SpruitCommuter

Sounds like he installed a vacuum breaker e.g. http://www.home-barista.com/espresso-machines/lack-of-opv-and-vacuum-breaker-t16998.html

I have the Wega 5.8 - I'm extremely happy with it. It's pretty fast and easy to adjust. Personally I don't use the "touch" functionality. I had an entry level Baratza before the Wega and there's no comparison. I've even seen them used in coffee shops as a lower volume second grinder for decaf. As far as I understand it is the same machine as the Compak K3 - with slightly different finish and branding. The grinder with the hopper is pretty tall, but I've ended up just using the neck of a 5 litre bottle instead - just put as much coffee as I'll use that morning and when it gets low stick something like a shot class in to stop it popcorning. Photos aren't great but they give you the idea:

I still have a brand new set of TRP Hylex drop lever hydraulic disc brakes and rotors. Great option for anyone keen on building up a SSCX or adventure bike. https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/237843-brakes/ I've used my set for a few weeks now and they're great - so much less tweaking than the set of mechanical disc brakes I had previously.

I'm selling two sets of drop bar disc brakes if any of you are interested: https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/236533-brakes/ Used Shimano BR-CX77 mechanical disc brakes Tektro RL340 Aero Levers Cables and mounting adaptors and https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/236532-brakes/ Brand new set of TRP Hylex Hydraulic Disc Brakes https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/236536-road-tyres-tubes/ also have some 40x700c On-One gravel road tyres - with light use

I was given this: http://www.loot.co.za/product/james-hoffmann-the-world-atlas-of-coffee/lwgw-2966-ga50?referrer=pricecheckcampaigns&utm_source=PriceCheck&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=PriceCheck It's a nice book (although I actually ended up exchanging it for another non-coffee book). Seems to get decent reviews too: https://www.amazon.com/World-Atlas-Coffee-Explored-Explained/dp/1770854703#customerReviews

What about a second hand E61 - like this (I realise it's over budget) https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-coffee-makers/eastern-pretoria/espresso-machine/1001835271210910171818409

Great explanations / cutaways / diagrams for saturated and E61 groupheads: http://www.home-barista.com/espresso-machines/cutaway-of-la-marzocco-saturated-grouphead-t700.html http://www.home-barista.com/espresso-machines/e61-group-espresso-machine-detailed-interior-schematics-t397.html

There are also DIY ideas here: http://www.home-barista.com/espresso-machines/no-more-guesswork-naked-truth-of-e61-temperature-revealed-t319.html

As I understand the Linea Mini is a dual-boiler design with a PID (this is what you're using to set the temperature I presume). The grouphead design is also significantly different from the E61 - it's known as a saturated grouphead. Because of these design features the Linea will have far more temperature stability than a heat-exchanger E61 design. Have a look here: http://www.clivecoffee.com/learn/2012/05/e61-vs-saturated-brew-groups/ The HX E61 design is what requires the flush/temperature surfing: Quoting from here: http://www.home-barista.com/espresso-machines/some-thoughts-on-heat-exchanger-vs-double-boiler-espresso-machines-t9682.html Heat exchanger (HX) machines, like levers, have a single boiler that is kept at steam temperature. Fresh, cool water is drawn through a heat exchanger and flash-heated to brew temperature. The heat exchanger is a thin tube of metal that runs through the boiler. The large volume of hot boiler water, typically at least ten-fold greater than the volume of the heat exchanger, heats the brew water on the fly as the shot is pulled. Double boiler (DB) machines take a brute force approach to temperature management. Need water at two different temperatures? Fine, let's just put two separate boilers in the machine. The brew boiler is kept at brew temperature, and the steam boiler at steam temperature. Primary disadvantages are additional cost and power requirements.

If you have a traditional E61 grouphead you can place an appropriately constructed/modified thermometer into the grouphead by removing the nut marked as plug in the attached diagram. check out http://www.home-barista.com/espresso-machines/monitoring-brew-temperature-e61-silvia-t1352.html Alternatively you can attach a themocouple thermometer to the outside of the group - though this will only give you a proxy for the temperature of the whole grouphead...

I picked up a 1980s La Pavoni Europiccola off Gumtree - in pretty good nick. They seem pop up occasionally with a very wide range of prices. I paid R2700 for mine six months ago, but I have seen a couple of La Pavoni Professionals being offered for R10k or more. e.g. http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-coffee-makers/lansdowne/vintage-1959-caferina-dp-milano-la-pavoni/1001749764240910255633009

Going from memory and the images here: http://radventure.cc/cotic-soul-searching/ I would say about 110 x 65 x 25 cm http://radventure.cc/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/SM_CoticRoadRat_Green-9401.jpg

I have a set of on-one midge bars which I like but I think they are a little more flared than the woodchippers. I also don't really have anything to compare to as it's the only set of drop bars I've ever owned http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/HBOOMI/on-one-midge-handlebar

A friend of mine here in Jhb is taking this - so not available any more unfortunately

I'm looking to sell my Gaggia Classic. Any thoughts about what should I be asking for it? It's in good condition (newish group gasket) and I've backflushed regularly etc. It has a naked portafilter with 21g and 14g baskets. I've changed the steam wand out for a Rancilio Silvia one which works much better. I have also have a thermometer hooked up to the boiler to give better information about when to brew. Any interest/any suggestions about what I should ask for it? Some pictures:

Does anyone have any advice about the effect of wider rims on narrower tyres. E.g. 23mm internal diameter rim with a 40c tyre? Sheldon's chart says this is ok, but what would the effect be on the tyre profile? Would it make the rim more or less vulnerable to taking knocks? I'm looking at buying some 29er rims to run with 40c On-One gravel road and I'm trying to decide between Frequency i19 and Frequency i23...

Here's one of my ongoing espresso projects - It's a 1980s La Pavoni Europiccola I picked up on gumtree. I had the base chromed (was mild steel painted with brown enamel) and made the wooden bits, also chopped the portafilter. The fins around the grouphead are supposed to stop it overheating (it's an LED heatsink I chopped a section out of) - not 100% convinced about this, but thought I'd give it a go. Boiler cap is missing from this picture - also wood. I have a Pressure gauge en-route from eBay. Fun project. I got some tasty espressos out of it yesterday, though my lever technique needs some work...

Left Facebook a few years ago so that must be why I missed them

Does anyone know of a South African coffee/espresso forum? I frequently read threads and articles on http://www.home-barista.com/, http://coffeegeek.com/ and http://www.gaggiausersgroup.com/ mostly to get ideas about modding, repairing and maintaining my espresso machines. These resources are very useful, but not really when it comes to advice on sourcing spares etc locally and advertising and looking for second hand machines. Are there any local equivalents - this thread is certainly the most active SA coffee discussion I've come across, but that probably doesn't mean much.

#beanmachine

#jellylegs

Had this awesome person jump the red light as I was starting to cross the intersection in from of him/her. Note that in this still the light is green for traffic travelling into the intersection from the left of the picture (and consequently has been red for some time for the Audi already).

Here are some more pictures and the list of parts I used for my Cotic Escapade singlespeed build: On One Midge bars 110m 10 degree aluminium stem FSA Orbit MX headset Shimano Alfine FC-S500 Crankset (39t) SRAM single speed / BMX chain On One chain tug On One single speed spacers On One Groove Armada sproket (17t) Shimano PDM 520 pedals Shimano BR-CX77 cable actuated disc brakes Tektro RL340 aero brake levers Shimano SLX RT66 rotors (160mm front and back) Vittoria Creed Wheelset 40mm On One gravel road tyres - set up tubeless Selle Royal saddle Ritchey alloy 27.2 x 350mm seatpost

Will post some more pics when I've got it set up properly and put bar tape on.

Here's my new singlespeed Cotic Escapade build. My dog seems to like it