Hi all,

I've been a dedicated reader of HB forum discussions for more than a year, but I really haven't posted more than once or twice. Okay, maybe just once ... Anyway, I think I've been a little intimidated by the breadth of experience & wealth of equipment (take that every way possible) to be found here. While I have found great success with my own setup, I know it's not one that would be favored by any HB enthusiast. I started brewing my own in Jan '08 & have loved every every drink (after the several week fumbling period, of course). My plan was to upgrade, way off in the future, to a "real" setup. But I loved what I bought, so it didn't matter that I couldn't afford anything else anyway.

I've been bike commuting for about 19 yrs. The commutes have been getting gradually longer, as the jobs keep moving farther away from the house. For the past two years I've averaged 3,000 bike commuting miles per year. Since my bike really wasn't designed for that kind of commuting mileage, I started saving for a proper commuter bike by simply banking the money I wasn't spending on gas. It took nearly two full commuting seasons (April-October) to save the $2,500 required for the custom-built frame I wanted. I just picked it up this Dec.

And, while I was saving this past summer, I realized that I could do the same thing with my espresso. I figured that for a nice machine & grinder, the cost would be comparable to what I just spent, so I started looking at machines. Early on, Salvatore strongly appealed to me. Locally (somewhat) handmade to order, similar to the bike I was getting. Fantastic reviews for design, build, user control & results, also similar to what was produced by my local bike builder. I looked around a little more. I decided that, up to $3,000, all the "names" were fair game now! The Stainless Box-o-Plumbing models: Quick Mill, Vibiemme, Isomac, ECM, etc... The Square Box-o-Controls models: La Pavoni, Pasquini, Rancilio, Nuova Simonelli, etc... Then I realized that, also like my new bike, style meant as much to me as performance. I was paying extra for artisan craftsmanship in my lugged steel frame because I knew I'd be spending so much time interacting with it. I wanted the same thing for my espresso. My vision became clear: Elektra.

The next decision was a grinder. No rush, right? This would be funded by bike miles over many months. Sure, it was going to take a while; at least two years, maybe three. Each pedal stroke would get me closer to my goal; each mile not driven would fund a different kind of fuel. Commutes would take on a new purpose, have a new motivation. Except....



Damn Recession. I've been out of work for nearly a month. I'll find something, eventually. I've already decided that quality of life is more important than quantity of paycheck, & I'm looking for work closer to home. That means lower pay, but I'll get back an extra week every month just by not driving 20,000 miles/year to commute. That also means saving thousands every year in car expenses (which offsets some of the lost salary). However, that does mean that I won't be saving any money for new espresso equipment. At least, not for the forseeable future. That's okay. I still love my little setup. It's practical, if not inspiring. I never thought I'd have a beautiful hand-made bicycle. I now know that another beautiful machine is sailing towards me on just a slightly more distant horizon...

Makes sense. I'm curious though, what kind of bicycle is that and can you post more pics?

I live in Holland. My three* bikes are all older than me. 2 of my rear wheels are out of whack, i'm missing a couple of spokes, 2 bikes have lights. 2 bikes have the original tires, my breaks squeak, the one with hubgears doesn't want to shift anymore etc. etc. etc. I've never had a frame giving way under me. And i bike fast. So how can a bike not be "designed for the mileage?" It's just 10 miles a day. That's only one hour of biking.

EDIT:
--I've searched google for "commuter bike". I am now laughing my ass off by reading things like people being suckered into spending >$100 for a light and being encouraged to attend classes on how to fix a bike ---

Of course i don't mean to offend someone, just point out cultural differences.


*
-old beige peugeot racing bike
-old white and blue raleigh racing bike with a picture of the space shuttle on it and the words "aerospace contour". This one is my favorite.
-old silver gazelle 'Tour de France'.

If you work closer to home, just take ALL the money you would have spent on gas for the espresso fund! The most savings would occur if you worked AT home.

What do you have now?

I commute 17 miles round trip on a $300 single speed bike pieced together off ebay. 1970s Raleigh frame. It's great. The money not spent to Rivendell or Velo Orange goes into coffee.

This is what kind of bike it is - http://www.nobilettecycles.com/.

The website does not do justice to the artistry. Maybe we'll get some more images from the owner.

Don't worry about the Dutch. They're just bummed that Belgium took the World Championship jersey back.

WES

I sold my car and build myself this one

What a great story! Congratulations on your beautiful bike, but it's too bad you'll have to wait for your Elektra. Still, you'll appreciate it even more after you've had to wait for it for a while.

I think bikes and espresso go together like beer and sausage. Espresso machines are also a bit like bikes in the sense that you really do have to spend some money to get great performance. Sure, a $200 Wal-Mart bike will get you to the donut shop, but if you want something that really performs on long hard rides, you need to spend $2,000 or more. Same thing with espresso machines. You can get a cheap Gaggia and get OK performance, but if you really want great, consistent results you'll need to lay out $1,000 or more for a good HX, double boiler or lever machine. A well built espresso machine is also a beautiful work of industrial art, just like a nice handbuilt bike.

Enjoy the ride while you wait for your new machine!

Jacob -->

I sold my car and build myself this one

What a fine fixie! What did you sell to acquire the La Marzocca?

That Nobilette looks sweet. I'm jealous.



This is a cool cromoly hardtail that I have. It's a Wilderness Trail Bikes Phoenix. Not made anymore. Handmade by this guy - http://www.stevepottsbicycles.com. There is something about knowing the person that made something you use. Image is from a 60km commute to work in 6" of snow this December. Normally, it's under 2.5 hours. It was close to 7 in the snow.



This is the daily driver. Kona Honky Tonk with long reach brakes for fenders. Here in the great Northwest, many of us keep a separate bike just for riding in the rain and this is mine. I ride with a group that has "fender rules" so it is a serious deal! (For those with a sharp eye - the rear one is a bit short. Working on that.) I lean it up against my Astoria so they can warm up together in the AM. Pulling a double is the last thing I do before pedaling in each morning. I can savor the taste for the whole ride in.

Then I work on them on the 1/2 of the bench that isn't covered with espresso machines.

WES