Alouette3

Also got some 5.10's on there way. My better half's mother is bringing them down from CRC. R800 was a steal... photos will sure follow here when they arrive. Oh an Stoke has some brilliant Kore flat pedals going for about R1k if anyone is looking for flat pedal options

Persevere, you might hate flats for the first couple rides, but so worth it. Tried flats a couple years back to improve skills and haven't gone back to SPD's since

Anyone actually got photographic evidence of one of these steeds....

The Pascoe 140 has caught my eye a fair bit recently, some very good deals around.... what do I need to know about them

Very slim pickings on market at the moment, but chat to "the nerd" as that Grimac of his is a beauty

Still waiting on the PID, will probably go in a case on the side. Trying to figure out a way to fit it in the case, but there might not be enough space with the water funnel and pump in the back of the machine.

Got my bargain old school Gaggia Coffee and MDF grinder up and running. Blasted and powder coated satin black the old cream colour casings, cleaned everything, serviced and replaced gaskets. Now just to perfect my grind and shot pull. Also got a cheap PID set coming in for it. Been a fun project

Saeco agents are now the new Gaggia agents. 50 bucks and I'm sorted.

Who the go to guys to find parts? I know most of you guys are up North and I'm in the Cape. Need a grouphead gasket 72 x 57 x 8.5mm Doing a full rebuild and refurb on my old school Gaggia acquisition, just for the sake of it and to learn.

Properly old school, but at R900 there is not much to loose. Should have it by the end of the week. A project to keep my hands busy at least.

Wish I was able take take the machine of your hands. Bought a friend for my Aeropress in the mean time.

Still on the look out for that perfect starter machine. Went to go look at a Gaggia Classic yesterday that was going at a great price, but used my better judgement (for a change) and gave it a miss, think it had been in the back of the cupboard a couple years to many, which was unfortunate.

Nice! Been wanting to put some 29" wheels with slicks on a 26" frame like that for a long time. 26" with slicks makes it look like a kids bike But 700c wheels and slicks are about the same size as a 26" with a good pair of knobblies.

Might want to check your frame can actually accommodate the tapered fork. Getting an adapter for straight to tapered is easy. The other way round will first depend on your frame, then probably need an external bearing cup on the bottom.

Anyone from the Cape planning a CRC order? Need a cheap £22 rear hub (36H 6 bolt) that not even Shimano has in SA, but postage makes it not so cheap...

That looks like a good deal. Pity I'm in CT

New prices not quite in the budget, so keep a close eye on the second hand market. Gaggia does tend to be a fair bit cheaper on average in this case. That 2L boiler on the Oscar does seem a little excessive for making 1 maybe 2 cups of coffee.

Thanks for the knowledge an input as always. My old espresso machine has now officially breathed its last breath, so will be on a more active search. Have noticed the Oscar, but tends to be one level up on the price point. Might just be interested though. Please let me know what comes along. Totally agree on the rather ugly look of the Gaggia. The steam wand can be replaced with a Silvia unit without much hassle, giving you half decent foam.

So been looking into and reading up on the Rancilio Slivia that nerd mentioned and came across the Gaggia Classic. Anyone had any first hand experience with one or comparison between the two? Gaggia Classic has a steam wand that needs improving. Silvia sounds rather temperamental on temp, unless you temp surfing or fit a PID.

Thanks for the input. Already have an Aeropress and Moka pot that I use a lot when travelling, and a cheap home espresso machine from Boardmans, that is my usual go to. It's been operating for over 10 years already! It needs replacing so that why I'm asking advise. Get a regular supply of fresh coffee from from Deluxe, though normally get it ground for me as my hand grinder has given up the ghost.

You can pic them up for about R3500-4000 second hand, but if its anything like peeing into that South Easter I won't both. If I'm going to start keeping an eye on the second hand market, what machine would you recommend I keep an eye out for? As I said I don't have anything near the R12k + budget that most things decent require. That being said, I don't mind getting my hands dirty and putting a bit of energy into something that just needs some TLC.

Anyone used or have opinions on the Breville 870 with the grinding unit etc? Don't have a R12k+ second hand budget for the professional range machines I want, but thought this might be a workable acceptable alternative. Read about guys shimming the grinders to get a finer espresso grind. Don't want an automatic bean to cup. machine

Who in CT takes in old bikes and builds up to donate as commuters etc. Can't for the life of me remember. Gots some old bits and bobs

Have you seen that road surface these days!