, affect the flavour?

Agreed – but it’s not the beans you use first i’m really worried about, it’s those that get put back in the fridge to use later – so repeatedly they get warm air on them, which carries water vapour, and then in the fridge they get musty…

[cmyk]

I used to have a Rancilio
I used to have a Rancilio Silvia, Gaggia MM grinder etc, etc, etc.

About two years after we had children I realised I had only used it a dozen times.

There is something immensely satisfying about grinding fresh beans, tamping etc-but meanwhile, back in the (my) real world, I simply didn’t have the time anymore.

It all went on Ebay and we got ourselves a Nespresso machine-after a lot of taste testing around friends houses.

For us it was an easy decision. Nespresso gives us a consistently good espresso, really quickly. I can have one every morning before the school run, one before a run, before a ride…

[700c]

PJ McNally wrote:700c wrote:

PJ McNally wrote:

700c wrote:

the beans I have seem to degrade noticeably within a week, even kept in sealed container within the fridge..

Please don’t store coffee in the fridge!

You know when you come in from a ride in the cold, and you get condensation on every cold surface? Well, that’s what happens every time you take chilled beans out of the fridge.

Store them at room temperature in a sealed bag!

Agree about sealing, but if the beans go straight from fridge to machine for grinding and making a shot (where they get wet), then how does the condensation, if any, affect the flavour?

[sodit]

Be civilised and drink tea
Be civilised and drink tea B-)

[PJ McNally]

700c wrote:
the beans I have

700c wrote:

the beans I have seem to degrade noticeably within a week, even kept in sealed container within the fridge..

Please don’t store coffee in the fridge!

You know when you come in from a ride in the cold, and you get condensation on every cold surface? Well, that’s what happens every time you take chilled beans out of the fridge.

Store them at room temperature in a sealed bag!

[don simon fbpe]

Stove top pot and spend the
Stove top pot and spend the rest on bikes and decent coffee.

[700c]

Cyclist wrote:AEG Lavazza MIO

Cyclist wrote:

AEG Lavazza MIO with wand, great piece of kit.
I have done the full barista bit, problem is mess, and having to use your beans up pretty sharpish as the oils soon degrade which then gives you a crap cup of joe.
I love an espresso sitting in the sun blah blah, but for home, pods are a better choice, being sealed they retain the oils, so every time you make the drink you get a lovely crema and it’s all about the crema.

Yes I agree that is a draw back, the beans I have seem to degrade noticeably within a week, even kept in sealed container within the fridge.. Currently looking at a delonghi bean vaccume container, which hopefully will keep them as good as when the can is first opened..

I like the red illy beans, myself..

[Cyclist]

AEG Lavazza MIO with wand,
AEG Lavazza MIO with wand, great piece of kit.
I have done the full barista bit, problem is mess, and having to use your beans up pretty sharpish as the oils soon degrade which then gives you a crap cup of joe.
I love an espresso sitting in the sun blah blah, but for home, pods are a better choice, being sealed they retain the oils, so every time you make the drink you get a lovely crema and it’s all about the crema.

[middlering]

I love my coffee as much as
I love my coffee as much as any of you, and have no faith in my ability to make it myself. So it’s the cafés for me (those too preferably over on the continent).

Came across this short post on how to drink coffee like an Italian, and thought of you bunch http://goo.gl/VNjOEX 🙂

[Old Cranky]

Thank you for the advice
Thank you for the advice everyone. I didn’t realise there were so many alternatives. I need to follow up on the tips and investigate/sample :B

[PJ McNally]

Oho, coffee on
Oho, coffee on road.cc.

Having already outed myself as a coffee geek in my earlier comment – I have a Bezzera BZ35 at home (single group commercial espresso machine), plus a Bezzera shop grinder, and Iberital MC2 doserless.

But like many others – my advice would be, DON’T do espresso at home, it’s too much faff, unless you are really obsessed 😉

Leave espresso to the coffee shop, brew exquisite aeropress coffee at home, what could be simpler?

[Author]

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