Who Has the Best Espresso in the Pits? - Nove Mesto World Cup XC 2019

May 25, 2019
by Andy Vathis  

Down the hatch buddy.
A Study
Who has the best espresso in the XC pits?
Photography and Suffering by Matthew DeLorme and Andy Vathis

That's right. We did it. We put our bodies on the line to answer the age-old question of who has the best espresso in the pits.

If you've ever visited a World Cup, you'd notice an assortment of shiny boxes with all sorts of dials and gauges perched on a dedicated table inside most pit spaces. Those beautiful machines produce fuel for humans and the teams hold them to the highest regard. However, not all Gods hold the same powers. We've been debating this question for a long while now. As media, we often get the privilege to sit down for a cup with staff from different teams but never put them up against one another. Until today, that is.

After nine team pits, a little under an hour, and many hallucinations later, we had our winner. Hold on to your heart rate, beans are about to get ground.

Cheers to heart palpitations Andy.
Cheers to heart palpitations, Andy.

Robbie Meade unsure if this whole thing is a good idea. Robbie Meade just doesn t get science.
Robbie Meade unsure if this whole thing is a good idea. Robbie Meade just doesn't get science.

I was pretty impressed with my tamping skills on TFR s new San Marco machine. We scored a 4.5. Creamy on the front end with a slight bitter finish.
I was pretty impressed with my tamping skills on TFR's new San Marco machine. We scored it a 4.5. Creamy on the front end with a slightly bitter finish.

Creamy goodness at the Trek pit. It went down smooth just as advertised.
Creamy goodness at the Trek pit. It went down smooth, just as advertised.

Andy tries to choke down that Nescafe Gold. It was not pleasant.
Andy tries to choke down that Nescafe Gold. It was not pleasant.

Norco wanted in so they got in. The scored a 1. There should be a minus in front of it though.
Norco wanted in so they got in. They scored a 1. There should be a minus in front of it though.

My guts hurt now. I m blaming on the Nescafe.
My guts hurt now. I'm blaming it on the Nescafe.

Not an espresso machine.
Not an espresso machine.

No grinder. No tamper. No high tech gear. Norco s methods were uncivilized.
No grinder. No tamper. No high tech gear. Norco's methods were uncivilized.

Cannondales Rocket Appartmento.
Cannondales Rocket Appartmento.

Cannondale pouring a fine shot of espresso.
Cannondale pouring a fine shot of espresso.

The tamp is everything. Get it wrong and your shot could be ruined.
The tamp is everything. Get it wrong and your shot could be ruined.

The finest Brazilian blend from Cannondale.
The finest Brazilian blend from Cannondale.

Fresh batch just for us. Thank you for being supportive Cannondale.
Fresh batch just for us. Thank you for supporting the study, Cannondale.

We had high hopes for Cannondale abd despite not having their bean of choice they delivered a solid shot scoring 4.1.
We had high hopes for Cannondale, and despite not having their bean of choice they delivered a solid shot scoring 4.1.

What a good coffee puck should look like folks.
What a good coffee puck should look like, folks.

Well it ain t gonna drink itself eh Matt
Well it ain't gonna drink itself, eh Matt?

Ghost had a sprung packer for that extra..pack.
Ghost had a sprung packer for that extra..pack.

Questionable results since they scored themselves. Non the less it was a decent brew.
Questionable results since they scored themselves. Nonetheless, it was a decent brew.

BH bikes were one of the last stops. Presentation and flavor weren t quite on point.
BH bikes were one of the last stops. Presentation and flavor weren't quite on point.

Heart racing Andy steadies his hand for another shot.
Heart racing, Andy steadies his hand for another shot.

Rumor has it that the Th mas team has the best coffee in the XC circus. I mean they have a dedicated coffee room in the pits This was espresso no. 8 for us but the quality still came through.
Rumor has it that the Thömas team has the best coffee in the XC circus. I mean, they have a dedicated coffee room in the pits! This was espresso no. 8 for us but the quality still came through.

DeLorme showing off the goods. I don t think we knew what we were having and I don t think it mattered at this point.
DeLorme showing off the goods. I don't think we knew what we were having, and I don't think it mattered at this point.

4.8 on the palpitation scale.
4.8 on the palpitation scale.

Bonus points for the handlebar across the box.
Bonus points for the handlebar. Innovation is key.

MMR offered up 100 Arabica beans but tipped the scale at just 60.
MMR offered up %100 Arabica beans but tipped the scale at just %60.

The Amazing set up of Specialized. Rocket Espresso R58.
The Amazing set up of Specialized. Rocket Espresso R58.

Specialized buckled under pressure. The Rocket R58 is a precision machine and an under tamped shot led to under extraction.
Specialized buckled under pressure. The Rocket R58 is a precision machine and an under tamped shot led to under extraction.

Pulled fast and served hot at Specialized.
Pulled fast and served hot at Specialized.

The Specialized pits were caught of guard with our challenge but hey science doesn t wait for nobody.
The Specialized pits were caught of guard with our challenge but hey, science doesn't wait for anybody.

Andy s heart has seized by shot 8.
Andy's heart has seized by shot 8.

Last stop at the Scott pits. They had something special waiting for us indeed.
Last stop at the Scott pits. They had something special waiting for us indeed.

Brad pours the winning shot.
Brad pours the winning shot.

That grappa took the edge of nine espressos off for a short spell.
That grappa took the edge of nine espressos off for a short spell.

Come on Andy it s the best shot. Don t look so sad.
Come on Andy, it's the best shot. Don't look so sad.

That bottle to the left saved our bacon and won Scott the day.
That bottle to the left saved our bacon and won Scott the day.

There s a reason why Scott wears the UCI rainbows on their jerseys and it has nothing to do with racing.
There's a reason why Scott wears the UCI rainbows on their jerseys, and it has nothing to do with racing.

The Final tally. Scott SRAM MTB win thanks to a bit of Grappa. Thomas and Ghost tie for second despite Ghost s best efforts to grad themselves. Trek takes third.
The Final tally: Scott SRAM MTB takes the win thanks to a bit of Grappa. Thömas and Ghost tie for second, despite Ghost's best efforts to grade themselves. Trek takes third.

Results are in Nine shots in a little under an hour for Matt and I. I m sure we ll sleep fine tonight.
Nine shots in a little under an hour for Matt and I. I'm sure we'll sleep just fine tonight.

We did this for you so you didn t have to.
We did this for you so you didn't have to.


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199 Comments
  • 144 2
 This is no good guys. All the dentists are going to be dropping £2k on rocket espresso machines instead of AXS Eagle, enve wheels and Fox Livevalve. We can't have our main cash cow spending money outside the industry like this
  • 12 0
 We buy www.decentespresso.com/overview
Because its all about the flow
  • 5 0
 @tom666 let them buy them and we can hunt them down second hand later... those rockets are sex... as my Vibiemme
  • 25 5
 And nobody had La Marzoccho...
  • 29 0
 If you dont already own a 1000$ + coffee machine, you dont deserve to call yourself a dentist.
  • 1 1
 @WAKIdesigns: those sit at Specialized HQ, triple group..
  • 7 0
 @gcrider: I wish I cared about anything as much as this guy cares about coffee.
  • 3 1
 @WAKIdesigns: La Marzoccho Triple Otto,
sounds top notch
  • 10 7
 @dobermon: it’s a snobbish art like many other. Chill out. I use Hario drip or cold brew using pretentious beans from Ethiopia or Peru but can still appreciate a good creamy espresso.
  • 16 0
 @dobermon: this is a website for people who often have bikes worth more than their cars...
  • 10 0
 Not just the dentists!!!! I went straight to the Rocket webpage, even though I don't have a fucking penny!
  • 10 13
 @dobermon: I went for drip because I have terrible coffee at work and coffee downtown costs a fortune. So I brew 500ml of coffee at home, me and wifey drink 200ml right away and then I take remaining 300 to work in kleencanteen bottle (pretentious already). I put it to the fridge at work and sip in 2-3 sets. Medium roasted Quality African beans make it taste quite well when cold, while cold espresso or coffee from moccha is undrinkable for me. I will raise the level soon though, I am planning to buy a set for nitro. Finally I went full pretentious with coffee combucha. Fantastic when served cold (preferably made of brewed dark roast) but fks up my head a bit. Things get a bit hazy

All in all I am too lazy to have espresso machine at home. Too much mess.
  • 1 0
 @gcrider: wow very expensive machine, loooks awesome
  • 11 1
 A good espresso machine is a worthwhile purchase, even more so for those of us who aren't dentists! A latte at Starbucks is like $5. It doesn't take long for a machine that is built to last decades to pay itself off.
  • 3 1
 @WAKIdesigns: that's not coffee...
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns:

My setup for work has always been grinder, french press, and tea kettle. Makes for a good mid-day cuppa.
  • 3 1
 @dobermon: somehow I read this article thinking it couldn't just be about coffee, but it was. I guess coffee is more or less like drugs, I don't do so I can't understand why people are so into it
  • 9 10
 I dont understand the teeny tiny shots. I'm an American...24oz Minimums
  • 2 0
 Are dentists really the appropriate market though? Think of the enamel!!!
  • 2 0
 Have no fear. Dentists already have a 5k Elektra or La Marzocco at home. I could see a budget rocket like this for in the pits though Big Grin

If I ever get dentist money it'll be one of these idrinkcoffee.com/collections/consumer/products/elektra-sixties-series-deliziosa-automatic-espresso-machine
  • 11 0
 @dobermon: It’s bad form to use the word “retarded” to insult people.
  • 1 0
 Yup. @clink83:
  • 1 0
 Try this - so awesome and great value. Thank me later.

www.flairespresso.com
  • 1 0
 @gcrider: Android tablet to monitor - Yes!
Android tablet to control - Noooooooooooo!

The last thing I want is a dead espresso machine when the latest Android update makes it incompatible.
  • 5 0
 @dobermon: thanks for that. Good form.
  • 1 0
 Open Minded

Our tablet software is open source, as is our API. This allows the community to extend the capabilities of our machine. Even if you're non-technical, you'll benefit from the free software community's creations.
You don’t need to update it if ta don’t want to
@AlanB14:
  • 1 0
 I'm sure dentists will be able to cover not having to make a choice of bike parts vs espresso machine.
  • 2 0
 @gcrider: Colour me interested that you live in Chch and work for Decent...!?
  • 1 0
 @mat-DHer: I was just amused by his “Our tablet software” comment and wondering the same, fill us in @gcrider ?
  • 1 0
 @me2menow:

Just.... brush your teeth regularly?
  • 2 0
 @gcrider: I think Decent Espresso are the Ebikes of the prosumer coffee market ; ) "not that there is anything wrong with that"... I know, I know, they weight less that our lever machines..
  • 1 0
 I cut/pasted from the website. Don’t work for them . Just very happy customer
  • 2 0
 Just cut from website . Very happy customer @mrfish:
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I know, I think because they are quite large.
  • 1 0
 @Lagr1980: It seems like most pressure profiling machines end up with a profile very similar to a spring lever machine, which is simpler and overall a better choice imo. I can see the appeal of the Decent machine though.
  • 2 1
 @davec113: Much more consistency than a lever machine though, and there's much better control of temperature. I'm trading in my La Marzocco FB80 for the professional version of the Decent soon.

JP
  • 1 1
 My childhood/true self wants a Fox Livevalve. My worn out, shitty adult self wants a espresso machine. We all know who's going to win that argument too.
  • 8 0
 @Kramz: your wife ?
  • 2 1
 @zede: hahahah
  • 2 2
 @mgrantorser: The snobbery begins once you spend time in Italy. At least for me. Came home and immediately went through escalating priced machines until I hit the top end. Pretty much like bicycles.
$2500 machine and a $700 grinder has paid for itself several times and I never go to a SBucks. When I travel though it was a problem. An acceptable and much higher quality than local or Sbucks espresso is a Nespresso system. I pack it in a small bag and it goes in my OGIO roller bag. Excellent coffee anywhere there is electricity available. Espresso is as essential as air to me in the morning.
FYI- The worst espresso comes from a machine that isn't cleaned religiously on a frequent basis.
  • 1 1
 @chasejj: I assure you that machines at Autogrill in Italy are not cleaned religiously yet they make the best stuff. As to Nespresso and all the similar stuff, I need 3 cups of that to put my synapses into power saving mode. Ot is incredibly weak. Regular espresso already has quite little caffeine in it. I need a double to get systems in operational mode in the morning and the only thing to stop me from tumbling into the void at 16:00 is 200ml of my home brew.
  • 1 2
 @chasejj: sorry but nespresso is a shortcut to real snobbery. Manual grinder, v60 dripper and water boiler... That the on the go.. Aeropress is not acceoted either, its a substandard quasi-espresso hahahaha
  • 2 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Not saying Nespresso is great, but it travels well and in a pinch is certainly better than the alternative in most cases which in my experience is bad drip coffee or Sbucks.
  • 2 1
 @WAKIdesigns: You'd be wrong as usual.
  • 2 1
 @chasejj: nespresso better than Starbucks? Huh you must have A better nespresso in US and B worse Starbucks. As to regular espresso machine the number of variables is rather high, the type of coffee, type of grinder, grinding grade, type of machine, way to pack it with the tamper, you name it. So you say bad drip, I say overcomplicated bollocks to raise your heart rate and make the brain work better for 45 minutes. And quite frankly Espresso tastes fkng awful in 99% of cases. That is why I add milk and sugar.
  • 2 1
 How is that possibly offensive to anyone?
  • 1 0
 @chasejj: I refer to starbucks as the best of the worst. They've started installing more of their clover machines here in BC which is as good as pour over but cost about a buck more. I'm just generally not a fan of how earthy/chocolatey their roasts are. Wish they'd ditch pike and have some better medium roasts.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns:
I have had some of the best coffee from the truck stops in Portugal. I was surprised how good it was considering the ladies preparing it were talking amongst themselves and weren't obviously paying attention at the task at hand. No scale, no timer, just incrediblly tasty espresso. I guess you get good after pulling a few thousand of them. As good as any Portland boutique coffee house
  • 73 1
 Norco being absolute animals with the field brew....might as well eat a spoonful of it and pour the water straight into your mouth.
  • 49 0
 My next bike is a norco.
  • 13 1
 After seeing the Norco "setup" one has to think their racers should carry TP and spare bibs, for the inevitable mid-race blowout.
(speaking as someone who knows the value of trailside broadleaf fauna)
  • 3 0
 Hahahahahahahaha.
  • 47 0
 @dlford: Broadleaf fauna? LoL I hope you meant flora...
  • 12 0
 Still better than the Tim Horton's swill they get at home
  • 2 0
 I'd have though that having Caro & Anita Gehrig under the Norco banner would have led to the best coffee in Mountain biking.

youtu.be/90PUP8fcIec
tup
  • 6 0
 @dlford: those poor forest creatures never saw it coming.
  • 2 0
 Add whiskey to the nescafe and it ain't that bad. In all seriousness it's better than going broke buying Starbucks via for backpacking trips when you just need the caffeine.
  • 2 0
 @coffeepoop42069: apparently it doesn't stick to the fur of rabbits.
  • 2 0
 @m1dg3t: Busted. In my defence, I'd only had one cup of joe before hitting the keyboard.
  • 2 1
 @Dropthedebt: I scrolled down straight to find this comment Wink . My guess is that they stole the machine and all Norco was left with was the Nescafe. They only found out after they invited Pinkbike. After that, there was no turning back.
  • 1 0
 @dlford: If you're gonna be a bear; Be a f*cking grizzly!

Smile
  • 61 0
 Hmmm. A few observations from someone who owns a specialty coffee company (and who cares a bit too much about these things):

No one in the images looks to be weighing the wet or dry doses. You're never going to get any consistency without doing that.

None of the beans used looked particularly great - I didn't see a single decent specialty roaster in there. Should any of the teams want some proper specialty grade coffee we'd be happy to send them some!

Tamp pressure is not particularly important. I tested this using the Puqpress for an article I wrote for a coffee website a few year ago.

Feel free to downvote me for pretentiousness.

JP
  • 17 0
 Upvoted for actually know what you're talking about
  • 6 9
 Haha, another specialty coffee dude here, everything shown here is equivalent of shimano acera in mtb world. Please stick to bike stuff PB...
  • 1 0
 The beans and tamping also jumped out at me. I'm just a low grade home nerd (not a dentist) with a Rocket Cillini. I do weigh my dry dose for consistency but draw the line at weighing the wet.
  • 2 0
 @ckcost: Agreed. I do sometimes snap the puck in two to assess uniformity of water penetration, but that's about it.
  • 5 1
 Love it. The irony of how men in western cultures think being knowledgeable and particular is pretentious...meanwhile loads of tourists ooh and ahh in Japan on how meticulous and amazing they are at everything they do.
  • 1 0
 @motard5: This westerner believes it is good to be knowledgeable and particular.
  • 53 0
 Tastes like a Session
  • 38 1
 Espresso is a lot like bikes, in that when you start out, you think “who would ever spend $1k on a coffee maker?”, and then a few years later, you’re like, “you know, $8,100 for a La Marzocco GS3 with the walnut accents is a really good value, I should take out that 3rd mortgage...”
  • 4 0
 Paired with a Mahlkonig EK43s or Kafatek Monolith Titan grinder? That's the dream...
  • 1 0
 Caffeine really is shit against my coffee + mate mockeup
  • 1 1
 LMZ for the win. Manual machines - it’s like pedaling to the top of the Garbo runs instead of taking a lift, with all the work you have to do. But it’s that much better.
  • 1 0
 Except most people don't mispronounce bikes!
  • 1 0
 I have this exact problem. My solution is to always commit to buying the best version that I can afford so I don't waste money on upgrades later on.
  • 27 0
 Wait.. Is it allowed to brew espresso without beard??
  • 15 5
 As long as your legs are shaved
  • 9 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Why stop at the legs? You haven't really lived... ;p
  • 17 0
 Well, even though I hate coffee snobism, I do enjoy a good espresso, and entertaining reports. Well done guys! ????

p.s. even though they won... Shouldn't Scott be disqualified for 'illegal substances'? :-o ;-)
  • 21 1
 I’ve totally come ‘round on coffee snobbism, at least in the people making my coffee.

My theory is that the very best coffee is going to be made by someone who is so obsessed with their craft, they are mildly offended by my mere presence and custom.

The best shots are served with eye rolls.
  • 12 4
 @atourgates: not really. Some of the best espressos in the world are to be had at AutoGrill stops by Italian highways. And I got that confirmed by biggest coffee snobs in Scandinavia.
  • 7 0
 @WAKIdesigns: true that. Nothing like the first pit stop on italian soil at an autogrill.
Vacation starts exactly at that moment.
  • 5 0
 @WAKIdesigns: What amuses me, as someone who lives within cycling distance of the Italian border, is how little most people think about coffee in Italy - I've never encountered really snobbery/pretense or people who spend time thinking about coffee as pretty much everywhere serves good coffee for around a Euro per cup. And... a stove top espresso maker for around $20 makes a perfectly good cup of coffee, it just takes a little longer.
  • 3 1
 @mattwragg: I know. Same goes for wine and food. I have an Italian in my family (his whole family comes as a bonus) and live in Scandinavia where some of the worlds biggest try hards live. Scandinavians were big for some time with roasting. Their medium roast got supposedly best in Europe. Guess what I am often buying African beans from a shit hole next to my home town in Poland for half or 1/4th the price and would never tell the difference in taste. If you go to Da Matteo, most snobbish caffeteria in Sweden, you will pay 20€ for 250g of beans.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I think the idea of doing things correctly when it comes to food and drink is ingrained in the national psyche - if you look at most Italian food, it is simple but with good ingredients that have to be cooked just right. Same goes for coffee. The best pasta sauce I have ever tasted is just fresh tomatoes, garlic, oil, basil, salt and pepper, but if you under/overcook the garlic even slightly the whole dish is ruined. I once had an Italian friend refuse to eat a plate of pasta I cooked because I put the garlic in the pan before I had heated the oil...20 Euros for 250g of beans is nuts, but is all too believable.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: A1 espresso, FTW!
  • 2 3
 @mattwragg: I think it comes down to being petty. I can watch a movie on IPhone. My wife wants a QLED4K with dolby surround. I am not too particular about geometry of bikes or suspension design but I demand renthal bars, right sort of tyres, shock pump and tyre pump Smile

I also avoid garlic when it comes to pasta...
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: you’re just trolling us at this point Wink
  • 19 3
 Buy an AeroPress and do a hard pass on the Rocket, have money left over for a new Druid, and still score highest on the coffee contest...as long as it’s a blind taste test...
  • 3 0
 Love my aeropress!!
  • 1 0
 gonna have to try one! it was even reviewed in NSMB
  • 5 0
 Aeropress at work. Rok press at home. Life is sweet and the coffee is cheap.
  • 2 0
 This comment needs more upvotes.
  • 2 3
 @bicycle019: Somebody actually downvoted me. I have no idea why, but apologies for whatever offended that person. Maybe a Rocket owner?
  • 2 0
 Pourovers and french press make solid brews as well.
  • 1 0
 The thing w the Aeropress is there are still multiple methods or timing techniques that allow its own form of snobbery and insider knowledge.
  • 3 0
 @twozerosix: Agreed. That said, there is a World Championship every year, and the winners openly share their techniques online, so it's not all that "insider".

For me, the upside down method, a burr grinder, good quality beans and a thermostatically controlled kettle to heat the water to 80 degrees C works like a damn each and every time, regardless of all the other subtle differences in technique.

After spending a small fortune on other alternatives, the AeroPress has proven itself to be a life changer. All for $35 CDN. Wow. Been using one now for about 5 years. No reason to ever look back.

Even the most offensive of the coffee snobs seem to love the AeroPress, once they have given it a shot.
  • 12 0
 Alright, time to compare disciplines - do the DH crowd brew a better shot, or will EWS take the crown?
  • 35 0
 Coffee obsession goes in this order:

Roadies
XC
Enduro
DH
  • 2 0
 @imho4ep: hahaha, noooo way!
  • 10 3
 @imho4ep: Goes in order from most to least boring.. Coincedence???
  • 4 2
 @gnarnaimo: road is so boring that nobody wants to watch it. Not a single person on grand tours. People are not camping for days to be there. Plus those guys going down the Alps 90kmh on 26 tires. or whatever tires they actually have these days
  • 19 0
 @imho4ep: Weed obsession goes in this order:

DH
Enduro
XC
Roadies
  • 1 0
 @huppe: same order for energy drinks
  • 1 0
 @kanasasa: oh you mean empty cans with water in it?
  • 5 0
 @huppe: Enduro is def number 1 weed obsessed.

@Serpentras: Define the word empty.
  • 1 0
 @gnarnaimo: fish f*ck in it
  • 1 3
 I think DH is the most boring @gnarnaimo:
  • 1 0
 @dj100procentenduro: www.uci.org/inside-uci/press-releases/ebu-and-the-uci-hail-impressive-european-audience-figures-for-the-2018-uci-road-world-championships
Ahem.
  • 1 0
 @clink83: I don't think you understand he was being sarcastic..
  • 17 6
 A couple of more shots and you will have enough to possibly stay awake while watching an entire XC race!
  • 12 0
 Pick a coffee and be a dick about it
  • 2 0
 Would steer clear of the stuff extracted from animal or bird shit?
  • 2 0
 @aljoburr: #monkeyshitaintdead
  • 8 0
 fun article, Hey Norco guys, get the Nescafe Classico, its much better than the gold. Tech tip- If you add the crystals to boiling water it foams up and makes a bit creamy head. Simple, fast, cheap, no clean up and no wasting water or energy. Use the money you save on a trip to crankworx.
  • 11 2
 Surprised the American teams didn’t just hand you a Starbucks coffee. Wait I mean Charbucks, or wait, I mean Starsucks. I forget what it is really called.
  • 6 1
 Starschmucks, I believe, is a better descriptor.
  • 1 0
 @slayersxc17 Man, I've been all over the world and drank specialty roasts from some of the best. Originally from Portland, OR..and we don't hate the American roasters. You're from NC....c'mon...
  • 1 0
 @ADGproductions: totally agree about some awesome roasting going on, some awesome spots here in WNC.
I was merely picking on the majority of Americans who are obsessed with the Seattle roaster. I highly doubt any USA teams would be drinking nothing but he best.

I see you’re in Jackson. Used to ski there every year. Never got to bike out there, looking forward to the day me and boys can head there.
  • 9 1
 Nescafé - loving the Canucks style. Honey badger don't care.
  • 3 1
 Tim Hortons coffe had set the standar quite low.
(still love you, Tim, don't worry)
  • 15 0
 @ismasan: Even McDonalds has better coffee than Tims now.
  • 1 0
 @ismasan: Tim's coffee was better prior to the roaster change. Frown
  • 4 0
 i love a good espresso - that's the only one thing i brought from portugal to ireland and refuse to get into nescafe - for me, delta cafe all the way ... i would think 8 shots of espresso would get them intestines working overtime so mad kudos for managing some sleep in the grass after that !
  • 6 1
 I feel like i need to get a new hobby, bike riding has become too hipster for me...
  • 1 0
 Only once DH teams start the same shit. Luckily, we're not there yet.
  • 1 0
 @Loki87: tell Steve Peat that.
  • 1 0
 @Dropthedebt:
Pretty sure Steve still much prefers the beer though ;-)
  • 1 0
 Next thing we will be shaving our legs , riding in formation and wearing lycra ...
  • 1 0
 There is way too much coffee bs on this site for sure
  • 4 0
 Aero Press. Amazing on bike trips, easy to use. check it out for a fit in the bag type of personal press. Love mine goes on every MTB
  • 3 0
 The pressure on the Scott machine is a bit too high, needs adjustment!

Plus whoever thinks "100% arabica" is all ya need just hasn't tried the other side of the moon yet. 60/40, better crema, more caffeine...
  • 1 0
 Who cares for caffeine only? Get it kicked up by some mate.
  • 4 0
 La Marzocco Linea Mini - Take note Norco, this will win it for you next year
  • 3 1
 Coffee, coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,vcoffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,coffee,
  • 1 0
 The price of the machine is just the entry free. What is really expensive is the recurring cost of good beans. And the price just keeps getting jacked. When i got my $1200 espresso machine 14 years ago (and $750 used grinder) a baggie of the best was $4. Same stuff is now $17.50.

And the machine and grinder have resale, ive probably made money on the grinder.

The big problem with espresso is if you dont have the best beans its bad, single melitta drip will tolerate much worser beans.
  • 1 0
 I'm relatively new to the social aspect of the biking scene. I've mostly been a solo rider until recently. One thing I've noticed is that almost all bikers are espresso drinkers. What's going on? I happen to be one of them haha. But I've had espresso machines long before I started biking.
  • 1 0
 The tamp is not everything. Leveled grounds distribution is everything, you tamp firm but not too much. It‘s more about geting the grounds level and make a solid, flat surface for the Water. The pressure when brewing is way above what a human could possibly apply in a tamp.
  • 2 0
 Moka pots for coffee are way better than these fancy machines usually. Cost about 10 euros and you can put it in a suitcase. A cup of coffee is only as good as its ingredients though.
  • 1 0
 I still use nonni's moka pot. It survived WW2 and a trip across the ocean...
  • 3 2
 I was gonna comment on what kind of troglodytes drink espresso without Grappa... Saved the best for last I see.

At least there were no pictures of virgins putting sugar/milk/cream in their espressos.
  • 5 2
 XC = Expresso

DH = Monster/Redbull

Enduro = 8 shot Latte's

Trail = Startbucks
  • 3 0
 Ahhh, I enjoyed this article with a nice strong cup of Kicking Horse 454. Full stars for the article & my brew!
  • 3 0
 Bet sick bikes have an awesome machine with all that spare cash they laundered away.
  • 3 0
 All that trouble and you give the win to a coffee that had additional items in it?!
  • 1 0
 Not sure why but I expected nicer machines. No slayers, no Kees, no ek43s? The roadies have much better setups from what I remember. And for the love of coffee, weigh your shots!
  • 1 0
 I'm surprised non of the pits have this: chrisking.com/products/espresso-tamper-53mm-black
(also comes in colors)!

I love my Jura machine, it does the grinding and press for me, and is super consistent.
  • 4 0
 Can we have a whiskey review at Fort William?
  • 1 0
 As someone who started drinking a energy drink before every ride, I feel you all. Never wanted to drink energy drinks, sometimes the best things just come to your sorry, sorry ass who would be sleeping plus riding otherwise.
  • 3 0
 I am missing an article about barbers in the pits. Nothing like a good cut'n'shave after a nice espresso.
  • 1 0
 No La Pavonis? I've used Rockets but I prefer lever machines so you can feel the pressure and time the pour. I love making coffees far more than I like drinking them.
  • 4 0
 You probably like rigid hard tail single speeding too.
  • 1 0
 @twozerosix: heh heh. Only on my DJ bike.
  • 1 0
 Great job, guys.....and all in the name of science! DeLorme won on his stylish garb -- Scott won on the world champ espresso cups -- and you guys won on the creativity!!
  • 1 0
 Miss Silvia and Senior Rocky, workhorses, been doing the job for over a decade, it’s not morning without a couple lattes, best investment ever, f*ck Starbucks garbage!
  • 3 0
 Only Norco seems to have its priorities right...
  • 2 0
 Great fun and XC coffee sorry, but how bout an actual bike check of the top 10 XC rigs. INCLUDING WEIGHTS....
  • 1 0
 Nice article. They developed a rubric, followed it through, and captured it all with the usual photographic flare. Good caffeine fun was had by all.
  • 1 0
 Brad Copeland (Kate Courtney's mech) is pretty much world class at anything he puts his hands on. I bet he could even make that nescafe gold taste good.
  • 2 0
 the Americans were like, where is Starbucks? :p
  • 2 0
 You should have used the same 28.99mm cup for each shot ????????????
  • 2 0
 Standards keep on changing hey!
  • 2 0
 I reaaaaaally want an espresso now.
  • 3 0
 The ones with EPO in it
  • 1 0
 @dobermon: *higenamine and oxilofrine
  • 2 0
 With a stache like DeLorme's you know you're in good hands
  • 1 1
 Proof that World Cup athletes take drugs! Coffee is not a banned substance unless you take too much, but would be funny if they all run out, seeing then all strung out?
  • 1 0
 Excellent work, PB...we can never take ourselves too seriously. And yet good coffee is... extremely serious.
  • 2 0
 Your cups aren't superbost and therefore are outdated.
  • 1 0
 Is it just me or does the specialized grinder have a face on it that makes it look like it has an espresso bean afro?
  • 3 0
 Best post ever!
  • 2 0
 The right mill does at least 50 percent of a good shot!
  • 1 0
 I'm changing my fantasy team based on this article. Next, could you rate the post-ride beers?
  • 3 0
 Nescafe Gold !!
  • 2 0
 This is bloody hilarious.
  • 3 0
 Rockets rule
  • 1 0
 Prolly one of the best articles yall have ever written. Thanks for the sacrifice.
  • 1 0
 I love my Jura Z6, but I kinda feel like it’s the equivalent of an E-bike to the espresso machine.
  • 1 0
 The Swiss brand is called Thömus and % comes after the number. Otherwise good story.
  • 2 0
 No naked portafilters, no care.
  • 1 0
 That’s why I don’t drink coffee from cafes as I only drink it naked
  • 1 0
 c'mon...coffee? what's next? who's got the finest chamois in their bibs? Czech Republic is a beer country Smile
  • 1 0
 It's all about the beans! Fresh ground . Some lke a light roast. I like like dark brown oily aromatic beans.
  • 1 0
 The photog was on fire for this one. No signs of shaky hands at all.
  • 1 0
 Officially seen it all here at ole pinkbike.
  • 1 0
 They should change the name of the event to nova spresso
  • 1 0
 so no one brews their coffee costa rican style?
  • 2 0
 This is stupid
  • 1 0
 Not sure how to make a hyper link
  • 3 6
 Coffee is just liquid smoking. Cigarettes sales are dwindling and this over priced poncy poison is on the way up as replacement. The mark up is amazing after you have bought the fancy machine to put on a show for the adicted saps that drink it. And with the damged it does your teeth the dentists are cashing in.
  • 3 0
 I hope this is a joke. Yeah the markup is big but so are many other things. It's not that bad for you. It's the capsule loading machines and the way it's grown that are a real environmental issues.
  • 1 1
 Completely agree. Coffee is a drug at the end of the day, and these hipsters are turning it into a poncy drug. Also, why is this article even on Pinkbike, it's mountain biking website not 'Hipsters R Us'!
  • 2 1
 @Freakyjon: I like drugs. Coffee is great drug so is alcohol and weed.
I find people that don't do drugs to be up tight and rather judgemental .
  • 1 0
 Just need some Turkish coffee in the pits for the mud days
  • 1 0
 The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup!!
  • 4 4
 That was good! Top coverage!
  • 1 0
 Breaking new: Wanky Design doesn`t need that much to be happy.
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